JOHN QUEEN has called in the cavalry to help him ready Cumbernauld United for the new season.

A number of new faces were on show last weekend when goals from Stephen Mullen, Ross Foley, Dylan McGuigan and Davie Dickson saw United run out 4-1 winners over Lanark in their first pre-season match.

However, Queen makes no secret of the fact he is targeting at least five more players before the season starts.

That's because Danny Boyle, Gary Carroll, Scott Murphy, James Brown, skipper Tony Fraser and Gavin Mackie have all left for pastures new.

These departures came on top of Gary Gibson retiring, James Steele moving to live in Aberdeen and the United boss deciding not to renew the contracts of Chris Zok, Ryan Haxton and George Scott.

Queeny has bolstered his backroom team with able lieutenants John Crooks and John Jack (both ex-Shettleston) coming on board to assist him and No.2 John Campbell, freeing the gaffer up to seek out quality players.

He said: "All the players who have moved away do so with best wishes from everyone at Cumbernauld. We would have liked to have kept some of the guys, but claims we are a club in disarray is utter nonsense as nothing could be further from the truth.

“Crooksy and Jacko have brought a fresh approach and a new dimension to training routines that has brought a terrific response from the players, and the mood in the camp is very encouraging.

“We had 25 players in training this week and I’m taking my time to run the rule over any would-be signings. So far, Stephen Mullen, a goalscorer I’ve always admired, is signed up along with Simon Eeles, Michael McLaughlin and winger Kris Irvine, but others of the right quality and character will follow before too long.”

Queen was delighted with his side’s winning start against Lanark, but feels there is far better to come. He said: “John Brogan was full of praise for our display, but I felt we took too long to settle into our passing stride and lacked a bit of intensity when Lanark were in possession.

“The 90 minutes was perfect in terms of getting everyone a decent workout and the big plus is we improved as the game went on, so our fitness level stood up well to the test.”

Queeny is looking to arrange a friendly away from home this Saturday and he can be contacted on 07932 615216.

Kilbirnie’s home game with Yoker is off because of a waterlogged Valefield pitch.

Friendly encounters that look like going ahead tonight include Shettleston awaiting the visit to Greenfield Park of a relatively strong Hearts XI as payback for the Junior club allowing experienced shot-stopper Bryn Halliwell to provide a measure of goalkeeping cover throughout last season.

Blantyre Vics are on the road to meet Vale of Leven, and Petershill head through to face Lowland League outfit Cumbernauld Colts (now managed by former Dunipace co-bosses Craig McKinlay and James Orr ), while a couple of meaty West v East showdowns are in prospect with Kilsyth welcoming Linlithgow at the same time as Glencairn take on Fauldhouse.

And a real step up in class awaits John McKeown’s revamped Cumnock, who make the relatively short hop to play Super Premier big guns Hurford, whose supporters may get a first glimpse of new winger Phil Dolan, who has joined from Kilsyth after moving to live in Ayrshire.

Blair Park followers are also reminded that this Saturday’s friendly with Glencairn is being played at the Toryglen Indoor Centre.