New Elgin City chairman Alan Murray will bring 'stability and clarity' at boardroom level, says manager Allan Hale
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NEWLY-APPOINTED Elgin City chairman Alan Murray will bring 'stability and clarity' to the club, according to manager Allan Hale.
Hale and assistant manager Stefan Laird have brought the club on-field consistency and stability since their appointment at the start of December.
That was underlined by another impressive away victory, 2-1 against Stranraer on Saturday, which means they are eight points ahead of bottom-club Clyde and five ahead of Stranraer and Bonnyrigg Rose.
Hale is now pleased to see the club continue to stabilise off the pitch too.
"I was aware Alan had been offered the role and great news he has accepted that," he said. "It will bring some stability and clarity at boardroom level.
"I don't know Alan personally but he's a football man and has plenty of experience from Dufftown. He will bring valuable experience and knowledge to the table and add to a strong board.
"I look forward to working with him and formulating a plan for the future of the club. I came into the club not 100 per cent sure on its potential, but there is enormous potential and the club can realise that.
"I understand the club has never been promoted and hopefully that can be the aim going forward. Hopefully we can achieve that instead of trying to fight every year to stay in the division.
"There are a lot of ambitious clubs under the pyramid, so if you are not ambitious then you will get left behind.
"It's not easy because of budgets and location, so we need to be prudent in our approach, but it's a case of working together and identifying the identity of the club."
Elgin's victory at Stranraer was as well-deserved as it was hard-earned, according to Hale, who said his side were on top before a Stranraer red card boosted their chances of success.
Dylan Forrest was given a red card on the stroke of half-time for a foul in midfield, followed by throwing the ball at the ground, and Elgin took full advantage with Connall Ewan and Freddy Jeffreys putting them 2-0 up after the break.
Mark Gallagher's own goal 10 minutes from time made it a tight end but Elgin held on for a big win.
"It was definitely deserved, even 11 versus 11 we were the side in the ascendency," Hale said. "We worked hard for the chances and put them away.
"Full credit for the players, it's a 13-hour round-trip and the weather played a part too with a heavy pitch. The fact the players displayed such energy really is a credit to them.
"There are still 21 points to play for, nothing is concluded as yet, there are no certainties or guarantees so you have got to keep winning games of football so we focus on the next game."
This weekend Forfar Athletic are the visitors to Borough Briggs, a team that, like Elgin, have moved away from the basement with a good run of form.
"It's two teams that have got a lot of consistency behind them," Hale said. "They are unbeaten in 10, with a lot of draws. It will be a competitive game."
Rory MacEwan (groin) and Mitch Taylor (calf) will be missing for the Black and Whites.
