Goalkeeper Chris Truesdale became East Kilbride’s 15th signing of the summer and boss Mick Kennedy says his long-term pick between the sticks will be “critical” for Kilby this season.
The duo have worked together for the past seven years and the 26-year-old joined from Kennedy’s old club Darvel last week, alongside two others from the West of Scotland Premier side, including fellow goalkeeper Lyle Avci and centre-back Cameron Eadie.
They join defenders Mark Morrison, Ryan Lockie, Chris McGowan and Andrew McDonald, plus midfielders Callum Tapping, Andy Stirling, Nathan Flanagan, Jonny Lyon, Marc Kelly and Liam Brown, as well as winger Adam McGowan and striker Keir Samson.
On his latest signing Kennedy said: “Chris is a player who has been with me for the last seven years and will be critical to the way we play.
“It was important we brought him in. He is an exceptionally gifted goalkeeper, we have a really good relationship and I’m delighted to get it done.
“He came through when I was at the under-21s at Colville Park where we had three really good years together and then I took him to Darvel and now onto East Kilbride.”
He added: “We wanted to bring a few in from Darvel because they had worked with us previously.
“They understand the culture and environment we work within and how we want to play.
“It makes it slightly easier when you are building a new group of players to have a core group in the squad who you have a relationship with.”
Kilby were in training again this week as they prepare for their first pre-season game at home to League One Queen of the South on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
And Kennedy says his squad are relishing the test against Marvin Bartley’s League One outfit, as fans get their first glimpse of the new-look EK.
He said: “Everyone is looking forward to the game. We are still a wee bit light on numbers with boys on holiday, but we are excited to get on the pitch, even though it is a wee bit earlier than they are probably used to.
“The boys have been working hard and are ready to go.
“Queens will just be back themselves but it will be a test for us. They are a full-time group of players and Marv is in his first summer of recruitment at the club as well, so he’ll have his first opportunity to put his own stamp on the team.
“It will be a really good challenge for us and one for the fans to look forward to. The support for the team is something that will hopefully grow naturally.
“The population of East Kilbride is quite significant so it is our job to build a strong side that plays attractive football and, ultimately, wins games of football. I’m sure if we do that, the town will get behind us in their numbers.”
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