AS bonfire night and its fireworks faded out in late November, it looked as though the remaining embers of Crossgates Primrose went with it.

The penultimate month of the calendar year might be full of spectacular parties going off with a bang but for those associated with one of Fife's proudest junior football clubs, it looked like being the month when the party ended with a whimper.

Struggling at the foot of the Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) East Region South Division the club, famous for rearing the talents of Scotland great Jim Baxter, closed its doors for what looked like being the final time.

It was decided after what turned out to be their final game – an inglorious 8-0 thrashing at Easthouses Lily – that Primrose could no longer continue, with secretary Kevan McArthur citing a lack of committee members and resources to attract players.

The future looked bleak for the Humbug Park outfit but, after being placed in abeyance by the SJFA in the hope they could re-emerge, Primrose announced in April that they would resume their place in the junior football set up.

Eight months on from announcing the team had folded, they now have a nine-man committee in place, are attracting sponsorship from a number of local businesses and have recruited former Motherwell and Hearts youth coach Andy Brown as their new manager.

Chairman Frazer Martin said: "A mutual friend put myself and three others in touch with Kevan and the youth teams' committee, and we just hit it off. We knew what was going on at Crossgates and it seemed like a good set up to get involved with; we looked at the finances and before going in spent 4-6 weeks looking at everything. It was very positive, especially as the youth section is so vibrant with ambitions to grow.

"We are keen to give our younger players something to aim for and we've helped introduce a new under-19 age group, so we hope that some players will come through that and into the junior team in the next couple of years.Until we build up funds, we are restricted in who we can sign but fortunately we have a manager who has plenty of experience coaching younger guys.

"From what Kevan has told me, I believe that it was really himself and one other at the end, and was one of the major reasons the club went into abeyance. The workload became too great but we are now in a healthy situation in terms of committee members compared to other clubs.

"We are focusing on fundraising and advertising, and things are looking reasonably healthy. The support from the local community has been pleasing and, although we've worked out how much we need to get through the first season and are at the top end of that, we'd love to hear from anyone who wants to help with sponsorship, advertising or in other ways."

Boss Brown, who last season was in charge of Craigroyston, who have joined the East Region for this season, commented: "It is a case of building and keep progressing. The committee sold it to me; there's not any unrealistic expectations and we've already had a lot of interest from local boys wanting to come in. Not one player has asked about money and if we get a bit of luck we could have a good season. I'm confident we can do well and I'm happier than I thought I was going to be at this stage with their progress.

"In the long-term, we'd like to have the team filled with local lads and a community facility for everyone, like Kelty Hearts. I'm not saying we'll get to that level but if we take wee steps and make sure we get the foundation right then we can do well.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Martin added: "Given 7-8 months ago Crossgates had no team, we've got to be realistic. We're not setting any particular goals; we want to be competitive on the park and take it from there. We're looking to build the club for the future - we're in it for the long-term and the only way is up!"

Primrose welcome Leslie Hearts to Humbug for a friendly on Saturday and tackle Dunipace in a friendly next Wednesday away from home before their South Division opener at home to Blackburn United on August 6.