By DANIEL TULLY
SCOTT CUMMING has returned to Newmains - and this time he insists it’s for the long haul.
The defender will keep his playing boots on for now but admits he already has one-eye on coaching with United.
Two-and-a-half years have passed since Cumming ended his first stint at Victoria Park. Back then the club were going through a transitional period with Paul Davies and Craig Gupwell taking the helm.
Following a spell with high flying East of Scotland Sauchie Juniors a meeting with the Newmains co-managers paved the way for a shock return for Cumming.
He said: “Someone I know asked if I wanted to give Newmains another try.
“When I spoke with Paul and Craig they laid out the setup and plans, including what players they wanted to bring in.
“Just to see the renovated clubhouse and hear about the new league structure, it was great to see how the club has been progressing. So it feels good to be back again.”
This transfer alone could be considered fantastic business for Newmains yet it opened the door for further recruitment.
Two other ex-Sauchie players have followed Cumming to Victoria Park in what is a real statement of intent from the North Lanarkshire club.
Cumming explained: ”I know a few boys who were questioning a move to a team they thought was maybe worse off but I know Paul and Guppy.
“After seeing what positions they needed to fill it just so happened I knew two players from Sauchie who wanted to move to the West Region.
“So it was a good opportunity for me to bring in a couple of boys to help the team. It’s exciting to see the club moving forward.”
At 26 Cumming has plenty of playing time left but that hasn’t stopped the sales team manager looking at his future career prospects in football.
He said: “I’ve started doing my coaching badges and spoke to Paul and Guppy about potentially going into that side of things further down the line.
“Maybe I’ll be able to go to the academy and do some coaching myself.
“I’ve been about the junior game for years. I played my first game when I was 19 and learned a lot from the players around me. Hopefully my experience can rub off on some of the boys.”
Cummings’ arrival comes at a time where Newmains will play under a new league structure, which is a tantalising prospect for the Airdrie man.
He added: “We’re going to be playing against teams we don’t normally face. The standard of the league is going to be much higher.
“The pitch compared to my last spell with the club is night and day. It will be great to see how well we do with all the new faces coming in.”
