Arthurlie boss promises to make his new look-side 'hard-working and focused'
New Arthurlie boss William Dyer has promised to make his team 'hard working and focused' as they prepare to begin life in the West of Scotland Premier Division once again.
Dyer, who played left back for almost two decades in the West of Scotland Football Leagues (WoSFL), also wants to ensure that his new-look side can compete with the top teams in the division after gaining promotion last season.
The former Dundee and Brechin City player has completed an overhaul of the 'Lie squad since taking over from Kevin Rutkiewicz.
The former Stirling Albion boss left the Barrhead club due to personal circumstances after guiding the team to promotion. Dyer was appointed as the new boss on May 18.
Speaking ahead of the season starting on Saturday, July 26, the 'Lie boss is excited to get going as he outlined his aspirations for the season.
'We want to finish as high up as we can, we want to go and have a positive league campaign,' he said.
'We know it is going to be tough as well but that is where we need to stick together, be a real team, a real unit.
'But we want to go and win every game that we turn up in and compete. We will be a nice, tight unit and hopefully hard to beat and I look forward to getting going.'
At the end of the 2025-26 season, there will be a league reconstruction in the divisions below the SPFL leagues, as Scotland's Lowland League clubs voted for change.
A new East Division and West Division will be established based on clubs' geographical location.
Both divisions will run alongside the Highland League in the fifth tier of Scottish football and will eventually contain 16 teams each. As a result, there will be no relegation from the Lowland League in season 2025/26.
However, there will be promotion for teams in the divisions immediately below — East of Scotland Premier Division, West of Scotland Premier Division, South of Scotland League and the East Region Midlands League.
Clubs can only be promoted if they meet the Lowland League's entry criteria, which is a bronze-level Scottish FA Licence and complying with financial fair-play rules — ruling Arthurlie out of any promotion should they finish top.
But since coming in, Dyer has been hard at work after inheriting a squad which had 14 players out of contract.
Skipper Michael MacNeil is one of several members of last season's squad who have agreed fresh terms. Ryan Sinclair, Sean Doherty, Miles Millar and Marc Waters have also chosen to remain with 'Lie for another campaign.
However, Dylan McGuigan, Chris Calder, Jordan Leyden, Sam Greenwood, Lee Roulston and Callum McEwan all departed. Aaron Healy — who scored the goal that clinched the title — has been made available for transfer.
The Dunterlie boss has since added seven new faces to the side in Shay Burke, Bobby Barr, Callum Scott, Fraser Scott, Jonny Black, Dylan Coll and Ross MacMillan — and he says they will add quality.
He said: 'The players will add to the quality of the team and I am sure they will gel well, which I am looking forward to. All the boys, when it comes round, will be hard working, focused and motivated [to win]. We want to make this [Dunterlie Park] a hard place to come and I am looking forward to getting started.'
Arthurlie's first game back in the top flight will be in front of the home fans at Dunterlie Park against St Cadoc's.
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