Ayr make Swift move for duo

May 23 2007 Ayrshire Post

AYR boss Neil Watt has swooped for two more of his former players and says he is delighted at the way his rebuilding has progressed.

Former Stranraer skipper Murray Henderson and wing-back Steven Swift, who both spent three seasons at Stair Park, follow former Blues trio Michael Moore, David Hamilton and Barry John Corr.

Another new face is fitness coach David Johnston, who worked with Watt at Stranraer, but youngsters Kyle Bryson and John McStay aren’t being offered new deals.

Powerful central defender Henderson negotiated his release from Queen of the South while Swift has quit big spending Irvine Meadow to again link up with his old boss.

Watt said: “Murray was my captain at Stranraer after I sold Allan Jenkins to Gretna while I knew Steven from the juniors before he joined me at Stair Park.

“These are players who will integrate well into the dressing room and training pitch. I am handpicking guys who I know can fit into the environment I am trying to create at Somerset Park.

“I am very happy at the way the squad is growing but have left myself a couple of positions to fill in.

“I would never sign a player on loan at this stage. I would only do that in August or January as the last piece of the jigsaw.”