Manager Gavin Price pledged his future to Elgin City because he believes the League Two club are well-equipped to reach “the next level”.
Price recently became the Black and Whites’ longest-serving boss since they joined the SPFL set-up more than 20 years ago.
Having originally been assistant to Jim Weir – who is now his number two since returning to the club this year – Price has been in the hot-seat since 2017.
Elgin have come close to promotion via the play-offs aided by back-to-back third-spot finishes in 2020 and 2021.
Last term was a disappointment with a ninth-place finish.
However, the board see 48-year-old Price as the man best suited to drive them on and, right now they are in fifth spot, ideally placed to launch a charge for a play-off position again at least.
Last week, extended contracts were signed by the entire management staff at City.
Price and Weir were joined in agreeing new deals until 2025 by first-team coach Charlie Charlesworth, goalkeeper coach Stevie Dunn and Gordon Nicolson, the sports analyst.
Club is ‘forward-thinking’ – manager
Price reckons there has been suitable work put in throughout the club to give him high hopes of a bright future in Moray.
He said: “I am delighted to stay on at Elgin. I feel really comfortable at the club.
“The club is very forward-thinking and we’re going on the right direction on and off the park. I’m really happy with the way things are progressing.
“I am invested in this club. I’ve been here for eight years overall, with five years as the manager. I’ve built up good relationships over the years and I was more than happy to commit for a further few years at Elgin.
“Hopefully we can keep building and take the club to the next level if we can.”
Management staff so vital for Price
And Price explained how by bolstering his coaching staff in a variety of way allows him to expand his own role as the manager at Borough Briggs.
He said: “The management team are vitally important to me and they have been a big reason to sign new contracts here.
“We have a really strong backroom staff and the club has invested in different areas, for example Charlie (Charlesworth) coming in has been a massive help.
“It helps logistically in terms of training and allows me to go and watch games, which I’ve not been able to do as much over the past couple of years, such as away games and identifying players.
“We all know (assistant manager) Jim Weir is invaluable to me and Stevie Dunn has been here throughout, which is massive as well.
“Gordon Nicolson has come in and he helps with the video work, which has been key in helping us getting our message across to the players.”
Sore decisions so costly on the road
Elgin are eager to shelve the fresh disappointment they felt on the back of last week’s 2-1 loss at East Fife when they hit the road to Bonnyrigg Rose this Saturday.
On-loan Caley Thistle defender Lewis Nicolson was sent off early on for a high tackle, but referee IaIn Sneddon refused to flash the red card when Kane Hester was taken down in the box by Fifers’ keeper Allan Fleming.
No penalty was awarded, and Fleming stayed on the park, as 10-man City fell to a narrow defeat, despite Hester’s 20th goal of a remarkable season levelling the contest before Alan Trouten won it with a penalty.
Price has spoken of how he feels his team have been denied of eight points from three away games overall due to poor refereeing.
However, he is urging his players to roll their sleeves up against seventh-placed Bonnyrigg to try and get a result to put pressure on the top four sides.
FULL TIME
EAST FIFE 2 – 1 ELGIN CITY
A hard fought match from 10 man City sees us lose out in Methil.
East Fife took the lead before Kane equalised in the second half. East Fife then won the game with a penalty kick. pic.twitter.com/futjuzlKHD
— Elgin City F.C. (@ElginCityFC) October 29, 2022
He added: “If we perform like we did on Saturday, we will have every chance of winning the game.
“I’m proud of how the players played, despite the handicaps we were up against.
“I’m not complaining about the sending off, but the decisions throughout the rest of the game were a severe handicap and we all feel a bit frustrated, but we have to channel that frustration in the right way on Saturday.
“Bonnyrigg will be tough opponents. They might not be on the best of runs, but I’m sure they will be looking to kick on.
“I’ve been pleased by how we’ve played away from home this season. We’ve been competitive in every game and I expect it to be the same this Saturday.”
Bonnyrigg are three points and two places behind Elgin and were edged out 2-1 last weekend by leaders Stirling Albion at Forthbank.
Price expects to have an unchanged squad for the trip to New Dundas Park.
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