JAMIE KJORSTAD says his Rhu Amateurs Saturday morning team are aiming to improve on last season's league finish as he and his players prepare for the big kick-off this weekend.

Kjorstad and his squad play host to Croftpark at Ardenconnel this Saturday, August 10, as the Glasgow Colleges AFL 2024-25 season begins in earnest.

Speaking ahead of the Croftpark fixture, Kjorstad said his team’s pre-season games were “excellent opportunities” to give all the players the chance to get their match fitness to a proper level, as well as seeing what any prospective new players can add to the squad

The manager said: “Over the piece we played five games, with a bag of mixed results, and we think we are in a good place for the start of the league games.

“We have recruited well, with a couple of fresh faces joining us who bring their own experience with them, in the shape of local lads Ross Jeffries, who will help bolster the attacking line up, and Richard Henry, who will also help with the coaching.

“Richard previously played in the West of Scotland League so his experience will help the boys out enormously. 

“We have improved our league position every season since we joined the GCAFL so that’s got to be the ambition again for this one with a top half finish very achievable. 

“Once again we are very grateful to the local business community who have stepped forward to sponsor the team.

“These include Stuart McQueen from Garelochead Coaches, Steve McIntyre, the owner of McIntyre Taxi Hire, and continuation of support from James Auld, T.G. Wilson and Kelly Andrews from the Gary Andrews Remember A Life charity.

“The support received from them all is invaluable and the players, the back room staff and Myself owe them a great deal of gratitude. 

“Kick off at Ardenconnel is at 10am, so if you’re up early and find yourself at a loose end the boys will be glad of your support.”

Meanwhile, Rhu’s Caledonian League team also begin their new season this Saturday, in their case with a trip to Perthshire to take on Callander Thistle. Kick-off at the McLaren Community Leisure Centre is at 2pm.

A busy start to the campaign for Gordon Brodie’s men continues with a derby match at home to league new boys St Patrick’s FP, newly arrived in the Caledonian League after winning the Scottish Premier AFA league title last season, on Wednesday, August 14, with a 7pm kick-off at Ardenconnel Park.

In the third of a triple bill of curtain-raising fixtures this weekend, Rhu's new under-19 squad begin their campaign in the group stages of the Scottish Premier AFA's Hills Solicitors 19s League Cup when they play host to Knightswood U19 on Saturday morning.

The young squad saw off Riverside 3-0 in their latest warm-up fixture on Friday night, with Charlie Cook, Charles Livingston and Taylor Macdonald the goalscorers.

The weekend’s Rhu football action begins on Friday, when the club’s over-35s travel to face Glasgow On The Ball, looking to avenge the heavy home defeat handed out when the teams last met in early May.