Hometown boy is new manager of Golspie Sutherland
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SAM Mackay says he could not turn down an opportunity to take charge of his hometown club.
The former Wick Academy midfielder has been unveiled as the new manager of Golspie Sutherland after Andrew Banks stood down from the position last week.
Mackay joined the North Caledonian League Division One outfit this season after spending over a decade as a player at Wick Academy.
Mackay said he had no ambitions of becoming a manager, but when the chance came at King George V Park, he couldn’t say no.
“It has all came pretty quickly,” he said.
“After retiring from playing for Wick Academy, I thought that I would play a few matches for Golspie.
“I was enjoying it and then when Andrew left there was a window, so we came to an agreement that I’d take the team for the rest of the season and we’ll take things from there.
“Management wasn’t on the plans at all, but Golspie being my home town it was an easy decision and I knew the boys there as well. “
Mackay took charge for the first time on Tuesday night in a 6–2 friendly defeat against Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park.
He says it was a great opportunity to take a look at the team as they prepare to host Nairn County in the North Caledonian Cup tomorrow.
“It was a great exercise, the score was irrelevant as I wasn’t interested in that.
“It was more a case getting a look at boys in positions.
“We have Nairn in the cup on Saturday, so it was a chance to see boys in action and there was plenty of positives to take from it.”
Second place Golspie Sutherland are seven points behind Invergordon in Division One.
Mackay believes it will be tough to chase down Invergordon but not impossible, saying winning silverware this season is an ambition.
“I want to get the guys enjoying football again and getting as many positive results as possible,” he said.
“We have lost two games already so it will be hard to win the league, but there is a lot to play for.
“Golspie Sutherland has always had a high reputation of always being there or there about challenging for the league title so we’re not giving up on that.”
