League buzz for Kinnoull

Alan Cameron admits the freshness surrounding Kinnoull’s East of Scotland League move has brought an added buzz to the club.

The Tulloch Park manager is preparing his players for a crack at the Conference A after deciding to leave the junior football set-up.

Experienced boss Cameron says there has been an extra spring in the step at training ahead of the league start later this month.

Kinnoull will open up their new league adventure with a trip to take on Craigroyston, who are based in Edinburgh.

Speaking for the first time about the move, Cameron said:“It’s fantastic to be honest and it came a season earlier than we had anticipated.

“But with Eyemouth unfortunately going into abeyance, it worked out well and gives us a chance to, in my opinion, play at a higher level.

“There is a freshness about it all as well because we’ll be going in against teams that we’re not used to playing.

“There has been a real good buzz at training and the boys are mega keen to get going with this.

“There’s one or two teams who we’ve probably played in cup games, but there is a real spring in the step with going into something new.

“I think that is probably bouncing off the management and onto the players and vice versa.

“I know the committee are working hard off the park and our clubhouse is nearing completion. Everything is moving in the right direction.”

Cameron lost captain Greg Whyte and brother Tom to Tayport earlier in the summer, while Fraser Wilson has also joined the same club.

But he was quick to bolster his squad with the signings of Alan Cunningham and Dale Smart after successful spells with Letham amateurs.

In the coming days Cameron was expecting to be able to announce further signings before competitive fixtures kick-off on July 27.

Before then pre-season training continues at pace and last night Kinnoull were expecting a challenging friendly away at Kelty Hearts. They will also take on Jeanfield Swifts next week.

“We’ve lost the Whyte brothers and Fraser Wilson, who have moved to Tayport,”said Cameron.

“That is to do with them wanting to play on their doorstep, which I totally get and understand.

“Our fourth session was on Tuesday night and I know we’re maybe a little bit behind other teams.

“But the boys only had a four week break. They have kept themselves in decent condition, doing their own stuff to keep them ticking over.”

Amateur clubs have also been adding to their squads ahead of the Perthshire league season beginning on Saturday, August 10.

Vale of Earn have moved quickly to build on their fourth place finish in Division One last term and have introduced a number of new players.

Former player Davie Sinclair has returned to the club following a stint in the Stirling leagues.

He will be joined in the Market Park squad by fellow new recruits Kros Brown and Lee Jack, both of whom previously played for Strathearn Grove.