ANDY FRAME’S close season shake-up to his Cumbernauld United playing squad pales in comparison to the mini-revolution undertaken by Pollok boss Tony McInally.

So it’s only natural to think a trip into the unknown beckons for supporters of both clubs heading along to Newlandsfield on Saturday to take in their friendly head-to-head which doubles as a first pre-season outing for either side.

The hosts could parade as many as 11 summer recruits (make that a dozen if Martin McGoldrick checks in from Auchinleck Talbot before the weekend) while United gaffer Frame is set to unveil a nine-strong hand of newcomers.

United’s showcase signing is arguably seasoned centre-back Paul Murphy formerly of Petershill, however Frame laughed off suggestions that a “lucrative contract offer” had enticed the 32-year-old to move to Guys Meadow.

“It was nothing more than a long standing friendship between Paul and my assistant manager J.P. McBride, they were former team-mates at Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion, that did the trick,” he insisted.

“He was also looking for a new challenge and we…J.P., myself and our club chairman George Watson…then sold him on our idea of where we wanted to take Cumbernauld in the coming season.

“League reconstruction with four guaranteed promotion spots to the Super Premier Division along with a further two play-off spots presents a massive opportunity and we intend to be in the running.

“Bringing in Paul to team up with big Terry Hewitt and Davie Hamilton provides us with a solid defensive spine and we are every bit as delighted with how the team is shaping up overall.”

Highly-rated goalkeeper Jordan Brown (Rob Roy) is on board to offer competition to last season’s No.1 David Buchanan for the gloves while Frame has also added experienced full-back Andy Sinclair (Thorniewood Utd), midfielder, Mark Bachelor (Cumbernauld Colts) and the former Maryhill flank player Willie Wells whose somewhat starry career path since leaving Lochburn Park has led to stints with Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock and Irvine Meadow.

The United boss said: “Thankfully we managed to hold onto our midfield pair of Davie Dickson and Tony Stevenson, major players for us last season, and we’ve also retained striker Jamie Watson who was forced to plough a lone furrow on too many occasions.

“A more potent attacking threat was always one of our aims and I’d like to think we have that and a bit more besides now that Martin Shiels (St Roch's), Justin Begg (Maryhill), Darren Bowie (Thorniewood) and Chris Zok (Renfrew) have agreed to come on board.

“Shiels impressed greatly in games against us while Begg was his previous side’s top scorer last season as indeed was Bowie and Zok who hopefully will be as prolific in front of goal as he was in his first spell with Cumbernauld.”

United’s only other scheduled pre-season friendly match involves a trip up North to face Banchory St Ternans (Saturday, July 22) but Frame is convinced his players are in a state of readiness for the new Junior season.

He said: “Billy McDonald is a top class coach and his drills on the training ground are all game related and designed to best prepare the players so I’ve no worries over their match fitness.

“We’ll get an indication of where we stand on Saturday because Tony has brought together a terrific squad containing some of the biggest names in the Juniors and they will ask questions of us all over the pitch.

“As a former Pollok player, I always look forward to going back to Newlandsfield but I’m relishing this return more than most.”

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES: Irvine Meadow v Fauldhouse Utd, Largs Thistle v St Cuthberts, Auchinleck Talbot v Bonnyrigg Rose , Irvine Vics v Greenock, Glenafton v Rutherglen Glencairn, Benburb v Dundee XI, Ashfield v Rossvale, Camelon v Clydebank, Carluke Rovers v Abbey Hey, Johnstone Burgh v St Mirren Under 20’s, Pollok v Cumbernauld Utd, Craigroyston v Arthurlie, Cumnock v Cambuslang Rangers, Lanark Utd v Alloa Under 20’s, St Rochs v Kilsyth Rangers, Craigmark v Onthank Amateurs, Dunipace v Glasgow Perthshire, Petershill v Hurlford Utd, Blantyre Vics v Whitburn, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Rob Roy, Maybole v Stranraer XI, Shotts Bon Accord v Bellshill Athletic, Ardeer Thistle v Port Glasgow, Lugar Boswell v Hurlford Thistle.