Transfer News: Strike Duo Out On Loan Until The Summer
Two of Nairn County's powerful forwards have secured loan deals with junior clubs in the region which will see them farmed out from Station Park for the rest of the season. Iain Brooks has joined Grantown-based Strathspey Thistle who are in Division One of the North Junior set up and chasing promotion while Jason Robertson has crossed town to link with Nairn St Ninian, who play in the same division but are fighting a battle against relegation.
Brooks has been unavailable for selection for all of Nairn's competitive matches this season despite
Since then though, the 29-year-old has been unavailable for selection after beginning a training course for the fire brigade in Aberdeen. After successfully completing the training, the forward was posted in Grampian and is now ready for a return to competitive action. However, due to work patterns he will be unavailable for four Saturdays in a row for each four Saturdays that he is free meaning he is unable to attend training or build up any sort of run of form in Les Fridge's starting eleven. This has led to the temporary switch to his home town club where he spent two years earlier in his career.
Brooks said: "Things have changed a lot in my life since I made the decision to change careers and go into the Fire Service in May. I haven't been able to kick a ball for Nairn County all season and that is a huge shock after being with the club for a total of 14 years since the age of 13 and two years out at Strathspey."
He added: "I know what my work patterns are now that I am in a regular job. In real terms it works out for Saturdays on, four Saturdays off but that can vary because of how my nightshifts fall. While it would not be possible for me to commit to training with
Brooks explained: "The kick offs are 2.30 pm or earlier and because of the league they are in, they play in Aberdeen effectively every second week. If a game is in Grantown and I am on nightshift I have plenty of time to get back to base for the start of my shift at 6.30 pm. That would not be the case with Nairn home games or obviously if they are further up north."
He added: "I daresay there will be the chance to swap a shift here or there, but I know I will not be able to play football every Saturday like I have done for so many years so I have to accept that."
The towering front man will be in familiar company at Strathspey as the junior club is also the temporary home of Nairn goalkeeper Callum Donaldson, his brother and County defender Euan Donaldson and young midfielder Grant Fraser.
Brooks added: "Coming from Grantown, I know the players well. I know Donnelly Macleod (the Strathspey manager) well - I have known him all my life so I will settle in fine."
The player known as Dug was not ruling a return to Station Park next season to once again play for the club which he has served with so much distinction over the years.
He said: "I still have a year left on my contract with Nairn and I have been used to the involvement of the Highland League.
"This move has only really come up for definite in the last week or so and I am looking forward to getting back to playing again. I have to thank the people at Nairn for making this possible for me because they know how badly I want to get back to playing again."
County boss Les Fridge said: "Brooksie has been such a key player at this football club over the years but I have had to accept he has been unavailable because of work. Getting a regular post in Aberdeen gives him the chance to find his feet again and the move on loan to Strathspey will suit all parties because it lets him get his eye back in.
"I think the next few months will offer him the chance to get into a routine of fitting in playing with working and visiting his family, but working in Aberdeen and his team playing there effectively once a fortnight is easier for him."
Brooks has become a real hero of the County support over the years and made a tremendous contribution to the strides made by the club on the park recently. When the club stormed to a fifth place finish in the table during season 2002-03, Brooks netted 16 times and scooped both the Players' and Supporters' Player of the Year awards after having a fine season. He has netted 53 goals in the last five seasons and also captained the side on several occasions since Les Fridge took over as manager. He won the Man of the Match award in County's 3-1 success over Forres Mechanics in the final of the North of Scotland Cup in October 2005.
It will be the second time the former Inverness CT youngster has been farmed out to the Showfield outfit after he spent a successful period with the club on loan as a County youth.
The 20-year-old has been unavailable for the majority of the season, also because of work commitments. After starting to establish himself in Fridge's thoughts in the second half of last season,
County boss Fridge said: "Jason hasn't been with us properly since pre-season because of his work commitments so he is a bit off the pace but by going to Saints he is likely to get games as well as train with them when he is home and he will hopefully be sharp and ready if we need to call him back during the rest of the season."
After making his debut as a substitute away at Keith in November 2004, Robertson made his first start for the club later on that season in the away defeat at Cove Rangers on April 16. In total for season 2004-05, the target man made one start and clocked up three substitute appearances in all competitions.
The following season, he made another three substitute
After being recalled from the Showfield outfit in the summer of 2006, Robertson went on to make two starts and 17 appearances from the bench during season 2006-07, which really took off for him after he netted a late winner against Clachnacuddin in January 2007. Goals against Fraserburgh the week after and one later on in the season at Rothes followed before he scored his first Highland League Cup goal in extra time against Forres Mechanics at Station Park to take his tally for the club to four.
And Fridge admitted there was a chance he could add to his squad in the coming week. Forres Mechanics defender Gary Black has been placed on the transfer list at his own request and is said to be keen on a move to Station Park. It was a swoop that Fridge refused to rule out.
He said: "Gary is certainly a player we would be interested in. We missed out on him the last time he was available when he left Clach to go to Forres. I will certainly be looking into it over the next week or so."