RENFREW boss Jimmy Quigley hopes last season’s heartache will fire his troops to glory in the 2022/23 campaign.
The New Western Park side narrowly missed out on a spot in the First Division of the West of Scotland Football League as the best fifth-placed team across the three conferences.
A play-off victory for West Premier champions Darvel against East Premier winners Tranent would have secured ‘Frew’s promotion.
Instead, they find themselves in the Second Division and Quigley believes keeping the majority of his squad together this summer was vital.
He told Gazette Sport: “The first target is to make sure you don’t get relegated and then, from there, we’ll be looking to push on for one of the top three spots.
“What happened with Darvel put a bit of fire in the belly because our players thought they were going to be in the Championship. That’s where they all want to be and that’s why I kept the majority of them.
“They’re a good bunch of boys and work hard for each other.”
Renfrew’s pre-season campaign got underway with a 5-1 defeat against Clydebank at New Western Park last Wednesday night.
Scott Morton headed the hosts in front but the Bankies were ruthless in attack as they hit the next five goals without reply.
There was success for Renfrew at the weekend, however, as they recorded two home wins.
Quigley’s team edged out Harmony Row 1-0 on Saturday before defeating St Peter’s 3-1 on Sunday.
Renfrew are back in action at New Western Park tonight, when they take on Cumbernauld United, with kick-off at 8pm.
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