Caithness to kick off new campaign with home match against Ellon
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Ellon at home are first up for the Greens in their new Caledonia Division 1 campaign, which gets under way on September 3.
Caithness have just seven opponents in their second involvement in the division which they voluntarily joined after opting to drop down from National Division 3 in the wake of the pandemic.
Caithness have generally been involved in 10 to 12-strong divisions, with Orkney topping last year's nine-team league.
With the islanders promoted and Glenrothes relegated, the only newcomers this season are Aberdeenshire, who step up from Caley Division 2 North.
The Greens' season kicks off on August 27 when they travel to Grangemouth Stags in the first round of the national shield.
New coach Kenny Russell said: "It's going to be a shorter season than usual with the league scheduled to be completed by the end of January.
"It's still looking pretty competitive, with Dunfermline and Ellon likely to be our main rivals."
Last season Caithness finished fourth, behind the Fifers in second and Ellon in third.
Russell said: "With the size of the league, it's all the more important to get off to a good start.
"It's a tough start but we're looking to get a win against Ellon and then kick on and target winning four out of our first five matches."
Russell was happy with the turnout at the first two training sessions.
"We had 26 at each so we've hit the ground running," he said. "We're focusing on fitness just now to get in good shape for the season."
The Greens, who started training last week, are working to finalise their pre-season programme but it is likely to include a home friendly with Orkney and an inter-club tussle.
The Ellon match is followed on successive Saturdays with league games away to Aberdeenshire and at home to Hillfoots.
The other teams in the division are Aberdeen Wanderers, Blairgowrie and Grangemouth.
