BY DYLAN INGLIS
Marc Howson is Newmains United’s longest-serving player.
So he’s never slow to tell new signings just how far the club has come in recent years.
United returned to pre-season training on Monday, with skipper Howson about to embark on his sixth season at Victoria Park.
There have been huge transformations on and off the park since Paul Davies and Craig Gupwell teamed up as co-managers when the club merged with amateurs Carluke FC in 2018.
And Howson said: “It’s great working with Paul and Guppy.
“I was at the club just before they took over so I’ve seen their whole time in charge.
“The difference in the club from when they walked in to now is night and day - they’ve done an absolutely brilliant job.
“I’ve been saying to some of the new boys they don’t know just how far the club has come in the last four or five years I’ve been there.
“It definitely helps attract new boys as well and it’s a reflection of the club and just how far it’s come.
“The difference now is superb - we really are becoming a proper, decent club.”
United have organised a pre-season tournament with five other Lanarkshire-based teams.
Howson reckons the clashes with Forth, Lesmahagow, Royal Albert, Carluke and Bellshill will get them back into the swing of things quickly ahead of the West of Scotland League start in July.
They haven’t played 90 minutes since December, with the Covid-enforced lower league shutdown halting things going into the New Year.
The first of those clashes will take place on May 29 and Howson said: “We’re looking forward to the pre-season tournament.
“It’s a particularly good idea this year because we’ve obviously gone so long without a game.
“You can have your training but there’s nothing quite like games so it’ll be good to get the five matches.
“We need to get these games under our belts so we can get match sharpness and match fitness.
“It’s all well and good doing 5ks and road runs but it’s not the same as proper games.
“I can’t wait - it’s been a long time coming. We’re confident we can carry on last season’s good form. Fifteen players have re-signed and I’d imagine there will be a couple of new faces to come in too.”
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