Dale Wood has "nothing but good words" to say about former club Forres Mechanics but couldn't turn down chance to join Highland League title chasers Buckie Thistle
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The chance to join a team challenging for trophies was one Dale Wood couldn't reject when he swapped Forres Mechanics for Buckie Thistle last week.
Wood (26) penned a three-year deal at Buckie, but spoke highly of his past three seasons at Forres, who he joined from Rothes.
"I had a few conversations with Forres about signing a new contract and spoke to Biscuits (manager Steven MacDonald) to see if options would come out of it," Wood said.
"He told me about interest from another club which was quite strong and there had been talks for a couple of weeks.
"It looked like I would be going to another team. But just out of nowhere, he told me that Buckie had enquired about me a couple of times and would I be interested in speaking to him?
"As soon as he said Buckie were interested, it was the only team I wanted to go to. I felt myself, I would be stupid not to take the Buckie offer, the position they have been in.
"They have been one of the best clubs in the Highland League for a number of years now. I spoke to Spider (Buckie manager Graeme Stewart) over the phone and within about two minutes I was set on going to Buckie, with everything he said about the club and the ambition of the club. It sold it to me straight away."
Stewart said with Sam Pugh being the only holding midfielder at Buckie, he needed a second player to play that position but could also see Wood filling in with several defensive positions.
Read more: Stewart thrilled by Buckie signings.
"It’s well documented that I did that at Rothes and Forres. He said he doesn’t see me coming in as cover but pushing on and starting games and that sold it to me as well.
"When you see them playing in finals and title deciders, that’s the type of games I want to be playing in now."
Wood has still to win any Highland League honours, having left Rothes just prior to their North Cup and League Cup triumphs.
"I wanted Rothes to do well and supported them in the finals. I was good pals with lads like Fraser Robertson, Bruce Milne and Craig Cormack so it was difficult after I left.
"Now I can hopefully get my chance to win trophies and have big days out like that.
"I have nothing but good words to say about Forres. It’s a great club, well-run and the coaching staff have been great.
"I have had a good relationship with Biscuits, he was never going to stand in my way of going and challenging for titles in years to come.
"Hopefully Forres can get back up there as well. They have a good young squad and the spine of a right good team with players like Ben Barron, Craig Mackenzie, Ruari Fraser. Hopefully in years to come I could be playing against them in cup finals.
"Forres have been so understanding with me when I expressed my desire to go and challenge for things in the near future.
"My best years are still ahead of me now, I feel. I am excited with the challenge of trying to get into the team and Spider says the training sessions are intense and boys are pushing each other on.
"I sometimes felt at Forres I was quite safe, you could play a bad game but know you would be playing the next week. So I am looking forward to the challenge of getting into the squad then performing to keep the jersey and playing with some really good players at Buckie.
"I know I might have to wait but I am determined to stay in once I do get the chance.
"It’s not as if I am the type who is going to sulk if I’m not in a good team like Buckie. It’s a team that has gone the distance to the last day of the season for the past two seasons, a really good squad but I am hoping I can go in there and add to that.
"They get to the last stages of competitions and were so close to winning the Highland League until they got caught by a sucker punch.
"Their fans are great, when you play Highland League you see how many of the Buckie fans turn out home and away
"I want to play in front of good crowds and Buckie’s are always good. It used to be a nightmare playing through there for other teams so I am looking forward to playing in front of those fans and having them on my side."
