He will be assisted by two former player/managers, Garry Reid and Robert Geddes, as Strath target to be amongst the pack chasing North Division One title glory with the reward of promotion to the Premier Division for the victor. Both Reid and Geddes are set to continue in their playing roles.

Reid, who took over as Strath player/manager at the start of the 2009 season, decided that he could not continue as manager due to increased work and family commitments.

However, he was more than willing to assist MacKay, along with the highly experienced Geddes, in a bid to have Strath challenging for league honours again.

MacKay, a police officer in Inverness, steps up to take over Strath's senior side after a spell managing the club's reserve team. He will take charge without the presence of three players who helped Strath to their third Balliemore Cup success in 2009.

Lee Bain, one of the brightest talents to have come through the ranks at Strathglass, will be joining Premier Division champions Kingussie.

The versatile Bain, who is employed as a keeper on a Badenoch estate, has been training with the Kingussie club for some time, will be a major loss to Strathglass where his skills have been utilised in a variety of roles since he became a regular in the club's first team over five years ago.

Also not available to MacKay next year will be father and son duo Steve and Marc MacLachlan.

Goalkeeper Steve, who had a long and distinguished career at Ballachulish prior to moving North to become a firefighter in Inverness has decided to retire from the sport due to family commitments.

Striker Marc who represented the North at under-17 level, but whose appearances last year were limited due to work commitments, has decided to rejoin Beauly who he left at the end of the 2007 season.

Garry Reid, left, of Strathglass battles with Liam Girvan, of Inverness last season. Now he will assist new manager Brian MacKay. Phil Downie 01463 831249

A welcome addition to MacKay's squad will be midfielder Andrew Fraser, who rejoins Strathglass after nine years serving with the army. Fraser, the brother of club full back Donald, was a key player with The Highlanders and SCOTS regimental teams and captained The Highlanders when they defeated Lochside Rovers in the final of the Bullough Cup in 2006.

Taking over from MacKay as manager of Strath's reserve team will be Steve Harvey, who has served as a committee member and treasurer and whose involvement with the club spans a 20-year time frame.

* The draw for the 2010 MacAulay Cup was made in Oban last week with holders Inveraray unlikely to be troubled too much when they travel to Mossfield Park for a first round clash with South Division One outfit Oban Celtic.

The 2009 runners-up Kingussie journey to Caol for a first round tie against last season's North Division One runners-up Kilmallie.

As in previous years the tournament will involve the top eight North area teams plus the top eight South area teams as per 2009 league positions and will be zoned right up to the final, thus guaranteeing a North v South final at Oban's Mossfield Park.

First round:

Lovat v Skye, Glenurquhart v Fort William, Kilmallie v Kingussie, Lochaber v Newtonmore, Bute v Kilmory, Kyles Athletic v Oban Camanachd, Oban Celtic v Inveraray, Glasgow Mid Argyll v Glenorchy.

Second round:

Lochaber/Newtonmore v Kilmallie/Kingussie, Lovat/Skye v Glenurquhart/Fort William, Oban Celtic/Inveraray v Glasgow Mid Argyll/Glenorchy, Kyles Athletic/Oban Camanachd v Bute/Kilmory.

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