Players commit to Swifts

Jeanfield Swifts have moved quickly to deal in members of their squad for next season.

Manager Ross Gunnion was delighted with how keen his players were to commit their futures to the Riverside for 2021/22.

Mark Mitchell, Aaron Whitehead, Jake Dolzanski, Jamie Reid, Chris Scott, Keiran Stewart, Fraser Smith, Scott Smith, Gary Fergus, Paul Simpson, Connor McLaren, Chris Dodd, Chris McLeish, Mark Smith and Shaun Struthers are all on board.

“Everyone has now committed for next year,”Gunnion told the PA earlier this week.

“I’m delighted to get that done and done early.

“The players can see the direction the club is moving in and the way that we’re playing. Everyone has bought into it.

“We wanted to focus on a smaller squad than in previous seasons and so far that has paid dividends, not only with performances on the pitch but also how happy the players are.”

Competitive action is currently on hold due to the pandemic but Gunnion knows his squad has plenty more to give when East of Scotland League football returns.

He said:“Nearly every one of our players is still to reach their peak in my opinion.

“I still think they have a lot of growing to do. That’s not to say they aren’t good at this moment in time. They are excellent.

“But they can get better and better. We always wanted players in who had a future and were heading up the leagues.

“If some moved on and went up higher, then great. But we wanted players with ambition and who had real potential.

“Since we started at this level we’ve got progressively better. At this moment, on form we’re the best team in the Premier Division.

“If we do get back playing football, it might be two games a week until the end of the season.

“Having a close-knit squad and a team that enjoys each others’ company will be vital. We’ll be spending a lot of time together through April, May and June if all goes to plan.”

Gunnion this week welcomed Letham AFC’s decision to apply to join the East of Scotland League.

“I’m all for teams being ambitious,” he said.“Letham have done pretty much everything they can do in the Perthshire amateur game.

“I think Letham have run away with that league most years for the past wee while. It might freshen up the amateurs too.

“Why not give it a go? It’s definitely a big step up from amateur football, no doubt about it. But from the outside looking in, they look like a well-run club and certainly have a good profile in the area. Ourselves and I’m sure the other local clubs would all welcome another team.

“Luncarty and Kinnoull are having good seasons and have shown they can challenge for top spot. With that, we’re going to get derby games out of it. That can only enhance the interest in the area.”