Steven Ferguson New Year Remarks

2021 is ending and I must firstly look back on the second half of last season and retaining our Premiership status. This means we have now played nine of the last ten seasons in the Scottish Premiership, an incredible achievement for our football club and I think it is safe to say we have merited our position at the top table in each campaign. My many thanks must go to all the players, staff and supporters that were involved in such a thrilling end to the campaign.

I can personally tell you the big changes that were made in the summer both on and off the pitch were extremely difficult, but changes that had to be made for Ross County Football Club to continue its journey in the Scottish Premiership. We have now started our latest chapter with Malky Mackay as Manager and Don Cowie as his assistant and with this combination I’m sure we have many exciting times ahead. I hope with Malky’s experience in the elite game, not only at club level but at association level, as well as the extensive recruitment network he brings is recognised as a huge positive for our club. It must be said that although it took us a bit of time to get points on the board, the performances from the opening weekend of the campaign have been good and we are now seeing the benefit of this by going into the winter break right in the mix and in a position to build on this in 2022.

I’m proud of the work we do within our community and this has been as important as ever to our overall club strategy. Our community team delivered many fantastic participation initiatives again this year through primary and secondary schools across the Highlands and Islands as well as weekly soccer centres and our ever-popular holiday programmes in the Easter, Summer and October school holidays. We have held a successful food bank collection and supported MFR Cash for Kids Mission Christmas again as well as making our annual visit to the Children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital. We also took part in the SPFL Trust’s Festive Friends programme again this winter by providing 50 hampers to people less fortunate throughout our local community this Christmas.

I have nothing but respect for our Academy who have continued to run as close to ‘normal’ through extremely challenging circumstances. We are delighted to see the progress our young players continue to make with all the credit going to the excellent attitude and huge commitment shown from our coaches, parents, and players. I can acknowledge the disruption has been extremely tough on young people for nearly two years now so for our Academy to get our youngsters back into some sort of routine through discipline, sports science, fitness, mental health awareness, and wellbeing is fantastic and hugely beneficial on all fronts. Also, I am really happy that we have thought out the box this year by introducing a ‘Sporting Pursuit’ on-line programme focusing on Talent, Leadership and Character building and I look forward to seeing how this evolves in 2022.

I’m grateful for the hard work of our Commercial and Matchday team who are often first in the firing line but continue to try and meet all expectations to the best of their ability. The team have had to deal with many challenges throughout 2021 including the full ‘COVID’ matchday operation, return of supporters and matchday hospitality, a new ticketing system as well as running a range of other COVID safe events. Two successes that I should mention are the online option for our Club Shop, which was helped by the introduction of more user-friendly options and a new kit manufacturer in JOMA as well as, RCFCTV, which along with our excellent production/presentation team and guests has been widely recognised as one of the best club TV options in the Scottish Premier League.

We are still in a daily fight against COVID-19 whether it be trying to keep the club and our staff COVID free or whether it be working within the fluid parameters set by governing bodies. I have to say we have a terrific COVID working group that have advised and steered us through these past 20 months and continue to do so against an ever-changing landscape. We are currently in a winter shut down, but our hope is that sooner rather than later we will be back playing football in front of a full stadium but for this to happen I would continue to encourage everyone that can to get the vaccine and boosters and follow the guidance set.

I want to put on record my huge thanks to our supporters and sponsors who continue to back our club, no matter how big or small your contribution is or was, we will always be extremely grateful and don’t take this support for granted. Our StaggiesArmy and Matchday Supporters have been fantastic and without your total commitment, patience, and loyalty this club would face an even bigger uphill challenge than we are facing now. It has been brilliant to see a resurgence in the Jailend and we look forward to that growing and becoming stronger over time as I know we are small in numbers, but this engagement and bond is so important between supporters, players, and staff.

Finally, thanks to our Chairman for his unwavering support to Ross County Football Club, GEG Capital for their wider support of the football club and the board for their contribution.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2022.

Steven Ferguson, CEO