A trio of former players have been earmarked as the men to bring the glory days back to Auchinleck Talbot.

Rounding off the season as Ayrshire Cup winners, runners up in the Scottish Junior Cup and Ardagh Glass Cup as well as finishing fourth top of the Super Premier Division pile would be regarded as a cause for much celebration at most Junior clubs.

But not Talbot where the marvellous trophy winning standards of Tommy Sloan and his playing charges sets them apart from everyone else.

The task of elevating themselves back atop the Junior tree is not helped by whispers of imminent Beechwood Park departures headed up by cultured midfielder Bryan Young’s much-talked-about transfer to Pollok on top of their advancing years finally catching up on club skipper James Latta and possibly old warhorse Steven White whose unstinting - and it should be said outstanding - service to the Ayrshire club he joined in 2006 from the relative obscurity of Annbank United is on the verge of being rewarded with a deserved testimonial game against Kilmarnock tomorrow (Kick-off 2pm).

And let’s not forget the circulating rumours over the likely whereabouts next season of speedy frontman Keir Milliken. Before heading off for a beach holiday last midweek, the popular Milky was credited with having the Super Premier quartet of Beith, Kilwinning Rangers, Pollok and Hurlford United in pursuit of his signature.

He may yet decide to stay at Beechwood Park where a dressing room reshuffle is already underway with team boss Sloan believed to have recruited the feted ex-Bot trio of striker Sean McIlroy, midfielder Kyle Faulds and one-time Junior Scotland defender Craig Pettigrew.

One-time Partick Thistle youth team signing Jamie Whyte has stepped up from Ayrshire Amateur football and also on board is much sought after Kello Rovers defensive lynchpin Liam Weir who was previously on the books of Queen of the South.

And 20-year-old Michael Wardrope’s release by Ayr United is thought to have sparked a signing approach from the Talbot gaffer, though he may have to fend off stiff competition from Kilwinning Rangers and Glenafton if he is to land the attacking midfielder.

Further newcomers are reputedly in the pipeline but Tucker was keeping his transfer cards close to chest last night in shying away from transfer speculation.

He said: "We have kept tabs on the young lad Weir all season and he’s someone who has a chance as indeed has Jamie Whyte after an impressive showing as a trialist.

“ I am aware of a lot more stories about comings and goings, but there’s nothing able to be confirmed as yet.”

Talbot’s arch-rivals Cumnock have made strengthening moves of their own by snapping up striking duo Sean McKenzie (Ayr United ) and Adam Forsyth (Troon ).

However, Townhead Park boss John McKeown scoffed at reports his jet paced forward Calum McRobbie had put pen to paper for Pollok.

He said: "Sean had a great spell here on loan which made going after him a no-brainer while Adam is a terrific goalscorer and we believe the pair of them competing for the striking jerseys with big Scott Anson can only be good for the team.

“Calum can also play up front or coming from deeper and he has yet to resign however he refutes all suggestions of any proposed move to Pollok and I believe him when he says he has never spoken with Tony McInally .”

Beith’s alleged interest in Milliken may not be just transfer talk as Johnny Millar is facing up to the loss of Ross “Archie” McPherson (work commitments abroad) as well as the long term injury absence of renowned Mighty scoring ace Kenny McLean after the 32 year old recently underwent cruciate ligament surgery .

The one time Morton signing is setting his sights on a return to playing action early in 2018 and among the many games he will be forced to sit out is his own testimonial game taking place at Bellsdale on Saturday 15th July when his current team mates take on a Beith All Stars line-up of former playing legends such as Martin McGarvey Brian McKeown, Derek McCulloch and not forgetting his renowned striking partner Andy Reid, who all played alongside Kenny during his ten years with the Ayrshire club.