John McKeown says Shotts punched above their weight to finish second in the West of Scotland League Conference A.
McKeown’s side took 70 points from 30 games, finishing 16 behind champions Arthurlie, but 13 above Johnstone Burgh in a season where the Hannah Park gaffer says they had few expectations.
That sends Shotts into next season’s First Division once everything is settled in the West of Scotland League, and McKeown says he’s happy with the season gone past.
Shotts ended their season with a 4-2 win at Muirkirk, and McKeown says he’s happy with the season gone past.
He said: “We played quite a lot of trialists and younger ones, because I think there were about seven or eight missing, so it’s pleasing to finish the season with a win, despite that.
“We got there in the end, and the boys who played were excellent, to be honest.
“We probably could have got a few more goals and been out of sight, but it was a good performance to round off a good season.
“Arthurlie were more than deserved champions, they were unbelievable and never lost a game, so fair play to them.
“But I think we punched a wee bit above our weight this season, in terms of the league position but also the cup runs.
“It was a good season all-round and hopefully we can kick on.”
McKeown says most of his squad are staying on, and reckons the West of Scotland League shake-up presents a better challenge next term.
He said: “We’ve retained probably 99 per cent of the squad for next season, so that’s good.
“I think we need to freshen it up a wee bit, but the captain Ally Martin committed again, [striker] Danny Burns has signed on again, so we just need to add in some younger faces and a couple into the starting 11.
“It’s the start of the league set-up, properly this season coming.
“Without being disrespectful, it’s going to be really tough, there won’t be any kind of ‘gimme’ fixtures.
“The teams will be solid and it will be really competitive, so I’m looking forward to it.”
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