For 40 years John Grant has served the Highland League with distinction in the role as league secretary but at the end of this season he will step down to be replaced by Rod Houston.
Houston is steeped in the game, both on and off the pitch. He ran the Highland Football Academy for six years since its opening in 2005, managed Highland League clubs Brora Rangers and Clach and is secretary of the North of Scotland FA as well as honorary vice-president of the Scottish Schools FA.
Last week, ahead of the Centenary Shield match between Scotland and Wales, our reporter Dave Edwards caught up with the 64-year-old to discuss his vision for the Highland League.
The former geography teacher jokes that his relationship with football is “a terminal condition that just won’t go away” but he knows he has big shoes to fill when he replaces Grant.
Houston, who has been working alongside Grant since the start of the year, will become only the sixth secretary of the Highland League when he officially takes over this summer.
The new incumbent is full of admiration for the current secretary who he says has made a “formidable contribution to the health of the Highland League, integrity of the Highland League and development of the game.”
In a frank and open discussion, the new secretary also gave his thoughts on the potential Highland League breakaway, the abolition of the 110 mile rule, the pyramid system and this season’s thrilling title race.