Working with his old manager Ronnie Sharp was an opportunity Brian Macleod could not pass up.
Macleod ended a five-month hiatus from the game when he rejoined Nairn County a fortnight ago to work as first-team coach under Sharp, who brought him to Station Park as a player.
After leaving Clach in the summer, where Macleod had been assistant manager and under-20s coach, he intended to take a break from the game before returning. Several opportunities to
get back involved were passed up due to the timing not being right until Nairn County’s director of football Graeme Macleod got in touch.
The former midfielder made his debut in 2003 and spent seven years with the Wee County, making more than 200 appearances before joining Clach in 2010.
He finished his playing career with the Lilywhites and moved into coaching before making the move back to Station Park this month.
Macleod said: “Ronnie was my first manager here and I did my coaching badges with him. I know him really well and kept in touch with Graeme Macleod, too. I know a few of their players, which made it an easy decision to make as I’m quite familiar with the surroundings.
“I had a couple of opportunities to get back involved but the timing wasn’t right, coming straight after Clach. Graeme got in touch and asked me to come through for a chat and it was quite an easy decision.”
It is actually Macleod’s third stint with Nairn, having had a brief spell on loan from Ross County – then in the Third Division – in 1999. He had been assistant to Iain Polworth at Grant Street Park before leaving in the summer.
Given his experience in bringing through young players with the Merkinchers, Macleod hopes he can fulfil a similar role with Nairn.
