Davie Nicholls may well say goodbye to Peterhead after this weekend – but he will do so with immense pride.
The assistant boss will take the team again for this weekend’s Scottish Cup tie against Queen’s Park but accepts that when a new manager is appointed, he may want to have his own backroom staff.
Interviews have been taking place this week to find a successor to Jim McInally, who brought his 11-year tenure at Peterhead to an end earlier this month.
Nicholls, who had worked with McInally since 2008, does not know yet where his future lies but the current situation has allowed him to reflect on the longevity of his time at Balmoor.
“You can’t say if it is (the end) or not but the new manager will probably want to bring his own people in,” said Nicholls.
“I have really enjoyed it here. There’s been a lot of highs, a couple of lows, but on the whole it’s been great.
“I spoke to Jim during the week and said all we take out of our time at Peterhead is immense pride.
“To have two guys in position for that so long who are nothing but loyal to the club – that’s what we have always been.
“Ultimately it’s about the people at the club. We try to do our best for the club and we have put it on a really good footing.
“I hope we have given the supporters a lot of joy over the years and played good football. We got to the Petrofac final and won at Ibrox – I don’t know if many fans would have ever expected to see that.”
McInally may take a break from the game, having invested a huge amount of time into the club during his spell in charge.
Should Nicholls find himself in a similar position then some respite may not be a bad thing either.
“I love football but it maybe is time for me to have a wee break as well,” added Nicholls.
“I made my debut in the reserves at Hibs at 15 and got a lesson facing Tony Fitzpatrick. I didn’t think I’d last but 35 years down the line I’m still involved in the game.
“You’ve got to have determination to drive you on to succeed. How you react from the down will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.”
Former Aberdeen and Rangers defender David Robertson, who has managerial experience with Elgin City, Montrose and Indian side Real Kashmir, was pictured in the stands for last weekend’s game against Dunfermline.
Nicholls has told the Peterhead players today’s game is a chance for them to impress any potential appointment, given they will be underdogs for the arrival of the Championship new-boys.
“It’s a free-hit for the boys,” said Nicholls. “They will expect to come up and run over us but our guys have a lot of determination and pride.
“I’m sure they will want to put on a show and I’m sure the new manager will be there watching.
“I said to the guys it’s up to them now. It’ll be a clean slate for them with the new manager and a chance for them to show they should be in the team.”
When the final whistle comes, it may well signify the end of a chapter for both Peterhead and Nicholls.
“If it is to come to an end, then I wish the club nothing but success and walk away with my head high.”
