Most managers would use a Scottish Junior Cup final appearance as a platform to build on — but Stuart Davidson doesn’t have that luxury.
Eight weeks on from leading his side out at Junior football’s showpiece, the Largs boss — better known as Arnie — is dealing with a mass exodus of experienced stars.
And he reckons the task of rebuilding his beaten finalists is so big, that simply ensuring The Theesel retain their top-flight status this season will be his No 1 target.
He said: “This is one of the most difficult situations I’ve faced in my time here as manager.
“I’ve lost my captain Craig Little and the likes of Mark Millar, Martin Currie, Gary Fleming, Nicky Jamieson, Craig Little, Ryan McKie and Ryan Begley in a very short space of time.
“That’s a massive amount of experience out the side but it’s just one of those cycles that happens in football now and again.
“Some of the boys felt getting to the cup final was the right time to end on a high and challenge themselves elsewhere, and they leave with our best wishes. We are now in a period of transition and it’s about taking our time to get the right players in.
“Getting to the cup final was tremendous and there’s no doubt that once you get a taste of something like that you want more.
“But first and foremost, we have to make sure we stay in the league.
“Another cup run would be brilliant but anything else would be a bonus.”
Largs have so far recruited the services of striker James McKenna, top scorer for Ardrossan Winton Rovers over the last two seasons, and defender Craig Forbes, who was previously with Greenock Morton.
Arnie also looks set to give youth a chance after promoting twin brothers William and George Sewell from Largs’ Under-21s.
“We’re hoping that the younger players will bring a bit of energy to the side,” he said.
“It’s going to take time to gel a new team but we have a good base to build from. Guys like Ben Black, Ross Lundie, and Laurie McMaster are top players who were fantastic for us last year.”
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