McConnell returns to MKM Shielfield!

Highly experienced defender Mark McConnell will return to Berwick Rangers for the 2025/26 season, having played a key part in improving Kevin Haynes’ side defensively in the latter part of the 2024/25 campaign.

‘Sparky’, aged 31, featured 8 times for the ‘Gers last season – with 7 of those appearances in the starting lineup. This included a man of the match performance and a clean sheet at home to Cowdenbeath. In re-signing for next year, McConnell joins the core defensive group responsible for 6 clean sheets in the final 7 weeks of the year in all competitions.

Berwick Rangers boss Kevin Haynes said, ‘Mark is a player with a wealth of experience and is a real leader both on and off the pitch. His defensive qualities, reading of the game, and composure under pressure will be a massive asset for us this season.’

Haynes also added this about the two-time Lowland League winner and former Civil Service Strollers captain: ‘He’s someone who knows what it takes to compete at this level, and his attitude fits perfectly with the culture we’re building here. I’ve no doubt he’ll make a big impact, not just in terms of performances, but also in helping to guide some of the younger lads in the squad.’

With McConnell’s signing, the ‘Gers have now made 7 signings in preparation of the 2025/6 season – goalkeeper Liam Campbell, midfielders Ben McCrystal and Liam Gregory, and forwards Greg Binnie, Mikey Mbewe and Taylor Hendry.