WASPS hero Jason Marr revealed his love for the club was the key factor in him staying on after he rejected offers from the SPFL Championship to remain in Clackmannanshire.

The fan's player of the year says manager Jack Ross is the man to help him progress his career to the next level and he is hoping to build on his best season yet in terms of games played as Alloa prepare to push for promotion in League One over the coming campaign.

Marr told Advertiser sport: “I am absolutely thrilled to stay at the club for another season. I took my time to weigh up my options because I did have a very good offer to remain in the Championship, but at the end of the day I love this club and the gaffer is the guy you want to play for. I think he is building a top class team here so I chose to remain here because I want to keep enjoying my football and hopefully I can do that by winning a promotion. On top of that as soon as the gaffer brought back Kevin Cawley, there was no way I could leave with the wee man back in town!

“The gaffer made it crystal clear that he was desperate to keep me at the club, but I love it at Alloa so it wasn't exactly a hard sell for him. I have been here a long time now and I wouldn't have stuck around unless I had that strong love for the club. Jack is a guy who you want to play for and everyone is desperate to do well for him so that can only be a positive for the club going forward.

“I feel like I have always done well for Alloa and gave my all, but although last season wasn't a good season for the club, I managed to play 30 games so it was great to get recognition for that with the interest I had this summer and hopefully I can go and build on that this season. Fingers crossed I can have another season relatively injury free and I am really excited for the season ahead now.”

The 26-year-old fan's favourite, like many fans, has been excited by rumours of a possible return to the club for former captain Ben Gordon, but while he would love to reunite with his ex-defensive partner, he reckons it is a long shot at this stage.

Marr admits he is keen to find out who his new defensive partnership will be with, but has full faith that the gaffer will deliver the right man for the job.

He said: “I am still waiting to find out who my defensive partner is going to be for next season. Obviously, we have Scott Taggart in already and the likes of Lewis Wilson and Ryan Hoggan who can play in there as well, but the gaffer knows the type of player he wants to bring in for that area and I can't wait to see who he attracts to the club. I have heard all the fan rumours about Ben Gordon returning and of course, like them, I would love to see the big man come back to the club. Problem is, I don't imagine he will be short of offers in the Championship because he had another top class season with Livingston.

“It would obviously be massive if we got him back, but we will just have to wait and see. I would also love it if Dougie Hill was to stick around because we had a decent record in the games we played together in last year. He also has a number of offers, but I trust in the gaffer so I know whoever it ends up being that they will improve the team.”

The newly rebranded Betfred Cup threw Alloa into Group D alongside holders Ross County, Raith Rovers, Cove Rangers and Montrose in the draw last Friday.

And the popular defender reckons it makes for an exciting start to the campaign for players and fans alike.

Marr added: “It is obviously an exciting draw for the fans in the new League Cup format because I know they will be desperate for a decent away trip. It is a chance to play against teams we normally wouldn't get the chance to play against and it is also great to be drawn against the competition holders in Ross County.

“I played for Ross County in my younger days so it would be good to go back there for the first time since I left, but all the league cup games will no doubt be exciting games to be involved in and hopefully we can go and do well.”