DETERMINED Jim Kirkwood wants to take Troon FC straight back to the top flight after unveiling his new backroom team.

Kirkwood on Sunday was officially appointed manager for a second time following the club's AGM at Portland Park on Sunday.

He has appointed former Stranraer youth coach Matt Maley as his number two, with former Seasiders manager John Redmond becoming general manager and ex-player Neil McGowan the first-team coach.

Kirkwood said: "Last year I was general manager and Gordon Burns the team manager and we struggled with work commitments which didn'ttgive us continuity at training. This year we set up a management team with continuity and a good structure.

"Matt Maley has 17 years of pro-youth experience. John is a mentor for me and I was his assistant. Its' really good to have him back on board and he has a really good way of dealing with people. Neil McGowan has coaching experience at Irvine Meadow and was one of my best players when he was at Troon. He gets on really well with the players and his knowledge of the game is second to none.

Asked about his objectives, Kirkwood, who was general manager last season, said: "I am one of the club's most successful managers and I am looking forward to the new season. You could say I have unfinished business. After winning the First Division and finishing sixth in the Premier Division the following season but then I stepped down. We have progressed every year apart from last year.

"The number one objective is to win the league because we have gone a few years without a trophy and we want another one back here. We are a competitive club and want to be in the top league. The last time we won the First Division we won it with a record points total of 62 points which still stands and it would be nice to get close again. It will be tough and I expect Irvine Meadow and Petershill to be strong."

Ambitious Kirkwood has already snapped up seven new players, with 11 re-signing from last season.

Eleven players have re-signed from last season with the seven new faces completing the squad.

On board are goalkeeper Ally McInnes from Whitletts Vics, defender Steven McCreadie and midfielder Tony Murphy from Girvan, along with centre half Fraser Chisholm from Petershill. Former Stranraer midfielder Evan Maley, son of the assistant boss joins along with midfielder James Lamont who is just back from a scholarship in the United States and played for Ayr United Under-20s. Completing the signings is former Kilmarnock FC youngster Mark Dempster, a full-back.