Grange up the ante in title quest

Ambitious Grange have recruited four new players and a coach as they bid to topple Glasgow-based Kelburne from the summit of Division One.

The Edinburgh hockey side, who finished second last season, nine points adrift of the champions, will be guided this season by Scotland youth coach, Colin Clarke.

And they will be back-stopped by former Scotland No. 1 goalkeeper, Colin Johnston, the player having switched back to Grange after helping CALA Edinburgh win promotion last season.

Also recruited are forward Andrew Brogdon from Manchester-based English cracks Bowdon and Dundee Wanderers utility player Guy Murdoch, who can play in midfield or up-front.

At the back, Scotland under-21 player, Fraser Sands, is another newcomer, and skipper Robert Barr is optimistic despite a 1-0 home defeat to Clydesdale last Saturday.

Barr, a former international, said: “We had a number of players missing on Saturday for various reasons, particularly up-front with Martin Kelly, Colin McIvor and Phil Sully missing, and Colin (Clarke) is abroad currently coaching.

“We’ve got a strong squad of around 20 players to pick from this season.

“It’s good to have new recruits and Colin is a class goalkeeper. We’ve not had that amount of players for a long time, so we’ll have real competition for places.”