FOR the Sauchie faithful, it will come as no surprise that David Cross was a man in demand this summer.

The former Stirling Albion player's consistency during last season's promotion campaign earned him the Players' Player of the Year award at Beechwood Park as the 24-year-old excelled under former manager Iain Diack.

But like so many of his team-mates, Cross spent several months in Limbo as the Wee County side awaited their Premier Division fate and the vultures came calling for his signature.

Cross, however, only really had eyes for the Reds and despite interest from others he committed his future to the Martin Mooney era and is raring to go again.

And while the defender's interaction with his new gaffer has been brief due to the latter's holiday, Cross could tell instantly Mooney was the man for the job.

"There was a couple of teams who were interested," Cross told Advertiser Sport. "But nothing that was more attractive than staying at Sauchie.

"I am really excited and feel like the Darrens (Petrie and Cummings) have been trying their heart out to get players in and get people involved for next season.

"I've only met Martin for ten/fifteen minutes, but he seemed really positive and has some really good ideas going forward.

"That's what pushed me over the edge and I had been holding off a bit as I wasn't sure what was happening with the league and obviously then with Iain leaving.

"He seems really focussed and raring to go and the signings are all really exciting for this season.

"I've spoken to a few boys that he has coached and they've only said good things about him and that his training is really good."

Cross joined Darren Dolan, Dylan Taylor, and Ross Crawford in putting pen-to-paper on a new deal as the Reds continue to build their squad for their maiden Premier Division campaign.

Sauchie securing their place alongside the likes of Linlithgow Rose and Dundonald Bluebell was no doubt crucial to Cross' decision; not that he is entirely sure how long he's committed for.

Cross said: "Darren Petrie came in and put a blank contract down in front of me and said sign that and he would fill in the details later.

"So I could have just signed my life away! But it is a one-year deal and I am really excited for the season.

"Playing in the Premier Division was one of the main factors – I wanted to play in that league and if Sauchie weren't going to be there then it might have changed my decision.

"Getting in that league for a lot of boys has made up their mind.

"You want to be playing in as high a league as possible and we knew we were good enough to be playing in the league."

Cross continued: "How many games will we play? About 30? I'm expecting about 30 really tough games.

"It's going to be really hard and a big challenge and you can already see that a lot of teams are spending money on a lot of really quality players.

"We maybe don't have the same budget as them, but we've definitely got the heart and the commitment and definitely the quality."