New Highland League president looks to the season ahead
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The Highland League have announced Turriff United chairman George Manson as their new president.
He takes over from Raymond Cardno and is joined at the helm by senior vice-president Sandy Sinclair (Formartine United) and league vice president Gordon Booth (Inverurie Locos).
Following an extraordinary 2020 with very few matches played, Mr Manson is ready to steer Highland League football "back to the way it should be".
Speaking on his appointment, he said: "It is pretty exciting.
"It is an honour for myself but it is also a great honour for Turriff, as Turriff has never held this position before.
"It really is quite exciting to be here 12 years after Turriff joined the Highland League."
The new season is expected to kick off on July 24 by which time it is hoped that restrictions will have eased far enough to allow fans to watch their teams in action.
Talking about his hopes for the upcoming season, Mr Manson said: "Hopefully we will be allowed some spectators, although of course there will likely still be restrictions I would love to see the Highland League get back to what it should be.
"There is a sociable link between teams, between players and spectators.
"It is very much a social thing and it doesn't really work without spectators."
There is much talk this week about the possibility of Brechin joining the Highland League as the eighteenth team following the weekend's results, and while nothing is yet confirmed Mr Manson says that the team will be made most welcome should they make the move to the Highland League and will be an asset.
Talks have been ongoing between the league and the Scottish Junior FA to create a link between tiers five and six of the pyramid in the north of Scotland.
The play-off, if introduced from next season would mean the side which finishes bottom of the Highland League could find themselves up against either the North Super League champions, the East Super League champions or the North Caledonian League champions.
On this he said: “We’ve helped to create this potential set up after being asked by the SFA to look after the pyramid in the north and if we can achieve it that will be a historic change."
It's not just progress for the league as a whole where Mr Manson has his sights set, however, with hopes of a strong season for Turriff United also on his wish list.
All eyes are on the team's new manager Dean Donaldson who is an exciting addition to the team as training returns.
Following a "reasonably successful" season of management at Keith Mr Donaldson brings lots of enthusiasm and promise to the role and has already been seen to inspire players and young talent.
Read: Highland League secretary Rod Houston gives his own thoughts on the season ahead
