Departures at the Glebe as City mould new squad

Kirk last week reached agreements with Seth Patrick, Kieran Inglis, Iain Ross and Michael Cruickshank to extend their time at Glebe Park.

Brechin currently have 11 players retained for the 2022/23 campaign with Kirk now speaking to several other members of the squad.

But this time of the season is also a period which sees players move on to pastures new.

On Monday evening the club announced that some of the squad members who contributed to the club’s previous campaign had departed the Glebe.

Garry Wood, Murray Mackintosh, Michael Paton and Cameron Winter will all be moving on while loan players Jack Wills, Jordan Northcott and Layton Bisland return to their respective parent clubs.

Wood has signed a pre-contract agreement with fellow Highland League side Inverurie Locos.

With City facing dropping down to a league which was something of an unknown quantity to them, Wood proved to be a shrewd signing by the club.

The striker had spent six years in the Highland League with Formartine United so joined City with an in-depth knowledge of the division.

The striker made 32 appearances, scoring 10 goals, including his 150th career goal in his 500th career appearance last month, coincidentally against the side he will join in the summer.

Mackintosh, who made 31 appearances for Brechin, scoring four goals, is moving to Australia.

The midfielder’s goal against Darvel in the Scottish Cup third round replay was voted as City’s goal of the season.Paton’s departure brings to an end his two seasons with Brechin City as both player and manager.

Following Mark Wilson’s departure in October 2020, Paton was appointed player/manager.

Sadly he was unable to keep the side in League Two and, following a play-off with Kelty Hearts, they were relegated to the Highland League.

But the former Dunfermline midfielder showed his loyalty to the club when he chose to remain at Brechin as a player and proved a key man under Kirk.

Also moving on is young goalkeeper Cameron Winter who has served as backup in the absence of both Jack Wills and Iain Ross throughout the season.

Following the expiry of their loan contracts, goalkeeper Wills and attacker Northcott return to St Johnstone.

Defender Layton Bisland heads back to Dundee United.

Brechin this week thanked the clubs who had sent the players to them plus all of those leaving the club for the roles they had played over the campaign, which saw the side finish third in the division.

"Our grateful thanks go to both clubs for allowing these players to continue their development through regular football whilst at city,” said the club

"The club would like to place on record our thanks to all departing players for their efforts throughout the season and wish them well for the future.”