Interview with Forfar Farmington’s Megan McCarthy and Mark Nisbet

Forfar Farmington announced their second signing last week with defender Megan McCarthy joining for a second spell from Inverness City.

The 23 year old had a short spell in 2012 and spent pre-season at Farmington before being forced to leave due to issues.

McCarthy reckons that the season ahead will be tough for the girls but feels that they have the drive and desire to show that they still belong in the Premier League.

She said “I always loved the attitude that Forfar has and the drive so for that reason I was excited to come back. I really felt like I learnt a lot last time so for football technically I am also looking forward to improving.”

“Every single game is going to be a challenge but from playing with the team before I know the desire they have to perform well.”

The defender, who started her career at Moray Girls, said she hopes that she can improve herself in the reconstructed league each week. “I’m hoping to improve as a player and playing games each week is a personal aim. I think the team should aim for a certain spot on the table where we would like to be sitting at the end of the season and aim towards that.”

McCarthy had some parting words for her former side, where she had spent the last six years bar the short spell at Station Park.

“Last season was hard due to injuries, Inverness are a close team so we stuck together but physically our team was struggling.” she said.”I loved playing for them, the team is such so close and I have had some amazing times with them. The girls there will always be great friends and I will miss them a lot.”

Megan joins Robyn Smith in signing for Farmington and manager Mark Nisbet is delighted with both signings so far.

“I have worked with both players before and know what they can bring.” He continued. “A big thing for me is their attitudes towards developing their game. It also gives us a bit more experience in the group.“

Nisbet revealed he has plans to add more signings before the end of the month and could possibly make a couple of those this week in the side’s final training session before they return in the New Year for pre-season.

“The plan is to announce another few signings before the end of the year and a couple in the New Year. The thought process behind this is to increase the competition in the squad and to also give us more options for a game day.”

“I don’t like to talk about players who are no longer with the club but wish them all the best. My focus is on the players who have committed and are preparing for the season ahead.”

Interview with Forfar Farmington’s new signing Robyn Smith

Forfar Farmington made their first new signing ahead of their 2016 season on Sunday with attacker Robyn Smith joining from Jeanfield.

The 22 year old returns for her second spell, having left the club originally in 2013 for the Perth side she joins from.

Smith had a handful of appearances in her last spell and the Blairgowrie based attacker says she is delighted to be at Station Park once again. “I’m really excited to be back. I had a taste of SWPL with a couple of appearances at the end of the season in 2013 after recovering from fracturing my ankle so to get a proper shot under Mark Nisbet is great.”

Smith making her debut against Falkirk in 2013

At Jeanfield she helped them to win the SWFL First Division League Cup and gain promotion to the newly formed second tier of the Premier League and Smith placed her thanks to the club for allowing her the chance to play regularly again, saying “I really enjoyed my time there, the first season to get back playing regularly meant a lot to me.”

She continued “The second although I didn’t play as much due to a mix of injury and places in squad it had some great highlights like scoring in the First Division League Cup Final against Hibs at Alloa and securing a place in the SWPL2 for the club. I have to thank Steve there for the chance and a good set up to come back to football.“

Smith is already familiar with a few faces at the club; with the current management team at the club in her last spell as well as playing with Holly Napier and Lindsey Dunbar amongst others in the Dundee & Angus College side.

“To already be playing week in and week out with players like Holly, Lindsey, Jade McLaren, Megan Burns and Kayleigh Noble is, from a footballing point of view, fantastic but they’re great fun.” she said. ”They have already made me feel very welcome; the whole club has, including the staff. It feels normal, like being at home. “

The attacker also reckons that with the current players becoming more experienced they will be able to cope better against the likes of Hibernian next season, saying “The club showed last year that playing against those top sides is difficult but I believe after a further year to develop they will be stronger to handle the situation and I’m sure Mark will add further depth to the team. Our priority has to be staying up first and build from there.“