Following a review of our Player Development Pathway, the club has decided not to enter a team in the North Caledonian League for season 2023/24. We have agreed to change our philosophy to concentrate on quality over quantity.
A number of our Reserves Team squad from last season are now a few years into their 20s and will be leaving the club having not progressed to the First Team. This will leave us with a very reduced Reserves Team squad and that, along with potential restrictions on our team selection being voted in at the AGM of the North Caledonian League, would leave us unable to guarantee that we could fulfil all fixtures. This is not a position we wish to put our Coaching Staff in or other member clubs of the North Caledonian League.
Now, we will focus our energies on the development of our young players who have shown the required levels of ability, attitude and desire to potentially play for our First Team and who we believe have the best opportunity of progressing to that level. We have discussed the next stage of their development with these players, which will potentially include loan moves to aid progress.
We will carry out a review in 12 months time and revisit this decision.
We would like to place on record our thanks to the North Caledonian League and all member clubs for accommodating us over the last three seasons.