IRVINE MEADOW chalked up a record 10 Super Premier League wins in a row at the start of last season.

They put six past Shotts Bon Accord and scored five against both Kilbirnie Ladeside and Troon.

But even after Glenafton Athletic brought the incredible run to an end – by securing a 2-2 draw at Loch Park – Medda still had enough in the tank to beat Auchinleck Talbot on their own patch.

Then the wheels came off the bus, and finance dictated that gaffer Stevie Rankin had to cull his playing pool in order to cut the wage bill.

Out went regular first-team stars such as Willie Sawyers, Mark McLennan and Mark Thomson, while Josh Flood was also part of the cull.

The best of times soon became the worst of times and, after beating Talbot, Medda won just one of their remaining nine league matches.

Rankin said: “While we were in the middle of that incredible run I tried to bring in one more player, but the budget simply wasn’t there.

“We then got knocked out of the Scottish Junior Cup by Talbot, and it was just after that we had to cut back on the squad. We lost a lot of very good Junior players and naturally our form took a dip.”

But even throughout the '10 in a row’, Rankin admitted he wasn’t overly impressed by some of the football being served up by his players.

He explained: “In the previous close season, we had lost the likes of Shaun Fraser and Darren Miller to Queen’s Park, and these guys were a massive loss.

“But we started off well – results wise – in the league and were clocking up wins like they were going out of fashion, but I still wasn’t pleased with the quality of football. We had good players at the club and I didn’t feel they were playing to their full potential. That disappointed me.

“But when you’re winning all these games then everyone is happy and we had a decent lead at the top of the table. Sadly, we couldn’t sustain it and eventually finished third. I’ll always look back on it as a disappointing season.”

But preparations for the new campaign are already at an advanced stage, and Rankin has 18 signatures on Medda contracts. Chris Wilson has joined from Kilbirnie, while Ross MacPherson has also settled in after his move from Clydebank.

Shaun Fraser has also re-joined the club after leaving Queen’s Park.

Rankin has also managed to hold on to the highly-rated Gary McCann, who is just 23, and reckons this could be a big season for the talented winger.

“There was quite a bit of senior interest in Gary,” said Rankin. “But I’m delighted he turned down the chance to ‘move upstairs’ to stay with Medda.

“We’ve also picked up a lad called Grant Bolton, who was captain of Harmony Row, and I have high hopes for him. I’ve always given kids a chance in the game. Every team needs an injection of youth.

“But I’m delighted that Jamie Darroch is back with me. I signed him a few years ago for Ashfield from Campsie Black Watch, and then took him to Medda with me.

“He moved to Pollok last season – and had a good campaign there – but he’s still only in his early 20s and is ready to peak soon, so I’m hoping he can do that with us.”

Rankin was also delighted to get Fraser back from Queen’s Park, and said: “Shaun was offered a new deal by Gus MacPherson, but I’m happy that he chose to come back. I think there was the novelty of having Hampden as your home ground, and I believe that was initially a big draw for him.

“But there really isn’t an awful lot between the top Junior teams and those in the lower reaches of the Seniors, so I don’t see it as Shaun dropping down a level. We have also signed goalkeepers Jamie Donnelly, from Bellshill, and Daniel Tobin, who was with Stranraer.”

Medda ‘enjoyed’ a double training session on Saturday, their fourth of pre-season, and Rankin was pleased with the work put in by his players.

He said: “The lads worked really hard and we are now right back into the swing of things.

“We start our pre-season challenge matches with a trip to Penicuik on Saturday, July 18, and then face Neilston, Kelty Hearts, Musselburgh and Renfrew. That should help us get ready for the start of the new season.

“Before that, though, there might be one more signing. I have my eyes on a guy who is training with a Senior team at the moment and if that falls through, I will be ready to pounce!”

Meanwhile, Arthurlie defender Mark Blakey has rejected a new contract at Dunterlie Park and left the Barrhead club to sign for Lowland League side East Kilbride.