And he is sure that treks up and down the M74 can help the Doonhamers motor to success this campaign.
The idea of Connolly navigating a host of the Central Belt players down to Palmerston for training sessions and matches in the club’s minibus was suggested at a meeting with CEO Dan Armstrong, director Jim McLinden and manager Peter Murphy.
The popular goalie coach didn’t hesitate in saying yes as he would do anything for the cause and he believes the trips have accelerated vital team bonding ahead of the new League One season.
Connolly said: “As the weeks have passed, having the minibus has actually been very important. We probably didn’t think it would be at the start but from the bonding side of things it has been massive.
“You see the boys linking together and see the bonds grow. I’ve seen boys who wouldn’t usually travel or mix with each other getting to know each other and that’s great to have that relationship.
“Don’t get me wrong, it can be a pain in the backside as well. I do have Reece Lyon and Kai Kennedy sitting directly behind my seat. They are like Jack and Victor from Still Game, all they do is grumble at each other.
“But it’s brilliant because that’s two players who probably wouldn’t have bonded with each other as quick but because they are spending more time with each other they have. When you think about their positions on the pitch, it’s a good thing too.
“Even the quieter players in the group, like Leighton McIntosh and Oscar MacIntyre, they still get involved and are mixing well. It can only boost confidence.
“The bus is certainly lively coming down here but on the way back after a training session they are all out cold.
“The only downside is having to listen to Kyle Doherty’s tunes. They are horrendous.”
Connolly says training at Palmerston once a week is also so valuable for the team and that includes the goalkeepers he is coaching.
He added: “In my opinion it’s a must to be training on the pitch. “It’s getting the goalkeepers used to the ground, their surroundings, the box sizing and movement of the ball on the pitch. It’s getting the boys used to their goal area, It’s so important to train on the pitch.
“Also, coming into full-time football has been great. Working with the boys every day is massive as you get to know them personally and get to know what makes them tick and what doesn’t.
“Also, getting your point across slowly but in a good manner. I feel when I was part-time, I was rushing a lot and not really working on what the boys needed. It’s hard to do that with only two training sessions but here you have a lot of time to play.
“It’s been brilliant here so far, this is a great club. It’s actually a bigger club than I thought it was. From the first day we came in, we’ve been trying to get bodies in the door and build the squad. It’s all very positive.”
