Contract News: Fridge Delighted As Hind Extends Stay
It was almost as good as hearing of a new, big money signing for the Nairn County supporters as news spread around the town that defender David Hind has agreed to a new deal at Station Park.
And manager Les Fridge was a pleased man when he revealed that the experienced 27-year-old had put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the club.
The former Inverness CT trainee arrived at Station Park on a short term deal from Elgin City in January. And after strolling through his debut at Brora Rangers, the 27-year-old told Nairn County FC Online that he was looking to start enjoying his football again after 10 years of service at Borough Briggs and that he would review his contract situation again in the summer.
That time has now come and gone and after weeks of anxious waiting, the County supporters can now get excited about the prospect of seeing the sought-after Hind line up in a yellow jersey alongside another highly-desired player, Steven Mackay.
Boss Les Fridge stated: "We have signed David Hind on a three-year deal which is a fantastic bit of business especially given there were several clubs interested in him. The fact is that he has been at the club for the last five months and has seen what we are trying to achieve and the level of potential within the club and he is happy to commit himself and be a part of that."
The manager added: "He talks well and organises players at the back although he doesn't go over the top with ranting and raving. He has a calming influence on the team and he has fitted in really well with the boys in the dressing room."
The addition of Hind ended a lengthy pursuit for Fridge of a player he was aware of for many years. He said: "David was a young lad was a young lad when I was at Caley Thistle and I have known him a long time. I actually spoke to him a couple of years ago when his contract was up at Elgin but he decided to stay put. However, we kept tabs on his progress and form and eventually got him in January so it is great that he is extending his stay."
And the manager may not be quite finished yet in the transfer market as he eyes yet more additions for his squad. "I have spoken to Ally Ridgers and to Craig Campbell," Fridge declared. "Although both of them are away on holiday at the moment so I will need to wait and see what is happening with that and with John Campbell as well. There is nothing definite at the moment but I have spoken to a few other players as well and we will just have to wait and see."
One of those other players was reported to have been Clachnacuddin winger Blair Lawrie, although the Inverness club have now announced that the former Highland League Young Player of the Year has signed a contract extension and Grant Street Park.
Transfer News: Sid In As Nairn Add Mackay
Nairn County have beaten off competition from Buckie Thistle and Deveronvale to secure the signature of highly-rated full back Steven Mackay.
The former Ross County, Forres Mechanics and Peterhead man arrives from Elgin City having rejected fresh terms from the Borough Briggs outfit at the end of the season.
Mackay, nicknamed Sid, arrives at Station Park on a three-year contract and the 27-year-old could be joined by several more new faces as manager Les Fridge sets about shaping his squad for the
Fridge was delighted to bring in a player of Mackay's quality and having played in all three SFL divisions, the dead ball specialist is sure to bring some welcome experience to the County ranks.
Speaking to Nairn County FC Online this morning, Fridge said: "Steven can play anywhere on the left hand side and can also play in the middle of the park. He's good at set pieces and also a very good passer of the ball with a lot of experience. He has played in the Scottish Leagues and is somebody that I have been tracking for quite a while. The opportunity came about to bring him in and we are delighted that he wanted to come on board. He had the chance to go to
Mackay will be hitting his peak years during his spell with the club and Fridge is hopeful that the fans will see the player at his very best. He added: "The fact that he has signed a three-year contract shows his commitment. He has got a young family and he is based in Inverness and I think it is a signing that any club in the Highland League would want right now."
It is a case of third time lucky for Nairn in terms of being able to secure the player's signature and ends something of a lengthy pursuit by Fridge personally. The manager explained: "He was on loan at Nairn from Ross County as a youngster about 10 years ago by all accounts. Then when he left Ross County, he played in a couple of pre-season games for us (against Elgin City and Forfar Athletic) and obviously I was quite interested in him then. But like I say, it is a great signing for us and I hope he is going to bring that little bit of experience along the lines of what David Hind did for us last season."
Mackay himself spoke about the move. He said: "I am looking forward to it and having talked to Les I believe we are capable of pushing forward and challenging. I haven't had enough of that at Elgin and I didn't see things moving forward so I decided it was time to draw a line under it.
"I want to spend the latter stages of my career challenging for titles no matter what level it is at and that was behind my decision. There are a number of really good players at the club already and a number of young guys who have broken into the team so hopefully we can get the blend right."
David Hind is another player Fridge has his sights on securing for the coming season. The ex-Elgin City captain impressed for the club after joining on a short-term contract in January. Fridge added: "Again, Deveronvale and Buckie are speaking to him and it has been on going with him for the past couple of weeks. We will have to wait and see what happens but I would love to keep him at the club. He has done a great job for us and he has fitted in really well. He is another player that I spoke to a couple of years ago as well. But on that front it is a case of having to wait and see.
"Buckie and Deveronvale seem to be chasing a lot of players from through here at the moment. It is making it very competitive in terms of getting players now."
Fridge also admitted yesterday to an interest in Mackay's former team mates at Elgin, Craig Campbell and Ally Ridgers. Talking about moves to bring to duo to Station Park, he said: "Craig Campbell is away on holiday just now but he is a player that I have spoken to. I have also spoken to Ally Ridgers in light of the John Campbell situation now. But there is nothing definite as of yet but it is something that I'm working on. Unfortunately because of the quality of player that becomes available, there are a lot of people interested. Even the likes of Clach and Forres are sniffing about these players as well so it is becoming very competitive to bring in players, especially good players."
Transfer News: Fridge Hoping For Busy Summer
Despite recent press reports to the contrary, Nairn County manager Les Fridge has NOT added to his squad this week. But the manager did say he was on the brink of making what he described as a "major signing".
The Press and Journal reported on Wednesday that: "(Elgin City players) Steven Mackay and midfielder Craig Campbell have rejected new contract offers and are both in talks with Highland League side Nairn County who have agreed to sign Black and Whites goalkeeper Ally Ridgers."
"Callum Donaldson has done a very good job and is the man in possession of the number one jersey and that might put Ally off a little. However, I have always carried two good goalkeepers at the club and that is something I want to continue."
He added: "I have spoken to Craig briefly but I believe both Buckie Thistle and Deveronvale are also keen on him and that two in particular are challenging for everyone that becomes available at the moment."
One of the manager's main priorities of the summer is securing the long term future of defender/midfielder David Hind. The ex-Inverness
Another player heavily linked with a move to Station Park recently is Clach winger Blair Lawrie. But the former Highland League Young Player of the Year has seen his availability restricted after joining the police force. Fridge commented: "I have officially enquired to Clach about Blair (Lawrie) but obviously his career situation puts his availability in doubt at the moment.
"All of these players are of high calibre. Therefore, when they become available, I would not be doing my job if I was not speaking to them and trying to bring them on board."
County are also rumoured to be interested in former striker Darren Shallicker, also now at Elgin City, Clach duo Gordon McNab and David Watson and Forres Mechanics striker Ryan Green, also a former Nairn player. However, the club's only official summer signing so far has been Jason Robertson. Meanwhile, goalkeeper John Campbell remains on the transfer list and interested parties are invited to email [email protected] or contact the manager directly.
Player Interview: Robertson's Return
One new signing has slipped somewhat unannounced into the Nairn County squad ahead of next season as manager Les Fridge began his preparations for the 2009-10 campaign ahead of schedule.
For when Jason Robertson arrived back at the club, to some it was literally as if he had never been away. And that is understandable considering the 21-year-old had still technically been a County player up until just a few months ago.
Still, it was a surprise to see the striker handed an immediate start only a few weeks after returning to
Robertson was plucked from the County youth ranks at an early age by Inverness CT who he represented at under-14 and under-16 levels. But a return to Station Park came in 2004 when he linked up with Martin Bell's successful under-19 squad, which produced players such as Callum Donaldson, Glenn Main, Wayne Mackintosh, Gregg Main and Marc MacDonald.
The striker's talents caught the attention of Fridge back in 2005 when the manager handed the then 17-year-old his first start for the club in an away match at Cove Rangers at the end of his first season in charge. Several fleeting appearances followed but for the majority of the next season, Robertson spent his time on loan at Nairn St Ninian.
But his progress was halted drastically when a change in work circumstances meant that he would be available on a limited basis the following season. Therefore, the forward opted to step back down to the junior ranks with Nairn St Ninian during season 2007-08 and that arrangement was continued into this season. The deal was then made permanent as Robertson's stint at County came to an end. However, his time away from Station Park hasn't lasted long and he is now a Nairn County player again.
Speaking exclusively to Nairn County FC Online, Robertson said: "Things weren't working out for me at Saints and it was just one of those things. I asked to come back here to train with County and hopefully re-sign because I know most of the lads here and I know the standard of football is good.
"I was delighted that the gaffer involved me in the last two games. It has made me even hungrier to do well next season, which will hopefully be a good one for me. I have set myself a few targets and hopefully after a good pre-season under my belt, I will be able to achieve those targets."
Robertson still retains the job offshore that brought a premature end to his spell at Station Park last time out. But the player remains philosophical about how that will impact upon his ability to establish himself at the club. He stated: "I have decided on a career where I will only be available for half of the year. It is just one of those things but football has always been a big part of my life so I am just glad that Les has given me the opportunity to play when I am at home. I understand that it will be difficult but hopefully I can train well and be used if need-be as a good squad player.
"If given the chance, I am looking to get back to my best and hopefully get a few goals along on the way."
Having just toasted the arrival of his first child at the end of last week, Robertson will be keen to have another reason for celebration once the new season gets underway.