Kilwinning Rangers boss faces tough task

Jul 3 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

NEW Buffs boss Billy Thomson reckons he's taken on the toughest job of his football career in trying to haul the Abbey Park side back to the top flight.

And, he admits, even the lure of playing for a team with such a famous name as Kilwinning Rangers may not be strong enough to entice good players to the club.

Winger Thomson, popularly known as “Bud” went from Dalry Thistle to Airdrie before returning to the Junior ranks with Kilwinning in the Eighties.

He then went on to win everything in the game with Auchinleck Talbot before doing well in management with Ardeer Thistle and Girvan but he now faces a real test of his abilities as he tries to drag Kilwinning out of the Ayrshire District League.

"It's a cut-throat league and I've next to nothing to work with in financial terms," admitted Thomson.

"But I've got to make a winning start and get the crowds back behind the team.

"The fans will always roll up to see a winning side – no matter what league you're playing in.

"They've been starved of that for a wee while now and it's up to me to provide it."

But it looks as if Thomson will have to do battle without the services of star striker James Tyler who's set for either Cumnock or Kilbirnie and one or two others.

But the sale of Tyler, plus the news that the club have received some money from Cumnock for the signature of defender Craig Baxter, will give him a bit of leeway as he attempts to wheel and deal his way back to the top.

"I've brought midfielder Kris Mitchell and full back Scott Houston from Girvan and I hope to persuade Neil Gilmour and John Mason to stay at Abbey Park, even if it is for just a season," he added.

"It's only nine months out of their playing careers and of they can help us win promotion it will look good on their CVs

"After that it's a case of looking at the current squad, deciding who can do a job for me and deciding who to move on so I can make room for new faces.

"But although Kilwinning Rangers are still a big name in the game, the minute you say the words 'District League' to prospective signings it's a real turn-off."

Thomson will have a chat with his players on Saturday and outline his plans, but he is making no rash promises.

"The committee will work hard to raise funds for me and it's up to me to use that money wisely," he added.

"But it's going to be a very tough year, however Buffs are a big club and I'd like to think I can turn them round."

Former Talbot defender Ross Finlay will return to Abbey Park as Thomson's assistant.

"We both believe in training our players hard and not pampering them and if we can get the existing players fit and organised and fit a few winners around them we won't go far wrong.

"People think I had the Buffs job in mind when I quit Girvan, but nothing could be further from the truth.

"I've got a young family and all the travelling was becoming too much – even when we were training in Kilwinning I had to drive from my home in Irvine to pick up players in Mauchline and then take them back again.

"It was just too much and I really felt glad to get out of the game.

"But then this came up and to be honest I just couldn't let it pass me by.

In all honesty it's the only job which would have brought me back into Junior football."

While delighted to be back at Abbey Park Thomson fully understands that this is going to be a crucial season for everyone involved with Kilwinning Rangers.

“The club simply has to bounce straight back into the Super Leagues and we cannot afford to become trapped in the District League season after season,” he said.

“Buffs took a big step back last season, now they have to start making even bigger steps forward.”