Renfrew's backroom team of Martin Ferry, Colin Clark and Jimmy Quigley can lay claim to an association with the famous old club dating back more than 30 years to when the former made the step up from Scottish Under-21 Juvenile cup winners Kilbowie Union.

The tough-tackling full-back was later snapped up by Irvine Meadow, but returned for a second spell at Western Park to play in a defence containing teenage stopper Quigley, who had been farmed out by Ayr United.

Ferry's boots were hung up before classy sweeper Clark arrived, but he missed out on the most famous day in Renfrew's history - the 2001 Scottish Cup triumph over Carnoustie Panmure - through being enticed into joining Yoker Athletic from where he latterly moved to Rob Roy.

Quigley figured in that squad, but he, too, headed out to sample Kilbirnie Ladeside and Greenock before coming back to coach at Renfrew under co-gaffers Ferry and Clark.

Many top players have crossed the trio's paths during these Junior travels, but their Dream Team deliberations were made ever more intricate by the generation gap - Martin is in his 50s (he turned 53 yesterday), Clarky 40s and Quigg 30s - with the elder statesman saying: "I cannot believe those two have ganged up on me just because they are too young to have played at the same time as some of my picks."

GOALKEEPER

THE younger pair went for Kenny Meechan, but birthday boy Martin adamantly insisted on getting his wish of ex-Medda No.1 Jim Brown. He said: "I lost count of the number of times 'Bomber' got me out of jail with truly outstanding saves and he has to go between the posts."

DEFENDERS

AS a right-back himself, Martin rates none better than Auchinleck Talbot legend George Gemmell, but he grudgingly conceded the No.2 shirt when Clarky and Quigg both plumped for current Frew ace Ian Nicolson, formerly with Rangers.

Opinion was divided on the other full-back berth, with Craig Cranmer (Pollok), Alan Prentice (Renfrew) and Billy Young (Auchinleck), vying for the slot, before Martin won the day by reasoning: "Very few wingers got the better of Billy, who captained five Junior Cup-winning sides and Junior Scotland, so he deserves to lead out our team."

The Frew trio all played at the back themselves and place great importance on finding a central defensive double act, so the merits of Neil Farquharson (Renfrew), Pat Cairney (Petershill) and Neil Muggins (Irvine Meadow), were given a decent airing before agreement was reached on uncompromising bruiser Ian Ashcroft (Pollok and Meadow), partnered by ex-Frew stalwart Michael Brogan.

MIDFIELDERS

NO arguments for the right flank role with Brian 'Sniffer' McKeown of Renfrew's 2001 cup-winning side going straight in, even though Martin waxed lyrically about the fabulous wing skills of ex-Beith ace John McLaughlin.

The other wide berth evoked considerable argument, but the talents of Alan Prentice (Renfrew) and Chris Erskine (Kilbirnie Ladeside), were passed over by Martin 's insistence that "in terms of the overall package of ability energy and bravery, Kenny Patterson (Auchinleck) has to go down as the best and most passionate player to have played at this level of the game."

He added: "Talbot had another phenomenal winger in Bobby Dickson, but he could be tamed by a few meaty tackles, whereas Patterson thrived on things turning physical."

Martin was keen to get the feared ball-winning abilities of his former Medda mate Dougie Fontana into the engine room, while Clarky wanted a place Chic Charnley (Rob Roy), but Quigg could not be budged from his choice of Davie Anderson (Kilbirnie), whose qualities earned him a move upstairs to Queen's Park.

Martin revealed: "I thought giving way to Anderson would enable me to partner him with Tam McDonald (Auchinleck), who was called Rambo on account of the fact he went into tackles and would take ball, man and anything else that happened to be in his way."

"But his type of player is nowhere to be seen in the game nowadays, so Clarky and Quigg both opted instead for big John McLay (Johnstone Burgh and Arthurlie)."

FORWARDS

RECALLING all the names of the tall and powerful in the air as well as the smaller but deadly frontmen, proved to be no easy task for the trio whose discarding Colin Crichton (Pollok) and Norman Montgomery (Kilwinning Rangers), only served to highlight the quality at their disposal.

Martin revealed: "I played with and against Gary Faulds (Glenafton and Irvine Meadow), and much preferred having him on the same side as it was almost impossible to get the ball off him when he had his back to goal.

"Alongside him I wanted another awkward customer in Gordon Mills (Auchinleck), who netted so many wonder goals, but Quigg reckoned there was no better taker of chances in and around the penalty area than Jamie Longworth, while he and Clarky also plumped for Gordon Smith (Renfrew).

"The big lad was a truly phenomenal striker on his day, however injury curtailed his time in the Juniors so, in the longevity stakes, nobody beats Faulds, who gets the nod to form a dynamic partnership with Longworth."

TEAM

Brown, Nicolson, Ashcroft, Brogan, Young, McKeown, Anderson, McLay, Patterson, Longworth, Faulds. Substitutes: Muggins, Fontana, Mills, Smith and Meechan (GK).