WATCH: Ross Macpherson's greatest day as a Highland League title-winning captain in 2012 - now the Forres Mechanics local hero has called time on his career at Mosset Park
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AFTER 12 memorable years playing for his home town Forres Mechanics, Ross Macpherson has retired from football.
The popular 34-year-old captained his beloved Cans to only their second Highland League title triumph in 2012, won North and League Cup honours and led his team into Scottish Cup battle against the mighty Rangers.
Business and family commitments have mounted up of late, forcing the man they call 'Chucky' to declare Mechanics' 2-2 draw at Inverurie Locos on Saturday to be the last of his career.
"It's been on my mind for six weeks now and it was really tough to make the call," he said.
"I have a lot coming off with work commitments and along with family life, trying to get that balance is quite difficult just now.
"If that wasn’t there I would have definitely have seen the season out.
"All the players and the management knew before Saturday's game that it was going to be my last.
"The boys were great, all telling me I’d be back. I’m not sure if they all thought I was being serious but it’s out now and it's time for me to completely step back from football."
Macpherson stepped up to Highland League football from his home junior side Forres Thistle to Mechanics in 2009, and was soon part of a glorious period in the club's history.
After biding his time for a regular starting place, he soon established himself in the heart of the Cans' midfield with tenacious performances and a never-say-die attitude which made him a favourite with the fans.
In his first year, Forres defeated Rothes to win the Highland League Cup final, then beat Wick Academy at Brora to lift the North of Scotland Cup.
The following season, with club captain Neil Whyte taking some time away from the game, Macpherson was given the captain's armband and led Mechanics to the top of the Highland League table.
Whyte returned to the fold to help Cans stay on course for the title against all odds, defeating Fraserburgh on a famous Mosset Park afternoon in 2012 to clinch the crown.
Watch his 2012 interview on title-winning day.
"I sat on the sideline quietly until I got my chance then I made that midfield position my own and went on to have a successful period with a great team.
"I played alongside some brilliant players and winning those cups and the Highland League in consecutive seasons, and being made captain was a huge thing for me.
"I was a local boy and quite a young age as well. Being captain against Rangers was the tip of the iceberg. It’s memories you look back on and I will cherish them forever."
Macpherson endured bad injuries to both knees but battled back to discover the same competitive levels and lead by example in the style which became his trademark.
He was granted a club testimonial against Ross County in 2019, and after Mechanics' Covid sabbatical last year he returned to action this term, scoring three times in Mechanics' opening matches.
"I’ve had two bad injuries and an operation on each knee. I’m 34 now as well, not a young pup any more and I feel the time is right to step aside and let the young boys come through and hopefully make a name for themselves.
"It made it more difficult to come to this decision because I felt I was really coming on to my game and getting my fitness back week by week by playing 90 minutes.
"On Saturday (against Locos) I actually felt really strong playing in the middle of the park, and I have chipped in with some goals this season which is unlike me.
"So it was a hard decision because I was enjoying my football.
"But I’m looking forward to the time away from football and enjoying my Saturdays with my little one (daughter Jessie, 5), giving her some time back."
Macpherson said he privileged to play alongside some great Highland League players and also paid tribute to the Cans supporters and some of the characters behind the scenes.
"In the early days, Grapies (Graeme Grant), Nathan Sharp and Neil Whyte were all huge players on the park and off it they were incredible guys.
"I still keep in touch with them, guys like Kyle Scott as well, I learned a lot off of them all.
"I got the armband when Neil didn’t play, but just to share that moment with him, lifting the trophy. That’s special moments you can’t possibly forget.
"I’ve made some lifelong friends through football, guys who you train twice a week and play together on the Saturday and get banter from on the bus to away games.
"It’s a very humbling club. Everyone is equal and it's very stable.
"We all get along well and having that team bond made a lot of the players stay where they wanted to be and its worked out really well in the long run.
"I have to mention the fans, the committee, the volunteers, Willie (McLean) the kitman, all those people who made it all possible. They are such a credit to the club.
"I had a lot of offers to go elsewhere but I was rooted to the cause and always wanted to play for Forres Mechanics. I had no ideas about playing anywhere else."
Macpherson said it would take a real team emergency for him to be persuaded to return to the park for the Cans, as he feels it is definitely the right time to draw a line under his playing days.
He revealed how he got his picture taken with his daughter in his final Mosset Park match against Deveronvale for posterity.
"I said to (his wife) Laura to take her down and get a photo with Jessie.
"That all happened and I was going away to Inverurie last Saturday and Jessie said ‘where are you going?’ I told her and she replied ‘ but you’ve finished with football’. I had to tell her, it was one more game.
"We will try and get down and support the boys, hopefully a cup final day or something like that."
