GLENAFTON Athletic legend Alan Cairns says he “didn’t think he’d last that long” at the club but that he “fell in love” with the Glens ahead of his testimonial season.

It was confirmed earlier this month that the popular defender would remain on board for a tenth season at Loch Park.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Alan told us just how it feels to be reaching this career milestone.

He said: “It’s scary at the age of 29, turning 30 now, my full career has basically been at Glenafton. I didn’t think I’d last that long to be honest with you.

“It’s been brilliant, I didn’t think I’d have won as much as what I have. It’s a great club as well, the community down there is brilliant, the guys have been good with me.

“I can’t thank the club enough to be honest with you.”

It has been a time full of highlights, one of which he couldn’t help but talk about, the 2016/17 season – and Scottish Junior Cup triumph.

It was Alan’s wonder goal which settled the tie that day – something that will live long in the memory of the New Cumnock faithful.

He commented: “What a day that was, it was brilliant. That was a great season as well.

“We won the Scottish Cup, the league, and then we won the Evening Times Cup at the end of the season.

“But that (the Scottish Cup) was a good weekend, it was Sunday night into the Monday night, it was brilliant.”

Though asked if that was his main highlight from his nine seasons so far, Alan had a different take on what his stand out memory was.

He said: “I’ve played with great boys, I’ve met great friends for life through playing with Glenafton.

“Even the guys who run the club, I’ll be friends with for life, I’m very close with the like of the chairman, they’re almost like family now.

“I’ve basically just fell in love with the club.”

Now the plans are in motion for organising his testimonial year events, though, “I don’t know exactly how they work,” Alan admitted.

There looks to be four separate events, which include the all important testimonial match – which he is sure about.

Alan will put together a side of former teammates, rivals and some friends to face off against either Glenafton’s cup winning side or current manager Ryan Stevenson said he may enlist the help of a former club.

Either way, he is fully focussed on results on the park next season, something he has been impressed with since the new management team took over.

He said: “Since Ryan and Mark have come in, they’ve been brilliant.

“The turnarounds been unbelievable, it’ll be interesting to see what next season’s like, I’m looking forward to it.”