FORMER St Mirren favourite Jim Goodwin says he has joined Alloa Athletic to help them challenge for the League One title next season.

The 34-year-old revealed that he will take up a playing role only with the Wasps as he looks to forge a career for himself outside of football, but says he is as hungry as ever to prolong his career and hopes to help his new club to promotion glory in the coming season.

Goodwin told Advertiser sport: “I met with Jack last week and he was discussing the plans he has for Alloa and I will be honest it excited me. He is trying to get them promoted, it is as simple as that. We will be looking to challenge for the league and that along with the ideas the manager has as well as the positivity surrounding the place at the moment really drew me to the club. People may see this as a shock move because I certainly had a few full time offers and I could have stayed in the Championship, but I felt this was a great opportunity for me not only to come and work with Jack, but also because it then allows me to go and pursue some other things outside of football as well.

“It is simply a playing role for me here and I am hoping that the drop down to part time can prolong my career. Jack has his backroom staff already in place and he is happy with that, but to be fair it was never even part of the discussions anyway. I want to play for as long as I can and enjoy as much success as I can while I do that. I could have stayed in the championship, but maybe have been fighting relegation again so this move just seemed like the better fit and hopefully I can then make a career for myself outside of football as well which I am quite excited about.”

Goodwin says he has been impressed by the strength of the squad the new gaffer Jack Ross has assembled

The veteran midfielder is also delighted to be re-uniting with his former St Mirren and Hamilton team mate and believes he is a manager who is going places within the game.

He said: “I know Jack well having played with him at both St Mirren and Hamilton so I know him very well and he is a top man. He is very honest and straight forward to deal with. He simplifies the game for players and he is a breath of fresh air when you talk to him about his ideas on the game. I think a lot of young managers these days try to reinvent the wheel, but I think Jack has his head screwed on.

“The impact he had last year at the club in spite of the situation he found them in, was amazing with his style of play and everything else so I am looking forward to working with him. I think given a pre-season to get his ideas across I am sure we will be well assured of our jobs come the first game so it should be an excited season ahead.

“The strength in the squad going into the new season was another huge draw for me. As I said, I could even stayed up a level and battled against relegation, but I really believe I can help out with the promotion push. We are not here to play games, we are looking to win the league. I believe the manager has recruited very well with the likes of Andy Graham, Jon Robertson and Greig Spence coming in, who I know well so there is no doubt we can challenge.”

The St Mirren legend admits it was difficult to say goodbye to the club after five and a half years in Paisley, but is now fully focused on guiding the Wasps to promotion and hopes his new set of supporters will get behind him.

Goodwin added: “I was absolutely gutted to be leaving St Mirren. It was an honour to play there for five and a half years and the fans were absolutely fantastic with me. Hopefully I will get the chance to go back and play there if I can, but it will be strange not turning up for pre-season at Ralston this year. That is football at the end of the day. All good things have to come to an end and now I am focused on a new chapter of my career with Alloa and I am very excited about it.

“I have always had a decent relationship with the punters wherever I have been and prior to playing for each of them, they all hated me, but I am sure they will grow to like me. I am not going to change and I will be as competitive as ever. My commitment, passion and desire for the game is still there and hopefully I can be an asset to the team.”