Clach chairman Dennis Bridgeford could not juggle work and football commitments and has decided to relinquish his role at the Highland League club.
The Portmahomack pig farmer will continue as league president for the next two years, but fears the changes to the pyramid of Scottish football are only going to make the task more difficult.
Cove could win the Highland League title tonight with a win at Grant Street Park but the problems will only start there and Bridgeford said: “Everybody has their thoughts on league reconstruction, but with the changes to the Challenge Cup, and the champions being invited to play in the Scottish League Cup as well, it is getting more and more difficult to finish a fixture list.
“For instance, we had to move Fort William’s home game to Lossiemouth last weekend in order to get the race for the title finished in time to accommodate the pyramid play-off between the Highland and Lowland League champions.
“That was a decision I had to make, I don’t think I had any choice, I was put there to make the decisions, and in consultation with league secretary, the decision to move that game was made.”
Bridgeford will continue to help Clach as much as he can and added: “My business is pretty full-on and I just can’t afford to do everything. Something had to give, and regrettably that is my role as Clach, although I am more than happy to stay on as a director of the club.
“Only recently we had a couple of days holiday and my phone never stopped ringing, it was just ridiculous.
“I have two years left to do as president of the Highland League, that is also full-on with everything that is happening at the moment, but it is a great honour to have the role.
“I will put a bit of effort into expanding the club’s lottery to help us to compete with the big clubs in the Highland League.”
