Highland League Formartine United have been warned they will have to dig deep if they want to prise manager Kris Hunter away from rivals Fraserburgh.
Formartine have been given permission to speak to the Broch manager about succeeding Steve Paterson at North Lodge Park, but Fraserburgh chairman Finlay Noble, who rejected United’s initial approach earlier this week, is not going to let his manager leave Bellslea on the cheap. Hunter has four years remaining on his five-year contract and the club will demand its valuation is met.
The Broch chairman said: “We have given United permission to speak to Kris, but he signed a new five-year contract last April and, if he does decide to go we will definitely be seeking fair compensation.
“We will be doing everything in our power to persuade Kris to remain here.
“We are looking long-term and don’t want our plans to be disrupted and that’s why we are desperate to keep Kris at Bellslea.
“He has led us to three trophies in four seasons and we’re also in the final of this year’s Aberdeenshire Shield.
“We want to have Kris here as our manager next season but, ultimately, the decision will be his. If he does want to move on it will be up to Formartine to compensate us properly.”