Fans set to play a big part in the future of Nairn County
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INTERIM Nairn County chairman Donald Matheson has pledged the club will have a more open relationship with supporters in the future.
Matheson will take over on June 1 when incumbent Peter Mackintosh snr leaves his role and following a committee meeting on Monday, the first of a chaotic period for the club, greater dialogue with fans emerged as a top priority.
As one of the remaining directors of the club, it has been left to Matheson and the remaining board members to plot Nairn’s future course.
Mackintosh snr’s sons, Peter jnr and Michael, will also leave and take their Narden sponsorship with them on May 31, with just a fortnight’s notice given of their intention to quit.
Peter Mackintosh jnr defended the decision, citing the wish not to destabilise earlier in the season and that “about 90 per cent” of people would not realise the time and effort they sacrificed for the club.
Matheson was quick to thank supporters who have rallied together, already raising £2000 for club funds through a GoFundMe page, and plans to attend a fans meeting at the British Legion in Nairn on Wednesday.
“The supporters are working extremely hard and I can’t thank them enough for the input they’ve had,” explained Matheson, who is due to chair an emergency general meeting for shareholders on Tuesday night.
“We hope to engage with them more and that’s one thing everyone agreed on on Monday night. I’m going to come down to the supporters’ meeting, even if it’s just to meet and greet.
“I’ve spoken to the chairman and Peter jnr and it was cordial. What’s done is done – they’ve supported the club for 20 years and I can’t knock them for that.”
Matheson would not rule out putting himself forward as a candidate for the permanent role of chairman, however he felt given the situation the club was in, it needed a figurehead that people could speak to.
Rebuilding on the pitch will be looked at in the coming weeks but there is no rush from the board to appoint a new manager.
Applications to fill the vacancy left by Fridge, who won four trophies during his time at Station Park, have been received but with pre-season just three weeks away, faith will be put in other coaches at the club if the top job is not filled.
“My own feeling is I would love to have a manager in place before pre-season but that may or may not happen,” said Matheson. “There’s plenty of coaches at the club that, if needs be, can sort it out.”
On the playing staff, Conor Gethins has already declared his intention to leave the club and several others could now follow suit, with Tony Wallace, Sam Urquhart and Brad Halsman not being offered new deals.
The EGM for shareholders will be held on Tuesday at the Newton Hotel at 7pm, while the following day a fans’ meeting will be held at the British Legion Club at 7pm.
- To donate to the Nairn County fundraising site visit https:/www.gofundme.com/savenairncounty
