Transfer News: County Capture New Goalkeeper
One name on the Nairn County team sheet at Rothes on Saturday that particularly stood out was that of goalkeeper Willie Ridgers, who was named among the club's substitutes. The shotstopper has penned a deal until the end of the season at Station Park.
Ridgers starred for Fort William last season making over 19 appearances for the Lochaber outfit and has joined up with his team mates from his time at Claggan Park, Angus Lawie and Scott Graham, both of whom made the same journey along the A82 in the summer.
County manager Les Fridge was left with a goalkeeping headache when regular back up shotstopper John Calder was ruled out long term with illness. With the club's other first team goalkeeper Callum Donaldson on loan at Strathspey Thistle, this left the manager with only one recognised first team shotstopper in John Campbell. The problem was temporarily fixed last Saturday when Fridge opted to gamble with five outfield players on the bench for the match against Clachnacuddin instead of pitching kid gloves Michael Calder - the club's under 19 goalkeeper - on to the bench. The rules for the Scottish Cup differ slightly in that two of the 16-man squad must be goalkeepers and all of the squad must be signed to the club meaning that Fridge had to move quickly if he wanted to have a full compliment of substitutes at his disposal for yesterday's Scottish Cup clash. That is where the former Brora Rangers and Fort William man stepped in.
Fridge said: "He has signed with us for one year and I am delighted about that."
He added: "John Calder took ill and was taken to hospital so that left us a bit thin on the ground on the goalkeeping front and we needed to have someone signed as cover for our Scottish Cup match. Willie came in and trained with us and fitted in really well with the rest of the boys and it's great he is able to join us."
County looked like having another free week next Saturday when scheduled opponents Huntly drew their Scottish Cup clash with Fraserburgh at the weekend meaning a replay between the two sides this coming Saturday. But the Broch were scheduled to play Keith and the league match between the Maroons and County was postponed earlier this season. Therefore, the league have acted quickly to pencil in Keith vs Nairn County to the list of fixtures set to go ahead next week.