Greg Mitchell reveals why he couldn’t leave Inverurie Locos

Captain Greg Mitchell insists he couldn’t walk away from Inverurie Locos even though they have endured a difficult season.

The defender, who joined his hometown team in 2013, was out of contract at the end of the campaign but has penned a new deal until the summer of 2028.

Mitchell has been sidelined since March of last year after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and tearing the meniscus in his left knee.

After finishing fourth in the Breedon Highland League last season, Inverurie are sitting 16th this term, but despite their struggles skipper Mitchell revealed he had no intention of leaving Harlaw Park.

The 30-year-old said: “The biggest reason for staying is that I love the club.

“We’re going through a bit of a difficult period just now, but I couldn’t walk away from the club.

“I’ve always seen my future at Locos. It’s been difficult just watching when I’ve been injured, but when I come back I think I can really help the boys.

“I’ve been doing a little bit of coaching with some of the younger lads and I can see there is a bright future at the club.

“However, it’s also about the here and now because we want to be challenging and having success.

“That’s not happened this season, but hopefully it will in the seasons to come.

“I couldn’t walk away from the club, if you were to walk away when things are good it’s slightly different.

“But when things are bad sometimes it’s maybe the easy decision to walk away – but that’s not in my nature.

“I’ve had good conversations with the manager Dean Donaldson, the chairman Mike Macaulay and director of football Scott Buchan.

“Everyone is pulling in the same direction and trying to get the club back competing.”

Return on the horizon

Mitchell is currently in the middle of his testimonial and is hoping to be back in action during pre-season as he steps up his recovery from injury.

The player, who has made 331 appearances for Inverurie, added: “Right now things are OK in terms of my injury.

“Myself and Cole Anderson (who is also coming back from a cruciate ligament problem) have started running again with the physio.

“I’m getting towards the end of the rehab now so hopefully I’ll be back for pre-season and then be back to normal next season.

“All the way through myself and Cole have sort of been comparing notes.

“I’ve been going to the gym three times a week doing stuff and now I’m back running.

“But you also need to be careful when you’re getting towards the final part of the rehab that you don’t push it too much.

“The plan since the operation last May was always to get myself back for pre-season this year and hopefully I’ll manage that.”

[Source: Press and Journal]