New-look Ormiston aim to continue feelgood factor

The Recreation Park side begin the new East of Scotland League campaign tomorrow with the visit of Burntisland Shipyard in the Qualifying League Cup Group A, hoping to build on the achievements of last season that included back-to-back wins over league champions Leith Athletic and a mid-table finish.

The new boss said: “It’s pretty much a new team this year but we’re looking to hit the ground running. We lost about eight or nine over the summer so I was down to the bare bones to be honest when I took over. But we’re looking not too bad and we’ll be hoping to carry on the positivity from last season where we pulled off some really good results.

“It’s good we’ve got the League Cup matches to start with as it can get the guys up to speed before the league campaign gets going. We’ve not got an easy start with tomorrow’s match before Peebles away on Wednesday and then Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale next Saturday so it’s going to be tough.”

On paper, Weir seems the perfect fit for the club having spent the majority of his life as a resident of the East Lothian village.

“My dad used to be the president of the junior team and he’s always been involved with the committee,” he said. “I also stayed in Ormiston until I was 25, I’m now 38 and live just down the road in Tranent so I know what it’s all about. I also played with the club before Brian came in and then I got involved in the coaching side of things with him. But this is definitely the next step for me and I can’t wait to get started. I know it isn’t going to be easy but I have a lot of faith in the guys I’ve brought in.”

Elsewhere in Qualifying Group A tomorrow, last season’s league runners-up Lothian Thistle travel to the Borders to take on Eyemouth United and in Group B, Heriot-Watt University welcome Tynecastle to Riccarton whilst champions Leith Athletic visit Tweedmouth Rangers.