Farquhar sees Clach as a sleeping giant as he takes on coaching role
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GARY Farquhar believes he has joined one of the Highland League’s great sleeping giants after accepting the role of coach at Clach.
The former St Johnstone, Caley Thistle and Wick Academy midfielder was recruited last week by manager Sandy McLeod, with Jordan MacDonald also drafted into the new backroom team.
Wick-born Farquhar (49), who has lived in Inverness since moving up from Perth in 1998, didn’t hesitate for a second when offered his first senior coaching job.
“Sandy, who I’ve known for years, got in touch asking if I would be interested in joining him and I was delighted. It was a no-brainer, especially with Jordan coming in as well,” Farquhar said.
“Clach is a massive club and it is a massive chance for me to get involved in football again.
“I was involved a couple of years ago at Inverness City when Jordan was manager there. I helped him out a little bit and played a little bit – and was wishing I could still play! That’s something you always miss.
“But it will be great to be involved again at what I see as one of the biggest clubs in the Highland League. I think they should be higher than they are.
“There’s a great tradition about the place and you feel that around the ground, with the passion of the fans as well. There’s a real family feel to it.
“Financial circumstances have held the club back but there is a lot of good work being done and progress with younger players. Hopefully, working for Sandy, I can help him get them back where they belong.”
In his youth, Farquhar played for Brora Rangers and had a YTS stint at Dundee.
But it was only at the age of 24 that his talent and vision on the ball was fully recognised, with Bolton, Millwall and Middlesbrough on his trail before Paul Sturrock’s St Johnstone secured his signature.
But it will be great to be involved again at what I see as one of the biggest clubs in the Highland League.
After four enjoyable years, helping Saints win promotion to the SPL in 1997, he knocked back the chance to extend his stay and joined Steve Paterson’s ambitious and upwardly mobile Caley Thistle side.
“I look back really fondly on my time in Perth. I’d say that was my best time in football,” Farquhar admitted.
“The Highland League I’ve always loved, but those four years at St Johnstone were really good. I came back up the road to join Caley Thistle and it didn’t really work out for me.
“They had a great team with the likes of Duncan Shearer, Barry Wilson and Charlie Christie among them, but it just didn’t happen for me.”
Farquhar made 127 appearances and scored 25 goals for Wick Academy in two spells at the club – a full season in 2000/01, then from 2005 to 2008.
He brings rich experience to the table at Clach, but added: “I’ll just be following Sandy’s lead. Myself, Sandy and Jordan have similar ideas on how we like to see the game played.
“Hopefully I can help Sandy, but learn from him as well in my first proper coaching job.”
