ARDROSSAN Winton Rovers have confirmed that boss Gavin Friels will be back in the dugout for the season ahead as the club looks to build on its promotion into the third tier of the West of Scotland Football League.

Friels will be joined by all the members of his coaching team from last season's promotion-winning campaign as Winton look ahead to the new season in the Second Division.

There will be one new addition to Friels' backroom team, with coach Robert Scott joining assistant manager Chris McGowan, coach Jamie Houston, goalkeeper coach Dan McColgan and kitman/first aider Scott Cathcart.

And continuity is very much the name of the game on the pitch for Winton too after three mainstays of that promotion-winning squad signed up for a further season under Friels' management.

Aiden Ferris, last season's leading goalscorer and player of the year, alongside strikers Mark Curragh and Ryan Wilson, will all be part of the squad for the new campaign, which begins at home to another of last season's promoted teams, Larkhall Thistle, on July 29.

Winton's pre-season preparations began with a 3-0 loss to Johnstone Burgh at Toryglen on Saturday; Friels and his players have their first home friendly of the summer this Wednesday, July 5, when Premier Division champions Beith Juniors are the visitors to Winton Park.

Kick-off on Wednesday night is at 7.30pm and entry is by donation at the gate.