JOHNSTONE Burgh boss Jamie McKim believes the club’s young fans are helping to bring the good times back to Keanie Park.

McKim’s team clinched promotion to the second tier of the West of Scotland Football League by finishing third in Conference A.

They were roared on by more than 600 supporters at their final match, against Muirkirk, with the ‘Burgh Boys’ also following them across the country during the season.

McKim has thanked the club’s young fans for the way they get behind the team.

He told Gazette Sport: “The difference they make to us is unbelievable. They bring an extra level out of the players. They are going to be the lifeblood of the club. We need those kids more than they could ever imagine.

“I’ve never seen anything like it at this level. I went down to Darvel versus Auchinleck Talbot a few weeks ago and there were 3,000 people but there’s nothing like those boys.

“Kilbirnie and St Roch’s have their own young supporters too but nothing like the kids we have.”

Although the season is now over, there is no rest for McKim as he builds the Burgh squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Former Neilston striker Kieran Brophy is already signed up, with McKim confirming there will be more to come.

He added: “We need to recruit well and add to the squad. We probably need some experience and some strength in depth because, going into that league next season, it is going to be tough.

“If you don’t prepare now, you will suffer. It’ll be tough but, if we work hard, we’ll get the benefits come next season.”