Saltcoats Victoria manager Iain McMillan says it was fantastic to have fans back in to watch their first game in more than a year.

The club have been on an over year long hiatus from football after deciding to not compete in the inaugural season of the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Vic’s are back however and kicked off their pre season in style with a 5-0 win over Troon FC’s Under 19’s.

Logan Stevenson scored a first half double, with Declan Walsh scoring in between his goals to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the break.

Robbie Laidlaw and Jack Robertson then both scored in the second half to complete the rout and give the vic’s a winning start to their preseason.

McMillan said: “It was our first pre season game, so you are always a bit nervy about injuries, but we got through it.

“There was a couple of knocks but nothing major and everyone got at least 45 minutes, so it was a good workout.

“Overall, a clean sheet and a few goals so that is a good start. “

As well as being the teams first game back it was also the first time fans were able to watch their side in over a year too.

McMillan said he was delighted to have supporters back at Campbell Park.

“It was absolutely brilliant just to see people back in the ground again and it was a lovely day weather wise too.

“It was great to get back to doing what we all enjoy, for us to be playing again and for the fans to be able to get back in and watch us.”

The fans will hopefully also be back in next season as well to watch their team compete in the WoSFL for the first time.

The league announced last week the confirmed divisions for next season with Saltcoats playing in Conference A next term.

McMillan says he is looking forward to getting stuck into a tough division but the club will not be too focused on their opponents.

“It is exciting, there a lot of tough challenges ahead but that is what we are in the game for. We are just concentrating on ourselves and taking each game as it comes.”