JIM DELANEY has revealed his joy at landing the job of Maryhill team manager ahead of the new season.

Not many figures in the game can say they are on the verge of their Junior blooding at 44 years of age, but that’s the unique situation the Summerston-based gaffer finds himself in after agreeing to take up the reins when close friend Brian Heron stepped down from the Lochburn Park hotseat back in early March.

Jim’s footballing background evolved in the amateur ranks as a player before the workaholic took up not one but two managerial posts … looking after Maryhill Under-13s on a Saturday as well as holding down the helm with Sunday League side Aitkenhead Thistle.

Progression followed and his astute tutelage of Maryhill Under-21s led to his name being mentioned in Junior circles and his man-management skills did not go unnoticed by erstwhile Hill boss Heron.

Jim admitted: “Because the Under-21s are a feeder team for Maryhill Juniors, I worked very closely with Brian particularly in regard to earmarking the better players coming through the ranks.

“It was not uncommon for our two teams to indulge in fairly competitive friendly matches and I was sad to see him resign, however it was typical of the man that he made a point of recommending me as his replacement before walking away.

“The upshot was committeee officials approaching me during a Firhill Complex training session to offer the post which I was delighted to accept but only if I could see out the last remaining eight games of the season with the Under-21s.

“I just couldn’t abandon those boys and thankfully the Maryhill people agreed because the young side won promotion and also the Glasgow Cup after beating Bishopton Thistle Juniors 3-1 in the final at Greenfield Park.”

Jim’s focus being elsewhere saw the reins handed to experienced playing duo Michael Tolland and Craig Ferguson on an interim basis and they excelled in their new roles losing just once in an anything but unlucky 13 league games run-in.

Jim, who was formerly a Hibs scout and currently keeps tabs on emerging talent for Falkirk, said: “I think most people connected with the club had given up on the idea of promotion and were looking for Michael and Craig to steady the ship but they exceeded all expectations and finished in a magnificent third-top place.

“They deserve every credit going and I’m both fortunate and delighted that they have agreed to stay on and form a management team alongside myself as their Junior nous will be invaluable as we strive to try and get promotion this time out.

“The players respect them and the stability within the club nowadays gives us a terrific starting base for the challenges that lie in wait.

Jim has made seasoned defender Paul Coyle his first high-profile signing as Maryhill manager but as to be expected he has also plucked some of his successful Under-21s for his Lochburn dressing room.

Making the step up are right-back Deji Akinyami, Nigerian born but with a London accent after a playing stint with Spurs as a 15-year-old, defender David Quinn formerly recruited by Peter Weir for Aberdeen where he spent three years of his early career, midfielder Michael Mackay scorer of 12 goals with the Under-21s last season as well one-time Rangers and St Mirren midfielder Frankie Owens.

Jim insisted: “Coyly’s experience will be a great asset for the younger lads and we’ve also brought in Luke Tolland (Ashfield) and Shaun Fraser (ex-Partick Thistle) so the squad is taking shape and we cannot wait to get down to working with the players.”

The Junior baptism awaiting Jim was made even tougher in midweek when West Region bosses made the draw for the first round of the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup and pitted Maryhill with an away tie against the cup holders Arthurlie.

One’s appetite is immediately whetted by the thought of how Arthurlie will fare in this first defence of the silverware and for that matter by last season’s beaten finalists Kilwinning Rangers taking to the road to face Super First Division rivals Yoker Athletic at Holm Park.

However, there can be no denying “tie of the round” billing being shared by the head to heads of four Super Premier Division heavyweights – Petershill v Auchinleck Talbot and Irvine Meadow v Pollok – four clubs boasting an outstanding West of Scotland Cup history with fully 26 trophy wins between them.

The full draw is:

Craigmark v St Anthony's, Gartcairn v Shettleston, Glenafton v Larkhall Thistle, Blantyre Vics v Lugar Boswell, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Newmains Utd, Wishaw v Hurlford Utd, Carluke Rovers v Rob Roy, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Irvine Vics, Kello Rovers v Kilsyth Rangers, Vale of Leven v Maybole, Shotts Bon Accord v Cambuslang Rangers, Yoker v Kilwinning Rangers, Rutherglen Glencairn v Clydebank, Troon v Largs Thistle, Royal Albert v Bellshill Athletic, St Roch's v Cumnock, Ashfield v Rossvale, Forth v Cumbernauld Utd, Johnstone Burgh v Muirkirk, Port Glasgow v Renfrew, Dalry v Lanark Utd, Dunipace v Darvel, Glasgow Perthshire v Greenock, Saltcoats Vics v East Kilbride Thistle, Whitletts Vics v Ardeer Thistle, Arthurlie v Maryhill, Beith v Lesmahagow, Petershill v Auchinleck Talbot, Neilston v Benburb, Girvan v Thorniewood Utd, Irvine Meadow v Pollok, Annbank Utd v Vale of Clyde.