JAGS MANAGER QUASHES RUMOURS OF A VICTORIA PARK EXIT BY SIGNING NEW TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

Buckie Thistle manager Gregg Carrol has ended rumours about his future by signing a new two-yead contract extension which will keep him at Victoria Park until the end of the 2012/13 season.

Rumours were rife among Jags' supporters the man who led them to their first Highland League title in 52 years was about to step down after his side lost 3-0 to Cove Rangers in the Aberdeenshire Cup final at Inverurie on Saturday.

Carrol said: "My signing of this contract extension should now put to bed the rumours going around last weekend.

"There seemed to me to be a wee bit of a witch-hunt going on, but these rumours had no foundation and were absolutely ridiculous as Buckie have now extended my contract and I am absolutely delighted to be there.

"My deal was due to expire at the end of the current season so I am absolutely delighted to have put pen to paper on a new one for two years.

"My backroom staff of Gary Hake and Colin Smith have also signed extensions to their deals so I am equally pleased with that."

Carrol added: "I have been involved in the Highland League for the last 15 years, you get ups and downs and when you get beaten in a cup final sometimes that spurs you on and is the wee kick in the backside you need.

"I have been lucky during my Highland League career to have been involved in two ambitious clubs, first Deveronvale and now Buckie Thistle, and I just couldn't wait to sign this new contract.

"My relationship with club president Mark Duncan and the two main directors Iain Clark and Garry Farquhar has been absolutely fantastic.  They let me get on with the football, they provide back-up for anything we need and we all strive to help Buckie Thistle move forward.

"Obviously we would want to win the league again and the experience the players gained from doing that last season will certainly help us in this campaign."

Jags' president Mark Duncan said: "We are absolutely delighted as Gregg is the key person at the club.

"He has been here two seasons and brought us our first title in 52 years.

"He has won the title three times, twice with Deveronvale and once with us, and I think the only other managers involved in the Highland League at present who have lifted the title are Charlie Duncan at Fraserburgh who has done it once and Stevie Paterson who won it twice during his first spell with Huntly and once with Elgin City.

"It was vitally important we got this deal tied up, we are thrilled to have secured the services of such an inspirational character for at least another two years.  The supporters love him as he wears his heart on his sleeve, he is very approachable and gives and expects 100% from his players."

Story by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal