Hall of Fame cricketer Cal (Bummy) Symonds has backed a proposal that could see Clay Smith return to his old stomping ground at Wellington Oval in a coaching capacity.

It is understood that St. George's Cricket Club and Smith are currently in talks which could lead to the former national team skipper becoming the third man behind George Cannonier and Noel Gibbons to coach at the East End club in the past three seasons.

Following a disappointing 2008 campaign which saw ex-skipper Ryan Steede sacked and the East Enders relegated from the Premier Division 50-Overs League, St. George's are keen to pick up the pieces and get their senior cricket programme back on track with Smith reportedly targeted as the man to spearhead the club's revival.

It is a move that ex-St. George's Cup Match skipper Symonds, who famously captained the East Enders to eight Cup Match victories in the 1960s, hopes to see come to fruition.

"I think Clay should take over coaching duties at St. George's because he's been around there a long time – he was practically brought up at Wellington Oval," said the uncler of Bermuda skipper Irving Romaine.

"I have always seen a lot of potential in Clay who I think has the ability to become a big asset to St.George's."

As a player, Smith was an integral part of St. George's' dominant team of the 1990s and he later earned accolades as a coach in his own right after guiding St. David's to a clean sweep of league and cup honours in 2001.

He is the only batsman to score three centuries in Cup Match and during the 1992 classic shared in a record 200-run partnership with elder brother Wendell in a drawn match at Wellington Oval.

Smith bowed out of the classic with an aggregate of 1,076 runs last year.

"Clay's record virtually speaks for itself and he is also a very good motivator, which is very important," added Symonds.

"Clay has the ability to mould players at St.George's for the senior national level and I think it would be a good thing for him to return to his roots."

Smith's two-year contract with Cleveland, who he toured with to the UK last summer, expired at the end of last season.

Earlier this month The Royal Gazette revealed that County players Dwayne Leverock and Curtis Jackson have targeted a return to Belco Cup and Western Counties champions Southampton Rangers.