Goalkeeper Steven Martin comes home to St Duthus
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STEVEN Martin says playing in the number one jersey was the main factor for him returning to St Duthus.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper has rejoined his home town club from Highland League champions Brora Rangers.
Martin who also previously played for Clachnacuddin, found himself sitting on the bench at Brora Rangers for the majority of last season behind the highly-rated Joe Malin.
Martin says he is at a stage in his career where it is important for him to play regular football again.
“I am at the age where I need to be playing,” he said.
“Being at Brora, any other club I would fancy my chances of pushing for the number one jersey.
“But Joe is at a different level and I was finding first-team minutes were going to be harder to come by.”
The father-of-four welcomed the latest addition to his family, Jack, four months ago.
He says he also wants to be closer to home while balancing his football career.
“I wanted to be closer to home and be with family,” he said.
“I have a young family and I want to finish a game at 4pm and to get home by 4:15pm rather than being down at Aberdeenshire sitting on a bench at 4pm waiting for the second half to start.”
Martin previously played for St Duthus when he signed in 2016.
Across two seasons for the Saints, he played 41 competitive games.
In March 2018, he reaped the on-the-field rewards when he collected a North Caledonian Cup winners medal for his part in the Saints’ 3-1 win over Golspie Sutherland to help the club win the cup for the first time since 1990.
St Duthus will play in NCL Division One along with Ross rivals Invergordon in a six-team league with Golspie Sutherland, Halkirk United, Orkney and Thurso.
The North Caledonian League is being split into two divisions for one season only due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
With last season’s top six in one division, Martin believes there will be no easy games this campaign.
“Drop points early in the season and it will be tough to recover,” he said.
“But with the squad they had last year and with additions we can push on and be there challenging.
“There are no weak teams, Thurso and Halkirk United will be competitive and Orkney, Golspie and Invergordon are always strong. Any of the sides are capable of pushing for the title.”
