Transfer News: Nine Loaned Out As New Coach Comes In
Nine Nairn County players will start the season out on loan in the junior ranks - and that figure could increase as the season progresses.
Boss Les Fridge spoke to Nairn County FC Online this morning and was delighted that such a high number of players are to hone their skills in the junior leagues as he looks to develop as many young players for the first team.
First division outfit Strathspey Thistle are the main beneficiaries as they have taken six players on a
Forward Marc MacDonald debuted in the Nairn first team at the age of 16 and then spent several seasons on loan at Nairn St Ninian. He was recalled to the first team ranks for the 2006-07 season but found his chances limited during last season making one start and seven substitute appearances in all competitions.
This will be Ross Mackenzie's first spell out on loan having progressed from the club's under 19s into the first team squad. The midfielder made his debut as a substitute at Fort William in April 2007 and made a further sub appearance at Deveronvale in March.
Ridgers joined the club in September 2007 as back up to John
Defender Euan Donaldson will spend his fourth season in succession with the Grantown-based club, although the first two were severely hampered by a series knee injury while midfielder Grant Fraser is set to go back for a second year after spending last season with Donnelly Macleod's men.
Scott Hendry is the sixth and final player who will be plying his trade at Strathspey this season. The forward is now too old for the under-19 league and will use his time in the junior ranks as a key stepping stone between the youth and first teams.
Fridge said: "Ross Mackenzie and Marc MacDonald were in and around the first team last year which was part of their overall development and helped them in that respect. They now go out to Strathspey more confident and sharper now than they were before and this is all part of their development."
Midfielder Lee Haines has yet to kick a ball since finishing his time with the under 19s after being ruled out for the last 20 months because of a knee injury. He will begin the long road to recovery at Nairn St Ninian along with John Blackhall - who is now too old for the youth team - and Jason Robertson, who spent the second half of last season at the Showfield club because of work commitments which are again set to hamper his ability to commit to Highland League football.
Fridge added: "We have nine boys out on loan in total and that is very pleasing. It is all part of the development of these players and I am sure they will all benefit from the regular first team football they will get while on loan."
And the loanees might not end there. Young duo Paul Macleod and Callum Riddell - who featured in the friendly win at Strathspey on Saturday - could join the other nine players at a junior club before the season starts. Fridge said: "They have just finished their time in the under 19s and I brought them into the squad to get a look at them. We will look at the situation and they could be sent out on loan at some point as well."
Meanwhile, Fridge also announced a new addition to his coaching staff. Local hotelier Bobby Beckworth was in the dugout along with the manager and his assistant Mike Hendry for all of the club's pre-season games and Fridge has confirmed he will be a permanent fixture. Beckworth has previous coaching experience in the north junior leagues and originally joined the club as coach of the under 15s. Now he will be in charge of the under 19s along with Hendry - a job Fridge had done since Martin Bell left the club - as well as assisting with first team matters.
The manager said: "It's great to get Bobby on board and he will help with the running of the under 19s alongside Mike Hendry. He is a good guy to have around because of his footballing knowledge and he has been around the game a long time. He is someone I feel that I can work with and someone I feel will bring something to the club.
"We have a very good structure of coaches at the club just now all the way down through the youth ranks and that is something we will look to maintain."
Fridge also confirmed he has no fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday's North of Scotland Cup match against Lossiemouth although Brian Macleod will be suspended after being sent off in the competition last year. Glenn Main is also yet to kick a ball this summer and Fridge said: "Glenn picked up an injury in one of our first pre-season training session but I am hoping that he will be back in training either this week or next."