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Body eyeing a shot in the arm from promotion for club profile


By Matt Leslie

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PROMOTION will go a long way to raising the profile of Caithness says club president Peter Body.

With the Greens on the cusp of a historic success, Body is hoping that the one point they need can be indeed be gained – which could reap dividends for the club.

In football, those English clubs who win promotion from non-league into the main league structure

itself always remark on the upward spike they receive with attendances, being able to attract better

players and increasing general interest around the town.

Body hopes that a similar effect will click into place should the Greens win the National Caledonia title.

If promotion is won, then the first priority for Caithness will be to consolidate their position in their new surroundings.

However, the club will not be content to rest on the laurels and will be looking on how to build on the success of promotion – should the team do the business on the park at Strathmore tomorrow.

Body said: “Going forward, winning promotion will make a significant difference to the club.

“Should we succeed in going up to the Scottish National League set-up, we will be hoping to pull in more spectators to Millbank and also to widen our appeal amongst the community.

“Naturally, being in the main league structure will raise our profile and

encourage those who have not come to matches

before thinking that we are a lower league team may come along should we gain a higher status in Scottish rugby’s pyramid.

“Promotion will also give us the opportunity to give more scope for young players to come through the ranks into the first team.

“We have under-16 and under-18 teams but we could possibly set up teams at under-15 and under-17 level as well.

“That would ensure that those youngsters who come along to train and play will have more chance of playing for one of our teams.

“Adding those teams will also help prepare youngsters more for

advanced age group rugby. Sometimes you get an under-16 player excelling and given a chance in the under-18s only to find it tough when up against boys more physically mature than him.

“An under-17 would be an ideal platform to move an under-16 player and ensure he can develop at his own speed.”

Another potential boost to the club will be the reintroduction of two local derbies as Orkney will be waiting for Caithness’

arrival into the main league set-up.

Body added: “We were hoping of the prospect of four local derbies but it looks like (Inverness-based) Highland will be winning promotion from League Three to League Two.

“But Orkney will be a great day out for our supporters – and vice-versa for them when then come over to Millbank.

“I’m sure we’ll both benefit from the derbies – both on and off the pitch.”


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