Forres Mechanics celebrate the return of a Highland League title-winning hero as Nathan Sharp is appointed as manager Charlie Rowley's assistant

CENTRE back in Forres Mechanics’ Highland League title triumph in 2012, Nathan Sharp is thrilled to be back at the club.

Sharp (41) has been appointed as one of manager Charlie Rowley’s assistants at Mosset Park, scene of his greatest footballing triumph.

He was the rock solid heart of Cans’ defence when they achieved only the second league championship success in their history, in what was Rowley’s second season in charge.

The manager has turned to his former player for assistance when Mechanics return to the Highland League after taking a season out to protect their staff from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sharp will join current assistant boss Craig Ewen, who had been linked with recent managerial vacancies at Deveronvale and Turriff, but is staying at Mosset Park.

“Charlie wanted to get another body in and the committee agreed to bring me in,” said Sharp. “Obviously I’ve had some success at Forres as a player and things have maybe changed a bit since I was last there, but there seems to be plenty happening and a lot of good work going on at the club.

“So I’m quite excited about it. It looks like the club made the right decision not to play this season and I’m hoping everyone will be excited when it’s time to get back to it.”

Sharp finished his playing career at Rothes, where he stepped up to a coaching role under the management of two former Mechanics players in Fraser Bremner and Steven MacDonald.

When MacDonald was replaced by Ross Jack in the MacKessack Park hot seat 15 months ago, Sharp also departed and hasn’t been involved in the game since.

“I was playing a fair bit of golf and didn’t really think about the football too much. But when you’ve been involved all your days, you only need to speak about it for a short while and you’re right back in it,” he said.

“If this had been a normal season I might have missed it more but because there’s not really been any football there’s been nothing to miss.”

The chance to team up with Rowley, who is his brother-in-law, and a club with a special place in his heart was too much to resist.

“There’s so much that tells you what kind of club Forres has been over the years. If they have a plan they stick to it,” said Sharp.

“The amount of guys who have went on to get their testimonials tells you how much they enjoy being at the club. It’s a good set-up, everything flows and it’s well organised and well run. It’s probably one of the best set-ups in the league.

“That was the case when I was a player, everybody was just happy being there. Money didn’t really play that big a part.

“That’s hopefully something we can rebuild again and get it going again. By no means has the club been poor, but they’re not competing at the top end like they were before.”

Rowley is looking forward to working with his former player once again.

“It’s a hugely positive appointment for the club,” he said.

“I asked the board when I signed my contract if I could take someone else in, and I felt it was in our best interests if we could get somebody in who’s had a good association with the club.

“Nathan will give us a fresh outlook on things.

“It can bring us the wee bit extra we are looking for. He’s had a good relationship in the past with a lot of the boys who are still here.”