New Deveronvale assistant says management team are 'in it for the long run'
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NEW Deveronvale assistant manager Ritchie Davidson has said he’s “in it for the long run” after taking up the role last week.
Davidson, formerly assistant manager with Inverurie Loco Works and manager of Colony Park, knows manager Craig Stewart well having worked under him when he was assistant at Locos.
Speaking after his appointment, he said that the management team at Princess Royal Park have clear long-term ambitions.
“Our ambition is to progress next year,” he said. “We will end this season with a points total that will see us underachieve, but we need to use that and progress next season.
“We want to get into that pack between sixth and 10th. The team Craig has built is pushing together for that. It might take a couple of years but we are in it for the long run.
“We are actively looking to strengthen the squad in certain areas and have spoken to the chairman about that.
“We are supported well at a board level and, from my initial viewpoints, the club is well supported in the community and by local companies, so need to repay these guys with a slightly better performance on the field.”
Although he was only announced as assistant last week, Davidson has been in his role for three weeks – having come in after the 4-1 loss to Banks O’ Dee.
He was set to be in the Vale dugout in the Highland League for the first time at Rothes on Saturday, but adverse weather put paid to the game at Mackessack Park.
Instead, he saw Vale cruise to a 5-1 win over junior side East End at Princess Royal.
“It’s my third week with Vale but I’ve not managed to get a game in yet,” he said.
“Last week was a write-off in training too with the weather, but we managed to get a chance to see the boys in a friendly on Saturday.
“Princess Royal Park was in perfect condition, but it was too late to rearrange a league fixture.
“The friendly allowed us to get some minutes into the guys’ legs and look at a few things for this weekend.”
Forres Mechanics – winless in 10 league matches – are the visitors to Banff on Saturday.
Harry Noble is suspended for the game, with a few niggles in the squad too.
“Looking at their recent run, it’s a good opportunity,” Davidson said.
“But they’ll have their tails up on the back of a good draw with Formartine and there are no lighter games in the Highland League.
“Hopefully we can go into it with confidence and try to finish the season well.
“We are looking up rather than down and hope to gain a bit of momentum and finish the season strongly.”
