Turriff United chairman George Manson elected as Highland League president with Formartine United treasurer Sandy Sinclair moving up to senior vice-president and Inverurie Locos' Gordon Booth in as junior vice-president
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THERE is a new man in the president's seat of the Scottish Highland Football League, the first one to come from Turriff United.
United chairman George Manson has stepped up from the senior vice-president's role he has held for the past three years, replacing Buckie Thistle's Raymond Cardno in the top seat.
Moving up from junior to senior vice-president is Formartine United treasurer Sandy Sinclair, while Inverurie Locos' Gordon Booth is the new league vice-president.
The positions were confirmed at Monday night's Highland League annual general meeting.
Discussions were also held on the format for next season's league, which is expected to include Brechin City following their relegation from SPFL League 2.
But league secretary Rod Houston said the Angus club will be given time to come to terms with their demotion before a clearer picture of next season's Highland League season is drawn up.
Houston said: "First things first, Brechin have to get a wee bit of time.
"Losing their league status I would imagine is quite crushing, so we want to give them a chance to catch their breath and over the next few days we will speak to them and see what is happening."
The possibility of the Highland League returning to 18 clubs would present the league secretary with some extra work on the fixtures front.
But he said that the past two seasons of Covid-19 interruptions have prepared him and fellow office bearers for whatever outcome is determined.
"The general feeling is that we can deal with it. We have built organisational resilience in a reasonable manner and that is reassuring."
Houston added that all rule changes for the provision of a sixth tier of Scottish football have been finalised, opening up a potential trap door beneath the feet of the club which finishes bottom of the Highland League next season.
He said the winners of the North Caledonian League, the North Region Junior Superleague and a newly-formed Tayside junior division would join a Highland League play-off if they were deemed to be eligible to join the Highland League ranks.
Such a play-off would then involve the basement side in the Highland League, who could then be relegated to one of the three feeder divisions.
Houston also confirmed that Highland League winners Brora Rangers will play in the Premier Sports Cup - or League Cup competition - next season.
Brora lost in the League 2 play-off semi-final to Kelty Hearts, who then defeated Brechin to relegate the Angus club and replace them in League 2 next term.
Kelty have also confirmed that former Scotland and Rangers captain Barry Ferguson is leaving the manager's post at the Fife club after steering them into the senior ranks.
