By Stephen Coutts

IRVINE Meadow midfielder and Dreghorn-born lad Colin Spence may be entering the twilight of his career but the veteran admits the fire in his belly every time he pulls on the famous colours keeps the old legs going.

Spenny as he’s affectionately known as was a rock in the Talbot engine room for over a decade and collected a cache of silverware that any footballer would be proud of.

After his Talbot career ended, it was short stints at Troon and Arthurlie before his calling to home became a reality.

The Scotland Junior international's move to Medda has always been on the cards but after umpteen unsuccessful attempts it was manager Brian McGinty who finally got his man.

He said: “I’ve been there and I’ve done it and I love being with this club as it’s my hometown club and it’s great to be known a bit now and I can’t quite do what I used to do. I’m 34 now and I can’t do what I used to do but as long as I keep turning up and enjoying it and as long as the gaffer keeps picking me I’ll be here and keep going.

“To be fair to the gaffer he’s changed my position to suit my overall game and I’m playing further up the park to win it rather than chasing fast strikers back towards the defence these days.”

After winning promotion to the top flight following a thrilling 4-1 two legged victory over former side Arthurlie, the Premiership welcomed back Medda after a two year absence.

And Spenny believes the other sides were already licking their lips in anticipation at Medda becoming the whipping boys but he insists they are there to stake their claim.

He said: “We went out of the Scottish Cup to Kilsyth Rangers but our aim for this season is to stay up in the Premiership and a club the size of Irvine Meadow should be competing in the top league.

“After the start we had I think everyone had us written off from the start and your Troon’s, Petershill’s and Renfrew’s would be thinking ‘there’s a team away straight away’ but we’ve went on a great run.

“To win four games on the bounce in this league isn’t easy and even the top teams are struggling as well and another clean sheet against Cambuslang Rangers is phenomenal.

“A lot of our players haven’t played in the top flight before and they’re learning as well and everyone is learning and that includes the gaffer also.

“When you’re playing your Talbot’s, Hurlford’s and Beith’s it’s a different game and sometimes you have a wee pop-shot that no one was expecting but we need to win the games against the teams around about us and if we can do that then we’ll be okay."