Consistency has to be the name of the game for Super First Division clubs in the coming Junior season.

So says Petershill’s seasoned team boss Willie Patterson, who insists the next 10 months are crucial for the famous old Springburn outfit following the recent decision by West Region officials to give the thumbs up to league reconstruction proposals which guarantee four clubs will be promoted to the Super Premier Division next May.

Supporters may take comfort from the Peasy finishing fourth top of the pile last time out.

However, a close-season of comings and goings has Patterson believing the quality and depth of his revamped playing squad is about to be put to the test.

“Having these extra places up for grabs - the fifth and sixth-placed clubs also take part in play-offs - is going to make things very competitive and I can imagine there being as many as eight or nine promotion challengers at any given time," said Patterson as he voiced his feelings about the coming campaign.

“You can count on Kilsyth Rangers figuring in the mix as they have strengthened their team that narrowly missed out in second top spot last time and both Rutherglen Glencairn and Irvine Meadow have made good signings so I expect them to be up there again.

“And nobody should rule out a big push coming from Cumbernauld United given how active they have been in recruiting a whole raft of big name signings while the threat posed by the relegated pair of Troon and Largs Thistle simply cannot be ignored.

“Other contenders are sure to come out of the pack just as Girvan did last season and we all have to be on our guard against any team that builds a bit of momentum by stringing a run of victories together.”

Close-season raids by Senior clubs have led to the Petershill departures of centre-back Kevin Nicoll, enticed away by Clyde, as well as goalkeeper Mikey White opting to join Queen's Park whose manager Gus McPherson has also invited experienced Peasy shot-stopper Stevie McNeil into Hampden Park to play trials.

And other significant transfer moves have seen ball-winning stopper Paul Murphy sign for Cumbernauld while Stuart McCann has been reunited with his brother Gary at Pollok on top of Peter Bradley and Stephen McGladrigan electing to drop down a division and put pen to paper for Rossvale.

Patterson added: "To finish up as the Super First Division’s top scorers as well as one of the highest overall scoring teams in the West Region last season…109 goals in total…is no mean feat yet ultimately it counted for nothing in the grand scheme of things.

“So while there’s no denying we would have preferred to hold on to some of these players, what is every bit as inescapable is that changes had to be made on the back of our failure to win promotion.

“We’ve achieved that aim while at the same time retaining the nucleus of last season’s squad and I’m very satisfied with how we are shaping up ahead of what promises to be a massively important league campaign particularly as the return from long term injury of Liam Finnigan and Fraser McGhee will be akin to two new signings."

Petershill’s list of newcomers includes two goalkeeping rivals in the shape of erstwhile Shettleston back-up No.1 Dean Traynor and former Clyde player John Gibson, while tasked with helping to plug the defensive gaps are Ryan Haxton (Kilbirnie Ladeside), Div Mackay (Vale of Clyde) and full-back prospect Ross Barclay, formerly of crack amateur outfit West Park United whose ranks have also yielded up youthful midfielders Dillon Kennedy and Steffan Graham.

And set to provide completion for the striking jerseys are Gary Hughes from Duntocher-based Antonine F.C. and highly-regarded Vale of Clyde hitman Scott McManus who was previously on the books of Clyde.

The hard working Peasy gaffer added: "Luke Crerand has made a huge impact since coming on board as an unknown quantity this time last year and I’ll be delighted if any similar gems emerge from this latest batch of newcomers.

“All our focus right now is on bedding the new guys in and supporters will get a first opportunity to see them in action when the club hosts a pre-season competition on the weekend of 15th/16th July involving guest clubs Rob Roy, Fauldhouse United and Queen's Park Under 20’s.

“A competitive edge is provided by sponsors Progrez putting up a trophy prize and we kick things off on the Saturday against Fauldhouse (1pm) followed by Rob Roy taking on Queen's Park (3pm).”

Elsewhere on the transfer front comes word of out of contract Greenock midfielder Ryan Craig joining St Roch's while Clydebank boss Kieran McAnespie has concluded the signings of ex-Stirling Albion ace Ross Forsyth as well as one-time Celtic Youths prospect Ciaran Lafferty.