Simon Ferry is embracing a dual role with Peterhead going forward.
The Blue Toon midfielder has penned a new contract until the summer of 2021.
As well as playing, the 32-year-old has started coaching the Buchan outfit as well this season.
Initially Ferry put the League One club’s Glasgow-based players through their paces on a Thursday night but following David McCracken’s departure from Balmoor to become Falkirk co-manager in November, Ferry has also started coaching at Peterhead’s Tuesday training session.
The former Celtic, Swindon Town, Portsmouth and Dundee player has relished the opportunity Blue Toon boss Jim McInally has given him and is pleased it will continue following his new deal.
Ferry said: “I’m delighted to get the contract sorted. I’m really enjoying it with Peterhead. Jim has given me a chance to some coaching as well and I’ve loved that. He came to me and said ‘why don’t we get you a new deal and include the coaching in it?’.
“I’m absolutely delighted because there’s not many guys at 32 get the chance to coach a first-team squad two nights a week.
“It started just taking the Glasgow boys on a Thursday and then when David McCracken left a couple of the boys said ‘get Si involved on a Tuesday’.
“So, over the last couple of months, I’ve been doing part of the session on a Tuesday as well.
“Jim has said to me to just do what I want to do. There’s no ‘do this and do that’. He has just left things in my hands and it’s good he’s done that.
“You also need to have a bit of balls about you, because not everyone would want to do it and might shy away from it, especially if they’re still playing.
“But I think it comes naturally to me really and I’ve enjoyed it, so a big thanks to Jim for giving me the chance.”
Ferry is still keen to play his part of the pitch as well as the touchline.
He believes this season the Blue Toon are playing some of the best football since he joined in September 2015 and he hopes to help move up from eighth in League One.
He added: “I still love playing and every week I always look forward to a Saturday so much.
“We’ve got a great group of boys and I think this season we’re probably playing the best football since I’ve been here.
“We’re really enjoying it and even last week signed two really good players in Steven Boyd and Alan Cook.
“I was only watching on Saturday (due to suspension), but I felt we played really well in the second half (of the 1-0 victory over Dumbarton) and things are looking good.”
