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Ross County winger Billy Ferries has turned down the opportunity to manage Brora Rangers because he wants to spend at least one more season with County.
Ferries said, "County were prepared to let me go because of my length of service, but I feel that next season I have to repay their loyalty after my injury problems last year.
"Brora made me an offer which needed a lot of consideration and I would like to finish up at Dudgeon Park eventually.
"But my injury is behind me and I am looking forward to pre-season training. I hope to be fighting fit and be able to regain a first-team place next season because helping County to gain promotion would be a great way to go out of senior football."
County boss Neale Cooper was delighted with Ferries' decision.
Cooper said, "He missed most of last season with a leg injury, but a fully fit Billy Ferries is a big asset to Ross County. If he gets himself fit it will be like having a new signing for next season."
DRM 4 June 1998
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Ross County have placed five of their first team squad from last season on the transfer list and they have released two others.
County have also announced a new youth policy that will see between eight and ten youngsters take their first steps in full time football.
On the transfer list are: Stuart Golabek, Jamie McPherson, Roy McBain, Gary Wood, and Tommy Callaghan. Goalkeeper Kevin Morgan and defender Ross Ruickbie have been released. Morgan is expected to sign for Huntly.
Golabek and McPherson will attract a lot of attention from Highland League clubs.
County manager Neale Cooper said, "The cluib are looking to cut costs, therefore we have placed these five players on the transfer list.
"I will be having signing talks with Paul Bradshaw, Dave McKay, Dave Matheson and Richard Hart over the next few days and hopefully they will all be staying at Victoria Park. I'm looking to add three part-time players to the squad before the start of next season."
The County boss revealed that the club will be taking up to ten youngsters under the SFA Skillseeker scheme.
He added,"These lads will be full-time at the club. They will attend college for a day each week as well as assist Danny McDonald with his activities at local schools. They will also do SFA coaching badges and of course will benefit from the coaching with myself, my staff and the other full-time players.
"Part of their wage will be paid by a grant from the SFA with the club making good the balance. We have explained the workings of the scheme to them and their parents and everything is in place now to take the club forward.
DRM 4 June 1998
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Ross County manager Neale Cooper has completed a treble signing this week by landing East Stirlingshire striker Murray Hunter and Inverness Caley Thistle winger David Ross.
Hunter, 27, has signed a two-year contract with a nominal fee changing hands, while Ross, who finished last season on loan at Victoria Park, has made the permanent switch to County.
"When we started looking for a striker, I knocked up a list of players who had given us big problems last season and Murray Hunter's name was top of the list," said Cooper.
"He's tall, quick and a good natural finisher. He led East Stirlingshire's forward line really well, scoring seven goals after Hugh McCann moved him up front from a midfield role."
Hunter said: "I couldn't resist the chance to to join a club with the ambition and stature of Ross County. They have a great set-up and they know exactly where they want to go.
"Neale Cooper offered me a chance to be part of a major promotion push next season, playing in the best passing side in the Third Division and I grabbed it."
Former Brora Rangers winger Ross has also been added to the Dingwall squad after County agreed an undisclosed fee with Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the 25-year-old.
With lofty central defender Ian Maxwell already recruited from Queen's Park, Cooper believes he has added an extra physical edge to County's much-admired passing game for the Dingwall side's promotion push next season.
"We've added three six-footers to the squad and I'm confident they will each bring something extra to the squad," said Cooper.
"Murray Hunter, especially, will give us the sort of physical presence which we have really lacked up front since Sandy Ross moved on."
DRM 11 June 1998
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Pre-season friendlies are announced. Raith Rovers will play in Dingwall on Wednes-day July 22 and St Johnstone will play at Victoria Park on Saturday July 25. Games against Brora Rangers and Nairn County will be played on July 20 and July 27 respectively.
DRM 12 June 1998
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