Well that’s been some summer and it’s still only July. Kris Hunter has made his mark with no fewer than 13 signings and they have come in all shapes and sizes and from all over the country – from Jamie Michie and Neil Gauld who look to be barely bigger than bookies biros from neighbouring Locos to the gargantuan 6’ 5” Axe Man, Stuart Axten from Bognor Regis on the South Coast of England.
They look to be a shrewd bunch of signings and before anyone raises the question of FUFC buying a new side let it be clear that the vast majority of the signings were of players out of contract – free agents in other words.
Clearly they need to be paid signing fees and wages but very little was paid out in transfer fees – which if you think about it can too often amount to putting money into your rivals’ coffers and that won’t do.
Less noticeable have been the substantial improvements to the pitch where a large programme of under surface drainage work was undertaken to build on that done last summer and a huge refurbishment and upgrading of the changing rooms and other parts of the clubhouse with everything done and dusted before a ball was kicked for the new season.
With a new squad and one as radically different from last season’s lot as this one is, there is going to have to be some bedding in.
A good close-season run of friendlies against Brechin, East Stirlingshire and others was clearly useful but the pressure is never the same without points at stake so the opening game against Forres who usually beat us home and away was crucial.
The new squad gelled quite well and got visibly better as the game went on. Very Encouraging.