Football club ‘optimistic’ over future

A ‘FIVE-YEAR plan’ to bring community spirit back to a Lochaber football club in jeopardy was outlined at a crucial meeting.

Fort William Football Club’s (FWFC) board of directors encouraged more people to offer physical help to safeguard the club’s future and participation in the Highland League in light of the imminent retiral of board/ committee members.

During the meeting on April 24 in FWFC’s social club, Alan Gray who currently is involved with South Lochaber Thistle (SLT), said he and four or five others are interested in becoming a coaching and management team with FWFC. He added that depending on the outcome of Monday’s meeting, he could start putting plans in motion in the next few weeks.

Mr Gray said while SLT is an amateur team, it attracts up to 30 local boys for training weekly. Youth development was emphasised throughout the meeting, as well as a desire to get more local players on the team sheet.

Mr Gray stressed the problems might not be fixed overnight but that if the team had more of a local focus, families would sign up to various jobs.

Ronnie MacLean, a FWFC director, said he feels a lot more confident about the future of the club in light of the discussions. Anyone who would like to volunteer should contact the club secretary on 07803 049571.