Managerial Merry Go Round In Shinty’s Top Flight | |
21 February 2017 A busy managerial merry go round over the close season means that only three managers in this coming season’s Marine Harvest Premiership also managed a top flight side during 2016. Ally Ferguson, Paul John MacKintosh and Iain Hay are the only survivors from last term with the latter still only a season and a half into the role. Ally Ferguson is in his second spell in charge of the Spean Bridge side, resuming control ahead of the 2015 season. Paul John MacKintosh is beginning his fifth season at the Newtonmore helm. New bosses have been appointed at Glenurquhart, Kingussie, Kinlochshiel, Kyles Athletic and Lovat so, with Skye Camanachd and Fort William relegated, we have seen a level of change not witnessed for some time. Glenurquhart announced that club stalwart Iain MacLeod would replace co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies and local rivals Lovat appointed Fraser Gallacher in place of John MacRitchie. Both MacLeod and Gallacher are taking on senior team management for the first time. There was also change at Tighnabruaich where long-term trainer James Perlich took over from Norman MacDonald whilst the most surprising switch was at Kirkton where Johnston Gill was voted in over Colin Fraser. ‘Shiel have an advantage in that Gill already has top league experience from a previous stint in the role. The most recent switch came at Kingussie who appointed Dallas Young as their first team boss, replacing co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson. Kilmallie and Glasgow Mid Argyll won promotion from last season’s Marine Harvest National Division and, not surprisingly, Mark MacPherson and George Hay stay in charge at their respective clubs. Whilst the high turnover of bosses might be linked to the pressures of managing a top flight side, it is more likely that the timing of the turnover is coincidental. The outgoing managers have all served at least three years in the role, either during their recent tenure or counting a previous period in the post, so there may simply have been a general feeling that it was time for a change. What this all does do is add an interesting dynamic to the new shinty season. Supporters will watch on with interest as the more experienced bosses lock horns with top league debutants. |