Contract Renewals: Campbell And Macleod Agree To Stay
Two key Nairn County first team regulars have pledged their future to the club as manager Les Fridge looks to keep his current squad in place beyond the end of the current campaign.
Both Brian Macleod and John Campbell have put pen to paper on new contracts giving the squad a boost ahead of this weekend's trip to Fraserburgh in the Highland League.
Former Fort William goalkeeper Campbell has signed a one-year extension to his current deal, tying him to the club until the summer of 2010. Meanwhile, wide man Macleod will remain at Station Park until
Manager Les Fridge was delighted to secure the futures of two key members of his squad. Speaking to Nairn County FC Online, he said: "It is good that we have managed to get these two boys tied up. John has done an excellent job since he has come into the club as has Brian in my time here.
"Brian was obviously the captain who lifted the cup a couple of weeks ago as well. That is the majority of the squad signed up now so all in all, I'm delighted."
At 27 and 29 years old respectively, Macleod and Campbell bring vital experience to Fridge's squad and both could be considered as being old heads in a young dressing room. The new deals will also add to the continuity and stability that the manager is looking to bring to the squad as well as deterring potential suitors from attempting to acquire the services of the pair.
Fridge added: "I have not been aware of either of these two players being linked elsewhere but at the end of the day, there is always that possibility because that is how football works. We've had it in the past with players and I'm sure we'll have it with players
Campbell came to the club in the summer of 2005 but saw himself playing back up to Jim Calder, who started the season between the sticks. But towards the end of the campaign, the former Inverness CT shot stopper was ousted and Campbell has remained the number one ever since. A number of stirring performances saw him pick up both the Players' Player and Supporters' Player of the Year awards for the 2006-07 season.
Macleod joined Nairn under previous manager Ronnie Sharp in the summer of 2003 and is now one of the longest serving players at the club. His versatility has made him a key asset to the team. More often than not the former Clach man is played on the left hand side of midfield although only last week he deputised at right back in the draw at Lossiemouth. He has been handed the captain's armband in the absence of regular skipper Willie Barron and lifted the North of Scotland Cup only last month.
Fridge also refused to rule out the prospect of bringing in more new faces to his squad having already acquired Billy Horne and Harry Rae this season.
He said: "I am always on the lookout for potential new players. We have made some offers and several enquiries for players over the past few months. Obviously nothing has happened and there's not a lot I can do about that but I will keep plugging away. If I think players can add something to the squad then I'll have no hesitation in bringing them in."
County are on their travels again this weekend when they play their fifth game away from Station Park in succession by taking on Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park. Fridge will be hoping his side can bring a run of three games without a win to an end by repeating last season's 3-2 away success against Charlie Duncan's men. The side will also be looking to improve their away record against Aberdeenshire sides having picked up just 13 points from a possible 87 since Fridge took over the hot seat.
The manager added: "I think it is going to work out being something like five or six away games on the trot for us so it would be nice to get a home game. We've just have to get on with it and it will be a very difficult game as it always is going through to the Broch. It's a very hard place to go and they're a team that are very much capable of beating anyone on their day."
Fridge is hopeful of having some players back for Saturday's game and will have a better idea of who is available after taking the squad for training this evening. Neil MacDonald, Wayne Mackintosh, Shaun Kerr, Gary Black and Chris Finnigan all missed last week's match. The boss added: "I'm hoping to have a couple of players back from last weekend but I will have a better idea after tonight."