DARREN HENDERSON insists there was no shame in playing second fiddle to Auchinleck Talbot last season.

The Hurlford United gaffer looked on as Tommy Sloan’s men pipped them to the Stagecoach Super Premier title – and edged them over two pulsating Scottish Cup semi-final legs.

But Henderson and Co. had the last laugh when they beat Talbot in a thrilling Ayrshire Cup final.

And that result – achieved just a couple of weeks ago – is what the Ford management team will use as motivation when the new campaign begins.

Henderson said: “Auchinleck Talbot are the benchmark for the rest of us – and they have been for quite some time now.

“But I think we improved quite a bit last year. We played six ties in the senior Scottish Cup and seven in our own Junior Cup, so we were involved in a lot of big games.

“We got to the semis of the Junior Cup and finished second in the league. We only lost two matches in the league – both to Talbot – and they lost to Arthurlie and Irvine Meadow, so maybe we’re getting a bit closer to them.

“Mind you, I think we have to remember that last season was only our second in the top flight. But I enjoyed it, and I couldn’t have asked for any more from my players. They gave me everything and were fantastic.”

Henderson and his backroom team have been active in the transfer market and five new players have already checked in at Blair Park.

Ian Fisher from Largs Thistle, Richie McKillen (ex-Linlithgow Rose) and Ryan Borris (ex-Kilbirnie) have been joined by young guns Chris Murchie, a goalkeeper from Bonnyton Thistle, and Stuart Davidson, a fantastic midfield prospect.

The wily Ford gaffer reckons he might just have enough money in the budget for one player – although he insists he is in no hurry to splash the cash.

He explained: “Two or three players have left, so I will probably be allowed to bring in one more, but I’m prepared to bide my time.

“You get a lot of guys who take part in pre-season at Senior clubs, and who are then told they won’t be in the manager’s plans, and are farmed out to Junior clubs, so I’ll wait and see who becomes available.

“There is nothing worse than when a good player suddenly becomes available and you can’t sign him because the budget’s gone – it’s very frustrating.

“But I’m already looking forward to the new campaign. It was great to finish off the season by beating Talbot in the Ayrshire Cup final. That is something we can use to give the players added belief in themselves. We can say to them, ‘look, you can beat Talbot!’

“I would definitely mark last season down as a very successful one, and we’ve added players which will hopefully take us that bit closer to the champions.”

And despite Talbot losing a few key players – such as Colin Spence and David Gormley – Henderson expects them once again to be up there when the trophies are being distributed.

He said: “Over the last couple of years, a few people have been saying that Talbot are going through a transitional period – but I keep waiting to reap the rewards of that. It hasn’t happened yet, I’m afraid!

“But I don’t care what anyone says, they WILL miss Gormley. He is a fantastic player and I hope he does well at Clyde. He scored a ridiculous goal against us in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. To even have the audacity to attempt it showed just how confident the guy is – and the ability he has.

“But knowing Tucker like I do, he will bring in quality to replace the quality he is losing. If anything, though, I would say Gormley is irreplaceable.”

Hurlford players start pre-season training next Wednesday, and Henderson is looking forward to getting back out on to the training ground.

He said: “The Ayrshire Cup final was only a few weeks ago, so it’s important the guys get a decent break, and are then hungry to get started again.

“To be honest, the players all look after themselves now. It was a different story when I was playing, mind you.

“I wasn’t a drinker, so I would always report back more or less the same weight, but some of my team-mates would return for pre-season two stones heavier than when they left – and would then spend the next month or so sweating it off!

“Some of the players are ready to start work with the ball straight away as they have been training throughout the close season. Things have definitely changed – for the better.

“The only thing I hate about this part of the season is losing players. I had a few clubs myself, so I understand that guys want to be playing every week, but it’s still a wrench when someone you like, and who fits into your way of thinking, tells you he wants to leave.”

Henderson admitted he will use the sectional Ardagh League Cup as an extended pre-season, and has also fixed up friendlies against Linlithgow Rose, Cumnock, Whitletts, Girvan and Annbank.

He said: “It will be difficult to maintain and improve on the standards we set last season, but one thing’s for sure, we are going to have a right good go at trying.”