NEW signings George Hunter and Bob Wilson are aiming to help Musselburgh Athletic follow in the footsteps of near-neighbours Tranent Juniors.
The Olivebank side have watched their county counterparts become the leading side in East Lothian in recent years.
A last-day East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Premier Division win last season for the Belters was immediately followed by a triumph in the play-off against South of Scotland Football League winners St Cuthbert Wanderers and West of Scotland Football League champions Darvel.
A debut campaign in the Scottish Lowland Football League has also been impressive and a second consecutive promotion is a real possibility.
Hunter and Wilson have taken a two-tier drop from Bonnyrigg Rose to join their hometown club but acknowledged that a title charge in the sixth tier might have to wait until next season.
Hunter, 26, said: “Mathematically, we can still win but obviously we need Linlithgow Rose to have a bad run of games, which is possible, and for us to go on a streak.
“Hopefully, with signing, I can help the team and score as many as possible.
“I want to be the difference in the tight games.
“I would say second is the aim, which would give us confidence going into the next season, but I would not write us off.
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“I think Musselburgh have been underachieving for a bit compared to the likes of Bonnyrigg Rose, who are overachieving.
“I think definitely the aim is to get to the Lowland League.
“That is our future plan and to be the team in East Lothian, the dominant team in East Lothian, and I am here for it.”
Wilson had played nearly a dozen times for Bonnyrigg this season, while Hunter had featured on 20 occasions as the Midlothian side made their debut in Scottish League Two.
Wilson, who works as a mechanic at RV Autos in Tranent, told Courier Sport what it meant to play for his hometown club.
He said: “You look round the crowd and you know the majority of people standing watching the game.
“That is that little bit extra – you see familiar faces round about the ground.”
Hunter, who previously played for St Johnstone and Airdrie in the SPFL, compared representing his hometown club to pulling on the dark blue of Scotland.
He said: “Playing for Musselburgh just means more. You have got that connection with the club.
“Even the people that are associated with the club are all from there as well.
“You have got that in common and it is a different feeling.
“It is a bit like playing for your country.
“You are representing your country and it is a bit like representing Musselburgh when you play for Musselburgh.
“It is more of an honour.”
Former Musselburgh Grammar School pupil Wilson was looking to the future after getting on the scoresheet, alongside Hunter, as they demolished Vale of Leithen 10-2 on Saturday.
He said: “The manager has been saying since we came to the club that they are looking to push as high up the league as we possibly can.
“Right now, it is second spot but the aim is to finish as high up as possible, which stands us in good stead for next season.”
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