Vale delight as key pair sign on for more at club

For captain Scott andWatt at Princess Royal Park

Former Rothes and Forres Mechanics centre half Nathan Sharp is back in Highland League football as the Rothes assistant manager.

Sharp and Speysiders’ manager Fraser Bremner were Mosset Park teammates and, after two-and-ahalf years as co-manager at junior club Islavale, Sharp is delighted to be back at his former club.

He said: “I left Forres just over two years ago to join Islavale, and I was at Rothes for three years prior tomy move toMosset Park, where I played alongside Fraser. I enjoyedmy time at Mackessack Park.

“The club has some big plans. It is a big challenge. It is 40 games since Rothes last won a league game. There is a massive amount of work to be done.” Huntly utility player Neale Davidson is delighted to be back in action after eight months on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg against Deveronvale on March 21.

After coming off the bench in Saturday’s 4-2 home defeat by Turriff United, Davidson said: “It was a long, frustrating period without football. NowI’ve just got to keep on playing games and working hard to get match fit.

“I was on the end of a tough tackle within minutes ofcomingonandcoming through that unscathed has given me confidence.” the side with a blend of youth and experience.

Dolan said: “I’m very pleased that Scott and Graeme have agreed to be part of our plans, and myself and my management team look forward to working closely with them to move the club onward.”

Fraser, 30, who signed from Cove Rangers in 2006, will have been with the club for 10 years next season and has been rewarded for his loyal service with a testimonial, while Watt, 29, a product of the club’s youth system, will

Before that leg break the 24-year-old primary school teacher had played 133 consecutive league matches and was named as Huntly supporters’ player of the year for the last three years.

The formerLewisUnited player praised Huntly for their help and support over the last eight months.

He said: “The management team didn’t want to rush me back.

“It’s just now all about trying to find the best position for myself, whether that is in midfield or defence, but right now I’m just delighted to be back playing football again.” also get a testimonial the following season.

Fraser, who missed most of last season with a groin injury, said: “I love playing football with the guys here, so it is great to be fit and be part of the team again.

“Steve is having to be patient as he is trying to get the team playing the way he wants but I have been impressed by young Nathan Ross, I have high hopes for him and I think he is going to be someone to watch out for.”

Watt, who made his Vale debut as a 16-year-old, said: “Since I returned from working abroad a couple of months ago I have had a problem with my groin, that was a setback but hopefully in the next few weeks I will be back on the

“I am looking forward to getting Vale back up league”

pitch. I amlooking forward to getting Vale back up the league.

“The result at Bellslea last Saturday was deserved, to come away with the three points was great. Hopefully it will be a massive lift to the players.”

Vale, meanwhile, have placed former Clach and Nairn County forward Stuart Leslie on the transfer list.

Leslie, who can also play in the middle of the park, has found the travelling to and from his Inverness base to Banff for training and matches difficult to fit in with his work and family commitments and is looking to play for a club closer to home his football closer to Inverness.

Interested parties should contact the club on deveronvalefc@ highland league.com If Wick Academy were to win their first trophy in senior football by beating Nairn County in Saturday’s North of Scotland Cup final at Brora it would cap forward Gary Weir’s testimonial season.

The 28-year-old, who has a penchant of scoring goals in clusters, such as all the Academy goals in their 8-1 home win over For t William on October 26, 2013, and five in Wick’s 7-0 romp at Rothes lastMarch, said: “It would be wonderful ifwewereto captureour first trophy in my testimonial season but we know it will be tough against a very good Nairn side.

“We have had some great games against them over the years. Traditionally, they used to get the better of us but over the last couple of games we have held the upper-hand.

“We both have potential match-winners. Nairn have Conor Gethins, a prolific scorer, and he is ably supported by Robbie Duncanson and Sam Urquhart.

“We have proven goals c o r e r s in Richard Macadie, Sam Mackay, Davie Allan with his pace, and young Steven Anderson.

“Both teams can play good football and, hopefully, it will be a classic cup final.”

GraemeWatt: Product of the club’s youth system