Auchinleck didn’t exactly put on its best face to welcome new signing Danny Boyle in last weekend’s prestigious friendly match against a strong Kilmarnock side.

The rain never let up and a miserable Sunday afternoon was then compounded by Talbot going down to a 3-1 defeat in the game arranged to mark the remarkable ten years playing service racked up by highly regarded trio James Latta, Bryan Young and Colin Spence.

But the result and overhead conditions were totally overshadowed by the Ayrshire club’s renowned supporting throng turning out in force to honour their three footballing greats.

And this phenomenal backing had big stopper Boyle, who only flew back to Edinburgh Airport in the early hours of that morning, thinking his efforts had all been worthwhile.

His playing bow was understandably limited to a closing 15 minutes cameo off the bench.

However, the reception from the terracing all but blew him away and left the 26-year-old champing at the bit to make his competitive debut.

He said: "I flew back from holiday to a text message from Alan McLuckie asking if I could make myself available for the Kilmarnock game.

“So despite feeling my condition could be a lot better, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to go down to Beechwood Park for the first time since agreeing to join the club and to meet up with my new team mates.

“They are a down to earth and modest bunch despite all their trophy successes of recent years and I was made to feel right at home from the moment I walked through the gates.

“The playing surface too was immaculate and better than anything I’ve came across at Junior level.

"But the real eye-opener for me was the sheer turnout of fans on what was a truly horrible day for watching football.

“I’ve rarely if ever played in front of a bigger or more passionate crowd in the Juniors - and remember this was only a testimonial match. So it makes me wonder what things will be like when Talbot are playing with something at stake?

“Already I’m feeling this move down to Ayrshire is right for me and I cannot wait to get playing for real.”

Boyle, is no stranger to the spotlight and first came to the fore playing in a highly successful Drumchapel Amateurs Under 21 side along with current established Juniors Ian Gold and Ryan Haxton (Kilbirnie Ladeside ), Sean Pierce (Largs Thistle ), and Kenny Marshall (Yoker Athletic ) as well as midfielder Darren Miller who recently stepped up to Queen's Park from the Blasties.

His chance to make a suitable first impression on new gaffer Tommy Sloan (missing on Sunday) could come tonight when the West Region champions make the short hop for their latest pre-season friendly contest against Annbank United which could see the former Rob Roy and Cumbernauld United ace line up alongside another Talbot defensive newcomer, ex-Airdrie centre-back Grant Drummond.

Danny said: "Grant and I made a decent fist of pairing up together in the latter part of the Kilmarnock game and I’m sure we could develop an understanding but you would have to think Martin McGoldrick who is nursing an injury will be a shoe-in for a defensive jersey when fully fit.

“There are other key players said to still on holiday to come back into the reckoning so the games against Annbank and Bo’ness United on Saturday present an ideal opportunity to play myself in and get to know the other guys while cramming in some much-needed match practice at the same time .

“ Injury kept me out of Rob Roy’s run-in fixtures at the tail-end of last season so the prospect of making challenges and kicking a ball again is causing me sleepless nights particularly with Auchinleck having so many massive games looming on the horizon.”

Pick of tonight’s friendly clashes is the meeting of strong going pair Arthurlie and Clydebank at Dunterlie while one of Boyle’s former clubs Cumbernauld United are looking to continue their impressive early form away to Thorniewood United.

LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS: Camelon v Rob Roy.

CLYDESDALE CUP (Semi Final). Forth Wanderers v Lesmahagow.

PLAYING TONIGHT (Various kickoff times): Neilston v Beith, Colville Park v Maryhill,

Thorniewood Utd v Cumbernauld Utd, Johnstone Burgh v Irvine Vics , Ashfield v Kilsyth

Rangers, Port Glasgow v Yoker Athletic, Ardeer Thistle v Troon, Arthurlie v Clydebank,

Wishaw v Armadale Thistle, Blantyre Vics v Rossvale, Annbank Utd v Auchinleck Talbot,

Larkhall Thistle v Darvel, Hurlford Utd v Muirkirk.

SATURDAY JULY, 30: Petershill v Rob Roy, St Roch's v Pollok, Neilston v Irvine Vics, Blackburn Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Tayport v Glenafton, Kilsyth Rangers v Hurlford Utd, Whitletts Vics v Port Glasgow.