Contract News: Holland Away But Bobo And Kerr To Stay
Nairn County have been dealt a bitter blow with the loss of a goal-scoring midfielder - but two mainstays of the team have agreed to sign new contracts at Station Park.
The bad news comes in the shape of the departure of the in-form Jonathan Holland who has been released by the club to return to his homeland for family reasons. The Maltese international joined Nairn back in January but could only manage six fleeting substitute appearances at the tail end of last season after being hampered by a hamstring injury. But this season the 30-year-old has really made
Boss Les Fridge said: "On behalf of the management team, the board of directors and everyone at the club we wish Johno all the best for the future. Family has to come first and we understand and support that although we are obviously disappointed to lose him.
"He has got four goals in five games and having worked hard in training and waited to get his chance, he has taken it. It will be a loss for ourselves and also in the dressing room sense as he is a nice, likeable lad."
But that particular setback has been tempered by news of contract extensions being signed by key men Martin MacDonald and Shaun Kerr. Both players will now remain at the club until the summer of 2011
MacDonald joined the club in 2005 and has since made a total of 83 appearances for the club. Originally thought of as a striker, it is at the back that the former Brora Rangers man has excelled and is now an inspirational leader on the pitch and a favourite among the fans.
Meanwhile, Kerr has been with the club for just over a year after joining from Golspie Sutherland on a three-year contract. Last season's top goal scorer has now been rewarded with improved terms after blasting home 17 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions last year. Yet another flying start this season - which has yielded five goals already - has convinced Fridge to act to tie up his number nine on fresh terms.
The manager said: "It's on the plus side that Shaun Kerr and Martin MacDonald have both signed new three-year contracts. Shaun has scored five goals already and has got himself off to a good start as he did last year as well. He ended up our top scorer with 17 goals having missed a third of the season so we are delighted to have secured him and also Martin.
"He initially came to us as a striker but since then we moved him back to centre half and he has done very well for us. He is a wee bit of an old head for us even though he is only in his mid-twenties so it is great news for all concerned."
In other news, former Nairn striker Scott Kellacher has joined Clachnacuddin. The former Celtic youth player joined the club in 2000 and became a key player, winning the Highland League Young Player of the Year in his first season at the club. He has since been left out of the first team squad by Fridge since the end of 2006 and joins the Inverness-based side under freedom of contract.
And the date of County's North of Scotland Cup final show down with Inverness CT has been set. The match will take place on Sunday September 21, kick off 3 pm at Clach's Grant Street Park, the venue of Nairn's last two cup final appearances. Les Fridge's men will be the home team on the day.