Player Interview: Coletto's Second Coming At Station Park
Not many players drop down from the Highland League to the junior ranks having made only a handful of appearances at the higher level to return three-and-a-half years later. But Nairn County now have two players in their squad who have left Station Park to go and play their football with Nairn St Ninian in the junior ranks on permanant deals only to have returned. Glenn Main was brought back to the club during pre-season after moving to the Showfield outfit in the summer of 2005 following a one-year stint on loan. He has featured several times for the first team this season and has not looked out of place in
The Turin-born player made his way up through the youth ranks at Station Park during the late 1990s and early 2000s as a striker, left winger or sweeper. His free-scoring performances caught the eye of then-manager Ronnie Sharp who included him among the substitutes for the first team towards the end of the 2000-01 season.
Following the end of his time with the youth team, Coletto was promoted to the first team squad in the summer of 2002 and made his full debut for the club in the 3-1 win over Elgin City in the first round of the Inverness Cup. After featuring on the odd occasion from the bench, he went on to start the home Highland League games against Forres Mechanics and Buckie Thistle and the North of Scotland Cup semi final match against Rothes playing at left wing back as Sharp's men finished fifth in the table.
The following season, the Italian was dogged by injuries and loss of form and never made a single competitive appearance for the club and moved on to joined Nairn St Ninian in the summer of 2004.
Coletto spoke to Nairn County FC Online after the narrow Highland League Cup defeat to Cove Rangers. He said: "It's been pretty good so far and I am just glad to be back here playing in the Highland League and at a higher level than juniors with Saints."
The 24-year-old only completed his transfer the day before last week's Highland League clash with Lossiemouth but was thrust into action as he made his second debut as a substitute during the 2-2 draw.
He said: "It's been good to get a few runs out so I am chuffed about that. I'll now be looking to push on and keep playing games."
After leaving St Ninian, Coletto was preparing himself for a life outside of football when a chance meeting with Nairn assistant manager Mike Hendry opened the door for his Station Park return.
The utility player said: "I was out of football for about two weeks when I met Slasher (Hendry) and I asked if I could train with the under 19 team. He said I could go up and I took it from there. Les (Fridge) then asked me to come up and train with the first team and now I have signed."
The player feels he is better for his stint in the junior ranks and returns to Nairn an improved player compared to the one who departed in the summer of 2004.
He said: "I am glad of the chance and I WILL be taking it this time. Hopefully I won't have to drop back down to the junior ranks.
"I have both improved and matured as a player and I definitely think I am much better because I am a lot fitter than I was when I was younger."