Thistle U20s boss Ian Nixon hopes that his new development team could be the perfect fit for local heroes of the future to sign up for his side as the new season approaches.

The new development squad,which will be working closely with the first team squad at training, had a strong local contingent last season, but changing circumstances means the club is currently on the look-out for more Largs based players.
Nixon said: "It is great to be back at training two weeks ago and the boys were chomping at the bit to get started - we have had good numbers at pre-season and we have a very good squad which is full of promising young talent.
"The frustrating element is that we don't have many local boys from Largs and Fairlie - most of the squad has had to come from North Ayrshire and Inverclyde - and it is a bit disappointing. I would like to see more boys come in from the Largs area and the door is always open.
"We are very much about building for the future - I have a lot of fresh ideas I want to bring to the club and we wanted to try and get them off the ground in the first instance but now we have assembled a good squad for an our inaugural season
"The Largs Thistle committee have been really aligned to what I want to do and build bridges in the local community.
"We are also wanting to build up a relationship with Largs Colts and have a pathway from mini-kickers all the way up to U12s and then U16s, U18s and so on, and hopefully in 15-20 years time we could have a Largs Thistle first team entirely made up for Largs born and bred kids - that is the hope - and we are putting the measures in place to make things happen."
And with the expected return of fans to the terraces, supporters will hopefully have the opportunity of Friday night football at Barrfields this season to watch the new look team.
Nixon said: "What you will see is a young talented team, and effectively, you might be watching some players who could step up to the first team in future.
"We will be playing with a high intensity style with a real forceful pressing game - you are going to see a lot of passing and hopefully plenty of goals."
The development squad have re-signed some of the impressive young aces who broke into the first team last season including wing-back Sean McLeod and forward Andrew Rutherford.
Unfortunately, the under 20s are losing exciting midfield talent Jack Loudon who is going to university.
Nixon said: "We are delighted to re-sign Sean who made his mark on the first team last season - and it shows all the players that with the right application that the opportunity is there to step up.
"Andrew Rutherford was recently with St Andrews Boys club and I am expecting him to be a key player for us this season.
"Jack Loudon is a smashing talent but can't commit because he is moving for university but he is a Largs boy and we hope to see him back in future."
And there will be plenty of opportunity for Nixon to mould his team for the forthcoming season which starts on July 16 as Thistle hope to blood players in the friendlies over the coming weeks
He said: "We have nine friendlies lined up over the next six weeks we will see which of the boys are going to stand out and stake their claim in the new look team. First team manager Stuart Davidson is also building his squad which has bags of ability and there is opportunity for training alongside the first team each week - and in future we hope to be able to provide players who can step up to the first team and build from within rather than Arnie having to dip into the transfer market.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Ian Nixon (left) and Thistle President David BlackwoodIan Nixon (left) and Thistle President David Blackwood
"When training resumed, it was like the players hadn't been away - they have kept themselves fit and have kept themselves sharp.
"There has been a significant reduction in local boys after we had 10 Largs based born players in the squad last season.
"Hopefully we can generate a bit of interest as there is a real buzz about the squad.
"It will be great to be playing matches at Barrfields too - the club are looking at getting floodlights installed in future, and hopefully the whole town can rally round the club and we can keep pushing forward."
Nixon said that he is a big believer in full fitness.
He said: "I remember as a player being at some of Arnie's and Bryan Slain's training sessions at Largs Thistle and at the end of the day the players benefit out of it - you have to take care of your body and it is the fitness which tells in the games.
"Last year was unfortunate that we didn't get to train with the first team as intended due to Covid meaning we had to train on different evenings.
"But this season we will get the opportunity and it will show the lads of the level they need to be at and it will also give Arnie an opportunity to cast his eye over the younger players - there is plenty of carrot being dangled in front of these boys to take the opportunity and progress."
With the Euros taking place in the summer, and Largs Thistle U20s hoping to have the opportunity for football fans to come along and support the side on Friday nights, Nixon said: "There is no better feeling than playing football in front of supporters - that is what you aim for an hopefully the local community can get out and support us, as well as the first team, and we can get a regular following."