NEW Tranent Juniors boss Max Christie has vowed to have Foresters Park “rocking” next season.

The former Stenhousemuir and Alloa midfielder has returned to the club for a second spell in the dugout having previously been in charge between December 2017 and January 2019.

The Belters will look to build on an impressive debut campaign in the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL), which saw them in the title hunt until the latter stages.

The new manager has already met with players as he looks to build on the fifth place finish.

He said: “You just need gradual steps and try for consistent improvement.

“You strive to do better, whether that is recruitment, standards, coaching or results.

“It is all about results and players, and the intention is to have the place rocking, passing the ball forward, passing through the lines and playing exciting football.

“That is what the objective is.”

East Lothian Courier: Foresters Park. Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.Foresters Park. Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Christie follows in the footsteps of Colin Nish, who took over last September when Calum Elliot resigned.

Nish had already started preparing for next season when he and the club parted ways.

Christie, son of legendary Scottish manager Terry, who was also headteacher at Musselburgh Grammar School, originally took the job after Kenny Rafferty and Darren Smith departed.

Christie, 51, told Courier Sport he had enjoyed his time at the club, which has changed significantly in the four years since his departure.

He had moved to Bo’ness United, who he left in March this year.

He said: “I had packed it in at Bo’ness and thought I needed something fresh.

“I had been there four years and thought I had taken them as far as I could. We had finished ninth in the league and I just felt a wee bit stale and needed a wee rest.

“Back in March, I packed it in and resigned and had a rest.

“Very quickly, I realised, after about a month, that I still wanted to be involved in football.

 

 

“Colin left Tranent and after a couple of conversations I am delighted to be back.

“I have been a manager for 14 years now with about six to eight weeks off in those 14 years.

“I have been there every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and in pre-season you have your phone at your ear trying to get players signed.

“I just felt it was getting on top of me and needed a wee break from it.”

Christie, who has also managed Bonnyrigg Rose and Broxburn Athletic, has already started preparing for the new season.

The financial advisor highlighted the importance of getting things right during the summer ahead of a long campaign.

He said: “It is so important.

“If you can keep the boys you want and recruit well you can get a bit of a settled group.

“Then, you are not having to scrape about and pay inflated prices for players. It is hard work but everybody in the club is looking at what we need, where we are good and what we need to add to it.”