News / Bristow back in charge
SHETLAND Football Association has reappointed Island Games-winning manager Niall Bristow to take charge of the county team.
His appointment, assisted by former Delting player Kevin Main, comes following the resignation of co-managers John Scott Christie and Alan Graham a few weeks ago after a year in charge.
Bristow will have little time to settle in before the second round fixture of the Football Times Cup on Saturday 1 October against Alness United.
Shetland Football Association said it was “very heartened indeed” with the response after it sought a new manager. There were five applicants, three of whom were interviewed by an association sub-committee, offering “a mix of very good experience and qualifications”.
Following “hours of interviews and deliberation” it was decided to restore Bristow, who famously steered Shetland to the gold medal in the 2005 Island Games, to the key role.
He also led the team to a very respectable fourth place in the Jersey Island Games last year before vacating the position.
Bristow told the association that he was “delighted to have the opportunity to manage the county side again”.
“I know at first hand the quality of the players we have and was very impressed with Kevin’s coaching abilities during the short lead-up and during the fixture with St Duthus [who Shetland beat on penalties following a 3-3 draw in the Football Times Cup first round in Halkirk earlier this month],” he said.
“These factors convinced me that the time was right to lead the players into an Island Games campaign and beyond. We are grateful to the committee, who strive tirelessly for the good of Shetland senior football, to have been selected for the post.”
In addition to the Alness cup tie, it promises to be a busy winter for the new management team and the players, including preparing for the 2017 Island Games in Gotland and other Caledonian League cup fixtures.
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