As the Club moves into its 40th year the Under 21's are the oldest team in the Allandale Youth Academy - the youth structure having been established in 1999 and now in existence for 10 years.
Club Chairman and current manager of the 21's Drew Scobbie is on record to have said before and still advocating that the current group of promising young men are the best squad ever to pull on the Steins colours.
There is a cautious optimism around these players but can they now build on the promise they have displayed over the previous couple of seasons.
Assistant coach Wright added a bit of maturity and an element of harmony last term using his experience to bring the squad together, knocking a few heads in the process. His reward is a lucrative contract extension for at least a further season.
Coach Valentine is to back in the saddle to continue his sports phsycology work and social mentoring that proved such a major success over the last year.
Also coach Friel has signed up again for another year and has been working on his morale boosting team talks over the summer break.
The management acquisitions of season 2008/9 have now been bolstered by the arrival of Gavin Young and Andy McKenzie. Gavin will operate as a coach with specific duties towards the goalkeepers and Andy will utilise his expertise as a qualified physio in preparation, diet and specialised flexibility training.
Boss Man Scobbie is quietly confident after a very successful season last year. He is looking for the players to step up to the mark in the West of Scotland 1st Division after promotion for the 2nd time on the bounce and the league cup triumph to boot.