Resigning Forres Thistle manager Tony Ross thanks the club for "really enjoyable" three years
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DEPARTING Forres Thistle manager Tony Ross has issued a "massive thank-you" to the club as he resigns after three successful years.
Ross (40) is taking a step away from football to focus on his young family and growing work commitments with Scotia Homes.
He originally took charge of the Jags in the summer of 2019, after their relegation to the third tier of the North Region Junior pyramid.
The club was firmly on course for title success in his first season before the coronavirus pandemic struck, with the season being declared null and void.
This left Ross and assistants Lee Davidson and Chris Ross to guide the club through an unprecedented period of uncertainty.
Returning for the 2021-22 season, Forres reached the Elginshire Cup final and – having already secured promotion – were unfortunate to lose out on the league title to Rothie Rovers on the last day.
"I've really enjoyed my three years as manager," Ross said. "I wasn't expecting a management role so quickly after playing.
"Some of the runs and results we have had have been fantastic and we have taken the club through three difficult years with Covid.
"It would have been nice to get a trophy because the club and players deserve it. Hopefully they go on and win some silverware.
"I want to say a massive thank-you to everyone at the club – the committee, players and Lee and Chris – for their hard work and endeavours. They made my time at the club very enjoyable."
The decision to leave football for the time being comes due to increasing work and family commitments, which were only set to be exasperated by the 34-match league season Thistle are set for next campaign.
But Ross did try to work out a solution to continue in the role.
"It had been in my mind before the end of the season but I kept trying to find a solution," he added.
"I decided it wouldn't be fair on myself or my club to continue unless I was able to give 100 per cent.
"If I can't commit 100 per cent then how can I ask the players to? Myself, Lee and Chris have set the standards and the guys have followed suit – you can't ask the players to commit if you aren't.
"I've not had a rest from football since I was 12, so it's been a long time. I could do with some time to recharge the batteries."
