LARGE-SCALE changes are about to take place within Buckie's football scene as closer relations are to be formed among all of Buckie Thistle's developmental squads. 

The biggest change to come from the shake-up is a merger between Buckie Thistle Boys' Club and Buckie Thistle Youth Development.

This will see both stages losing their current titles and being renamed as Buckie Thistle Football Development. The main aim is to allow youngsters to make a smooth transition through the various age groups, from P1 to Under 21s, and it will hopefully see the Buckie Thistle first team benefiting from a host of good, local players.

Dave McKinlay, Chair of the Primary section, said: "Buckie Thistle Boys' Club are to change their name after 30 years. This is a big step for us but we have to move with the times and this shift looks set to benefit everyone.

"We are to benefit from much closer link and more joined up thinking. The coaches and managers meet on a regular basis now and can benefit from each others experiences. It is also easier now to generate ideas, we already have a coaches day in the pipeline."

Buckie Thistle Football Development covers all age groups, with the primary section covering P1-7, secondary covering S1-S6 age groups, then moving on to Under 21s and the first team. Some girls already take part but more are being encouraged to come forward and join in the hope of forming some girl teams. 

Mark Duncan, Chairman of Buckie Thistle, said: "We have been working  very closely with the Boys' Club over the last few years, they use our function hall for registration nights, committee meetings and this season they have also supplied us with ball boys and girls at all Buckie Thistle home matches.

"More recently there have been regular meetings with our coaching staff as they put a more structured, long term, plan in place.  

"The change of name is a big thing as Buckie Thistle Boys' Club have been very successful over the last 30 years, the new name of Buckie Thistle Football Development says it all and will help to expand things to now include both boys and girls.

"Football in Buckie has really taken off in the last three years, schools football is back at Buckie High with four teams now playing and a new Moray Youth League, which was formed three years ago, has recently been expanded to three leagues covering different age groups.  

"There is now football with the Football Development from the age of five up to the age of 12, then we have teams at 13, 14, 15 and 17s levels and an under 21 side, so there are teams for players of all ages starting from primary school age right up to the Buckie Thistle first team.

"There is now more opportunity for players to progress than ever before, especially with the quality of coaching which is now being provided.

"A number of our coaches have also put in a lot of work in the last two years, going on courses and obtaining proper, certified, coaching qualifications.

"It is great to see all of the coaches and players out playing football and enjoying themselves and with the amount of players involved, we now have training sessions nearly every night through the week. 

"This however is only the start, and we hope to expand things even further in the months and years ahead."