Oban Saints 2021-22 Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division season was brought to a conclusion with a League Committee decision 0 - 0 draw for the final home league fixture against Bannockburn. That share of the points confirmed Saints tenth place finish in their first season in the top flight of Scotland's strongest amateur league.
Eager to get started, newly appointed first team Manager Ross Maitland, with the assistance of long serving Secretary David Buchanan, has already completed arrangements for the countdown to the new season due to commence on Saturday 13th August.
Preseason training gets underway on Monday 4th July at Oban Lorne Rugby Club and will continue on Monday and Wednesday evenings through July and August and into the new season. Any aspiring new players who are willing to commit fully to the clubs training programme and busy fixture schedule will be made most welcome as the club strives to fill the void left by the retirement of several senior players.
In a major coup new Manager Maitland has lured back former player and Manager Iain Jackson to join the coaching staff. Also joining the coaching staff is another former player and Manager Alex Craik who, despite retiring in 2018, has never actually been away from the club and was also ready and willing to play when required. Both appointments are fantastic additions to the backroom team and an early indication that the club is heading in the right direction under the new Gaffer.
The schedule of preseaon matches commences on Saturday 9th July with the visit of closest neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star. The Lochgilphead men ended their 2021 - 22 Scottish Amateur Football League Championship 2021-22 season in style with a thrilling last day 3 - 2 home victory over Champions Arthurlie. The win saw Red Star pip Glenburn Athletic to the final promotion slot and confirm their ascension to the Premier Division for the first time in their long association with the oldest amateur league in Scotland.
Next up on Saturday 16th July is a visit from East Kilbride YM which is the longest established of the many amateur football clubs in East Kilbride. The club, which also operates teams in the Caledonian and Greater Glasgow Premier leagues will be sending their newly formed Saturday morning team who will commence their Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League adventure this coming season in Division 1B.
Saints hit the road on Saturday 23rd July in a cross border expedition to the Lancashire mill town of Burnley for an encounter with local side Craven FC. This will be Saints first visit to England and new Gaffer Ross Maitland hopes the trip, as well as putting more minutes in the preseason training tank, will prove to be a valuable team building exercise.
On Saturday 30th July Saints resurrect a popular friendly fixture from the past when Greenock High School Former Pupils return to Glencruitten. A difficult 2021-22 season saw the men from the tail o' the bank relegated from the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division but with the club set to blood a clutch of graduates from their successful under 21 side Manager Chris MacAllister is looking forward to better times ahead.
Saints conclude their warm-up games on Saturday 6th August with a trip down the A816 for the return fixture against Lochgilphead Red Star.
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