DANNY Handling is hoping to help Brechin City become the first team to return to the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) since the introduction of the footballing pyramid.
The Haddington native made the surprise switch to Glebe Park after financial problems reared their head at Edinburgh City.
Handling admitted it was tough leaving the Capital club but his focus was now on helping Brechin to reclaim their place in League Two.
He told Courier Sport: “I have heard nothing but good things about the club.
“From a personal point of view, to get another promotion on the CV can never be bad.
“I went and watched them on Saturday and it was good to see they have got a few good players.
“Hopefully we can continue that and maintain our form and get the club back up to the right league.”
The Glebe Park side sit top of the Highland League as they look to bounce back from relegation in May 2021.
The drop ended a 67-year spell in the national leagues and their hopes of returning last season were ended in the pyramid play-off after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to The Spartans.
Now, they are looking to improve on that showing by earning their place back in League Two.
Handling, who damaged ligaments in his ankle last month, is hoping to quickly secure a place in Gavin Price’s starting line-up.
Saturday brings a trip to Brora Rangers before they round off the year against second-place Banks o’ Dee.
Handling said: “Hopefully, I will be fine for this Saturday but we will see how we get on.”
The 29-year-old spent more than five years at Edinburgh City after joining the club from Dumbarton.
He made his debut against Clyde and would go on to clock up 176 appearances and score 45 goals.
In 2022, he helped the Meadowbank Stadium side to promotion to League One with a play-off victory over Annan Athletic.
Midfielder Handling, who attended Knox Academy, spoke about his emotional departure.
The former Hibernian player said: “It is something I did not want to ever have to do but my hands were tied. It was out of my hands and I had to look after myself.
“Some of the messages I received were really touching.
“There are a couple I could mention and I just get a lump in my throat.
“There was one from a guy called Ash Wilson, who put a tweet up the night before I had announced I had left. He had not tagged me, it was just a photograph and a paragraph to thank me for my service and that I did not deserve to leave this way.
“Things like that were really touching and hit home.”
Price, who took the helm at Brechin earlier this season, was looking forward to working with the new signing.
He told the club’s website: “I know Danny well from coming up against him over the years and he was in a thorn in my side during my time with Elgin.
“We needed that type of player at the top end of the park who has experience, physical presence and will really benefit our younger players in the team.
“We have an experienced defence but we don’t have that right through the spine of the team and Danny is a player that will undoubtedly give us that.
“He’s captained Edinburgh City for years and will bring leadership qualities on the park as well.
“It’s a different environment and a new challenge for Danny as well and it’s one that he’s wanting to take on. It’s certainly a coup for the club.”
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