John Baird admits linking up with his former mentor Jim Weir at Forfar was a “no-brainer” for him.
The striker who has played for a whole host of clubs including St Mirren, Airdrie, Partick Thistle, Dundee, Raith, Falkirk and Inverness, agreed to become the manager’s assistant at the League 1 side at the start of May.
It is a case of friends reunited with the duo first becoming pals more than 10 years ago when Baird played under Weir at Montrose.
The front man – who will combine being the club’s No.2 with playing this season – admits he still owes a big debt of gratitude to Weir for helping ingrain professional habits that continue to stand him in good stead.
Now, he cannot wait for this new chapter in his career at Forfar to begin in earnest with the Loons’ first competitive fixture at Falkirk on July 17 in the Betfred Cup.
Baird said: “I have been close with Jim since I was 21 and I credit him for a lot of what has happened in my career.
“When he was Montrose manager, I moved from Glasgow to Perth and he took me under his wing and even helped my girlfriend at the time, Natalie, who is now my wife, find a job working in a dentist’s.
“He used to take me to the gym and helped me do a lot of training that was all new to me.
“It was a big help and he also took me in to train with St Johnstone so although I was playing for a part-time club, I was training as a full-time player.
“Jim was just so professional in everything he did and we have kept in touch ever since.
“Every summer he has asked when I was coming back to play for him – this summer I actually agreed!
“We met in Glasgow on the Friday and I had signed with Forfar by the Tuesday.
“To be fair, I agreed straight away to be his No.2.
“I did speak to Natalie about it but she said I was just trying to convince myself of something I had already decided to do.
“Jim is someone I trust completely and I was delighted to accept – it was a no-brainer.
“Forfar are a progressive club, the board have been really supportive this summer, helping us make some important signings and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Baird admitted that going back to a part-time club after several years with full-time outfits was something that did not concern him.
Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to spend more time with his young children and to run the rule over other potential signing and loan targets.
He said: “Of course, it was something I had to weigh up as I am only 32 and still feel I have a lot to offer on the pitch which I hope to show with Forfar.
“But to be honest, I have never had a problem with going part-time.
“I will not be looking for another job away from football at the moment.
“My wee girl Franki is only one and my boy Alfie is just three so this will allow me to spend even more quality time with them.
“I will also be able to have a look at players in reserve matches and bounce games during the day in the central belt.
“I have my A and B licences and I am keen to coach at Forfar but at the moment, I am working hard with the rest of the players as I want to be as fit as possible for the start of the season.
“Jim is a manager with 20-odd years’ experience so there is no point in me taking sessions just now when my time would be better spent training.
“League 1 is looking like it will be really competitive this season, especially with all the Angus clubs in the division.
“That has actually been a big draw already for some players who have joined Forfar this summer.”
