The Fort first-team manager is delighted that the club moved swiftly to land Dave Stafford and Peter MacIntyre, who brought Premier Division and Camanachd Cup silverware to An Aird.

McNeil welcomed their appointments which have been rubber-stamped and reckons there is a strong structure being built from youths to senior level.

He told the Lochaber News: "Very few clubs will have coaches with their experience leading the way at this level. Although I took over from them two years ago, they have always been there to pass on valuable advice to me, which I have always taken on board.

"I have an excellent working relationship with them and this can continue. To have guys of their calibre there to pass on their knowledge to the young boys is just brilliant. They have been there and done it and the players will respond to that.

"These appointments show just how serious we are about moving on."

He added: "I know that having Dave and Peter there will make it very easy for me to bring quality and capable players into the first-team. I understand them already and now we can all work together again and try and progress."

McNeil's number two, Ian Fraser, has also now joined forced with Dougie Cruickshank to work with the 17s, while Victor Smith, who may still continue playing for the seconds, has joined Jock Sneddon to coach the 14s.

McNeil explained that the next step for Fort is to bring in a new club coach, who will ensure all age groups are working along similar lines.

He said: "I have someone in mind, but no appointment has been made yet. The club coach will oversee all areas of the club. It ensures that all our teams have similar training sessions and go through the same warm-up routines, just to ensure there's continuity from top to bottom."

Fort, who finished third in the Premier League last season behind flawless Kingussie and runners-up Newtonmore, start their campaign on March 7 with a trip to Oban Camanachd. Seven days later, Fort have a derby at Spean Bridge against Lochaber.

Top-flight champions Kingussie visit Lochaber on day one of the Premier Division season, while in North Division One, Kilmallie head North to Caberfeidh before going back on the road to Inverness on March 14.

Ardnamurchan, meanwhile, start their new North Division Three campaign at home to Boleskine, followed one week on by a trip to Lochcarron.

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