Young Caley Jags set to hold the Fort

Caley Thistle and Fort William have announced a joint partnership that has seen nine of the Championship club’s youngsters join the Highland League side on loan.

Goalkeeper Martin Mackinnon, defenders Donald Morrison, Gabriel Hastings, Ryan Fyffe and Harry Nicolson, midfielders Jack Brown, Kieran Chalmers and Ross Gunn plus striker Roddy Kennedy have all been loaned to the Lochaber club.

Fort William finished bottom of the Highland League last year with -7 points and a -224 goal difference. That came after they mulled over pulling out of the league and dropping down to the North Caledonian League.

“Allow talented young players to continue development”

Following Cove Rangers’ promotion, Caley Thistle had put forward a proposal to the Highland League about entering a colts team.

However at a meeting of the league’s management committee, this was rejected with members opting to remain with 17 teams.

Fort William said in a statement: “A few weeks ago we were approached by Caley Thistle to discuss the possibility of working together in some way to allow some of their talented young players to continue their development.

“After lengthy discussions an agreement was reached that will see the best of Caley Thistle’s young footballers showcase their talents in the Highland League.

“We understand that some might be concerned that this is some sort of take over from Caley Thistle but this is far from the case.

“We at Fort William FC have driven this initiative forward.”