The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
New Huntly boss Skinner raring to go at Christie Park
Highland League: Erstwhile caretaker ready for baptism of fire at Banff
Martin Skinner was last night appointed manager of Huntly until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old former Aberdeen and Deveronvale player, who was Charlie Charlesworth’s assistant, took over as Huntly caretaker manager a month ago after former Lossiemouth and Vale boss Charlesworth resigned. Skinner, who will take charge in his own right for the first time in tonight’s Aberdeenshire Cup second-round tie against Vale at Banff, will be assisted by former longserving Aberdeen youth coach Ricky Cheyne, a scout for the SFA.
The new manager, who won three of his first five matches in temporary charge, is relishing the challenge.
He said: “We’ve been speaking about this for a week and a bit now, so I am delighted to finally get everything agreed as no club likes to be without a manager.
“I think the players have been playing for me. I think that was a major factor in the decision and we’ve been harder to beat recently.
“Once a manager leaves it can go two ways. It can either develop into a right mess or everyone can stick together.
“I’m lucky enough it’s the latter and that the players
“They have been playing for me. I think that was a major factor”
have trusted my views and opinions on the games.”
Revealing his new assistant, Skinner added: “I’ve known Ricky Cheyne for a long time. He’s similar in many ways to Inverurie Locos manager Neil Cooper in that he coached the youth squads at Aberdeen for 20 years.
“He’s a scout for the SFA and the national team in particular. He covers the north area from under-15 level all the way up to the full international squad.
“I think his assignment last week was Ryan Jack and the one before that was Scott McKenna, so he is very experienced at a good level. He probably has the experience that I lack and I’m hoping to learn a lot from him.”
In tonight’s other Aberdeenshire Cup tie, a rejuvenated Keith, under the management of Dean Donaldson, will be without injured midfielders Marc Young and Scott Begg for Turriff United’s visit.