Inverness president George Campbell could have been forgiven for feeling despondent in the wake of the club's annual general meeting in late November which failed to elect a club secretary, a second team manager or a youth coach.

Strictly speaking, the team management positions are chosen by the incoming general committee, but Campbell knew he was in trouble with the realisation that so few at the well-attended AGM showed any willingness to step forward as volunteers.

Campbell's problems probably pre-date the annual meeting by several months to early summer when youth coach and second team manager Graeme MacMillan was involved in an accident at the Bunchrew railway crossing.

MacMillan survived his car being hit by the northbound passenger train, but was so badly shaken that he decided he needed time away from the game to recover.

The club hobbled to the end of the season with Clive Girvan and Garry Lightbody stepping into the breach as reserve team coaches.

Depressingly for the club, however, MacMillan's enforced absence resulted in the under-14 and under-17 teams having to withdraw from their respective competitions.

Given that rather disheartening background it is surprising to find Campbell in a fairly upbeat mood.

"The AGM was disappointing but since then we have made progress on most matters and I am fairly optimistic for the future," he said.

Campbell's search for volunteers was boosted when the Camanachd Association's operations manager Astie Cameron highlighted the plight of the club on the Association's website.

It drew a response from an unlikely source with first-team player David Neilson stepping forward to offer to help with the youth coaching.

Neilson, a member of Kilmallie's losing Camanachd Cup final team in 2005, joined Inverness at the beginning of last season and has worked at youth level in the past. His offer was gratefully accepted by Campbell.

"The youth coach is probably the most important position at the club and we are delighted to have David on board," Campbell added.

Youth development has always been close to Campbell's heart. He was one of the architect's of a unique initiative which saw the club become the first in the world of shinty to appoint their own full-time youth development officer.

David Glass, an established first-team player, took on the post and soon Inverness were the envy of all other clubs with a huge pool of youth players at their disposal.

Sadly, a lack of funding meant the project stalled after three years, but the club got a glimpse of the potential in the largest population centre in the shinty-playing heartlands. Glass's work has not all been in vain, however, with several of the youngsters continuing to progress at school level.

Second team player Andrew Fraser is maintaining Glass' good coaching work at Raigmore Primary, but there is little doubt that the momentum has stalled.

One possible avenue Campbell intends to explore next year is to attempt to forge links with the city's Gaelic Medium school. Former player Ewen MacKinnon has already made tentative steps in that direction and Campbell agrees that there should be scope to develop further links.

Encouragingly Campbell has decided to enter the forthcoming under-14 and under-17 competitions, which bodes well for the future of the club.

Campbell's positive mood was further boosted with the news that interim first-team coach Steve Munro has agreed to stay in the post for the 2009 season and will be assisted by former player James MacDougall. Munro's enthusiasm is clearly infectious and with pre–season training about to start in earnest, he has already identified 24 players who will form the first-team pool.

Problems remain, however, in finding a volunteer to step in as reserve team coach. Campbell remains hopeful that an individual will come forward and is confident of recruiting a coach in time for the new season, which starts in March.

Despite ongoing struggles both on and off the field, Campbell rejects the notion that Inverness are a club in crisis.

"The weeks since the AGM have shown me what is possible," he said. "The club has a bright future and we have a good committed team on board.

"Volunteers are still needed, however, and anyone wishing to step forward with offers of help will be most welcome."

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the club should contact Peter Gow on 01463 232484 or 0795 786 4093.

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