Cove Rangers FC has announced that it will be moving to a full-time basis for the 2023-24 season.
The board said yesterday that following the club's relegation from the Championship, that the move was the "right way ahead for the club" as it seeks a return to the second tier of Scottish football.
They believe full-time football can be funded "in a more sensible and structured way", which will make the move both more affordable and practical.
Chairman Keith Moorhouse is convinced the time is right for Cove Rangers to take the next step on what has been a remarkable journey for the former Highland League club in recent years.
“Moving the club to a full-time basis has always been part of our original five-year plan, and I am proud that we are at a stage where we can now make that happen," he told the Cove Rangers website.
“The forthcoming season will be a transitional period, and we are preparing to operate within a hybrid structure.
“We believe that making this change now will allow the club to be in a better position to compete, and be successful in the longer term.”
The decision has been welcomed by manager Paul Hartley, who is now looking forward to having the players on a daily basis, rather than just two nights a week, in most cases after they have put in a full working day.
He says the move will not only benefit the team's League One campaign, but also ensure the club is better prepared for the future:
“Going full-time is a game-changer for Cove Rangers. When you think of where we have come from in recent years, it’s massive. We are making history for the football club here.
“It will make attracting players so much easier; we lost out on a few last season because we were part-time, so that should no longer be an issue for us.
“From my point of view, it will give us more hours with the squad, we can spend time setting things up, preparing for games, and doing analysis; it will no longer be a case of rushing that through on Tuesday or Thursday nights. We can do double sessions, the players will have more scope for rest and recovery, and it will enhance their fitness levels.
“I am delighted the club has decided to go down this route, and it’s another hugely exciting chapter in our history.”