New signing Jack Hay has vowed to treat his move to Vale as a “new chapter” and score the goals to fire his new side to the top end of the Lowland League table.

Hay joins from Spartans and has also enjoyed spells at Borders clubs Gala Fairydean Rovers, Selkirk and Coldstream. He has never struggled to find the net at any of his previous clubs but says he has never felt at home, which he feels is about to change after being afforded a warm welcome at Victoria Park.

Last season’s top scorer Blair Atkinson has returned to parent club Spartans and Hay would appear to be a ready-made replacement. He is confident he can replace Atkinson’s goals and believes that the team should be aiming high in terms of league position.

Hay said: “I have been moving around clubs in the last two years and I have never been comfortable or settled at any. The Vale is a new chapter for me and I have been welcomed with open arms by Chris and his coaching staff and the boys.

“I just want to play football and under Ando I can be confident and flourish as a player. I believe after talks with the Vale it’s the club for me right now.

The striker has never seemed short of self-belief and broke into the Gala Fairydean first team at the tender age of 16, scoring two hat-tricks in the first two rounds of the Scottish Cup and has continued to plunder goals ever since. Upon signing for title-chasing Spartans last season he managed to bag eight goals in three games. And he spoke bullishly about what he can bring to the table with his new side.

He added: “I feel I can bring a lot when I am confident and scoring goals, holding up, winning headers and most of all runs off the shoulders of defenders and scoring goals. But I think the main thing is keeping a cool head and everything else will follow.

“I am confident in myself and I know I can score goals in this league as I have proven this playing at other clubs such as Spartans, Gala and Selkirk. I believe this year I can do the same in a Vale shirt.”

A move from last season’s third placed side, who will have aspirations of a title challenge this time out, to the one who finished 13^th may raise some eyebrows but the 23-year-old has faith that his new team-mates can improve substantially upon the last campaign’s showing.

“Ambition is key in any sport but I believe with the team and individuals we have, if we bind as a group and play well and have each other’s backs we will finish top six. It will be a battle every week, but after a few sessions with the boys I believe they are all up for a fight”, said Hay.

Vale can today announce five signings to add to the squad ahead of the new season.

Three players – striker Jack Hay, former Vale defender Euan Saunderson and experienced goalkeeper Ross Gilpin – join from Spartans, while Civil Service Strollers striker Jordan Finnie and Hawick Royal Albert midfielder Jon McInally have also signed on.

Upon announcing his new recruits, Chris Anderson said: “I’m delighted with the signings so far and will continue to add to the squad.

“I am pleased with the number of players we kept from last season and also with the boys we’ve brought in.”

The majority of last season’s squad will be returning, apart from veterans Kevin Motion and Daniel O’Donnell, loanees Blair Atkinson and Brad Raiker and goalkeeper Andy McQueen who has gone travelling.

Jason Stevens, who attracted interest during last season and again over the close season, has committed to Vale for another year and Anderson added: “Jason was approached by a lot of clubs and I would have understood if he’d taken up one of the offers.

“But he enjoys his football at the Vale and I’m delighted we persuaded him to stay with us.

“Jason doesn’t only score goals he can turn a game for you and cause defences all sorts of problems.”

(the featured image is of Jack Hay in his Gala Fairydean Rovers days)

The end of season presentation night was held last night and Jason Stevens, Blair Atkinson and Andy McQueen walked home with the awards.

Stevens was voted players’ player of the year, McQueen picked up the committee’s player of the year and Atkinson was awarded Chris Anderson’s manager’s player of the year.

Atkinson and Stevens formed an electric partnership over the season with the former topping the scoring charts with 17. Stevens proved to be quite a talismanic figure, picking up 12 goals of his own including some spectacular strikes.

At the other end goalkeeper McQueen was a formidable presence, with Honorary Vice-President Stanley Clifford commenting that he and Honorary President Keith Brown reckoned he was a stand out over the course of the season.

Anderson thanked the players for their efforts but reserved most praise for the club’s devoted band of volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the club running. He also expressed a desire for everyone involved to keep pulling in the same direction to make the club successful.

Ryan Currie has extended his stay at Vale of Leithen for another season, along with the majority of last season’s squad as Chris Anderson starts to piece together plans for next season.

The former Livingston midfielder joined in March after a short spell at East Kilbride and impressed in midfield in the latter stages of the season.

Anderson was keen to secure his services for another year and fortunately the player had a similar desire to do a deal.

The gaffer recently spoke of a desire to keep developing and he has also now revealed that some new signings will be made to supplement the existing group.

Anderson said: “I’m delighted Ryan has agreed to sign again next season and it shows the ambitions of the club when a player of his calibre signs.

“Ryan is a terrific player but most importantly a good character. We see him as an integral part of our plans for next season and have no doubt he can continue to develop next season.”

“The majority of the squad have extended their stay for next season and we hope to add in some key areas over the next few weeks.”