December 9th 2024
This morning, we have completed a loan deal to take local defender, Jack Walker, to the club from Inverness CT on a temporary basis until New Year.
Jack is a highly-thought-of centre half, who has come through the youth ranks at the Caledonian Stadium to the fringes of the First Team.
The 18-year-old from Auldearn spent time out on loan at Forres Mechanics last season and returned to his parent club to featured in the Premier Sports Cup Group Stages this summer.
Jack has also played in Inverness CT’s last three visits to Station Park, scoring in last season’s North of Scotland Cup semi final penalty shootout after coming on as a substitute, featuring in the pre-season friendly between the clubs in July and captaining the visitors in a North of Scotland Cup tie earlier this month.
Manager Ross Tokely said: “I am absolutely delighted to bring Jack in.
“It is no secret that it is an area of the park we have been looking to strengthen. We have conceded too many goals so far this season and we are hopeful of Jack helping us to put a stop to that.
“He is really vocal for a young player and a good organiser at the back with the required leadership skills. He is aggressive and already has a good bit of Highland League experience under his belt.”
He added: “Jack is a player I identified early on as someone I would like to take to the club. I coached him for a couple of season when he was younger, so I know what he is all about. We have had to be patient because of the situation at Inverness CT and he also picked up an injury earlier on in the season as well but he is fully fit now though and we are all looking forward to working with him.”
The deal would not have been possible were it not for the efforts of a recent supporters-led fundraiser which was organised by Ali Nicol and saw matchworn shirts from our North of Scotland Cup final success last season auctioned off.
Ross added: “I am really grateful to Ali and to everyone who bought a shirt. It was a great effort by everyone involved and it has helped us to make a really important signing.
“I think all the fans can see it is an area where we need to improve and we are helping a local player from the Nairn area with his development as well, so hopefully everyone agrees that it is a fitting way to use the funds that were raised.”
Jack made his Inverness CT debut against Hamilton Academical in the Challenge Cup in October 2022. After being promoted to the First Team the following summer, he was loaned out to Forres Mechanics last October. After returning to the Caledonian Stadium at the end of the season, he appeared as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Bonnyrigg Rose in the Premier Sports Cup in July before making his first start of the season against Arbroath later that month in the same competition.
Jack’s grandfather, Jim, was our Manager between 1997 and 1999 during which time Jack’s father, Lee, also played for us as a centre half.
Jack’s kits are available to sponsor. Drop us a message on Social Media or email info@nairncountyfc.co.uk if you are interested.
