Huntly captain Michael "Mo" Morrison, as well as local favourite Richard Davidson who together with Bruce Cormie are both Colony Park Boys Club products, have been joined by Brian Neill is an ex-Aberdeen FC player who actually came on board at the back end of the season's fine third place finish in the SHFL, two trophies in the cabinet and a long Scottish Cup run.

All four players were excited to speak about the new season ahead, knowing they join a very talented squad and one that has had a highly successful 2008/2009 season.

Morrison has also served Lossiemouth, Forres Mechanics and Cove Rangers in the Highland League ranks and was also on the books of home town team Elgin City. The towering centre back sums up the very unassuming nature of the current Red and Black squad at Harlaw Park.

He said: "There's no guarantee of a place for me here. I have to come in and work hard for my place but I'm looking forward to getting games started.

"I had two good years at Huntly, won a Cup and decent runs in Scottish Cup. Coming to Locos, a big club, hoping we can push on. A good squad pushing for the past two seasons, hopefully with the help of these new signings we can push for the top spot in May."

He was quick to recognise a lot of Locos fans will look for him to come in and smash a long running hoodoo. Huntly have won eight straight League games at the Inverurie ground and it was Big Mo from the penalty spot who netted the only goal when they last played at the ground.

He added: "That win was my first game back. I missed ten weeks of action through suspension and the weather. I came in after Ross Campbell was injured in the warm up and netted that single goal but the boot will be on the other foot now."

Back for his second spell, Ritchie Davidson, at 27 is a former Scottish Semi Professional player and a former trialist at Leeds United. Having spent three happy years at Buckie Thistle, he decided to set off for a spell in Australian football, a decision he has not regretted.

"I went Down Under for a fresh challenge. It was an amazing experience and I'm so pleased I had the bottle to go and do it. Given the chance again I'd do exactly the same," he said.

"The game was possibly slightly faster, the kids are a lot fitter and maybe look after themselves better in the close season which lasted five months. For my personal experience I went travelling and put on a stone and a half in weight. But in pre-season for my second campaign it didn't take long to shift.

"The style and standard is quite similar to SHFL. In my second season I signed for Sunshine Coast Fire who were managed by George Cowie, well known in Highland League circles. They had won everything the season before and he set such high standards that the guys were expected to maintain.

"The Queensland State League in which we were playing is massive. We were flying to maybe three or four games a season and that experience was brilliant."

He added: "I came back a free man, wasn't tied to any club so I gave everybody the opportunity to speak to me. But to be honest when I spoke to Dave I had my mind made up after the conversation.

"I'm back at where a lot of people see as my rightful home. I started at Colony Park Under 8s as a six year old under the direction of Dod Reid, sadly no longer with us. I came through the youth set up all the way to the 16s. Charlie Ferries was the Locos manager who signed me although I think he'd only seen me play at sweeper.

"I came into the Locos side, played one season under him, then was pushed into midfield. I've been pretty versatile at Locos and Buckie. It doesn't concern me where I'm playing as long as I'm in the first team and doing my best."

Best known player to Cormie is his own son Bruce, who was most recently a very successful high scoring forward with Huntly before work commitments took him over to the USA. Despite having his dad as new boss and Mike Cormack also in the management team, Cormie firmly states it was not cut and dried he'd put pen to paper for Locos.

"I had a very respectable offer from Huntly after coming back. I did seriously consider it but when the opportunity came I really wanted to play for Inverurie. A lot of great players here including wee Gauldy (Neil Gauld), I enjoyed playing with him and if he passed the ball a bit more he'd be even better.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be back, I grew up supporting Locos, can remember being a ball boy and was involved in the Under 21 set up when it was started.

"Whatever club I've been involved with, I've always believed in trying to be challenging for honours. I know there seems to be pressure from whoever to win that first title but all you can do is go out and try to win I cannot wait to be shown out."

Although he put pen to paper towards the end of the season, Brian Neill, who was at Buckie but was not allowed to play because he had arrived after the transfer deadline. Neill has therefore had the chance to assess his new club from the sidelines in the closing stages and one particular factor has impressed him.

"The boys knew the League had slipped away but they still wanted to win every game. They never blamed the Motherwell game for losing them the League. I've signed to try and help them win the League and hoping we'll do it next year.

"For me personally I want to do the best I can in football. Duncan (Shearer) was released by the Dons at 18 and ten years later was banging in the goals for Scotland so you never know what's round the corner."

Assistant Manager Mike Cormack feels it's all very good business for the club: "To get these three players on the back of Brian Neill is tremendous news for the club. We didn't want wholesale changes and we've got fresh faces for pre season.

"In addition to all these guys, the whole of the youth set up are going to be involved in the pre season work, there could be a few who will feature in the squad next season."

Meanwhile, Locos will play Peterhead at Harlaw Park on Tuesday, July 14 at 7.30pm and also welcome old Tayside junior rivals Tayport on Saturday, July 18 at 3pm. Plans are also in place to play Brechin City at Harlaw on Saturday, July 11 but cannot be confirmed at this stage until a decision is made on pitch readiness.

The squad will travel to Newcastle to play two games in the space of 24 hours against Ryton on Friday July 24 at 7pm and Ponteland on Saturday, July 25 at 11am.

In addition they will play bounce training sessions at Rothienorman on Wednesday, July 8 and with Superleague junior sides Hall Russell Utd and Hillhead on Monday, July 20 and Wednesday, July 22 respectively, both at Davidson Park. Starting time is 7pm.