The former chairman and vice-chairman of Huntly are to play a pivotal role in developing Keith’s young football talent.
Huntly-based businessmen Robbie Mackay, the ex-Christie Park chairman, and former vice-chairman Andy Troup who stepped down from the Christie Park club’s board during the 2010-11 season, have joined forces with Keith Youth Development, Ugie United, junior club Islavale and Keith FC to form Keith Community Football.
The formation of Keith’s new community football project unites four local clubs aiming to work together to create a pathway for the development of young local talent from the age of six. The target is to help guide them through grass-roots development, to the amateur and junior league teams, ultimately with a view to progressing into the Highland League.
Troup’s first task was to bring all interested parties together and he is pleased to see old rivalries being put to one side for the good of the local community.
He said: “My own company have sponsored Ugie United, who play in the local welfare league, for the last five years, and Robbie Mackay owns the Ugie House hotel in Keith.
“My biggest task was to get four clubs, all of whom have traditionally had their own best interests at heart, to come together round the table and unite to form a community-based club – it was tough at times, but after four months we’ve eventually got it all sorted out.
“There have been quite a few really good Highland League players from Keith, in days gone by we had players such as Mike Winton and Kenny Hendry, up to more recently the likes of Mike Ewen, Nathan Sharp and Bruce Milne.
“We are looking to set-up a youth development programme which could see youngsters progress from playing in today’s local boys’ league, to one day getting the chance to show what they can do with Keith in the Highland League.”
Other members of the initiative include SFA councillor and Keith FC president, Sandy Stables, Robbie Martin, chairman of Ugie United, Bruce Ross, Islavale’s vice-president, and Lynn Grant, secretary of the Keith Youth Development league.
Anyone who would like to get involved with this exciting new initiative should contact Andy Troup on 07500 958405, or e-mail andy@qedsales.co.uk