WHITEHILL WELFARE have had a succession of high-profile managers in recent times, with the likes of former Hearts goalkeeper Henry Smith and, more recently, ex-Dundee United star John Clark enjoying spells in charge of the Rosewell club.
However, following the decision by boss Raymond Carr to quit Ferguson Park in the wake of last season's double success – winning the league trophy and the league cup – the Whitehill committee have looked no further than their own set-up and selecte
d 37-year-old Gary Aitchison as the man to build on the triumphs.
The only problem is that he must do this without a four of his stars who have switched to the Junior ranks.
Aitchison has been at Whitehill for four years, mainly as coach of the highly successful Under-19 side which won the East of Scotland League last season along with three other cups in the past two years. It is a challenge the new boss is looking forward.
The Whitehill Welfare charge to the Tyreman Premier League title was a testament to both the verve and determination of the playing squad but also to the never-say-die spirit of the club's backroom staff.
Drainage problems at Ferguson Park coupled with some extremes of weather last term meant that the team struggled to fulfill their home fixtures for much of the season and, with rivals Spartans sitting pretty at the top of the league table, Whitehill were faced with a different ball game – playing catch-up.
At one point they had nine games in hand and it seemed unlikely they could take all the necessary points to win the title – especially as the amateur side were faced with a crushing schedule of several games a week, week after week.
This Herculean task only seemed to inspire Whitehill though, and their opponents toppled like ninepins. Edinburgh City were put to the sword 4-0 at Meadowbank and Lothian Thistle, who were at least able to appreciate the work done on Ferguson Park to make it playable for them, must have wished the turf would open up and swallow them as an amazing game, with no less than four penalties, saw them annihilated 7-2.
In the end, a goal from Wayne McIntosh against defending champions Annan – now of course admitted to the SFL to replace Gretna – at Galabank was enough to set the seal on an amazing season.
Goalkeeper Ryan McGurk, a Scottish semi-professional cap, has left for SFL Third Division side Berwick Rangers, central defender Sean Woodburn has signed for Newtongrange Star, striker McIntosh has gone to Arniston Rangers and midfielder Andy Doig has moved to Whitburn. On top of that, captain Ross Johnston received a nasty groin injury at pre-season training and is likely to miss the start of the competitive season. However, Aitchison, who was brought to Whitehill by Clark, is very upbeat about the situation and has moved quickly to plug the gaps in his squad.
"I have signed goalkeeper Youssef Bejaoui from Civil Service Strollers. He is currently receiving coaching from Henry Smith and I have high hopes for him. I have also gone for the experienced Jack Lynch from Penicuik Athletic who can play in midfield or up front," he explained.
Whitehill president Graham Maben encouraged Aitchison to take on the job and the new manager is itching to get started.
"The squad I currently have is still capable of challenging for the title and retaining it," said Aitchison. "Raymond did a great job for Whitehill last season and I know it will be hard to follow him.
"However, I have appointed Chris Russell, our goalkeeping coach, as assistant manager and Jamie Yuill, who already has his 'B' licence, will be doing the coaching. It will be a great challenge for all three of us but we can bounce things off each other."
The full article contains 653 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
