New Threave Rovers boss targets title and promotion in first season in charge

New Threave Rovers gaffer Danny Dunglinson is targeting the league title in his first season in charge.

The Castle Douglas side narrowly missed out on promotion from the West of Scotland League’s third division last term under caretaker boss Paul McGinley.

The deciding factor was a game at champions elect Lanark United being abandoned with Threave 3-2 up due to a serious injury to a home player. The replayed match finished in a 2-2 draw – leaving Threave just two points short of promotion.

Dunglinson said: “We feel we should have got promoted last year, we were winning the game at Lanark and it got rearranged and we drew 2-2.

“We’re more than capable of winning the league next year, that’ll be our aim.

“The majority of the boys are signed up, there’s a couple more who we can’t name just now because they’re still with their clubs.

“I think their contracts expire on June 14 and once they expire we’ll get them announced.

“There’s also a couple of boys from the under-20s we’ll be looking to make the step up.”

Threave have tied down a number of members of last season’s squad and have also brought in Liam Nish from Lochar Thistle, as well as the experienced Owen Bell.

Dunglinson, who has also played for Gretna 2008 and Dalbeattie Star, has been a player at Meadow Park for the last few seasons.

However, he doesn’t envisage that continuing as he takes his first steps in the dugout.

He said: “It’s something that was always in the back of my mind in the last few years, with getting older and being captain, management was obviously the next step.

“I’m looking to take a back seat and focus on the managing side. The ones we’re getting in for my position are good, young boys so I wouldn’t want to hinder their development by playing myself.”

Dunglinson will be assisted by former Abbey Vale co-manager Frazer Brolls.

Former Dalbeattie Star boss Ritchie Maxwell and veteran player Lewis Sloan, who retired in February due to injury, will also be part of the coaching team.