Nairn County considering move that would see under-20s join North Caledonian League
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Nairn County are considering entering an under-20s team into the North Caledonian League next season.
The North Caledonian Football Association (NCFA) have confirmed they are one of four teams who have expressed an interest in entering the division for the 2020/21 campaign.
Inverness amateur club Loch Ness have confirmed their intention to enter the league next season.
A new team being established at Scourie in north-west Sutherland is also considering entering, while Alness United are looking to return to the league after going into abeyance last season.
Nairn County already enter an under-20s team into NCFA cup competitions, including the Jock Mackay Cup where they were knocked out in the second round earlier this season.
Fixtures secretary Niall Harkiss says the NCFA have been approached by Nairn County to enter a team into league competition next season, but nothing has been finalised.
“Nairn County already play in our cup competitions, but they are looking at the logistics of playing in the league,” he said.
“But nothing had been decided. “There are a lot of logistics for the club to consider.
“It would result in them having to play teams in the Highland League football and North Caledonian League on the same day.”
Harkiss says it was encouraging to learn that new teams were interested in joining the division, which could expand to 13 teams next season.
“Because the North Caledonian League has grown in the last five years, it has increased the interest in winter football across the area,” he said.
“It is good because for a while it looked like it had tapered off in terms of what people look forward to. North Caledonian League has reinvigorated that interest in winter football and in senior football.”
Meanwhile, the NCFA says a decision on the outcome of the 2019/20 North Caledonian League campaign is unlikely to be made until the end of June.
