GREENOCK Juniors boss Tommy Molloy has started rebuilding for the new campaign with a four-man summer signing spree.

The club have welcomed Adam Houlihan, Ben Doherty and Ben Eardley back to Ravenscraig and have also recruited former Motherwell prospect Mark Archdeacon.

Doherty and Eardley both return to 'Nock after loan spells from Morton and left-sided wingman Houlihan comes back into the fold after a spell with Greenock HSFP 21s.

Houlihan netted nine goals in 2018-19 and will hope to reproduce similar form in his second spell at Ravenscraig.

Former Neilston forward Mark Archdeacon joins his brother Owen who is part of the Greenock backroom team.

After two curtailed campaigns, Molloy says he is keen to hit the ground running and believes his strong and experienced squad will be key to mounting a serious challenge in the West of Scotland League and both cup competitions.

The Greenock manager spoke of his optimism for the new campaign which is set to start on Saturday July 17, with fixtures to be announced soon.

He told the Tele: "It's going to be a busy schedule with midweek games every week in the early stages.

"If we get a run in both cups - the South Challenge Cup and the revamped West Cup - then we will have a lot of games to play, so we will need a good squad.

"Some of the boys have been here before when they were a little younger but have good experience now behind them.

"Mark Archdeacon is well-known to us and has plenty to offer to the set-up here.

"We have an outfield squad now of 18 and everyone will be needed with the busy schedule.

"You can now name seven on the bench for every game, so just about everyone will be listed every week as things stand."

The summer revamp has seen a number of players exit the club.

Molloy added: "Derek Kennedy, Kane O'Neil and Aidan Duffy have left with our best wishes.

"Shaun Wigzell has gone to Glenvale on a loan spell to get some experience between the sticks as we have cover in that department, with Graeme Black and Fran Carlin in our ranks."

Last season's null and avoid campaign saw Greenock finish second to Neilston in the West of Scotland League Conference B after just eight games played.

Molloy is looking forward to returning to normality after two disrupted campaigns and can't wait to welcome fans back to Ravenscraig.

He added: "We have a good set of friendlies lined up starting with a trip to Vale of Leven on Saturday June 12.

"We will be ready for a solid campaign starting five weeks later."

l Greenock are sponsored by Saveheat, Keystore and The Lighthouse Bar.