The City Park club, who will move into their state of the art facility at Ainslie Park later this year, saw their league championship aspirations disappear and arch rivals Whitehill Welfare lift the title. Then came their failed bid to replace Gretna in the SFL.

Over the summer Spartans' vastly experienced goalkeeper Kevin Brown decided to hang up his gloves while their Scotland semi-professional cap Kevin Motion was attracted to Stenhousemuir. Central defender Jonny Seeley has also signed for Brechin City.

Only yesterday it was revealed that attacking midfield player Ross Campbell is set to sign for Forfar Athletic.

"We have lost three players to SFL sides but we would never stand in the way of players making a step up," said Lawson.

"On top of that, striker Keith McLeod could be out for anything up to six months or longer with an injury. Another of our strikers, Bob Mitchell, who missed the whole of last season, is awaiting another operation on his cruciate ligament. It's going to be a hard season."

Spartans have brought in goalkeeper Chris Flockhart from Berwick Rangers, midfield player Robbie Manson, also from Berwick, while Daryl Devlin has joined from Civil Service Strollers and Nicky Walker returns to the East of Scotland League from Brechin City.