Clyde old boys David Gormley and Sean Higgins enjoying management at Rossvale

The pair rook over the reins at the club - based in Bishopbriggs but playing home matches in Govan - last September.

And Gormley admits that being a manager rather than a player has taken a bit of getting used to.

He conceded: “It’s been difficult, particularly off the field in terms of managing the players individually and collectively, having to come up with different training ideas so they don’t get bored with the same drills all the time - different things that you don’t think about [as a player].

“On the park I knew what to expect and that it was going to be tough, but it’s all the other things that go along with it that I’ve found a bit different.

“ But I’ve managed to take it in my stride and having Sean and Gary McGrath as my two coaches has been good for me.”

Under Gormley and Higgins, junior top flight debutants Vale went from relegation fodder in the eyes of most ‘experts’ to a side sitting comfortably in the top half of the West Premiership and next season will move into the pyramid system in the new West of Scotland League.

Gormley said: “When myself and Sean came in they were sitting second bottom of the league and I don’t think anybody gave them a sniff of a hope.

“But we managed to go on a 10-game unbeaten run and in that there were nine wins and a draw, against Pollok.

“We took a bit of a dip but then went on another wee run, knocking Beith, who were the holders, out of the West of Scotland Cup and getting another couple of good results which got us in a good place and safe.”