KINCAID BEGINS TO RESHAPE WHITES

Most of the club’s senior players from last season have left, most recently Philip Simpson who has left to join Harland and Wolffe Welders.

But the former Larne and Glenavon manager, appointed to the job a fortnight ago, has moved to bring in defender Darren Nixon from Ards and striker David Wright from Dundela.

And Kincaid has stressed that while he is disappointed to lose experienced players there will be more signings to come over the course of the summer.

“It’s always a blow to lose senior players and unfortunately most of our senior players from last season have left the club,” said Kincaid.

“I’m particularly disappointed with Simpy because he had given me his word that he would sign on but then he decided the other day to go to the Welders.

“You think you’ve got someone and then to lose it is very disappointing.

“We’ve brought in Darren Nixon who will bring in lots of experience and, as he has proven with Ards this season, he has a hunger to win as well which is just what we need.

“David Wright has joined from Dundela and I’m still talking to other players as well so my business is not done yet.

“And we’ve signed up some of the younger players for next season too, guys like Mickey Withers who will have a big part to play for us.”

Also leaving via the New Grosvenor exit door are Billy Brennan, Andy Hunter, Ryan McCann and Jonny Harkness.

Kincaid knows exactly the sort of player he needs to take Distillery back to the Premiership, having achieved promotion at both Inver Park and Mourneview Park.

“I’m looking for experienced heads,” he said. “You can’t win promotion with just kids in the Championship. It’s a tough league and you need that bit of know-how to get through so many league and cup games.

“So I’m looking to sign some experienced players and I’m working non-stop to ensure that we get men of that quality on board.”

The new man in charge at Ballyskeagh says he is enjoying the challenge and finding his feet once again with the Whites. Kincaid is no stranger to the club, having been Paul Kirk’s assistant manager before leaving to take over at Larne.

“I’m getting on really well, I’m enjoying being back and I’m looking forward to the challenge we face,” he said.

“The last few weeks have been about securing players who were already with the club. The next few will be about attracting players and then we will sort out or plans for pre-season.”