Vale of Leven under-20s coach Hugh Hamill admits the return of development football has been a long time coming.

The Alexandria side’s youngsters have been on the sidelines for over a year, with Covid-19 restrictions preventing their season in the all new Lowland Development League kicking off last year.

However the side have now been preparing for the new season getting underway in July, and Hugh is pleased with how his squad are looking after such a long time away.

He told the Lennox: “It’s good to get back playing.

“It’s been pretty frustrating for me as a coach, so God knows how the players must feel.

“They have trained hard and the boys have been really committed to coming to training and working whilst they are there. They have a good attitude, but they are dying for a game.

“We played the first team last Monday night and put up a good showing, they beat us 3-1, but it was a decent wee knockabout for both sides.

“The boys have looked quite good in training. I would’ve thought after three or four games you’d see the match sharpness getting to where you’d want it to be.

“Against the first team we lost a goal right away, so we learnt a lesson there. You have to be prepared and start your games properly.

“You can’t give away silly chances, because then you end up chasing the game.

“We’ve been working on all the basics which might take a second or two to click back in, instead of it being automatic as it is when you are up to speed.

“I would have normally thought that within three or four games the players will have that sharpness back.

“We’ve got quite a big squad so over pre-season we’ll give the players a chance to put down a marker for their inclusion in the first 11.

“That’s a good incentive.”

Vale development team coach Hugh Hamill
Vale development team coach Hugh Hamill

The draw for the new season has seen Vale placed in a conference with plenty of local sides - including West Dunbartonshire rivals Clydebank, and near neighbours Yoker Athletic, Drumchapel United and Renfrew.

Matches are set to be played on a Friday night, and Hugh believes that the young Vale side could see decent crowds at Argyll Park for the games.

He continued: “There’s always a wee bit of spice when it’s local so that’ll be the case for teams like Yoker and Drumchapel.

“We played Clydebank last year in a friendly and they were very good. They beat us 3-0, so that game will certainly be a toughie.

“It’s good that there’s not too much travelling. They could’ve had us going down to Ayrshire.

“I think the games being on a Friday night might generate a bit more interest too.

“Particularly if we do well.”