Clachnacuddin defender Keith Mason is relishing Highland League chance at age of 37 after spending majority of career at Junior and North Caledonian League level
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KEITH Mason is enjoying the chance of playing Highland League football with Clachnacuddin after spending the majority of his career at Junior and North Caledonian League level.
The 37-year-old defender was brought in as a trialist with the Lilywhites earlier this season, and impressed to be given a permanent contract until the end of the campaign.
He previously played at Inverness City and Nairn St Ninian at junior level, as well as at Loch Ness and Invergordon in the North Caledonian League.
But he also spent a period with Clachnacuddin when he signed at the end of 2015.
He thought the opportunity of playing Highland League football again was gone.
But he has established himself as an important part of the first team and is relishing the opportunity of playing in the Highland League and being part of the resurgence at Clachnacuddin.
“When Martin Callum and Blair Lawrie took over temporarily this season, they asked if I was keen to help them out as they were struggling for defensive cover,” said Mason.
“I agreed after speaking with Invergordon and played two games as a trialist and then signed on after that for the end of the season.
“I wasn’t sure who was taking over from former manager Jordan MacDonald at that time and if the new manager would want me about the place. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to cope at that level as I had been playing at Junior, North Caledonian League and amateur level all my footballing life.
“My first three games was against Brora Rangers, Banks O’Dee and Forres all in a week. But I thought I coped alright.
“When Conor Gethins came in as manager, I played with him in the amateur league with Avoch, he said he wanted to keep me for the season.
“He wanted me there for my experience, as on the park you need to play tough and require a vocal side.
“Youngsters still don’t have the vocal side of the game.
“Conor is up front from what he wants from us and I have been up front and honest with them.
“I know I am not a spring chicken, but I put the effort in, look after myself and enjoy the challenge.
“You are a long time retired from football, so you need to make the most of it.”
At 37, he is one of the veterans of the Clachnacuddin squad, with the majority of the team in their early to mid-20’s.
He says the potential at Clachnacuddin to become a force in the league is huge.
Whilst making a contribution on the pitch, he also wants to use his experience to help develop young players.
“There are a lot of youngsters in the team,” he said.
“There is quite a gap from me being 37 to the next oldest person in the team, apart from Martin Callum, is in their mid-20’s.
“But I am enjoying the opportunity and looking to pass on some experience to the younger boys. It is a good group of players, they were just in a rut of getting beat earlier this season.
“It was case of shoring up the back, as we have a lot of pace and skill going forward. It was just a case of shutting the back door.
"Clachnacuddin are a sleeping giant, they shouldn’t be anywhere near the bottom, no disrespect to the other teams in the league.
“They shouldn’t be battling against going down. We should be at least mid-table.
“With one defeat in our last five, we need to keep that form going until the end of the season.”
Clachnacuddin head to Pitmedden on Saturday to take on title chasing Formartine United.
With encouraging draws at Banks O’Dee and Fraserburgh earlier this season, Mason says his team should hold no fears at North Lodge Park.
“We shouldn’t fear anyone we play,” he said.
“We know that on our day if we set up right, we are a hard team to beat.
“We have fast attacking skilful players in the final third that are capable of beating any team
“It is about ensuring we concentrate for the full 90 minutes as Formartine will be ruthless if they get a chance.”
