Cumnock newcomer Darren Mitchell has revealed he turned down the opportunity of a lucrative testimonial match for a dream shot at playing at top-flight Junior level.

The striking ace, capped for Scotland Juniors in 2007, raised a few eyebrows with his out-of-the-blue decision to move to Townhead Park after spending 15 years of his career with Girvan, where he once formed a feared partnership with current Dunfermline frontman Michael Moffat.

And the scorer of 22 goals in the Ayrshire District League last season has every confidence he can make the step up the Super Premier.

He said: "Brian McLuckie is a former manager of mine at Girvan and is so convinced I can hack it at Super Premier level that he has made approaches in each of the past three years.

"A deal looked to be in the offing when I came to Cumnock on loan in the season before last, but being laid low by a hamstring injury saw me return to Girvan.

"Taking the easy option and playing with my local team is something I have been guilty of down through the years, but the time just seems right to move on and have a go at something different.

"Brian calls me his better-late-than-never signing and I'm determined to bang in a few goals for him as a way of making up for lost time."

Nock boss McLuckie has also fixed up another bustling front- man in Paul Quinn, formerly of East Stirling.

The gaffer said: "Darren and Paul are tall physical lads, whereas our other forwards Robert Love and Stephen McGuire are smaller and quicker types who might just thrive on playing off a target man.

"At 33 years old , Darren is no spring chicken but his fitness is superb and he has looked very impressive in training, as has Paul and our other close-season addition Steven Canning.

"Hopefully we can give our supporters a look at the newcomers and try out the various permutations starting this Sunday when our pre-season kick off with a strong Hamilton Accies XI coming down to play us for the Graham Potter Trophy at noon.

"These occasions are great for building team rapport which will stand us in good stead."

Work commitments forcing Cumnock No.2 Alan McTurk to resign his post has led to McLuckie appointing legendary former player Derek Love, scorer of the only goal in the 1-0 Junior Cup Final win over Ormiston Primrose in 1989.

McLUCKIE said: "Derek has a great knowledge of the Juniors and is a real enthusiast, while another backroom team move has seen John Bradford assume a player/coach role.

"It's pleasing to see the players responding to the changes with Ray Montgomerie signing on, Chris McKnight agreeing a new deal and Colin Williamson putting pen to paper despite strong signing interest from other Junior clubs.

"One or two further signings are in the pipeline and if they come off then I've every confidence Cumnock will be in good shape for the start of what promises to be an exciting new season."

Meanwhile, Pollok's oldest supporter and former committee man Andy Reid has sadly passed away just short of his 95th birthday.

His outspoken views made him well known throughout the Juniors and a large turnout is expected for his funeral at Linn Crematorium this coming Friday at 9.45am.