Mackay strikes new Academy deal
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WICK Academy midfielder Sam Mackay has signed a new two-and-half-year contract with the club.
The 22-year-old, who is considered one of the brightest talents in the Highland League, put pen to paper last week.
Mackay, who has been a first-team regular since joining the club in 2009, was linked with a possible return to Brora Rangers this summer.
However, he said the appointment of David Kirkwood as manager of Wick – following the resignation of co-managers Richard Hughes and Ian Munro in April – was a big factor in his decision to stay.
“The past few weeks have been uncertain with who was going to replace Hughes and Munro. I did hold talks at Brora with Andy Macleod and they offered me a good deal to join them,” he told the Caithness Courier.
“But I was delighted to hear that Kirkwood was taking charge as I think it was the right decision. I was waiting to see who they brought in as a new manager before making any decision about my future.
“I think that the new manager with his background will be able to improve my game as well as the whole team.”
Mackay said he was impressed with the ambition Academy are showing to improve on last season’s disappointing run which saw the club finish in 14th place. He believes the Scorries have great potential and signing a new deal is the best decision for him. “I definitely think that we can compete with the best in the Highland League,” he said. “We managed to get to the North of Scotland Cup final last season and hopefully we can go one better. I want to win medals and I think I can achieve this at Wick.
“We’ve got some talented players at the club and there is no reason why we can’t be a force.”
Chairman Colin Stewart said a deal had been reached by both parties to the delight of everyone concerned.
“Sam is an integral part of the first team,” he said. “We are delighted that he has agreed to stay with the club for the foreseeable future. New manager David Kirkwood has ambitious plans for the club and it’s important that players of the calibre of Mackay are here to achieve that.”
A former Scotland schoolboy international, Mackay spent five seasons with Brora at Dudgeon Park before signing with Deveronvale in 2008.
During his time in Banff he was named as the Sunday Post Young Player of the Year in 2009 and also during his first year at Harmsworth Park.
As previously reported, former co-manager Hughes has rejoined the club as assistant manager, while also joining the backroom staff is 27-year-old midfielder Gary Manson, who has been appointed as a player coach.
