Lovat announce MacRitchie as new boss
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LOVAT have moved quickly to fill the managerial void left by Allan MacRae’s abrupt resignation, with John MacRitchie confirmed as the new man in charge.
MacRitchie held the post on a joint basis with James Gallagher before stepping down to allow MacRae to take charge at the beginning of the 2012 season.
It is understood that MacRitchie, who is also president of the club, was the only candidate and appears to have the backing of the senior players.
“After news of Allan’s resignation filtered out, a number of players telephoned me encouraging me to take the job,” said MacRitchie, who was elected club president in June last year.
“We had a meeting which I found hugely encouraging and positive. There was a lot of support and I am pretty excited looking ahead.
“I have had three years to recharge the batteries and I am raring to go again, so hopefully I can build on the success we had with Allan at the helm.”
However, with the new season just four weeks away, problems are mounting for the new man in the Balgate dugout.
There are doubts surrounding the availability of international keeper Stuart MacDonald, while Owen Ferguson has decided to take up a new job in London and could be out indefinitely.
Long-term injury victims Graeme MacMillan and Craig Mainland will miss the crucial early season games, but on the positive side it looks like James Grieve and Ewan Ferguson, who were unavailable last season, are both on the comeback trail.
MacRitchie added: “Stuart is getting married this year so he may not be available every Saturday, and it looks like we will not have Owen at all. They are both first choice players but the opportunity is there now for fringe players to make the step-up.”
MacRitchie hopes to complete his back-room staff team in the next couple of weeks.
