Dalbeattie Star boss reckons squad in better shape now than 12 months ago

Dalbeattie Star gaffer Eddie Warwick reckons his squad is in better shape than it was this time last year.

Last summer, Warwick, pictured ,and his coaching staff were rebuilding following the club’s relegation from the Lowland League.

And given his players went on to win the South of Scotland League title, the fact he feels the side is in a stronger position than 12 months ago should act as a warning shot to their opponents.

He said: “I think we’re going to be starting stronger this year than what we did last year – and we had a very good start to the season.

“We strengthened more towards January because we had the team we started with – this time last year we were still getting that team together.

“I reckon we need another three players over the summer but we need to patient, we won’t rush it.

“We’re very calculated with what we’re doing as we need players to fit what we’re looking for and fill the areas we want to improve.

“We’ve already won the league and a cup and have a good squad there so it’s hard to find the people you’re looking for.”

Star have already signed goalie Jake Gemmell, with Adam Jamieson signing permanently after a loan spell from Annan Athletic last season.

However, Callum Summerbee has moved to Threave Rovers, who have also snapped up Charlie Watson – who was on loan at Star from Queens last season.

Warwick said: “He was always going to go back to Queen of the South, there was an offer to train with the first team so you always expect your loan players to train with their parent clubs.

“We knew he was going to go back and you can always see if there’s an opportunity, like there was with Annan.

“One did move on, it is what it is and we wish him all the best and move on.

“We retained about 90 per cent of the title winning squad because it’s a two or three year project.

“We didn’t expect anyone wanting to leave because we explained when they were coming in we weren’t just going to be interested if they were just coming for the short haul because that wasn’t what I was looking for.”

Star play their first friendly against Palmerston Colts at North West Community Campus on Saturday, with kick-off
2pm.

A trip to Albion Rovers is in store on July 16 before a Queen of the South select visits Islecroft on Saturday, July 20.

Warwick added: “We’ve not had much of a break.

“We finished with the cup final on May 29 and we were back on June 25 so we’ve only had about 20 odd days of.

“Most of the players have come back in pretty good nick.

“Some will be going away on holiday but have a few sessions in the legs before they go and they’ll go with a programme to
help them tick over and some have already been.

“With part-time players it’s always difficult to juggle your players and make sure everyone gets that same level
of fitness.

“I’m guessing we won’t know where everybody is until we can get everybody on the pitch.

“Then we’ll see who is ahead of who and see who needs extra work.”