Entire Fort football board of directors to stand down
OUTGOING Fort William FC director Stewart Maclean says some of those who end up taking over seats on the club’s board are going to have to be prepared to invest cash into the Claggan Park outfit.
Maclean was speaking just hours after the shock news was released on Friday that he and his five fellow directors on the board would be stepping down at the end of this season.
In a statement, the board of directors said that they, together with a small group of dedicated volunteers, had kept the club operating over the past five years despite the many challenges which it had faced both on and off the field.
‘After a five-year commitment, I personally do not wish to continue underwriting, with a fellow director, the funding of the club and, more importantly, I do not have the time required to continue attending to the day-to-day business of the club,’ explained Mr Maclean.
‘I will meet all of my obligations to the club until the end of this season. Fort William Football Club is an asset to Fort William and Lochaber - something that we all recognised when we became involved five years ago, and hopefully a new board will step forward.’
Fellow director Ronnie Maclean added: ‘It is time for the next generation to step up and ensure the future of a West Highland football team in the Scottish Highland League as there are important decisions to be taken over the next few months.
‘The outgoing directors have all confirmed that they will give every support to the new board and new committee members. By advising of our decision at this time, we believe that the new board will have time to settle in before the 2018/19 season.’
Another director, Marie McMillan, told us: ‘As we step down we wish to take the opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and work of the small band of volunteers, the management team, the dedicated squad of players and the support of the many club sponsors and loyal supporters.’
Mr Maclean concluded: ‘A lot of work has been done over the past five years in structuring the club and the new board will benefit from these endeavours.’
Asked if the run of poor form this season, which has seen the club’s first XI rooted to the bottom of the Highland League with just a single draw to their credit, had anything to do with the decision of the directors to call it a day, Mr Maclean said his decision to call it a day was not about the footballing side of things.
Mr Maclean told the Lochaber Times: ‘One of the main reasons, speaking personally, is the lack of volunteers coming through to carry things forward – there’s a real frustration that new people are not coming forward. I think the last time someone new volunteered to get involved at committee level was five years ago.’
Asked if some of the new board would have to invest money, Mr Maclean replied: ‘Absolutely. Someone will definitely have to be prepared to put money into it.’
And Mr Maclean said the reason for the directors intimating their decision to step down part-way through the season was to give the club plenty of time to start the process of recruiting replacement directors.
‘We didn’t want to wait until the end of the season, which would look like we were just throwing in the towel.
‘That would have been the wrong approach and could have impacted moral among the players and others at the club.
‘We wanted to give everyone plenty of notice.’
There was a widespread response on social media to the news with most comments in appreciation of the work people have put into the club.
Posting on the Lochaber Times Facebook page, Kevin Ferguson said: ‘Hopefully it’s a case of one door closing another opening. Fantastic youth set up with probably over 100 local kids playing throughout the age groups with lots of volunteers giving up their time to progress these young ones.
‘People from outside are quick to slag it off with the occasional 1st team score but nobody realises the finances of most of the teams in the Highland League. Players from all over the Highlands have played for the Fort.’
And Hannah Gillespie Michael commented: ‘The club will be taken over by someone I’m sure. It’s a highland league club at the end of the day and a great opportunity for someone who has a bit of time and money.’
❚ Saturday’s home game between Fort and sixth-placed Buckie Thistle had to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Claggan Park. Next home game is this Saturday when Clachnacuddin are the visitors.