Ross Jack was unveiled as the new manager of Turriff United before last night’s Press and Journal Highland League game against Buckie Thistle at The Haughs.
The 55-year-old former Everton, Norwich City, Dunfermline Athletic and Kilmarnock centre forward, who left Elgin City in January after five years at the Borough Briggs helm, has been given a three-year contract by the Aberdeenshire club.
Jack is back in Highland League football 40 years after he made a handful of appearances for Ross County as a 15-year-old centre forward just before he signed for Everton.
After being introduced to the Turriff players and supporters at last night’s match, Jack, who still lives in his home village of Avoch in the Black Isle, said: “The set-up is tremendously impressive. I have had various offers over the last couple of months but I wanted to make sure that any job I took was the right fit.
“I have been impressed with the Turriff board and the club sponsors, who have made me feel very welcome. If I can carry on the excellent work that has been going on here I will be absolutely delighted.
“I will also be working for Alfie Cheyne at Ace Winches as a training officer. I can’t thank him enough for pulling the whole thing together. I will be in there a few days every week. It is a lot of mileage but I am really looking forward to the challenge.
“Bobby Beckwith, my assistant at Elgin City, will be joining me here at Turriff, but Mike McKenzie, who has done a great job caretaking over the last few weeks, will look after things in next week’s Shield final. He took them there and it would be remiss of me to take over, but I will give him every help and support if he needs it.”
Turriff chairman George Manson is convinced he has the right man.
Manson said: “We took our time over the process and we definitely feel Ross is the man.
“We had plenty of applicants but Ross struck me as being very professional. He has a wealth of experience in the game, both as a player and coach, and was high performance football coach at the Scottish Institute of Sport for five years.
“Prior to that he was also the SFA’s Highlands and Islands area community development officer, then the SFA’s North of Scotland football development officer, taking over from Eric Black.
“I see this appointment as a very exciting development for Turriff United. We wanted someone with experience and Ross certainly fits the bill.”