COLIN SPENCE is one of the most decorated players in the junior game.

The former Auchinleck Talbot midfielder accumulated 17 major honours in his time at Beechwood Park – and now he wants some more.

Spence has recently signed for Troon Juniors, and insisted he isn’t going to Portland Park just to wind down his career.

He said: “I was at Talbot for the best part of 11 years. It’s a long time but it was fantastic and to win so many things just made it extra special.

“We reached six Scottish Cup finals, which is exceptional in anyone’s book.

"In fact, the only one we lost - against Shotts - was the one we were supposed to stroll through because they were a league below us at that time.

“But even though I achieved so much at Talbot, I had fallen out the team a bit recently and the gaffer, Tommy Sloan, was starting to introduce younger players, so it felt like the right time to move on.

“I’m only 31 so I have a few years left in me and it was nice to have a few of the top teams chasing me to sign for them.

“I spoke to Pollok and Irvine Meadow, but both train in Glasgow and I’m from Dreghorn – ironically where Talbot train – so I didn’t fancy a twice-weekly trip to Glasgow just for training.

“When I spoke to Jimmy Kirkwood, the gaffer at Troon, he was brilliant. They have a great set-up and it all sounded perfect for me.

"Jimmy even spoke about building a team round me and that was the icing on the cake. To be wanted that much clinched it for me.”

Spence, a self-employed tiler, is now buzzing with excitement and can’t wait for the new season to begin.

The switch from Beechwood to Portland Park has given the gritty midfielder a new lease of life.

He said: “I suppose it will be like starting all over again, and there will be the need to prove myself to a completely new set of supporters, but that doesn’t worry me in the slightest.

“In fact, it’s a new challenge and that’s important for people in any walk of life. We can all go stale so it’s important we keep challenging ourselves.

“Troon have great facilities and Portland Park was always a ground I liked playing on as the surface is second to none. The groundsman there does a fantastic job.

“I would say Troon is a club that is going places and they are definitely geared up for success.

“I’ve always kept myself fit and I’ll be ready to hit the ground running when the new campaign starts. I’m excited again and there is no way I’m going there just to wind things down. I’m hungry and I want more success.”

And that’s something that was in plentiful supply at Auchinleck – without doubt the most successful junior club of modern times.

Spence tried to put his finger on why Talbot have dominated the game in Scotland for so long.

“There is no doubt that what Talbot have achieved in recent years has been incredible, but it’s difficult to put your finger on what makes them tick – and I was part of it for over a decade!

“The core of the team has been together for around seven or eight years and everyone fights so hard for their mates.

“The dressing room is second to none and there are no big egos. But because the core of the team is always there it means the manager only has to bring in two or three new players at the start of each season.

“You look at some teams and they’re trying to introduce eight or nine players every year. It’s so difficult to blood that amount of players at any one time AND retain the way you play.

“In all the years I was at Talbot there were never any problems in the dressing room. On the contrary, there was a great spirit and everyone wanted to win for one another.

“But perhaps that great team is coming to the end of the line and the club will now face a rebuilding job over the close season.

“Regardless of that, I will always be a ‘Talbot man’, because of what I have achieved at a great club, but for now, and while I’m at Troon, I will be busting a gut for my new team.

“I’m going to Portland Park to be a winner – it’s all I’ve ever known!”

Former Newmains and Gartcosh Amateurs striker Christopher McDougal is on the look out for a new club.

The 24-year-old, who comes from Glasgow, has been out of the game for a couple of years due to work commitments and the birth of his son, but he is ready to play again.

Interested parties can call McDougal, who can also play centre-half, on 07557 791448.