Campbell aims for a swift start
Club’s under-20 side raring to go
They were not able to play a competitive fixture across the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Jeanfield Swifts Under-20s have renewed vigour and excitement as the new season prepares to launch at the end of this month.
The young Swifts will be playing in the Scottish Lowland Development League, which sees 88 teams split into six conferences.
Conference C awaits and the first fixture, expected to be Friday, July 30, cannot come quick enough.
Manager Alan Campbell (above right) said: “Excitement levels were high for the new team getting set up.
“It was exciting for Jeanfield and the area.
“But previously without the prospect of dates for when games were going to start, it was difficult to attract players in.
“We muddled through with mainly our under-19s and then added a couple of players who were happy to just train and wait and see.
“We’ve had a good core coming up from the under-19s which was brilliant.
“There was a natural loss of players through university, work or maybe just not wanting to step up to this serious level.
“But we have recruited from primarily local teams. We’ve attracted a few from Letham, Scone and others who have just contacted us. That was good because you want boys who have hunger and desire to test themselves at as high a level as they can.
“For the age group, this is the highest standard outside of the professional teams. If you want to test yourself, this is the place to be.”
A recent 3-2 friendly win against Kennoway Star Hearts 20s – Aidan Strong netted a double and Luis O’Rourke the other – has lifted spirits further.
“It has been good to see what level the other teams are at,” Campbell said. “We know it’s going to be a good standard.
“It was really good to get a win and it had been building.
“There have definitely been a lot of positives from each of the games.
“There is also a lot for us to be working on but the players are taking on board the way we want to play.
“We want them to be confident, try things and express themselves.
“That win against Kennoway was definitely a little boost that will help kick us on. It’s all about building momentum.”
Campbell will be looking for his players to impress and attract the interest of Swifts’ senior side, who play in the East of Scotland League Premier Division.
He said: “The first team have made clear they see this as the final piece in the pathway for having a conveyor belt of players coming up.
“Rannoch Ramsay has performed when moving up and he did really well against Spartans the other week.
“The first-team coaches have been raving about his desire and fitness levels. It shows he has been putting a shift in with us.
“The other boys can see that the door is open and most definitely there will be opportunities for our players to train with the first team.
“We’re wanting players who see the first team as a realistic goal.”