DEPARTING hero Ryan McCord says he will always be grateful to Alloa Athletic for giving him some of the best moments of his career.

The midfield maestro announced his departure from the club last week after securing full time football for next season with Raith Rovers and he is delighted with the move because it allows him to be closer to his young family.

But while the Wasps legend, who has spent the past four seasons with the club, is looking forward to a new challenge at Stark’s Park next season, he will never forget his achievments in Clackmannanshire.

McCord told Advertiser Sport: “I always had a feeling as the season drew to a close that this might be the end of the era and I think that is the way it is looking at the club. It has been a really difficult decision for me to leave the club having been here for so long. I also had to think long and hard about giving up my work as well, but I just felt like I would regret it if I didn’t have one more crack at full time football.

“Ray McKinnon has been after me for a few seasons now and with Raith training in Glenrothes it has worked out well for me being closer to my family. I cannot wait for the challenge of testing myself as a full time footballer once again.

“I owe a lot to Alloa for my progression as a player and I will always be grateful to the club for the best times of my career there. We made some great memories that will live with me forever, and to play with such a great bunch of boys has been an absolute pleasure.

“The best ever dressing room I’ve been in with some real characters, but we had some real quality in there as well. With so many boys leaving it really is the end of an era. It was a bit of a downer for us after the cup final, but to be fair I would always have preferred to end like we did with the comeback win.

“It was a special way to sign off because Forfar already thought they had won it. We never doubted ourselves for a second and to go and pull it off was amazing. It will be another very difficult Championship next year which I think will be a lot closer this time.

“There is not much between a lot of the teams and will depend on who does the best business over the summer now. Danny has a huge rebuilding job at Alloa now, but it will maybe bring a freshness to the team and I hope they can stay up once again. My focus now is on doing well at Raith and hopefully we can be pushing up at the top end this season.” McCord reckons he knew from the moment he arrived at the club, they had a special group of players, but even with that he would never have believed just how much they would achieve as a collective unit.

He said: “I have loved every minute at the club. From day one when Paul Hartley brought me in with my brother, I knew we had a real good side and a bunch of young talented lads with a point to prove.

“Everyone seems to be getting their rewards now as most of us are finally getting noticed now, but I don’t think anyone at the club would grudge any of it after four unbelievable years in their history. Every season had something good where we defied the odds and to look back on it now is frightening to think what we achieved.

“ I have played alongside some special talents with the likes of Homer, Kev, Ben and even Doyley, but there are too many to mention them all, but they have each played their part. Stephen Simmons deserves a special mention though because was really good for us all with his experience and guidance. I can’t thank him enough for that.” The former Dundee United trainee was disappointed to only scored two goals in his final season at Alloa, but they both turned out to be crucial ones for the club, and one in particular, will live with him forever.

McCord added: “I was embarrassed not to score a league goal last season, but of my two goals they were both vital for us at the time. The late one at Morton got us through to face Rangers and then the equaliser against them is a goal and night I will never forget.

“That ranks up there with the very best nights I had at Alloa and it was just a shame we couldn’t make it mean something more in the final, but it wasn’t to be. No one can ever take that comeback against Rangers away from us though and to play such a big part in it was a great feeling one I will always remember.”