New first team coach for South Lochaber Thistle
Kinlochleven football club South Lochaber Thistle have announced that former Inverness Caledonian Thistle player Russell MacMorran will take up the role as firstteam coach.
The club welcomed MacMorran onto the SLT coaching staff last week and will begin work over the summer before the start of the Glasgow Greater Premier AFL Division 2 season kicks off in August.
Having been a player with Inverness Caledoninan Thistle under Sergei Baltacha, MacMorran went on to play in the Highland League with Forres Mechanics.
Despite cutting his playing career short, he has maintained an interest in football through coaching, having coached youth football in Mallaig.
Russell will look to double up his position as first-team coach with helping to set up the club’s new primary school initiative in South Lochaber.
Manager Alan Gray had this to say on the club’s new man: ‘On meeting with Russell, it was clear that he has the same vision for football in the area and community involvement.
‘Alongside this he has a good reputation for his coaching ability and we can’t wait to have him on the training park.’
Club stalwart Gabor Tot will be assisting MacMorran next season after being named assistant manager.
Tot is a well-known face on the Lochaber football scene and has been involved in the club on and off since the club started.
A change of circumstances has led to Gabor being able to commit to an official role within the club for the coming season.
And on the playing side, former Fort William FC regular, Barna Tot, has agreed to turn out for the Kinlochleven outfit next season.
Gray played alongside Tot for Ballachulish in the local welfare league before becoming his coach at Fort William FC and he is a well-liked figure locally.
According to SLT, increased work commitments meant Tot has been unable to commit to Highland League football and has found a new home with the amateur club.
Gray said: ‘Barna is a young player with a huge talent. From working with him at the Fort, he is a pleasure to coach and has a lot of potential which we feel we can help him realise.
‘I am sure he will prove to be a big signing for us and we look forward to seeing him in the red and black this coming season.’