East Kilbride Thistle new boy David Gray admits assistant boss Aaron Connolly gave him the push he needed to pull the boots back on after a two-year break from the game.
The former Clyde and Montrose midfielder, 33, took time out during the pandemic after leaving former club Kirkintilloch Rob Roy with a niggling injury in 2020.
But now he has dusted down his cleats to join the new era at the Showpark under Connolly and boss Garry O’Hanlon in the West of Scotland Football League Third Division.
And he revealed: “I’ve been out it for a couple of years but I know Aaron Connolly very well.
“When he contacted me, said he was coming in here, what they were going to do and how training was going to be, I really fancied it.
“I’ve known Garry since I was young as well and it just looks like everybody has the same vision.
“The park is getting fixed, other bits and pieces are getting better – you can see the club are trying to push on.
“For me, East Kilbride Thistle should be the main team in East Kilbride.
“It’s been allowed that EKFC have taken to the front on that, but I like what this club are doing and that’s why I’m here.
“I came out of Rob Roy a couple of years ago with a wee injury and I decided to take a rest over the Covid period.
“I’ve got a couple of kids I’ve been chasing about and playing a bit of five-a-sides, bits and bobs like that.
“But the boots were still there shouting at me every time I opened the cupboard, so I always had a wee interest in getting them back on at some point.
“This move suits me and I like what they are doing here.
“You always think when you come from East Kilbride that, towards the end of your career, you’ll maybe come back and play for your hometown club, but hopefully we can draw people to come out and watch us as well.”
Gray, who hails from Whitehills, is one of a number of experienced recruits to sign up over the summer.
He joins ex-Stranraer striker Jamie Longworth, former Livingston midfielder David Sinclair and ex-Albion Rovers and EKFC defender Barry Russell.
And he insists talent like that will always be seeking to aim high.
He added: “You’ve got to think we can do well next season with the boys that have come in.
“Jamie Longworth has scored goals at every level he’s played at, Barry’s done well and won leagues and Sinky’s played at the highest level out the lot of us, so you’ve got to think we can do something when you look at the boys around us.
“When guys like that come in, we don’t want to sit in a middle of a league and just plays games, we want to win something.
“From the games we’ve had so far there’s a good few young boys as well that will be decent. Hopefully we can make a good start to the season and go and do something.”
Meanwhile, East Kilbride Thistle boss Garry O’Hanlon has added another fresh face to his Showpark revolution with the signing of striker Danny Mefford.
The former St Cadoc’s and Rossvale star joined the Jags at the weekend and could get his first taste of action this Saturday when they kick-off their run of pre-season friendlies away to Bonnyton Thistle.
Also, Thistle have been handed a bye to round two of the South Challenge Cup this season and will face a huge test against either Darvel or Hurlford, both of the WOSFL Premier Division.
The WOSFL will announce the fixtures for the league campaign on Friday.
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