NEW Irvine Victoria assistant manager Neil Greenwood is relishing the prospect of joining forces again with former team-mate Stevie Wilson.

And the ex-Largs Thistle and Beith Juniors goalkeeper has high hopes that the Westenders can challenge for promotion back to the Super First Division next season.

Greenwood, who helped Largs reach the 2010 Scottish Junior Cup final, was appointed number two to Wilson last week.

The move was made after former co-manager Iain McMillan left the club owing to a family illness.

Now he is raring to go and Wilson, who played alongside Greenwood at Ardrossan Winton Rovers, feels he has made a good appointment.

Greenwood told Sportttimes: “I have known Stevie and also Iain McMillan for a long time. Vics had a real taste of success two season ago when they won the league and hopefully they can challenge for promotion. They were unlucky to go down. Teams below them lost more games but it was the draws which killed Vics. If they had even won a couple of the games they drew I’m sure they would have stayed up.

“I was involved in coaching with Beith Amateurs last season and enjoyed it so when Stevie called me to ask me about helping at Vics I thought it was a great opportunity.

“I’m raring to go and can’t wait for the new season. We have some quality players and will freshen up the squad by bringing in some others.” Wilson said: “I played alongside Neil for a couple of years at Winton and it will be great to work with him as he bags of experience in Junior football. He is champing at the bit and excited about next season. The guys will enjoy a few weeks off and we look forward to coming back to training.” Vics have re-signed most of their squad from last season although plan to add “three or four new faces”, according to Wilson.

Midfielder Bobby Colligan is leaving the club as he is out of contract and seeking a new challenge.

Added Wilson: “Bobby has been a great servant and we wish him well.” Ambitious Irvine Meadow boss Stevie Rankin has made five new signings as he aims to improve on a frustrating season which saw them miss out on silverware.

Attacking midfielder Shaun Fraser, who was a key player two seasons ago, has returned to the club after a successful season at senior side Queens Park along with striker Ross McPherson, who was being chased by Premier Division rivals Pollok.

Goalkeeper Dan Tobin has also signed from Stranraer with midfielder Grant Bolton coming on board from Harmony Row Under-21s and right-back Graham Girvan being snapped up from Petershill.

Rankin said: “It’s great to have Shaun back as I have worked with him for seven years at Meadow and Ashfield and a number of clubs, including Hurlford United were after him. He and Ross both turned down offers from Queens Park to join us. Dan Tobin comes highly recommended from Stranraer coach Eric Phillips and it was important to strengthen the goakeeping position. Grant won the Scottish Cup and West of Scotland Cup with Harmony Row and is a talented young player. Graham Girvan is a right back with bags of pace. We are talking to four other players although have lost out on some of out targets.” Meanwhile Tony McParland is a free agent and set to move along with Kyle Maxwell.

Kilwinning Rangers are looking to add at least four new players, including two strikers and a goaile. However the same number are expected to move on.

Meanwhile off-the-field funeral boss John Bennett was elected chairman at the Buffs AGM at Abbey Park on Friday night after Danny Watt stepped down following two years in the role.

Watt will continue as a member of the committee.

Co-boss Colin Stewart said: “Danny did a great job as chairman but we look forward to working with John, who is well connected on the local business scene.” For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.