The Millburn Park side’s form has been inconsistent this season but they still hold out hope for a top four finish, entering them into a play-off for promotion.

However Hamill’s highlight of 2014 has been to see the progression of a promising crop of youngsters in the under-19 and under-21 squads, who look set to challenge for a first team place in the near future.

He said: “The last couple of years we have struggled a little bit but the pleasing thing for me is the players in the under-19s and under-21s.

We’ve played a few of them in certain games, so the future for the first team is looking pretty good. It is difficult because we can’t throw them in too quickly.

“Some of them have come on really well and if we don’t get them more of them games this season we will next season.” Hamill’s side have had their last two matches postponed due to the weather, like most junior sides. However with their next three fixtures at home they will hope for kinder conditions over the Christmas period to continue their promotion bid.

Their next two ties are against St Roch’s and Forth Wanderers, two teams below them in the table and with Vale just one point behind the play-off positions, they could be crucial.

Hamill said: “Our objective until it is mathematically impossible is to get promotion and that is our aim, to win enough points to do that.”