Inverness club Clachnacuddin are having their best season in the Highland League for over a decade - Midfielder Fergus Adams explains what is driving the club’s success on the pitch.
Fergus Adams says the quality of players at Clachnacuddin has made everyone in the squad increase their determination to perform well and maintain their place in the first team.
The midfielder says there is a real feel good factor at the Lilywhites as they are set to finish in the top half of the table for the first time in over a decade. They have not finished in the top half since they were fifth in the 2012-13 season.
Currently in fifth place, Clachnacuddin are set to take on Huntly at Grant Street Park on Saturday afternoon as they look to continue their good form.
Adams (19), who joined the club in 2023, has enjoyed a run of starts in the Clachnacuddin first team in recent matches, but has also had to wait for his chance this season.
Now the personal trainer from Avoch is looking to continue his good form and cement his place in the starting 11 for the remainder of the campaign.
He said: “There have been ups and down this season, but it has been another good year learning for me.
“It is definitely better being part of a winning side than last season when it was more cutthroat with the losses.
“I had a good pre-season but then had a dip in form and with the standard of squad increasing this year it has been harder to get a starting place.
“If you get your chance, you have to keep it and you have to be on it.
“There have been times that I have sat and watched and times I have played and it has been the same of most of the boys. It is part and parcel of football and I am determined to prove myself and not be a passenger.
“I want to leave my mark. It has been tough, but that feeling of winning has been too good to give up.”
Adams says the change behind the scenes at Grant Street Park has proven to be beneficial to the club, with Chris Stewart being appointed as the club’s new chairman last May.
As well as their performances on the pitch, he says improvements off the field have also added to the success at Clach this campaign.
“I feel like this season has revamped the club almost. New signings have come in with a whole new backroom staff and really good people behind the scenes who make it valuable for us players.
“We have got four boys who do social media and the kit and the matchday duties.
“Some of the work they do is voluntary and it goes a long way for us part time players feeling that we are part of a real football club. The grounds staff and the new hospitality sector at the club is attracting a lot of people to come watch.
“What they are doing with the club is really good, for us being the only Highland League team in Inverness, there is no reason we can’t keep growing.
The wins have helped us and the league position builds confidence, but having the factors behind the scenes go a long way.
“As we keep pushing on, the gaffer’s belief in us and trying to instill in us is getting there all the time to where we should really be in the league and we can keep competing with anyone on our day.
Adams is also full of praise for boss Conor Gethins and his management team, saying the confidence they have put in the squad has shown in the results they have achieved this campaign.
He said: “Results like beating Nairn County in the North of Scotland Cup quarter final, when we were 2-0 down and looked dead and buried. All of a sudden we came from nowhere to make it 2-2 and win on penalties. We had a good win at Brora and a good result against Huntly at the start of the season.
“Wins like that made us believe there has been positive change at the club.”
Speaking about Saturday’s game at Huntly, Adams said: “It will be a tough game as they are a well drilled side. It will be a big game for both teams and for us playing at home is a big one for us as we have been good at home this season.”
