Former St Johnstone and Inverness Caley Thistle player says joining Clachnacuddin was a no-brainer
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GARY Farquhar believes he has joined one of the Highland League’s great sleeping giants after accepting the role of coach at Clachnacuddin.
The former St Johnstone and Caley Thistle midfielder was recruited last week by manager Sandy McLeod, with assistant Jordan MacDonald also drafted into the new backroom team.
Wick-born Farquhar (49), who has lived in Inverness since moving up from Perth in 1998, didn’t hesitate for a second when offered his first senior coaching job.
“Sandy, who I’ve known for years, got in touch asking if I would be interested in joining him and I was delighted. It was a no-brainer, especially with Jordan coming in as well,” Farquhar said.
“Clach is a massive club and it is a massive chance for me to get involved in football again.
“I was involved a couple of years ago at Inverness City when Jordan was manager there.
“I helped him out a little bit and played a little bit - and was wishing I could still play! That’s something you always miss.
“But it will be great to be involved again at what I see as one of the biggest clubs in the Highland League. I think they should be higher than they are. There’s a great tradition about the place and you feel that around the ground, with the passion of the fans as well. There’s a real family feel to it.
“Financial circumstances have held the club back but there is a lot of good work being done and progress with younger players. Hopefully, working for Sandy, I can help him get them back where they belong.”
In his youth, Farquhar played for Brora Rangers and had a YTS stint at Dundee.
But it was only at the age of 24 that his talent and vision on the ball was fully recognised, with Bolton, Millwall and Middlesbrough on his trail before Paul Sturrock’s St Johnstone secured his signature.
After four enjoyable years, helping Saints win promotion to the SPL in 1997, he knocked back the chance to extend his stay and joined Steve Paterson’s ambitious Caley Thistle side.
Farquhar brings rich experience to the table at Clachnacuddin and he said that was looking forward to learning under McLeod.
He said: “I’ll just be following Sandy’s lead.
“Myself, Sandy and Jordan have similar ideas on how we like to see the game played.
“Hopefully I can help Sandy, but learn from him as well in my first proper coaching job.”
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