Latest from Press and Journal
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Ross County sign versatile ex-Sunderland defender as Steven Ferguson delivers update on Ronan Hale's future
Ross County's summer recruitment continues with the signing of versatile defender Ben Crompton. After leaving Premier League newcomers Sunderland, the 21-year-old has agreed to head to County on a pre-contract agreement, two-year deal. Crompton, who has experience playing right-back and centre back, never made a first-team appearance for the Black Cats but played 25 times for English National League side Tamworth last term. County manager Don Cowie explained why Crompton, who joins the club on July 1, fits the bill. He said: 'We are really happy Ben has chosen to join us. He had a really productive loan spell with Tamworth last season. He offers strong ability on the ball, as well as an imposing physical presence.' Crompton will join fellow defender Declan Gallacher, midfielder Ross Docherty and winger Gary Mackay-Steven as the new arrivals in Dingwall following the club's relegation from the Premiership last month. County, meanwhile, expect striker Ronan Hale to lead the line and fire the club back to the Premiership next season. The 26-year-old joined County on a three-year contract last summer when he moved to the Dingwall club from part-time NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville. Hale, who made his full Northern Ireland debut last week, has been linked to clubs around the country on the back of scoring 18 goals in all competitions in his debut term with the Highlanders. When asked about his club future last week, Hale said: 'I'm not sure at the moment. 'Obviously, we had a disappointing end to the season by being relegated, but it's one we need to look at and see what's best for my career.' County were relegated to the Championship after losing to the Premiership play-off final to Livingston last month. However, there is no question in County chief executive Steven Ferguson's mind that Hale will be checking into the Global Energy Stadium with the rest of his team-mates on Monday. He said: 'We encourage players wanting to improve themselves, but Ronan is under contract, and he will be reporting for pre-season training as part of the group that is going to try and win the Championship. 'The challenge for last season was that we lost Jack Baldwin, Yan Dhanda and Simon Murray and, with 10 games to go we thought we had achieved a good season, despite that. 'We are consistently the youngest team in the Premiership, and a lot of that is down to who we can recruit to the Highlands. 'We identified that, after another discussion between the chairman and I, we needed experienced knowledge alongside these talented youngsters. 'Noah Chilvers is 24 and Ronan Hale is 26, so we are getting guys that we believe are in their prime. 'That was part of the reason we brought these guys in on longer-term contracts, because we have seen them as part of the longer journey. 'That's still there, but there has been another path added which is this one year where we are fully focused on winning the Championship. 'I wouldn't be surprised if there is interest in more of our players, but the way that we do our business is that these players are under contract with us, and we look after our players. 'We'll give these players the opportunity to perform on a Saturday.' Ferguson explained that losing Simon Murray to Dundee last summer led to Hale becoming their number one target. County are going all out to win the Championship within one year and the feeling is it will take plenty of cash for any move to even be entertained, as Hale is too important within the team. He said: 'We invested in Ronan as a replacement for Simon Murray, and this is one of the things I was speaking about before where a lot of good things happened last year. 'Simon left having scored 20 (league) goals, and we got a good return on investment for the gamble we took two years ago. 'To get that was acceptable, and we wished Simon well when he went, but we had to replace him. 'Ronan Hale was earmarked as that person, and if you were to tell me that he would end up with 17 goals in his first season in the Premiership, I would have bitten both of your hands off. 'That was a good piece of business. (Chief scout) Greg Strong was involved in that, the manager was involved, and the chairman and I were both involved, so that was a real plus. 'Getting 17 goals in a team that was struggling to score was huge. He's just had a cap for Northern Ireland, so that raises his profile, but he's on a long-term contract to be a Ross County player.' Ferguson, who along with Stuart Kettlewell took County back to the Premiership in 2018-19 as co-managers, detailed how the squad is in healthy shape after eight players, excluding loanees, had moved on. He added: 'It's not just Ronan Hale who is still in contract – Akil Wright, Noah Chilvers, our two goalkeepers (Ross Laidlaw and Jordan Amissah) are too. 'I think we've got two Premiership goalkeepers, so that position is well and truly nailed down. 'George Harmon has played 100 Premiership games, Connor Randall has played over 250 career league games, we've got Eamonn Brophy coming back, Jordan White, Kieran Phillips who we chased for a long time – all of these guys are still under contract and hungry to play. 'Jay Henderson was nominated for player of the year in the Championship last season. We believed that him going and playing 40 games in the Championship would mean we had a more complete player next year. 'We thought we would be in the Premiership, and we're not, but the way his contract was structured he's still here and he will be with us in the Championship. 'We were after six signings, and we've got three over the line quickly, and we're hoping another three will follow to complement the players we have. 'That's not forgetting Andrew MacLeod and George Robesten, as academy graduates, who made inroads last year and played in Premiership games.'
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
New environment rules end 'pause' on oil and gas licence applications
Offshore oil and gas developers in fields including the controversial Rosebank well near Shetland are being given 'clarity' to kickstart applications with new environmental rules. The UK Government's new guidance follows last year's landmark Supreme Court ruling which forced developers to take into account the effect of burning fossil fuels after extraction. Labour energy minister Michael Shanks, in Aberdeen today, told the Press and Journal: 'This gives clarity about what the way forward is for oil and gas. 'Obviously it's lifting the pause on applications into that process but each individual application will now be considered on its merits. 'It's a step forward in ensuring the full environmental impact of extraction is considered.' The Labour MP said he will not be drawn on specific applications. Developers can submit applications to extract oil and gas in fields which are already licenced. These types of developments have been on pause since the so-called Finch Supreme Court judgement last year. The new rules do not give a green light to projects including Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea or Rosebank oil field off Shetland. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will be able to consider the significance of a project's environmental impact, while taking into account the economic impact and other implications. The Labour government says the latest step demonstrates support for the energy industry a week after supporting carbon capture at St Fergus gas terminal near Peterhead. Describing a transition from oil and gas, Mr Shanks added: 'It's 50 years this month since the first oil and gas started coming out of the North Sea. We should be proud of that. 'It will continue to play a part in our economy for decades to come. But all the evidence points to the fact it has been in decline for many years.' Andrew Bowie, the Tory shadow Scottish Secretary, said the future of UK energy security is at a tipping point. 'Since the start of the year, I have been holding events and meetings for North East oil and gas leaders as well as employees,' he said. 'Most agree that Labour policy is hastening the decline of the North Sea, far faster than any responsible government would.' Environmental lawyer Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said the new guidance cannot have come at a more critical time. 'In the case of the Rosebank oil field, which Equinor can now seek reapproval for, it is overwhelmingly obvious that the project is incompatible with the UK's climate commitments,' she said. 'Whether or not this government then follows the science and rejects Rosebank will be a real test of its climate credibility.'
Press and Journal
5 days ago
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen Airport flights chaos after plane breaks down on runway
All Aberdeen Airport flights were 'temporarily suspended' earlier today because a broken-down plane blocked the runway. A chartered Loganair plane reported a technical difficulty at 4:20pm, but managed to land safely at Aberdeen Airport today. It is understood that all passengers then disembarked from the plane. All flights to and from the airport were temporarily suspended while Aberdeen Airport worked with LoganAir to remove the aeroplane from the runway. The plane has now been removed and normal operations have resumed. One passenger, whose flight was rerouted to Edinburgh Airport, told The Press and Journal they have been told they will be bussed up to Aberdeen. They said: 'The airport is really busy, so everything is taking us ages – even getting off. 'We're being told more planes are due to be diverted here too, which will likely make it even busier and longer for the other folk diverted here.' Planes were diverted to Edinburgh and Glasgow Airport. Passengers were advised to contact their airline for more information about their flights. A Loganair spokesperson said: 'We can confirm there was a technical event involving one of Loganair's aircraft shortly after landing at Aberdeen Airport today. 'All passengers and crew have disembarked safely, and the aircraft has been taken to the Loganair hangar for inspection by the engineering team at the airport.'
Press and Journal
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Press and Journal
A93 at Crathes closed after crash involving car and caravan
The A93 at Crathes has reopened after it was closed when a car towing a caravan crashed on the road. Police closed the A93 near the A957 junction in both directions after the one-car crash. It is understood that the car was towing a caravan. Emergency services were called to the scene just after 11.40 this morning. The road has now fully reopened. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The A93 near its junction with the A957 at Crathes, which was closed in both directions following a one-car crash reported to police around 11.40am on Saturday, June 14 has now fully re-opened. 'We thank the public for their patience while the road was closed.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: 'We were called in to assist police following the crash. 'Upon our arrival, all persons had been released by the vehicle so no action was required to be taken by the crew.'
Press and Journal
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Best pictures from the Annual Midsummer Beer Happening
The Midsummer beer festival took place at the purpose-built marquee in Stonehaven's Baird Park. The fun started at 4.30pm on Thursday June 12, with the festival running until 11pm. On Saturday the event opens at 12 noon. It is now the north-east's biggest and most popular beer festival and one of, if not the biggest, in Scotland. This year's Happening included a circus themed brewery from Belgium with staff dressed as circus performers, rich array of musical talent lined up to perform over the three days and celebrations of the craft of brewing, along with great street food. Highlights included Friday night's Dunnottar Pipes and Drums in the tent for a performance and Saturday's Hawaiian shirt day on the busiest day of the festival.
