A GREENOCK coach who knows the positive power of playing football has told of his pride at becoming the new boss of the Morton Women's team.

Former amateur player Colin McEachnie is thrilled to become the team's head coach and hopes to take the side on to success.

More girls than ever before are taking up the sport and Colin, 36, hopes to help build on the talented squad he has at his disposal and help them progress to the next level.

Colin, who previously coached amateur side Greenock High School Former Pupils, said: "I am delighted to come on board and I have been so impressed with the set up here at Morton.

"There is a really good standard and the women's game is improving all the time, really taking off.

"It is very exciting to be part of this.

"I have been involved in the amateur game for a while and the women take the game just as seriously and are very committed."

Construction manager Colin has been brought in as part of a major restructuring by Morton in the Community's sports project manager, Lee Mitchell.

Ton are overseeing a huge change with the number of girls playing at grassroots shooting up to 45, by running coaching sessions for younger girls.

It is hoped this will create a clear pathway from juvenile level up to the senior women's game.

Lee said: "The numbers of girls wanting to play has really increased in the last two years.

"There is now huge interest in the women's game."

Last year Colin spoke out about his battle with his mental health as he took on a charity challenge to raise money for Man On Inverclyde and the Doddie Weir Foundation.

Now as he gets ready to play his part in the women's football scene, he has also vowed to champion the beautiful game as a way to promote wellbeing.

Colin added: "There is no doubt about it, playing football and being part of a team is good for our mental wellbeing.

"You see that with the success of groups like Man On and here at Morton with our own Team Talk support group."