Buckie Thistle boss Gregg Carrol hopes there is still a way back for departing club president Mark Duncan.

The Highland Leeague champions have been rocked by the news that Mark and his brother Murray, a director, are quitting the Jags.

A meeting of ex-committee members to discuss the Buckie Thistle social club called without his knowledge is being cited by Mark as the catalyst for their departure.

But Carrol hopes the situation is not irreparable and would love to link up with the Duncans again.

"They have their reasons for stepping down and I respect that.  But I hope the situation isn't cut and dried" he said.

"Hopefully, Mark can go away and have a think about what's happened and figure out a way to come back to the club.

"I hope they can figure out a way he can come back on board because Mark and his brother have done a great job for Buckie Thistle Football Club over the past eight years.

"He has been such a massive part in the club's success and I hope he will stay on as president."

The contentious meeting is understood to have been  attended by former Buckie club chairmen Raymond Cardno and Murray Thain.

Cardno declined to comment on the meeting, but said: "I am very sad and disappointed that Mark and Murray have left the club."

Buckie vice-president Iain Clark, who is now running the Victoria Park club, said: "My other main board member Garry Farquhar is away on holiday at the moment.

"We will issue a joint statement on his return."

Report by Mark Davies, Evening Express