Story from The John O’Groat Journal “
Davidson tells of ‘tough decision’ to stand down as Thurso manager
By Alan Hendry
Published: 17:23, 04 June 2024
Scott Davidson hopes his successor as Thurso manager can guide the club back to where he believes it belongs – challenging for honours in the North Caledonian League.
The 32-year-old admitted it had been a “tough decision” to stand down after just under nine months in the role, having been a coach prior to that. But he explained that a change of career next month will make it impossible for him to remain fully committed to the Vikings.
Davidson took over as Thurso manager in September 2023 after the resignation of previous boss Michael Bremner.
It proved to be a frustrating campaign for the Vikings as they languished at the foot of the table. A good run towards the end of the season saw them finish second bottom of the 12-team division.
Davidson, currently a clerk of works for Openreach, is taking up a new post with SSE at the start of July.
“Moving into a new job I’m just not going to be able to give 100 per cent that I would want to give,” he explained.
“There’s obviously a lot of time constraints between organising training and then organising for a game on a Saturday.
“I’m going to be learning a new trade and I’m probably not going to have the same time on my hands as I previously did.
“Another positive is that I’m going to be able to spend more time with my family.”
He pointed out: “It is a big commitment and a big tie to be involved with a winter football team. Your weekends are pretty much given up.
“Last year didn’t really turn out the way that I was hoping for. There were plenty of positives throughout the year and there were some decent results.
“Hopefully I’ve created a core group of guys there that are going to stick together and hopefully the club can get someone installed into the management position pretty sharpish so that it gives them the best chance to try and get the club back to where I believe it should be.
“We finished second bottom, which is nowhere near where the club should be.
“I am wishing the club well going forward. Whoever it is that takes over the reins, hopefully they have a good stint at it.
“I messaged the boys to let them know that I’d made the tough decision about stepping down.
“I got a lot of well wishes from everyone and got the consensus that most folk are going to be sticking around. Hopefully they can try to kick on.
“We had a good few positive results at the end of last season, so hopefully they can build on from that.
“I spoke with Gary Leonard, the chairman, and he was fully supportive. He said ‘you need to do what’s right for yourself’.
“I don’t want to be doing something if I’m not going to be 100 per cent committed.”
He added: “I’ll miss it to some extent – my wife said that to me. I enjoyed doing it, although there were a lot of challenging times throughout the season this year.
“Maybe a break away from it for a few years will give me a bit of hunger to come back.
“It’s probably five or six years that I’ve been involved with Thurso, either being on the coaching staff or manager. There are plenty of positives to take from it.”
Davidson has been part of Pentland United’s playing squad in the county league this year following an approach from the Dunnet club’s co-manager Michael Gray.
“Michael had contacted me at the start of the season just to help them out because they had a few injuries,” Davidson said.
“I am now there most weeks and I’m enjoying being back involved with a summer team and getting a bit of game time as well. I’ve always had a lot of time and respect for Michael as a manager.”
The first knockout trophy of the county season will be at stake this Saturday when Pentland United take on Wick Groats in the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup final at Castletown
Leave a Reply