Ross looks back on a great year
Former boss boosted team prospects
He guided Coupar Angus Juniors to a comfortable North Division finish in their first year back from abeyance.
And now Ross Graham, who previously played professional football with East Fife, Brechin City, Arbroath and Montrose, is handing over the managerial baton.
The 45-year-old has accepted an offer to become a director at Forfar Athletic.
Bringing junior football back to the east Perthshire town was a success, says Ross, who was pleased with the club’s ninth place finish this term.
“Coupar have been bottom of the league in their last five seasons of competing,” he said. “I thought if I could take them even to second bottom, there would be progress.
“But we finished ninth which I’m told is our highest league position for over 25 years.
“My football philosophy is to play fast, exciting and attractive football. We’ve certainly done that considering there were more goals scored at Foxhall Park than at any other club in the division.
“All in all we were delighted because we went in with a very young team. We couldn’t attract any of the experienced guys because they have this image of Coupar being the whipping boys.”
Ross praised the supporters for playing their part in breathing new life into the club - and he hopes that will continue next season.
“The locals really came out and helped support us,” he said. “The park was overgrown and the changing rooms were almost ready to fall down.
“A lot of people from Coupar chipped in to get it back up to a good level. I think it’s now back up there as one of the best junior venues at that level of football.”
His replacement at Foxhall will be Logan McConachie and Ross admits he was extremely impressed after meeting the 24-year-old.
The former manager added: “When I knew the Forfar position was in the background, it was important for me to bring someone in with a view of succession.
“I’d never met Logan before but had heard good reports and knew he was doing a very good job with the Dundee University team.
“Everyone spoke very highly of him so I asked him to come in for the last eight weeks of the season with the potential to take over. I’m confident he will do well.”
Speaking about his new role at Forfar, local businessman Ross added: “It was a little bit out of the blue.
“When Gary Bollan got the job around the New Year, I was approached to get involved with Forfar.
“I turned it down at the time but said I’d reconsider at the end of the season. I’d made a commitment to Coupar Angus and was not going to leave half way through my first season.
“I had signed players and given my word to the committee.”