Former Stenhousemuir boss Colin McMenamin delighted to be back coaching with Cumbernauld United

The 39-year-old former Stenhousemuir manager is the latest high-profile signing as United prepare for their first season in senior football.

But McMenamin is also hoping to bring his expertise on the field, having signed on for United as a player as well.

After being axed as Stenny boss in September McMenamin joined Ayrshire junior side Hurlford United as a player - and is determined not to hang up his boots just yet.

He said: “I’m the fittest I’ve been in three or four years now and everybody tells you to play on as long as you can and as long as you’re fit.

“At Stenhousemuir it was just too difficult to play and manage at the same time, but I’ve been back playing at Hurlford for the last six months and I’ve loved every minute of it.

“You never lose your appetite. Even at Stenny I was joining in in training; you never lose that competitive side but it’s just a week bit different now. There’s less pressure and I’m just really enjoying it looking forward to getting back whenever it’s safe to do so.”

Man of many clubs McMenamin has known McAnespie since the pair were team-mates at Falkirk almost two decades ago and says the switch to Cumbernauld could be the perfect move for him.

“I stay in Coatbridge and my wee boy plays football in Cumbernauld so I know the area very well,” he said.

“It was hard to leave Hurlford because I really enjoyed my time there bit it was a chance to get back into coaching and join a club with a bit of ambition in as good catchment area.

“I’ve been to the club five or six times and got to know the chairman a wee bit so I’m looking forward to getting back into coaching.

“I watched Cumbernauld last year against Hurlford in the Scottish Cup - before I joined Hurlford - and to be fair Cumbernauld should have won the game. They played some really good stuff.

“They’ve shown a bit of ambition, especially now that they’ve been promoted into the West of Scotland League.

“Cumbernauld have been pushing for the last three or four years to try and get into the top league and play against the likes of Talbot, Hurlford and Pollok.

“It’s something that the club’s looking forward to, with the added incentive of going senior and the possibility of going up through the pyramid structure.

“The chairman has shown a bit of ambition and the facilities we’ve got at the ground are fantastic. It’s an exciting time and we’re desperate to get back into it once the season starts.

“We’re all in a group chat together and doing our runs and cycles and just trying to keep everybody as fit as they can be and hopefully sooner rather than later we can all get up to meet each other and get down to the nitty gritty.”