Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Steph's About Turn
Goal Hero Back at Winton
GOAL machine Stephen McAvoy has crossed the "Great Divide" in North Ayrshire Junior football by leaving Saltcoats Victoria to return to fierce rivals Ardrossan Winton Rovers after less than a month at Campbell Park.
The 31 year old striker joined the Seasiders after the end of last season but told boss George Gillon he was unhappy and a chat with Winton boss Derek Frye conviced him to return to the club for whom he bagged 25 goals last season.
Winton boss Derek Frye said "We are delighted to have Stephen back. He can score goals and is such a bubbly character in the dressing room. His return has given everyone at the club a big lift. He was unhappy and you have to say the grass isn't always greener on the other side."
Highly rated sweeper Ricky Little (18), who moved up to Winton's Junior side after only a handful of games with the Under 19's, has stepped up the footballing ladder after being snapped up by First Division side Partick Thistle.
Frye said "This is a great opportunity for Ricky, who will join the Pro-Youth team at Partick Thistle. We are not going to stand in his way."
"That is what this club is about, developing players and moving them." The Winton boss, meanwhile returned last week from a two week stint in Malta with members of the Under 17 and Under 19 teams.
"They played eight friendlies against local opposition and also enjoyed a number of training sessions. We drew two and lost the rest but the results weren't important. It was just a great experience for the lads, playing in stadiums with an atmosphere against some teams who play in the Premier Division over there. They will learn from this."
Meanwhile Vics boss George Gillon said of McAvoy's move "Stephen was unhappy and wanted to move on. At the end of the day we only want players who are committed to this club."
Gillon has snapped up defender Calum McGregor (19) from St Mirren Under 19's and former Winton and Irvine Victoria midfielder Graeme "Vinnie" Muir.
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.