Early points are key for Fort boss MacLean
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UPBEAT boss Calum MacLean reckons his Fort William players must aim to get points on the board early in the 2014-15 Highland League season.
Fixtures for next season were released last week, and after a home clach with Buckie Thistle to kick off proceedings, Fort host Strathspey Thistle in a game MacLean has earmarked as a golden chance to get a win under their belts early on.
The manager, who officially signed paperwork to take on the top job at the clubs AGM on Tuesday night, said: “We always look out for Strathspey, it’s always a big game for us because they’re normally down the bottom end of the table as well.
“We’ve got them in the second game so it’d be good to get some points on the board early and get some momentum, but I’m sure it’s the same for them and they look for us on the fixtures.
“It will be good to start at home (against Buckie), they’ll be strengthening in the summer no doubt.
“Every game’s a hard game but I’m looking forward to it.
“We’ll have to up our game again - I think we’ve got seven games in the first five weeks so if we can get some points on the board early, you never know what can happen after that.”
Meanwhile, MacLean was pleased to have secured the services of Oban-based pair Willie Gemmell and Keith Millar along with young goalkeeper Robin Harvey for next season, but admitted young player-of-the-year James Mackay, who hasn’t yet signed a contract, could have suitors from other Highland League clubs.
He said: “We’re delighted with them, most of the squad have re-signed bar James Mackay.
“He told us he’d let us know in the next couple of weeks, I’m sure there’ll be a few sniffing about but we want to keep him here.”
MacLean is now preparing to take in games in order to look at prospective signings, as he looks to bolster his squad for next season.
He said: “We’re going to look at some games, we’ll be going to Oban and Inverness.
“We’ll be looking at amateur level and welfare and there are a few boys locally that we could take back.”
