Last season's top goalscorer Darren Stirling is to remain with Ards for another season, and he is to be joined by strike partner Ricky Billing.

Darren Stirling

Former Crusaders player Stirling struck 19 goals last season to win the golden boot award and was also the recipient of the Goal of the Season prize. His decision to remain with the club will take his stay into a second season, following his move from HW Welders last summer.

Ricky Billing chipped in with six goals himself last season, in a year interrupted by injury and suspension. Indeed Ricky will miss the opening three games of next season due to a carried-over suspension, though boss Tommy Kincaid will be hoping he hits the ground running after that.

Stephen Johnston is also to return for another year. The experienced right-back played only bit parts during the last campaign but Tommy Kincaid values him as a useful part of the squad.

Returning for pre-season training in July will be midfielder Stuart Long, who made a couple of brief appearances at the tail end of the season. A pre-arranged holiday in America meant he missed the final couple of games, but he'll get another chance to prove his worth in pre-season. So too will Lee Mudd, the 26 year-old midfielder, just returned from New Zealand, whom fans may have spotted at several Ards games during April.

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