RENFREW co-bosses Colin Clark and Martin Ferry are enjoying all the comforts a new home provides.

The long-serving management pairing have struggled for the past eight years to attract quality players and put a promotion-challenging team on the park against the backdrop of a run-down Western Park.

And their aims were given an added degree of difficulty throughout last season when the Frew finally vacated their home ground of the last 103 years and played all their games away... predominantly out of Keanie Park, thanks to the kind assistance of Johnstone Burgh.

But a long-awaited change in fortunes arrived on Saturday when the famous old Junior club moved into their purpose-built New Western Park facility, complete with state-of-the-art dressing rooms, a 3G artificial grass pitch, floodlights and covered stand.

And Renfrew duly celebrated that first outing with a 2-0 victory over Burgh through goals from strikers Alain Kinney and Scott Arthur.

However, their side’s display had the gaffers admitting that the best is yet to come. Clark said: “The new surroundings are magnificent and attracted a crowd of around 300 spectators to see us playing our inaugural game, so a massive pat on the back is due to our club officials for seeing this project through.

“But Martin and I think the whole occasion got to some of the players because we looked out of sorts, especially starting the game and, but for an excellent defensive showing, we could have found ourselves a couple of goals behind.

“That said, on four occasions we were through one-on-one with their goalkeeper, chances which were all wasted, but to balance those misses, Burgh hit the crossbar twice in the second half.

“Thankfully, we settled as the match wore on and taking control of the midfield led to us just edging a victory.

“Making a winning start to this new chapter in the club’s history had everyone delighted at the final whistle, however we believe the players are better than Saturday’s showing and, for certain, a big improvement is needed before the visit of Greenock tomorrow night.

“They are an established Super First Division side and were strong favourites to top our section before a ball was kicked, so it’s another huge test.”

Renfrew are credited with a signing interest in recently-released Arthurlie midfielder Alan Muir, who seasoned campaigner Ferry is desperate to land as a partner for playmaker Chris Cameron.

He said: “Alan’s experience and Junior nous would be a great asset to the team, but there are a number of managers chasing his signature, and I don’t see us getting him on board if there is an auction for his services.

“Our other newcomers – if you can call them that – as they have all played for Renfrew previously, are bedding in well, with Anton Heffron and Davie Gordon providing extra solidity at the back, while Cameron is looking his typically tidy and assured self in midfield.

“Keeping possession of the ball is essential on the 3G surface and we have designs on him and Muir supplying the ammunition because there is no shortage of goals in this Renfrew team given the combined forward-line talents of Jamie Benton, Kinney and Arthur (son of Arthurlie striking great Jim).

“Among other terrific prospects are Fraser Barbour (ex-Ashfield), Brian Mulgrew and Ross Campbell, while a number of trialists have been training with us in recent weeks. One or two have caught the eye.”

Ferry added: “We now have the stadia, playing resources and, judging by Saturday, a decent supporter base, so now comes the hard bit of getting points in the bag.

“Promotion has to be our number one aim this season and establishing New Western Park as a fortress for us will go a long way to getting Renfrew back up where they belong.”

In the only game played last night, Maryhill were reduced to nine men in going down 3-1 in their Euroscot opener at home to Yoker Athletic.

Player/manager Steph Reilly gave Yoker the lead from the penalty spot, but that was cancelled out by an equaliser from Shaun Fraser before half-time.

However, the roof caved in on Jim Delaney’s men when Dejay Akinyemi was red-carded seven minutes into the second half.

Shortly afterwards, Hill defender Keiron Furay was adjudged to have handled inside the area and was sent packing prior to Reilly firing his second spot-kick high over the crossbar.

The nine men fought a defiant rearguard action but a Greg Maitland score nine minutes from time and a further Arbuckle score gave Yoker all the points.