Kieran McAnespie: Mass walkout of eight players led to Cumbernauld United slump

If football does resume over the next few weeks after the long Covid-19-enforced break, then Cumbernauld United will restart their league campaign bottom of the West of Scotland League Premier Division.
Kieran McAnespieKieran McAnespie
Kieran McAnespie

But manager Kieran McAnespie explained the mitigating circumstances behind the Guy’s Meadow side being at the foot of the table with no points from seven games.

"The problem I had was I had eight experienced first team players walk out the week before the season started due to financial constraints,” McAnespie told the Cumbernauld News.

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"We had brought in some loan players who were good, a couple from Queen of the South and a couple from Stirling Albion who helped us greatly.

"But then we had a really bad run of injuries for centre halves.

"We were just getting injury after injury. So I want to get boys back playing so I can then start building again to build momentum.

"It’s ideal for us to get back because it allows my preparation for next season.

"Because I need to make my decision about who I’ll keep.

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"Although there is no relegation from the division this season, I have told the guys that I don’t want to be propping up this league.”

Despite the lack of football management duties to occupy him over the past couple of months, McAnespie has remained active in his role as a firefighter.

He also supports his wife – a beauty industry worker – at home where they look after two kids under three.