New football season ready to kick off for county sides

The new campaign kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) with a full fixture card throughout the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) and East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL).

Tranent begin their campaign with a trip to Cowdenbeath in the fifth tier of Scottish football, having finished fifth last season. Ian Little has been busy at Foresters Park, with players including Sean Murphy, Kallum Higginbotham and Broque Watson moving on, while Scott Gray, Danny Handling and Adam McGowan have come in.

The manager, now entering his first full season in charge of Tranent, said: “You always want to tighten up your defence, score more goals and add more energy into midfield.

“We did not expect to lose some players and have had to try to replace them.

“Everybody is in the same boat and it is about ‘can you strengthen in every area of the pitch?’ Hopefully, we have done that.”

Tranent have secured their first cup as a senior side after defeating East Kilbride in the Lowland League Cup final. Image: Alan Wilson.

East Kilbride were crowned SLFL champions last term but failed to win promotion – Little felt they would again be strong.

He said: “I know it is a cliché, but it is one game at a time and concentrate. We try to get through that and concentrate on ourselves.

“You have always got an eye on East Kilbride but it is more what we can do ourselves and try to get through one week and then get ready for the next.”

Meanwhile, Musselburgh Athletic, Dunbar United and Haddington Athletic will be looking to build on largely positive seasons in the top flight of the EoSFL.

Musselburgh Athletic (blue) lost out to Sauchie Juniors in the League Cup.

The Honest Toun team finished as Premier Division runners-up behind champions Broxburn Athletic last term and will be looking to go one better now their rivals have been promoted.

Liam Burns and his side open their campaign against newly relegated Edinburgh University.

The manager felt that there would be a number of teams with their eyes on the league title.

He said: “I think, based on last year, Sauchie and Jeanfield Swifts are always there.

“Jeanfield are a really good footballing side and always have been.

“Sauchie are a difficult team to play against and they struggled at the start and did well after that.

“Those are the two teams – if you were a neutral – plus ourselves and probably look at and expect them to be high up the table.

“You can put Haddington and Dunbar in that bracket as well.”

Among those coming in are Gabri Auriemma from Haddington Athletic, Andy Dempster from Edinburgh College and former Dunbar United goalkeeper Liam McCathie.

Burns said: “I feel the squad is night and day from 12 months ago.

“In terms of what we have managed to bring in this summer and also what we managed to add during the season last year, it is a big, big improvement in terms of strength and depth.

“This time last year, we were struggling numbers wise with injuries and struggling to field a team.”

There was cup heartache last season for Dunbar United. Image: Alan Wilson.

Dunbar United enjoyed a memorable first campaign back in the Premier Division after winning the First Division the season prior.

The Seasiders would finish fourth after winning 18 of their 30 games.

Kevin Haynes was looking forward to another busy season and said: “It is trying to build on it.

“We finished the season pretty well in terms of the league and obviously we got beat in a cup final towards the end.

“Can we go one better and try to compete in the cups again and win one and finish higher up the league?”

Dunbar United have home advantage as they welcome Hutchison Vale to New Countess Park.

Haynes felt his squad was shaping up well but stressed they would need to be at their best to achieve their goals over the coming months.

He said: “There is going to be no room for slackness.

“If teams want to be slack on a few occasions, you find yourself in bother.”

There was cup final disappointment for Haddington Athletic. Image: Gary Peacock.

Scott Bonar’s Haddington Athletic start 2024/25 at home to Glenrothes, who finished just outside the relegation places.

In contrast, the Hi Hi were in mid-table after an inconsistent campaign, including 13 wins and 12 defeats.

Bonar said: “One thing last season was our home record.

“We lost a lot of points at home – our away record was not too bad – but home is something we need to improve on.

“We want to start in the right manner and get three points.”

The manager has brought in Luke Kennedy, Craig Reid and Ben Bathgate while he will again look to standouts from the club’s under-20s, including Riley Haston and Brandyn Neil.

Preston Athletic (blue) were winners against Hibernian in the Craig Innes testimonial match

Looking to join them in the Premier Division will be Preston Athletic.

The Pennypit side finished seventh in the First Division last term and Paul Currie and Jon Daly will be looking to edge ever closer to the promotion places.

Currie said: “Promotion was our aim at the beginning of last season.

“I am the first to admit we underachieved last season.

“We did not find a level of consistency and I do not think we won back to back games in the league until after Christmas.

“You are never going to win a league or be up there challenging if you cannot win back to back games.”

Kinnoull, who were relegated after finishing bottom of the top flight last season, are the first visitors to Prestonpans.

Guy Kerr is the new manager of Ormiston Primrose

Finally, there will be a new face in the home dugout at New Recreation Park as Ormiston Primrose begin life in the Third Division.

Guy Kerr has succeeded Richie Weir in the hot seat and is keen for a season to remember, starting against Stoneyburn.

The new manager said: “As a club, we want to competitive every week and not just fall away.

“Last year, the consistency was not there.

“This year we will need consistency to make sure we progress.”