Martin Scott is the part-time lucky charm.
Three years after making the decision to walk away from the full-time game, Scott has clocked up three promotions and rediscovered his love for the game.
Cove Rangers have benefitted from it already. Scott played in the play-off victory over East Kilbride at the end of last season and was in Berwick for the club getting into the SPFL for the first time.
That success came on the back of promotions with Arbroath and Stenhousemuir. On the back of a brief full-time venture with Salgaocar in India, coming back to Scotland could not have gone any better.
Scott said: “I played in India – that was my last full-time club at 31, 32. I thought it was time to go part-time and I signed for Arbroath, because I knew Dick Campbell from my time at Ross County. I really started enjoying my football and I’ve been pretty lucky.
“I’ve been promoted three seasons in a row – two out of League 2 and one into League 2. If I can make it four that would be an unbelievable personal achievement.
“I’ve been pretty lucky since I’ve been part-time but I’ve been working with good coaches and players. They (Cove) really showed their intent with wanting me here and that speaks volumes. Travelling doesn’t faze me and I’m really loving my time.
“I’m in the process of establishing a valeting company, so with family life and football it’s pretty hands-on. It’s keeping me very busy but I love my football. That’s probably how I’ve fitted in so well with the boys here.”
At the tail-end of his career, Scott is one of the more experienced heads in the Cove dressing room, heading into their first season in League 2.
However, the squad has been assembled over the last few years by John Sheran, now the club’s director of football, with progression to the SPFL in mind.
Jordon Brown, Mitch Megginson, Ryan Strachan, Scott Ross and Blair Yule were all recruited to help the ambitious Aberdeen club achieve their dream. Scott is hugely impressed by the quality around him, hinting that success with Cove could earn them a move to full-time football in the future.
He said: “You could name anyone of the boys in the squad, they have got so much potential. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the bigger clubs came calling for one or two of the lads. If they can perform the way they can in league football, with that bit more profile in the leagues, they could bag themselves a move.
“They’ve probably got good careers outside football, they’re all sensible lads. But they may want to go full-time eventually. If Cove do what Cove want to do, who knows what can happen over the next three or four years.”
“The dressing room has been brilliant since I’ve signed for the club. The majority of lads are based in Aberdeen but they’ve made me feel really welcome. They love their football and they’re dedicated. They want to do well.”