McInally wanted to entice former Clyde and Partick Thistle midfielder Jimmy Gibson to the club, but feared he would lose out to a bigger side. That's where David Dunn stepped in.

Dunn, who signed for Shire from Ayr United in May, lives a few doors down from Gibson and, after a few casual chats, sold the club to the 28-year-old, who started his senior career at Rangers.

''It's strange how things work out sometimes," said McInally. "David and Jimmy live in the same street and David got talking to him and told him how much he was enjoying pre-season training and just being at the club.

''We are really delighted to get Jimmy. He has played all his football at a much higher standard and it's also a big gamble for him because he
has never been part-time before.

''Jimmy is a combative player, but he can also play a bit as well.
"He is a really good addition to the squad and, if I am being honest, one I didn't really think I would get."

McInally had his doubts that he could sell Shire to his list of summer signing targets and is amazed things have gone so smoothly.

''At the end of the season we wrote down the names of the players that, in an ideal world, we would have liked to have brought to the club.

''I wondered whether we would persuade them all to come, but from that list there isn't a single name we have missed out on."

All of which is perhaps increasing the pressure on the coach to deliver results – so he is remaining optimistic, but also cautious about trying for too much, too early.

''I know there will be some people talking about championships and plays-offs and the like, but we have to be realistic,'' he said.

"Before we can get to that stage we have to first concentrate on losing the 'joke club' tag.

''I think we are starting to do that and that has to remain our real priority."

One other urgent need is to find a second goalkeeper. Currently only John Hillcoat is on the club's books and the coach does not want that situation to persist.

"We are still looking,'' he said.''We have had one or two people in at training and we will be keeping an eye on that situation. We will get someone in before the season kicks off and someone we think will be able to do a job for us.

''I am also hoping to bring in at least one more striker, but we may have to wait for that one to happen.''

Meanwhile, Shire are hoping to unveil their new-look strips by the middle of the month. The club has signed a deal with Hummell – also the manufacturer for a number of SPL sides, including Dundee United and St Mirren.