Strikerrejects newdealat CaleyBraves
Caledonian Braves boss RickyWaddell says the club are going with a younger, more energetic squad for next season’s Lowland League, amid the departure of five experienced players.
Striker Ross McNeil knocked back a contract offer, whileWaddell hasn’t offered new deals to midfielder David Sinclair, defenders Alan Reid and Andy Dowie, and striker Jack Smith.
Waddell has spoken to several others, and will announce their new deals once they’re tied up.
He said:“I wanted to freshen things up, I spoke to a lot of the lads, and I’ve not offered contracts to quite a few of them.
“One of them that I did offer a contract to left because he was offered a bit more money elsewhere, Ross McNeil, and I would like to have kept Ross.
“Other ones I spoke to with a heavy heart but I think they knew as well that they maybe needed a fresh start.
“I had a good chat with some of those guys and I haven’t offered a new contract to David Sinclair, Alan Reid, Andy Dowie and Jack Smith.”
Waddell says he will go with a more youthful squad partly out of necessity.
He said:“I think this year I’m going to go for a different sort of vibe, a younger, more athletic type of team I think I need to go for.
“Budget is going to be a difficult one because Covid has hit Chris’s business quite hard, but there are a few things to be positive about.
“I’ve spoke to a lot of the guys and all of the ones I’ve spoken to said they want to stay, so that’s a positive, but I needtogetthemdoneanddusted.
“I’ve been training with them a couple of times a week, keeping them fit, and I’ll give them a bit of time off now before pre-season starts in the middle of June.”
Waddell wants at least six pre-season friendlies and says it’s on his‘to-do’list to get that organised.
He said:“A couple of clubs have contacted me and I need to look at the dates, the numbers of friendlies that I want to do, but I haven’t pencilled in any yet.
“I think I’ll need about six, if I can, that’s the normal protocol.
“It’s going to help that we’re training atthemoment,andwemightbeableto fit in a couple of games before June