PORT Glasgow Juniors have started a major squad revamp following a summer exodus ahead of the new campaign.

Experienced players Jamie Campbell, Fraser McLaughlin, Liam Coogans and Danny Bamford have departed Parklea.

New signings include striker Jamie McKay, defender Chris Cannon and the returning Ritchie Cooper, along with Ross Kearns, who returns to Parklea after a positive stint in the amateur ranks with Port Glasgow United.

Port management duo Paul Coyle, pictured, and Eddie Walton are confident their new-look squad will move the team forward after last season's curtailed campaign saw them finish fifth in Conference B after just nine games.

Coyle told the Tele: "We have returned to training and we have brought in a great set of quality young players.

"We have lost a good deal of experience but we are confident that the changes are positive and we have young players with good backgrounds who are looking to make their mark at this level.

"Some senior players have moved on to higher divisions, including Jamie Campbell to Benburb, Fraser McLaughlin to Neilston and Liam Coogans to Kilbirnie, who is joined by Danny Bamford as his parent club after his loan spell.

"But it's a compliment to Port Glasgow that these players made their name at Parklea and that these other clubs were keen to secure their signatures.

"We wish them all well but we have plenty of our own interests to look after now and we will build again and develop our new players to form another good side to challenge in this division."

The new campaign is due to kick off on Saturday July 17, with the initial league and cup fixtures due to be released next week.

Coyle added: "We have a planned pre-season schedule for the period up to our first league game with some good friendlies included.

"Our first game is against new West of Scotland outfit St Peter's on Wednesday June 16 and the opportunity is there for boys to force their way into the team as we have great competition for places."

l Port Glasgow are sponsored by The Caledonian Bar, Dragon Soop and Temporal Travel.