Neil Gauld wants to help Banks o’ Dee have success as a Breedon Highland League club.
The experienced striker has signed a one-year deal with the Aberdeen outfit, who will step into the Highland League for the first time next season.
Despite netting more than 300 goals at Highland League level Gauld, 35, has never won the title.
It’s been eight years since he won any silverware, but looking ahead to next season the former Inverurie Locos man is hoping to have success with his new club.
Gauld said: “It’s been a long time since I’ve won something and you don’t enjoy it as much when you’re finishing seventh in the league.
“We may not win anything this season but I think we’ll be challenging and I think we can do well.
Looking forward to the new challenge ⚽️⚽️⚽️ https://t.co/miR5TvIWHY
— Neil Gauld (@NGauldy) June 3, 2022
“As long as you’re playing in the Highland League you have ambitions to win it.
“We’re by no means going to be favourites, but at the start of the season every team that was in the top seven will fancy their chances of pushing for it.
“There’s no reason why we can’t have a go at it, it’s something I’ve never won and I’d love to be top scorer again but neither will be easy.”
Dee on the up
As well as success at Junior level last season Banks o’ Dee won both the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield.
Gauld believes the Spain Park side are on an upward trajectory, which was part of the appeal for him.
He added: “They’re coming into the Highland League and it’s an exciting time for the club.
“With the season they had last season winning the Aberdeenshire Cup and Aberdeenshire Shield I don’t see why we can’t compete for top six or top four next season.
“There’s excitement around the club because it’s new and I think it’ll be good.”
Experience
In preparation for the new season Banks o’ Dee boss Jamie Watt has also signed former Formartine United player and manager Paul Lawson.
Gauld reckons their experience in the Highland League will be beneficial.
He said: “I think with my experience I can add something, Jamie Watt said to me there’s 10 or 12 players in their squad who haven’t played in the Highland League before.
“They wanted some experience and hopefully the likes of myself and Paul can help take them from a winning Junior team into a winning Highland League team.
“Although Paul hasn’t played much in the last few years, he’s a quality player.
“When I played with him at Formartine he was top notch.
“Last season when I was fit, although that wasn’t a lot of the time, I still felt I was in the top three goalscorers in the league.
“I still think I’ve got a lot to give and I’m determined to get fit this season, hopefully stay injury free and if I do that there’s no reason why I can’t score goals.
“Banks o’ Dee are a team that like to attack and play on the front foot and that should mean I get chances and score goals.”