Resignations averted as posts on senior football committee are filled

Mass resignation by Shetland Football Association officials was averted after three remaining vacancies on the committee were filled at an emergency general meeting last night.

The appointments of Brydon Robertson as secretary, Brian Duncan as discipline and registration secretary and Bryan Irvine as B team fixtures secretary staved off the threat by their fellow committee members to quit if the posts were not filled.

The new men join president Magnus Flaws, vice-president Brian Johnston, treasurer Steven Coutts, A team fixtures secretary Robbie Goudie and press secretary Lewie Peterson on the main committee.

Former county manager Niall Bristow will take temporary control of the Shetland squad in the lead-up to the annual inter-county while two new independent committee members are Martin Gibbs and Roger Goudie, joining Robbie Simpson, Grant Gilfillan, Martin Young, John Thomson, Davie Macdonald and Rab Duffin.

Mr Flaws said he was pleased that the three important vacancies had been filled.

“We have a full quota now which is good. The next job will be getting the fixtures sorted, and finding out what dates are booked for events etc. We will try and stick to the dates so there’s no chaos at the end of the season.

“It’s good to get it sorted [but] a pity that we had to resort to a tactic like that. Next year we will not leave the annual general meeting until the positions are filled.”

Meanwhile the controversial plan to fine teams if they do not put somebody forward to train as a referee will still go ahead, Mr Flaws said.

“Every club has to put forward a member. If they do not do that they will fined £200. There is a serious shortage of referees and quite a few names have come forward already.”