Alloa summer signing David Weatherston is delighted to be back in the big time ahead of an exciting SPFL Championship season.

The talented forward spent last season in the bottom tier of Scottish Football with Stirling Albion and is thankful to new boss Barry Smith for giving him a crack at the big three next season and hopes he can repay him with goals.

The former Falkirk and Queen of the South star has been impressed with the professionalism of his new club and reckons it will stand them in good stead this season.

Weatherston told Advertiser sport, “I had one year down in the bottom league with Stirling Albion but it wasn’t where I wanted to be playing. It is really good to get back to this level and it couldn’t have worked out any better now with Rangers, Hearts and Hibernian all in the league now. That was the main draw for me coming here and I am looking forward to getting in about it now.

“I didn’t know this before hand but from the minute I have come in the door here you can see just how professional the club is run. It makes a great difference from other clubs I have been at. I have never worked with Barry Smith before but from the moment I spoke to him, I knew I wanted to work with him because he likes to play attacking football and that suits me perfectly. I have played most of my time at this level in midfield but last season for Albion “I played in a more advanced role and that brought me more goals. I always set my own target of 10 goals but hopefully if I can just have a good season, injury free and I know that if I am fit then I am capable at this level.” Weatherston believes that a combination of, the talent they have at Recreation Park and the fact that the gap between full time and part time teams is getting smaller all the time, means that they can prove the bookmakers wrong to label them as relegation favourites for next season and push themselves up the table.

He said, “We have a great squad here at Alloa and there is no reason why we can’t do well now. I have played against them with Stirling last year in the cup and also a few times with Falkirk in friendlies so I know that there are some quality players here at the club and I am looking forward to fitting into the passing style of football.

“We understand that the three part time teams are the three favourites to go down but I am confident we can certainly disprove that theory. I have been at full time clubs and the thinking is always the same - Take 12 points off the part-time teams and you are doing well - but I think nowadays the gap in terms of fitness and quality is much less and there are far better players going part time now. Therefore there is no reason for us to fear teams out with the big three and hopefully we can push on into the top half.” The Edinburgh native revealed that the thought about the rivalry between the Wasps and their bitter rivals the Binos never even entered his thoughts because he isn’t from these parts but hopes his performances can allay any fears about his loyalty to his new side.

Weatherston added, “Switching the divide never crossed my mind. I am not from here so while it may bother some of the fans it is not something I even considered it, I simply wanted to get back to a better level and I am really thankful to Alloa for giving me that chance and I can hopefully repay them on the pitch.”