Football Season Guide

Clyde head into yet another season as one of the favourites for the League 2 title under manager Danny Lennon. It has been a similar story for the Bully Wee for the previous two campaigns with previous boss Jim Chapman unable to match the high expectations having joined from Annan Athletic last summer. He lasted less than three months into the season and it took a similar amount time for his successor Lennon to get to grips with the job. They almost snatched a play-off place but had to settle for a 5th place finish and Lennon will be hoping to keep the forward momentum going as they head into the new campaign. None of the players released during the close season are likely to be missed although they face a battle to keep a hold of controversial striker David Goodwillie, who finished as leading goalscorer and has been linked with a move to SPL newboys Livingston. Lennon has re-signed a number of players, including defender Dylan Cogill and midfielder Jack Boyle, whose loan deals from Huddersfield Town have now been made permanent. He has strengthened the squad further with the additions of defender Scott Rumsby from Cowdenbeath, midfielder John Rankin from Queen of the South and striker David Hopkirk, who joins from League of Ireland side Derry City. He has kept the strong spine of last season’s side in goalkeeper Blair Currie, defender Martin McNiff and midfielder Barry Cuddihy, who missed just eight league games between them, and they will be integral in any success coming their way this season. There is no escaping the fact however that Goodwillie will be key and if they can keep a hold of him and he can repeat his feat of 27 goals from the last campaign, they could finally live up to their billing.