Ballymacash Rangers Chairman: 'We aren't here to mess about - we want to go as far as we can.'

Mid Ulster Intermediate A side Ballymacash Rangers have laid down ambitious plans to begin climbing through the divisions of Northern Irish football.

Chairman Stuart McLean has been involved with the Lisburn club both on and off the pitch for more than 20 years, and has outlined a plan to install a new 3G pitch at the Bluebell, where they play their home games.

"We want to progress as far up through the leagues as we possibly can, ultimately achieving the Irish League. It might sound like over-ambition but that's where the club wants to be in the future. We're certainly not here to mess about, but we're also realistic," said McLean.

The summer arrival of former Linfield star Michael Gault as the club's new manager sparked a wider interest in Ballymacash Rangers, and was seen as a sign of their intent.

"I want to win the league and win a cup as well. It might seem ambitious for the club, but all the boys have bought into it and they've been working very hard and so far we've been very successful. We're very ambitious, and I'm a very ambitious person, so hopefully it works out well," said Gault.

Gault's status and influence has seen the club make some headline-grabbing signings, including former Northern Ireland striker Rory Patterson, who only left Crusaders over the summer.

"In football, you meet people and you lose people, but he Gault has always been there, both in and out of football. I thought about coming here for a while. I know how ambitious he is and how committed he is to his coaching and managing. He's got good knowledge and contacts. Gaulty will be putting all his ideas to the backroom staff and up until now they've been meeting his expectations," said Patterson.

The 35-year-old made a scoring debut for the club at the weekend, finding the net in a 6-1 home win over Tandragee.