Kilwinning Rangers manager Chris Strain has agreed a new three-year deal as he plots a path to the Lowland League promised land.
The ambitious 40-year-old has led the Buffs from the bottom rung of Junior football to the summit of the top tier in his six years in charge.
Now with Kilwinning poised to make their Senior bow next season as part of a new West of Scotland League set-up, he's pledged his long-term future to the club.
“It’s just a formality in terms of how and when we get the paperwork done,” Chris said. “I’m ecstatic to be given this opportunity at what is a very exciting point in Kilwinning Rangers history.
"By the end of the three years, I’m hopeful that Kilwinning Rangers will be in and around the Lowland League.
“There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that within the next 10 years this club can be in professional league football. The potential is massive and it’s my job and my goal to help achieve that.”
Strain has already put solid foundations in place by tying down eight players for next season.
Ben Lewis, Darren Frye, Tommy Maitland, David Syme, Chris McGowan and Sam McCloskey have agreed to pen new deals while Calvin Kemp and Jordan Stewart are already committed.
Strain is hopeful of retaining his entire squad and admits he’s already began sounding out new signing targets. But he insists the coronavirus crisis means both the club and players will have to cut their cloth accordingly.
He said: “From the players perspective, there has to be a degree of realism about what we can offer. I’m pleased to say that from the feedback I’ve had, not one player has indicated they don’t want to stay.
“In terms of bringing new faces in, it’s unusual to be sounding players out when the season is technically still on, but every club will doing that and we can’t afford to be any different.”
Strain is answering fans questions in a live Q&A right now. You can watch and listen here
