Season opener - Raith Rovers Match Preview

The Blues are looking to take a full squad up to Starks Park to face the Second Divisions foreign legion with a few new faces out to make their mark including goalkeeper Willie McCulloch, defender Steven Renicks and forwards John Fallon, and the promising Michael Moore who was superb last Saturday in the friendly against Ayr.

The only player who will be missing is Paul Kerr who has a four-match suspension to be carried over from his last season with Cumnock Juniors. Also hoping to travel are former Ayr United player Lee Sharpe and young forward Alex Lurinski who was freed by Hamilton Accies. Both have been offered terms by club boss Billy McLaren, but still no word on whether former St. Johnstone and Clydebank keeper Stephen Robertson has done enough to earn himself a deal.

Hoping to capitalise on last seasons great form which earned him the Supporters Club Player of the Year is Dexy Wingate who has also been impressive during the clubs rather disappointing and lacklustre pre-season.

The only real doubt is the midfield with no real strengthening having taken place during the summer, and if last seasons form is anything to go by, Stevie Aitken won't be enough to link up the play. Alex Grace was only a bit part player last term, but should start on Saturday.

Calderon - new boss.

Raith will obviously be looking for a good start to the Second Division season having been relegated in May. No doubt the keenest will be their new Spanish manager, former Kilmarnock and Raith midfielder Antonio Calderon who replaced Jocky Scott in the Starks Park hotseat, seeing off candidates such as Keith Wright along the way.

Rovers won't be a drastically different side from last seasons Division One team, but one name they will miss will be the gifted Nacho Novo who has moved to Dundee, and former Stair Park favourite Darren Henderson who was freed and picked up by Forfar. However they have decided to keep the services of veteran hitman Andy Smith for another season, and have signed Brian Carrigan to add to their firepower up front.

Which players should Stranraer fans keep an eye on at Starks Park? Read on and find out...

Paul Browne- This 27 year old defender was signed by former Starks Park boss Jimmy Nicholl from Aston Villa in July 1996, and after having struggled in the SPL during his first season in Kirkcaldy he has since gone on to establish himself as a first team regular and missing only a handful of games.

Shaun Dennis - Was at Raith for 10 years, during which he enjoyed promotion twice, Coca-Cola Cup success as well as forays into Europe, before moving onto Hibs. The 32 year old defender was part of Hibs' First Division winning team, but returned to Starks Park on a three month loan during the winter of 99, before coming back for good the following March.

Brian Carrigan - This talented forward was tipped for great things during his first spell at Clyde, where his prolific goal scoring earned him a £150,000 switch to Stockport County. His off-field antics, however, caused him to have his contract terminated in 2001. He returned to the Scottish game where he had spells at Clydebank and a brief stint back at the Bully Wee before landing a deal with Calderon's men.

Javier Mas - An unknown quantity in Scottish football having been signed by new boss Antonio Calderon during the close season, this young Spaniard will surely be out to prove his worth.

Martin Prest - This 23 year old Argentinean signed during the summer from Ross County where he failed to hold down a regular first team place last term, scoring only once, after having a fairly successful first season at Dingwall. Was brought to Scotland hoping to win a deal at Dens Park but when that didn't work out he joined Airdrioneons where he scored 4 times from 13 starts.

Injury Worries: Martin Prest and Ian Brown collided in training on Tuesday, and both players picked up bad head knocks. The injuries were serious enough that they were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Current League form: - - - -

There have not been many connections between Stranraer and Raith Rover, until this season. After being freed by Ross County last season former Stranraer favourite Darren Henderson joined Raith, but only managed to find the net four times (three league goals and one in the League Cup). In a cost cutting effort, Darren was freed at the end of the season, but managed to sign a contact with Forfar Athletic. Darren's other clubs included Hamilton Accies and Ayr United.

If you know of any other connections, please feel free to e-mail me (sandy@stranraerfc.net) with any submissions.