Banks o’ Dee have appointed a director of football while their search for a new manager continues.
Former Banchory St Ternan boss Paul Bain joins the Spain Park club as director of football.
Dee dismissed manager Jamie Watt and assistant Roy McBain on Monday and club president Brian Winton says they will take their time to select their replacements.
He said: “Paul is becoming director of football and will be working between the first-team and our team in the Juniors to ensure we manage that interface effectively.
“He will also be tasked with identifying new talent for both teams and dealing with contracts.
“He’s got a legal and contracts background so he’s going to take over a lot of the work in that area.
“I’m involved in everything from SFA licensing to player contracts. We’re not like some clubs because we’ve got 17 youth teams, a team in the Juniors and the first-team in the Highland League so there’s an awful lot to be looked at.
Official Club Statement: Watt and McBain Depart Banks o' Dee
Full Statement: https://t.co/QLTm5TZkcD pic.twitter.com/nJlHQMuFJn
— Banks O' Dee FC (@banksodee_fc) January 9, 2023
“We’ve got players in the Under-15s and 16s we think could go on to the first-team, but we need somebody to manage that.
“So it’s got to the stage where we needed to look at adjusting the structure.
“We’re trying to bring everything together and build something that’s sustainable in the long term.
“When it comes to a new manager we’re not going to rush into anything.
“We’re going to evaluate what we’re looking to fit into the new structure we’ve put in place at the club.”
Josh Winton, Paul Lawson and Aggie Gray are set to be interim charge for Saturday’s game against Turriff United. Those interested in becoming Dee manager should apply to admin@banksodeefc.co.uk
Christie becomes ambassador
Meanwhile, vice-president Gordon Christie is to become Dee’s first club ambassador.
Winton added: “Gordon is going to become our first club ambassador.
“We feel it’s recognition of the long service and hard work Gordon has given to Banks o’ Dee and I’d like him to enjoy the latter years in this role.
“He deserves the recognition because Gordon has been with Banks o’ Dee for more than 50 years as a player, manager, president and various other roles.
“We’ve never had a club ambassador before but we feel it’s fitting Gordon takes on the role.”
Meanwhile, Banks o’ Dee have also received planning permission for a new stand behind the goal at the south end of Spain Park.
The Aberdeen outfit hope to complete the work to install the 100-seat structure during the summer.
Winton said: “We’ve recognised this season, particularly when we’ve had hospitality, that we’re a wee bit short of seating.
“So we’ve got the planning permission through and we’ll be ready to go, it’ll give us 100 seats at the south end of the ground.
“At the moment if we’ve got full hospitality we don’t have a lot of seats in the stand.”
