Buckie Thistle last night (monday 16th february) received a major boost with manager Gregg Carrol signing a deal which will keep him at Victoria Park until the end of season 2010-11.

After signing his contract last night, Carrol said: "I think this is the right thing to do as you can't ask players to make a two or three year commitment to the club if you aren't prepared to do that yourself.

"I am very happy to sign a contract with Buckie as not only am I really enjoying myself, but I find my president, Mark Duncan, easy to get on with, we know where each of us is coming from and we are singing off the same hymn sheet most of the time."

Carrol continued: "I used to sign an annual rolling contract with the Vale, but I am more than happy to go that wee step further and commit myself to Buckie Thistle.

"I think that the players will get a wee boost from my signing a contract and we can go forward from there."

Buckie president Mark Duncan said: "One of the most important roles, if not the most important role, at a football club is the first team manager.

"We have spoken to Gregg before about this proposal and we are absolutely delighted that he has agreed to put pen to paper.

"The players will be pleased to see their manager pledge his future to the club and it gives everybody a bit of stability.

"Gregg and I respect each other and get on really well together.  I know that he is the kind of manager who signs a contract and sticks to it, and that is exactly what we are looking for at this club."

Carrol's record in Highland League football is unsurpassed in recent years, having led Deveronvale over a decade to 15 cup finals and more especially two Highland League championships.

The Aberdeen based self-employed taxi driver joined Buckie earlier this season when they were languishing forth bottom with only four points, but nine wins in a row and a draw have catapulted them into fifth place. 

Story by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal                                  Photograph by Duncan Brown, Press & Journal