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Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Formartine United boss Stuart Anderson on his latest signing
Formartine United manager Stuart Anderson is thrilled to have brought Luke Emmett back to North Lodge Park. The 24-year-old full-back has rejoined the Pitmedden outfit from North Junior champions Culter. Meanwhile, winger Aidan Combe – who joined Formartine in October 2022 from Fraserburgh – has moved in the other direction and signed for the Crombie Park outfit. Emmett, who has also played for Cove Rangers, Bridge of Don Thistle, Keith, Tayport and Banks o' Dee, was previously with Formartine between 2019 and 2021 and is United's sixth summer signing. Boss Anderson said: 'Luke has been at the club previously when I was still playing and at that time he was a young lad with loads of potential. 'He's played a lot of games since then, last season he took a step back from the Highland League and played with Culter in the juniors. 'But he's proven previously that he's very good at this level. 'He's got really good defensive qualities and he's versatile as well, he ticks a lot of boxes for us and we're delighted to sign Luke. 'He knows the level and has played for teams at the top end at this level in the past so he knows what's required. 'It shouldn't take him any time to adjust, he knows what it takes to do well at Highland League level and he's more than capable of performing at the top end of the Highland League.' Emmett has shown himself to be comfortable playing at right-back and left-back during his career and Anderson says that versatility will be useful. He added: 'I've seen Luke play right-back and left-back and he's equally comfortable in either position. 'That will be massive for us and he can step into midfield as well.' Anderson has been busy during the close season and has also signed Rory McAllister, Connor Scully, Scott Ross, Stuart McKenzie and Finlay Murray. On top of that he has also promoted youth players Aidan McCormick, Finlay Morris, Sam Thomson and Grant Corbett to the first-team squad. Assessing his summer business so far, Anderson said: 'We've undertaken a big rebuilding job, but with the players we've signed as well as the four development players we've taken into the first-team group we've made a number of additions. 'But we needed to do that because with players moving on, retiring and relocating there have been quite a few changes to the squad. 'Sometimes things need to change and hopefully the business we've done will stand us in good stead for the season ahead.'
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League: Connor Scully on why he's joined Formartine United
Connor Scully is aiming to win trophies with new club Formartine United after ending his success-laden stint with Cove Rangers. The 32-year-old has spent 16 years at Cove and was offered a new contract, but has opted return to the Breedon Highland League with United. With Cove, Scully won the Highland League four times, the R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup three times and the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield once. The midfielder also helped the Aberdeen side gain promotion to the SPFL in 2019, win the League Two title in 2020 and the League One title two years later. Explaining why he's decided to join Formartine, Scully said: 'I've known the manager Stuart Anderson for a long time. When he laid out the ambitions for the club, that impressed me and that was why I decided to go to Formartine. 'We want to be higher up in the league after where the club finished last season (eighth). 'The manager wants to be pushing as high up the league as possible, I'm a winner at heart, so I'd say I want to win the league with Formartine. 'I've won it four times with Cove, so I'd really like to win it again with Formartine and hopefully we can also do well in the cups. 'I've been used to winning things at Cove, so I'd like to continue that with Formartine. 'I'm at a good age, I'm still fit and feel I can contribute. I'll try to help the boys at Formartine as best I can. 'It feels like the right time to take on a new challenge and I'm happy to be coming back into the Highland League.' In total Scully made 567 appearances for Cove and also received a testimonial in 2023. Reflecting on his time at the Balmoral Stadium, he added: 'It was a tough decision to leave – looking back I've got so many great memories. 'I've made a lot of good friends, the fans always supported me throughout my time and were fantastic with me. 'Everyone at the club has been brilliant with me. I'm proud of what I achieved at Cove. 'It's a fantastic club and I'm sorry to be leaving, but I feel like I'm ready for a fresh challenge. 'The travelling involved in playing in the Scottish League was taking its toll because I have a young family. 'I'll give the same level of commitment to Formartine, but there is less travelling in the Highland League. It is that bit more local. 'My time at Cove was always going to end at some point. This is the time and I leave on good terms.'
