Wasps snap up 'Scotland's best part-time player'

Jamie MacDonald • Published 23 Jun 2010 12:57 Comments 1 Comment

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Darren Smith is highly-rated by Wasps boss Allan Maitland.

ALLOA Athletic have stepped up their bid for Second Division glory next season by recruiting a hat-trick of players.

Left-winger Darren Smith, striker Jim Lister and keeper Jamie Ewings signed this week and Wasps gaffer Allan Maitland is confident the trio will bring the required experience for their forthcoming promotion push.

Smith (30), described as the best part-time footballer in Scotland, was originally targeted by Alloa last season before he signed for Raith Rovers.

Maitland told Advertiser Sport, "I believe he is up there with the best of them, he is an excellent football player.

"Darren was with Brechin when we tried to sign him last year. He played 30 games for Raith Rovers in Division One last season but they are by and large a full-time club and he wanted to play part-time.

"I am delighted to say he wanted to join us as there was competition from several clubs for him."

The Wasps boss added, "I felt at times last season we lacked a bit of creativity with Dougie Wilson, Mark Gilhaney and Brown Ferguson injured and needed a bit of invention and Darren should help give us that."

Former Kincardine boy Jim Lister (29) has been a prolific scorer in the Junior ranks banging in 38 goals for Bathgate Thistle last season.

"He is big, scores goals, has pace to burn and he is different than the strikers we have," said Maitland.

Jamie Ewings (25) has signed from Albion Rovers and will initially provide cover for first choice goalkeeper Stephen Robertson. Ewings previously played full-time in Ireland for Drogheda United and has played in the UEFA Cup against Dynamo Kiev.

The manager continued, "I am delighted we have been able to sign these players. They have picked us over other teams and I think a lot of that is because we did so well last year.

"We already have good players such as Bryan Prunty and Scott Walker and the ground is fantastic now. The facilities have improved off the pitch and that is helping on the pitch."

This week's signings are in addition to those deals already agreed with former Airdrie pair Robertson and Kevin McDonald and Dumbarton duo Michael Dunlop and Stevie Murray.

After narrowly missing out on promotion last year Maitland stated he felt moving up a division may have been to soon for his team.

He added, "We were unlucky last year and I stand by what I said. Bringing in Kevin McDonald and Darren Smith, and these guys will make a difference and we are making big strides. We have a lot of young players coming through and these players have the experience to help them progress."

Alloa are also giving trials to Vale of Leithen's Aaron Somerville, Bo'ness midfielder Andy Shirra and ex-Rangers player Kevin McKinlay.

Pre-season will begin for Alloa Athletic players in earnest when they return to training on Thursday.

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Punter
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Jun 23, 23:10
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Alloa didnt sign Stevie Murray from Dumbarton. He went to Stenhousemuir a few weeks ago. This was incorrectly reported first by the BBC and seems to have grown legs! The other Alloa signing not mentioned here is Declan McAvoy from Hamilton.

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