The former captain's fears over his managerial future have sparked a war of words within the club, as its chief played down suggestions that McNeil is for the axe.

Speculation has been rife this week that McNeil's future is seriously in doubt after – by their standards – a disappointing Premier League campaign sees them sit third, with the potential of other sides dragging them down a further spot or two.

Chairman Richard Gall, however, refuted McNeil's claims and stressed – despite mid-season crunch talks between the manager and club officials – he is the man in place unless it's decided otherwise in December's annual general meeting.

However, McNeil has ensured Fort William stay with the sport's top teams – delivering Camanachd Cup wins three years on the trot.

McNeil lifted the lid to the Lochaber News and explained why he thinks his time in charge seems likely to come to an end.

Fort's final match of the season ended in a 3-1 top-flight defeat at Inveraray, although McNeil felt his side played better than the scoreline suggests.

Now, attention at An Aird turns to who will take the club forward, but McNeil fears he won't be given the nod in December's key committee meeting.

He explained: "It's not ideal, but at Fort William, the committee decide each year who should be in charge for the forthcoming season. I have been here three years and I don't think it went down too well when I said from the start that I had a seven-year plan for the club.

"I was maybe the first manager to come in who wanted to oversee the entire playing side, from under-14s right up to the first-team. For example, every player, no matter what age, has to train the same as everyone else or they won't be playing shinty for Fort William. I wanted all our players to show improvement, not just the first-team.

"Mid-season, there was a meeting where some people within the committee were wanting me out. That could have been a real jolt to my confidence, but thankfully, I am a confident person, and I refused to be distracted from the job in hand."

McNeil took a swipe at some of the "old guard" within the boardroom, saying their comments as the side closed in on the Camanachd Cup were staggering.

He explained: "Prior to the Camanachd Cup semi-final, three committee members told me we wouldn't win the cup and we'd even be relegated from the league. It's just as well there were no players there.

"All this hassle was going on, but I stayed on for the players. We had a chat and player power made the difference. I wanted to win the cup for myself too, obviously, but I wanted to win it with them."

As for whether he'll be given the nod to continue in 2010, he revealed: "I will be throwing my hat into the ring, but I really can't see it happening. When you know the feeling behind the scenes, well it doesn't make for the best working relationship. I'd like to take Fort William forward, but I'll have to wait and see. I am already looking to plan for friendlies for next year and prepare the squad for the start of the new season"

Asked what he would do without taking the helm at An Aird next year, he said: "As a player, I would never have thought about turning out against Fort William, but it's different when you're a manager. If that ever happened, I would be wanting to beat the club rather than the players, who have been terrific for me."

Chairman Gall, however, whacked McNeil's suggestions into touch, telling the LN there are no plans to replace their boss.

He explained: "The committee pick the manager for each year and this will happen at the annual general meeting in December.

"Despite the speculation, no-one is lined up to replace Drew, nor have we spoken to anyone with a view to take over. There was some concern during the reason that the league results were not as they should be and Drew was asked for him comments, which he gave us. He responded by winning the Camanachd Cup.

"Drew is our manager and if he is unhappy he should speak to the committee rather than speak to the media."

Gall also denied that comments were made to McNeil prior to the Camanachd Cup semi-final, claiming his side would not deliver the silverware this time, or even be relegated.

Despite finishing a distance behind Premier League pace-setters Newtonmore and Kingussie, McNeil feels the 2009 term was far from a nightmare.

He said: "Regularly throughout the season we were, on average, without five key players through injury or suspension and it's hard to try and win a league under such circumstances.

"Once it was clear that we were not going to win the league, our attention turned to winning the Camanachd Cup.

"In some ways, given all that surrounded the team off the field, we actually overachieved.

"I can be proud of what I have achieved here. One of my bug bears when I took over was that we would reach cup finals, but win around one in four of them. I wanted that to change.

"I wanted to win these finals and the record in the past three years shows these players know how to win. The team is in good shape at the moment and there's plenty to look forward to."

McNeil, meanwhile, praised "key signing" Jemma Docker, whose leisure background at the town's Milton Hotel helped Fort improve their fitness this term.

McNeil said: "Jemma came in and she had no idea really about shinty, but she learned and get done a tremendous job in getting our players fit. She will be at the club next season and her input will be even more impressive next year as she knows everyone now.

"The new season starts in March and that's is too long to have players idle. Jemma, who has not got enough credit this season, will ensure we are quick out of the blocks."

Back on the field, Lochaber face a vital Premier League game this Saturday when they go to relegated Glenorchy.

The Spean Bridge side crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Oban Camanachd last weekend, which leaves them just above the drop zone.

Ninth-placed Bute, who have an away fixture with Kyles Athletic on Saturday, have one game in hand over Lochaber, so Ally Ferguson will be hoping his team can return from Glenorchy with two valuable points.

Kilmallie finished their North Division One season a fortnight ago and are needing an unlikely slip-up by Lovat to spark title success at Caol.

Lovat, who are three points behind leaders Kilmallie with two games left, saw their fixture against Lochcarron postponed on Saturday.

Kilmallie will this weekend be rotting for Inverness to nick something from Lovat to create a twist in the tail.

In North Division Two, mid-table Glengarry return to action when they host the champions, Glenurquhart reserves.

South Division Two basement side Ballachulish, meanwhile, host the team just above them, Glenorchy, who crashed 3-1 to Taynuilt last weekend.

sports@lochaber-news.co.uk