Fort William are searching for a new manager following Russell MacMorran’s decision to step down next month.
MacMorran has tendered his resignation and will take charge of the Claggan Park side for the last time when they face Wick Academy on January 4.
The Fort boss replaced Kris Anderson on an interim basis last January before taking on the role permanently in May.
The Claggan Park side finished the 2018-19 season bottom of the Highland League without winning a single game but MacMorran has played his part in improving fortunes at the club this term.
Helped by the recruitment of nine loan players from Caley Thistle, Fort ended an 840-day wait for a victory when they defeated Nairn County 5-2 in the North of Scotland Cup in July.
They recorded their first league win for 29 months with a 1-0 win against Clachnacuddin in September but sit bottom of the table with one win from their opening 11 matches.
Russell has contributed hugely to putting a competitive Fort William team on the park. So far this season we have reached the second round of the Scottish Cup, holding Albion Rover to a draw away from home and reaching the semi final of the North Of Scotland Cup.
— Fort William FC (@FortWilliamFC) December 19, 2019
Fort chairman Peter Murphy thanked MacMorran for his contribution to the club.
He said: “Russell has really turned things around and been invaluable to us.
“It will be just over a year since he joined the club, initially as secretary, and he was willing to step up to replace the previous manager Kris Anderson.
“He was willing to help out initially until the end of the season, which helped stabilise things. He was then happy to take on the job on a permanent basis at a time when we were going through a tough period.
“The impact he has made at the club can’t be understated. We are hugely disappointed that he is leaving.
“He has his own reasons for leaving. We didn’t want him to leave but we just have to plan for the future now and do our best to get a suitable replacement.”
A BBC Scotland documentary covering Fort William’s fight for survival was broadcast earlier this year and helped generate huge interest in the club.
Murphy hopes the exposure the club has received in recent months will help them in their quest to find MacMorran’s replacement.
He said: “I am very hopeful that we can get the type of candidate we need to really continue the growth the club has had over the last year.
“I have already met with one potential candidate and I have a few others to speak to.
“We are advertising for the post and we will carry out our due diligence to ensure we find the right person.
“Given the people who have already contacted us, I am hopeful that we can get the right candidate.”
Fort return to action this Saturday with a trip to Kynoch Park to face Keith before a home match against Fraserburgh on December 28 and the trip to Wick Academy a week later in MacMorran’s final game.
Murphy added: “It would be fantastic to end with a win for Russell. The weather is having a real effect on games just now.
“We are away to Keith this weekend which is another opportunity to put something on the board. We have about six or seven games in hand of the teams above us so we are looking to move up the table.
“Russell’s last game is on January 4 so hopefully we get a couple of strong performances before he leaves.”
