Turriff United boss Kris Hunter reckons this season was his most difficult in management.
Hunter’s young side struggled for form and finished 14th in the Highland League, with four wins all season.
Cost-cutting measures implemented when Hunter came in meant the club’s budget dwindled significantly from seasons past when they were challenging for the title.
The club instead turned to youth to try to promote a more sustainable future, which led to inconsistent results. Hunter, though, believes the rewards will be seen in the future.
He said: “I knew what was involved when I went back (to Turriff). We had to cut costs and promote young players as it was the only way forward for us as a club because of the financial restraints.
“The board know it’s going to be a work in progress and you’re going to get more downs than ups. But you have to keep believing. The boys are coming straight from youth football, whereas normally you would put them out to junior football to get more experience.”
The former Formartine United and Fraserburgh manager, who returned to the club in 2018 for a second spell in charge, is grateful for the backing of the Turriff board as he seeks to shape the club’s future on the park.
Hunter said: “I have to thank the club for that because they’ve been patient with it. At the end of the day everyone likes winning and hates losing, but they are seeing the bigger picture.
“Results haven’t been great, but they can see we have got talented young lads.”