ROBERT DOWNS reckons he has pulled off a major coup … by re-signing the majority of Arthurlie’s West of Scotland Cup-winning side.

Stand-in goalkeeper Kris Robertson and defender Kevin Green – thought to be interesting Super First Division new boys Blantyre Vics – are the only players from the starting line-up that ran out 4-2 winners over Kilwinning Rangers in late May not to have penned new deals for the Barrhead club.

Downs does not dispute there is work to be done in terms of strengthening his squad, but he is delighted at the prospect of Arthurlie looking settled ahead of pre-season training getting underway.

He insisted: “I had no appetite for wholesale changes after the wonderful manner in which we finished our season, but rumours were rife of a mass playing exodus and I was genuinely fearing the worst going into re-signing talks.

“And I was aware of other clubs showing what I would describe as more than a passing interest in the guys, but I needn’t have given myself sleepless nights as player after player trooped in and put pen to paper on new contracts.

“Every one – from Gary Smith, scorer of a hat-trick in the West final – to goalkeeper Mikey White, who missed the Kilwinning game through suspension, were only too happy to sign up again and I couldn’t be more delighted.

“Nobody was more in demand than Chris Dallas, who had Troon, Glenafton, Irvine Meadow and Cumnock on his case, but he has likewise thrown his lot in with us.

“It’s encouraging to think we have kept so many top players and I believe the close bond and togetherness among the squad helps in this respect, and will have everyone working hard for one another in the season ahead.”

One-time Albion Rovers signing Green, Paul Stewart, Jamie Lyden and Kyle Rafferty moved on to pastures new, while young shot-stopper Ryan Mailey and Alan McPherson were released.

However, Downs has wasted no time in fixing up experienced No.1 Zander Cowie and Craig Holmes from his former club Bellshill Athletic, while a potential central defensive pairing has arrived in the shape of Alan Murdoch (Lanark United) and ex-Pollok stopper Scott Gair (Kilbirnie Ladeside).

Downsy added: “We are up to 16 players now and it’s maybe time to take stock of what we have and, more importantly, what we need before making any other transfer moves.”

Defender Lyden has been snapped up by ambitious Greenock, whose manager Martin Campbell also staved off the interest of a number of clubs to fix up freed Largs Thistle frontman Euan Lyndsay.

Campbell said: “At least one Super Premier Division club, along with Kilsyth Rangers, had joined the chase for Euan, so it’s a real feather in our cap to capture a striker of his abilities and I've every confidence he will score a lot of goals for Greenock.

“Jamie, who is big, strong and not lacking in footballing ability, is another top-quality acquisition and I’m already excited at the prospect of him turning out for us next season.”

Elsewhere, East Kilbride Thistle boss Billy Campbell has landed experienced goalkeeper Michael Duke from Kilsyth Rangers as well as centre-back Mark Bishop (Rutherglen Glencairn), who was previously coached by him at Cambuslang Rangers.

And one of the most entertaining sides from last time out, Cumbernauld United, are resigned to losing a trio of playing aces – at the very least – after news broke of full-back James Brown electing to join Petershill in the wake of Kilbirnie Ladeside fixing up sweeper Ryan Haxton, and exciting winger Gavin Mackie reportedly moving back to live in Perth and becoming a signing target for St Andrews United.

Meanwhile, St Roch's scoring sensation TJ McCluskey has returned to the Garngad outfit after obtaining his release from Albion Rovers and gaffer Andy Cameron has further boosted squad numbers by landing Jason McCormick from Renfrew.