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This article appeared in a Ross-shire Journal Supplement Go Ross County: Season 1999-2000 A Preview and was written by Alasdair Fraser.
Ross County chairman Roy McGregor shoulders the burden of expectation every County fan has for the season ahead.
As a successful businessman, he knows the value of careful planning as well as innovative risk-taking, but also brings with him a true love of the club he has led for the past few seasons.
These qualites - along with the backing of a strong, talented board of directors - have ensured steady progress off the park, to complement and carry forward that achieved on it.
But as we embark on a new chapter in the club's history, I took the opportunity to put a few testers to the chairman in the hope of casting a little light on what County fans can expect in the near future.
AF: It is sometimes forgotten that football club directors are also fans and as passionate about football as the next man. On a personal note, how did it feel to gain a place in division two after previous disappointments?
RM: Having come so close to gaining promotion in previous seasons, it was a case of being delighted with the success. But like everyone else I was more than a little relieved.
I thought we would realise our potential, but until we were sure of promotion there was always that niggling doubt in the back of our minds, particularly after what had happened in previous season.
I always felt that it was important we went up as champions because, without belittling our opposition, it is fair to say we dominated the league for the better part of the season.
There was a real resolve throughout the club that promotion was within our grasp and to see the reaction of our fans when we finally clinched it was tremendous and made for a day I will remember for a very long time to come.
AF: The question from last season, from cup runs to the triumph of winning the league, must have been something of a rollercoaster ride. How hard has it been for the club to keep its feet on the ground and focused on the future?
RM: Neale and the players knew thet were under pressure to do well and they reacted magnificently by taking one game at a time. There was always the worry that a good cup run would disrupt our league form and, perhaps, it did take us a little timeto get back on track after beating Dundee United and taking Hearts to extra time and penalties.
However, these were great nights in the history of Ross County and I think that the fans would agree it was worth the experience.
As we progressed towards promotion, we knew we had to plan for the future, like any business, and three months before the end of the season we had our strategy in place for season 1999-2000.
The team delivered promotion and we have a head start in terms of shaping our team for the coming season. Hopefully, we will make a challenge for promotion again this year.
Everybody, at all levels in the club, is focused on the future and there is no-one getting carried away with last season's success.
AF: The club is developing a reputation in the wider community of Scottish football as one capable of punching above its weight in terms of attracting big-name players and paying decent wages. How sustainable is this?
RM: A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure that we have a firm financial base to allow us to develop and attract new players.
It is most flattering to think that we are starting to gain some recognitionwithin Scottish football. There is no doubt our cup run and dominance of the third division last year made people sit up and take notice.
The transfers of Derek Adams and Neil tarrant for record-breaking fees also sent a message to players that playing for Ross County can put you in the shop window. Players do have the opportunity to better themselves if it is in the best interests of both themselves and the club.
Finances within a football club are always a concern and we are no different. We have made good progress commercially and enjoy tremendous support from the business community.
We also recognise the tremedous backing we have received from our fans at both home and away games, but we know that we cannot survive on this alone and so continue to look at ways of increasing our commercial income.
Our move to full time football obviously increases our wage bill and we have taken great care in ensuring that we do not over-extend ourselves and can comfortably live within our means.
The decision to switch to full time football was not taken lightly. But all you need to do is look at the structure within Scottish football at present to appreciate the window of opportunity full time football can bring.
We owe it to our fans and to the whole community to try to bring the best quality of football and entertainment, at the highest level, to the area. our board are unanimous in their resolve to do this.
As a result, we have invested significantly in our youth and community structures and now feel the time is right to invest in our team to make sure that we give Neale the right support as he strives to deliver on-the-field success for Ross County.
AF: Ross County have facilities worthy of a first division club, albeit with less seating than the notional 5,000 suggested by the SFL for that level. What plans are in store to develop the ground?
RM:We had to take an important decision regarding ground developments at the end of last season.
We had grants and a funding package in place to complete terracing at both ends of the West Stand. However, after careful consideration and meetings with leading officials within Scottish football, we decided that this terracing project could reduce our options for sizable stadium redevelopment in the future.
Instead, we are currently looking at plans to develop the West Stand to accommodate more seating and pave the way for further develoment in the future.
We owe it to our supporters and to the community as a whole to keep our options open at a time when Scottish football is undergoing change and the future is a little unclear.
It may be that new windows of opportunity will open for Ross County and we have to be able to respond and upgrade our ground to seating requirements if we move up the divisions.
AF: Talk of reconstruction or revision of league structures is rife at the moment. What is your favoured format for the future and how do you see Ross County fitting in to that masterplan?
RM: It would be a brave man who predicted what will happen within the national game as so many clubs are involved in shaping the change and each has its own agenda.
We are one of the "new kids on the block" and I feel that the most important thing is to go about our business in a professional manner, progress as a club and not lose sight of our willingness to provide opportunities for youngsters of all abilities to play football.
Through the Skillseeker programme youngsters have the chance to be further educated while getting the chance to become a prefessional footballer.
We must also put out a first team that will provide both entertainment and success. Equally, we have to continue to attract strong support and expand our commercial base.
If we focus on these priorities, we would hope that we would earn a place of importance within Scottish football. We have come a long way in a short period of time.
If we continue going about our business in the correct manner, we will be in a position to take advantage of developments within the game in Scotland - if it is right for Ross County.
AF: Ross County are going all out for promotion this season. However, various end-of-season scenarios could lead to a restoration of the Highland derby with ICT. Would that be an attractive outcome or is "getting ahead" of ICT a financial imperative, even setting aside natural football rivalries?
RM: I think that it has been good for the Highlands to have two clubs within the SFL and ICT have done remarkably well in reaching division one.
I would like to see the return of the local derbies. They were exciting, the atmosphere was electric and obviously the financial return from these sell-out games was also good.
So I suppose the answer to your question is that I would be very pleased to see the return of the local derby games for the fans' sake.
AF: Youth development has been designated a priority area by Ross County. How long will it be before we see a home-bred Neil Tarrant or Nicky Walker?
RM: If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have said success would be someone breaking through in three to five years. We are into the first year of our youth and community development programme, so it is still early days.
However, going into the second year, I am confident that Danny MacDonald has some of the finest and most talented young players from across the north training and playing on a full time basis, under the Skillseekers programme.
Neale Cooper is a tremendous coach and we have seen, through the departure of Derek Adams and Neil Tarrant to Premiership clubs on both sides of the border, that our manager has the ability to develop young players.
Our entry into the Scottish leagues at under-16 and under-18 levels is giving these young players great experience at an early age. Alogside this we have entered into loan deals with Highland League teams which entail our young players leaving us for short periods to gain valuable experience.
Neale brought some of our Skillseekers into the first team last season, and they gave a good account of themselves. I am reasonably optimistic that there will be some of our youngsters breaking into the the first team sooner rather than later.
What I can say with certainty is that young players in the north are getting better opportunities than ever before to receive quality coaching and progress to whatever level thay can attain. Ross County are playing a significant role in this.
AF: Finally, any message to Ross County supporters for the season ahead?
RM: We had a tremendous support last season and I think everyone would agree it was exciting to watch and be part of the success of the club. We have shown our intent for this season and I would encourage all supporters to come along whenever they can to support the team.
We have kept our season ticket prices at the same level as the last two seasons and introduced a family gate to try to encourage mum, dad and the kids to come along and enjoy an afternoon at Ross County.
Ross County supporters are among the most knowledgeable on the game of football and I believe they enjoy good, attacking football and the fighting spirit associated with this club.
This is a hige season for everyone at Ross County and I would encourage the supporters to come out in force and get behind Neale and his team as we embark on our promotion bid.
Three promotion places are at stake this season and we must ensure that we are in contention for one of them.
It would have been an easy option to say to people that we were going for consolidation this season before our attempt to push up the leagues. Instead, we have taken a strategic decision, taking into account the current situation in Scottish football, to go all out for promotion.
Personally, I feel that we owe it to our loyal supporters and the community not to simply rest on our laurels and play out a season.
Ross County have never adopted that sort of approach - I do not think it is in our nature. However, It is vital that the supporters turn out in force and cheer on the team.
The new players have settled in very well and our pre-season preparation has gone according to plan. The management team, players and officials of the club cannot wait for the season to start and I just hope that we can provide the entertainment and results to reach the first division.
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