A teenage Buckie Thistle supporter who has been threatened with a £5,000 fine if he did not stop posting highlights of the club's games on YouTube has been given the green light to continue.

Controversy erupted in the middle of December last year when 16-year-old David Smith was approached at the Jags game against Deveronvale in Banff by Highland League Secretary John Grant and told he could face a £5,000 bill for breach of copyright, amongst other issues.

David was forced to cease his efforts, which he undertakes in his own time and for no payment, until the club stepped forward to guarantee they would foot any penalty directed at him

However, following a lengthy discussion at last Thursday evening's Highland League Management Committee meeting the enthusiastic youngster was told he could proceed as normal while the League sought to work out a framework to cover such circumstances.

One of those delighted with the outcome was Thistle President Mark Duncan.

"This is a very postive result after a healthy and frank exchange of views at the meeting last week," he said.  "It means David can continue to put his video highlights onto YouTube and the Highland League will look at getting some guidelines down on paper for the long term which I hope will be acceptable and easy to use.

"David does an excellent job that means a lot to a great many people.  For example, Colin Macrae, a former Buckie Thistle President who sadly passed away last year, got a lot of enjoyment watching the highlights during the last six to eight months of his life when he could not attend games.

"I would like to thank all the fans who got behind David, the swell of public support for him I think surprised many people.

"Thanks is also due to Eddie Innes who chaired the Highland League Management Committee meeting on Thursday, for doing a good job in difficult circumstances."

Also delighted with the outcome of the committee meeting was young David himself.

He told the Advertiser': "I am relieved and happy that I can continue putting my highlights on YouTube without the threat of getting fined.

"There has been a lot of support for me over the last few weeks which has been pretty amazing.  I did not expect anything like it when this all started.

"I am looking forward to continuing on as normal."

Support for David snowballed in the week following the incident in Banff, ending up featuring in the national media and the Sky News website.

Moray Parliamentarians Angus Robertson and Richard Lochhead also wrote to Mr Grant urging a speedy and sensible resolution to the issue.

A Jags supporter set up a petition in support of David's work and fans from literally all over the world rallied to the cause, including one working in Estonia, who passed the petition on to no less a personage than Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

Report by Banffshire Advertiser