MIDFIELDER Callum Davidson is looking to help IRVINE VICTORIA preserve their Super First Division status five years after suffering the agony of relegation with Dalry Thistle.

Hometown boy Stuart Hannah also has high hopes the Westenders can hold their own in the Super League after joining from relegated KILWINNING RANGERS, while fellow defender/midfielder Paul Young says his new team have nothing to fear after leaving Bonnyton Boys Club to sign on at Victoria Park.

Davidson (23) almost joined the Irvine club last season but family commitments put the move on hold.

“I think Vics had hoped to sign me in January but I had just become a dad so it suited me better to stay with Saltcoats as they trained once a week. But it’s great to have the opportunity to play here. I enjoyed my time at Saltcoats, I was there for three years but wanted a change. It will be good to play in the Super League and test ourselves against the better clubs although we will have some tough games. I only played a few games with Dalry in the Super League as I was only 18 but it was disappointing we went down.” Hannah was a target for a number of other clubs including Ardeer Thistle but opted to join the Westenders.

He said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to play for Vics as I am a local and followed them when I was a young boy. It was disappointing Buffs went down as I thought we had done enough to stay up. I wasn’t happy latterly at the club and wanted a change, this is a good opportunity for me and I look forward to playing against the likes of Arthurlie and Pollok, who should bring some decent crowds down and the top priority is to make sure we stay in the Super League. Iain McMillan and Stevie Wilson are really good coaches and I look forward to working with them.” Young (21) is relishing a major new challenge following a successful spell with the East Ayrshire side.

He said: “I enjoyed it at Bonnyton, we won the league at Under-19 level and were runners-up last year. I trained with Irvine Vics late on last season and it’s great to have an opportunity to play at a higher level.

“The guys have made me feel very welcome here, we have a great spirit in the squad and hopefully we can do well and even challenge at the top of the league.” Vics welcome Fleet Star FC from Dumfries and Galloway to Victoria Park for their first friendly on Saturday, ko 2pm while on Monday they host Queens Park Under-20s, ko 7.15pm.

Then next Saturday, July 26 they host Cambuslang Rangers in the annual Thomas Loach Memorial Trophy match.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.