Opportunity to win trophies at Buckie Thistle lured goalkeeper Stuart Knight to make Highland League move after 16 years at Forres Mechanics
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Stuart Knight says he couldn’t turn down the chance to join title chasers Buckie Thistle and end his 16-year association with Forres Mechanics.
The 35-year-old keeper, who joined Forres back in 2007 and won the Highland League with the Mosset Park club, penned a two-year deal with Jags this week.
“I had been offered a new deal at Forres and we were talking back and forth for long enough.
“But something was holding me back, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” he said.
“Part of me was hoping that a team at the top end of the league would come in and make me an offer to give me the chance to have a crack somewhere else.
“It’s nothing against Forres but after 16 years it was maybe time for something fresh. I got the phone call from Spider (Jags boss Graeme Stewart) and the minute he phoned me, I felt excitement about it.
“It has always felt like it was the right move. Some might question whether it’s the right time at my age but it feels like the right time for me. I don’t think anyone is saying I owe Forres anything, I’ve done my bit through there and loved it. It’s a great club with great people.
“Part of me is disappointed that I didn’t get to finish my career at Forres. But it just feels like a really good opportunity and everyone I’ve spoken to about it seems to be delighted for me and saying it’s a no-brainer.”
Knight has been dogged with injuries in recent seasons but is adopting a new training and fitness approach which he says can extend his career well into the future.
“I feel I have a few years left in me, at least two I would say and this is something new and exciting for me.
“I tore my calf two seasons ago and my hamstring went towards the end of last season. I don’t know if it was the way I was training, mostly at the gym. I have totally backed off the way I was doing things.
“I had never been that keen on running but I had started doing that and I maybe just overdid it in the gym. I’ve been going to Greig Smith’s physio in Elgin.
“Now it is a case of building the hamstring back up. I have to look after myself better and with the move it gives you a different motivation, it’s a psychological thing and something new that brings a bit more out of you.”
Knight will compete for the number one shirt at Victoria Park with Lee Herbert, while Balint Demus has returned to parent club Cove Rangers.
