Football Season Guide

There has only really been one story in this part of the Highlands with Elgin City battling to hold on to star striker Shane Sutherland. Sutherland returned to action in March after missing a whole year with a serious knee injury and looked liked he’d never been away with five goals in just nine league appearances. He has been the subject of much transfer interest over the summer with Highland League Champions Cove Rangers and local rivals Peterhead both having bids rejected. Stirling Albion did have bid accepted by the club but Sutherland was unable to agree personal terms and at the time of writing remains at Borough Briggs. Manager Gavin Price will be desperate to keep hold of his best player and any chance they have of reaching the play-offs are likely to rest upon his shoulders. Price struggled to get to grips with the job last season’s with their dreadful away form ruining their play-off hopes. A 6th place finish in League Two was a real disappointment but Price was surprisingly handed a new two-year deal. He has been dealt a couple of blows during the close season with left-back Jordan Allan and midfield playmaker Thomas Reilly leaving to join Stirling Albion and Forfar Athletic respectively. He has been busy in the transfer market with Jordan Lowdon joining from Clyde to replace Allan and Jordan Lowdon and midfielders Ryan Farquhar and Scott Miller arriving from Highland League sides Lossiemouth and Turriff United respectively. He has brought in goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay on loan from Dundee until January whilst experienced striker turned defender Craig Beattie has signed from Edinburgh City. Midfield playmaker Brian Cameron signed a new deal last season and is expected to be fit for the start of the league campaign and both he and Sutherland will be integral for the Black and Whites this season.