2 hours ago
Today we can confirm that next Saturday’s home match against Rothes will be the final appearance in a Nairn County shirt for Sam Gordon.
The 25-year-old sets off to go travelling the following Monday, heading initially for South East Asia.
The winger has spent his entire career with us – except for a brief loan spell at Forres Mechanics in 2024 – coming through the youth ranks to debut against Lossiemouth in the North of Scotland Cup in August 2021.
It was in the same competition two years later that Sam would have his greatest moment in a Nairn County shirt, heading home an extra time winner in the final as we triumphed 5-4 over Ross County.
Wayne Mackintosh said: “We are sad to be losing Sam but understand it is something he has had his heart set on doing for a long time.
“He discussed it with the club as far back as the end of last year and let us know it was definitely happening before we came back for pre-season, so we are grateful to him for being so up front and honest.
“Sam has been an excellent player for the club over the last few years – I have seen that first hand as his teammate and now manager. His attitude and commitment to his football is second-to-none and he barely misses a training session or game.
“Of course, everyone will remember his winner in the cup final a couple of seasons ago and Sam deserved that moment.
“We all wish him the very best for the future and I would like to thank him for his service and commitment to Nairn County.”
Sam said: “Travelling has always been a dream of mine and being in the position I am now, I feel I have to take advantage of the freedom while I still have it.
I will be starting in south east Asia and will just be winging it from there if I am honest – I have no real itinerary and I am just going where the wind takes me, although Australia is on my radar too.”
He added: “My time at Nairn County has been full of ups and downs. Moments like making my debut – which feels like many moons ago now – derby day wins and of course, helping to bring a trophy back to Station Park have been highlights along with simply playing in front of all the fans home and away have made it worthwhile.
“Leading on from that, I would like to thank all the fans for your continued support towards me over the last few years – I appreciate it more than you guys know. I really believe Toshy and the team are building something special and as gutted as I am to be leaving it, I am very grateful to have been a small part of it and know they could do with all the support the fans can give.
“I would like say a massive thank you to Toshy, the management team and everyone behind the scenes at the club for everything you have done for me and continue to do for the club – it does not go unnoticed.
“I would like to wish everyone all the best for the future – this isn’t goodbye, its a see you later.”
Sam played youth football for the club before featuring heavily for our Under-20s and Reserves Teams, where he gained his first exposure to the senior environment having been called up to the matchday squad for some matches towards the end of the 2016/17 season.
He has made 112 appearances for us so far and following on from his debut against Lossiemouth, he scored his first senior goal for the club against the same opponents in an away fixture three months later in a 1-1 draw at Grant Park.
From then on, all of his goals came in very dramatic circumstances. He netted in our 5-4 away win at Deveronvale in December 2021 and was also on target in a 4-3 win away at Forres Mechanics almost a year later, where we battled back from 3-1 down to take all three points.
The last of his four goals for us came in that North of Scotland Cup final two seasons ago, when he headed home to secure the cup after we had fought back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 only to concede on the stroke of full time before again being pegged back to 4-4 in extra time prior to Sam’s match-winning heroics.
