John Brogan is continuing to run the rule over a number of trialists as he looks to gear up his Yoker side for the Junior season.

Some 20 players are training with the Whe Ho and it's a fair bet to assume that few if any of the prospective newcomers will be strikers after Brogey's side emerged as the Super First Division's highest goalscorers.

He said: "The unfortunate aspect is we never quite pushed ourselves into the promotion hunt and I would attribute that to us not striking the right balance between attack and defence.

"The stats don't lie and ours was one of the worst goals-against columns so tightening up at the back is a necessity if we want to figure as one of the step-up challengers this time out.

"Hopefully we can do it with a few personnel and organisational tweaks because the last thing I want to do is detract from our attacking play, which was a joy to behold at times."

Signed up so far are full-back John Paul McKeever (Arthurlie) and midfield pair Stephen Hopewell (Bellshill) and James Crowhurst (Renfrew).

However, Brogey has also resigned himself to the departure from Holm Park of towering centre-back Neil Schoneville, who has joined Super First rivals Rutherglen Glencairn.

He said: "Big Neil previously played under me at East Kilbride Thistle and has been five years at Yoker where he has played a big part in our progress.

"Finding a replacement will not be easy, however he leaves with our best wishes for the future – except when playing against us, of course."

Meanwhile, Holm Park tenants Clydebank have landed themselves with a dates wrangle in arranging a deserved testimonial match against Rangers for stalwart Mark Hailstones.

The 31-year-old has been with the Bankies ever since their rebirth as a Junior side and Gers have fitted the fixture in for Thursday, August 15.

But that game is just 24 hours after Clydebank are scheduled to meet Glasgow Perthshire in the Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup and less than 48 hours before their Super Premier Division opener against Pollok.

Boss Budgie McGhie said: "Three games in four days is asking a lot of the players. It could be the case that we'll ask former team-mates to make up a team and in that respect he'll be spoilt for choice."

Another testimonial is Largs Thistle goalkeeping legend Stephen Connick's, which will take place at Barrfields on Sunday, July 28, against Morton.

On the transfer front, Arthurlie have fixed up Craig Holmes as well as former St Mirren and Morton midfielder Conor Ramsay, who was with Johnstone Burgh.