Strathspey Thistle FC

HOME MATCH v DUNDEE NORTH END FC
SCOTTISH CUP
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2025 KO 3pm

The Dokens’ fans’ view on Saturday will be something completely different from their normal Saturday afternoons with hopefully the spectacle of the Cromdale Hills bathed in Scottish sun.
This is one of the big footballing weekends in Scottish Football – Round One of The Scottish Cup – and countless fans and players will be travelling the length and breadth of the country to a game, a lot going to grounds for the first time and that is exactly what will be happening at Seafield Park…..

So, we welcome all the way from Fife, players, management and supporters of Dundee North End, a Scottish junior club, who play in the SJFA Midlands League, and have been league winners for the past two seasons so this is probably going to be very tough match against what I imagine to be a very strong team.
The fascination of cup games like these is there is no real means for the layman of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the teams in relation to each other, as both play in completely different leagues and environments, and as a one off game anything is possible.
Admittedly the Cup has not been kind to the Jags over the years but again this year we hope to start an adventure which will probably not lead us to Hampden, but, look what happened to Buckie Thistle a couple of seasons ago – and our opponents, Fraserburgh, from last week’s Highland League encounter  – a trip to Ibrox last January.

I would imagine Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson, ex-Aberdeen keeper, Scotland U-21 international and a former winner of the cup with Inverness Caley Thistle and the co-manager at Dundee North End, former Scottish internationalist, Aberdeen and Caley Thistle player Kevin McNaughton, know each other very well as their careers have intertwined throughout and I expect after the inititial pleasantries it’ll be very much game on! 
It should make for a captivating afternoon.
At the time of writing there was no information on this week’s Jags’ playing squad.

If any Dokens’ supporters want some information about the sights and sounds of Grantown – click here – and we wish all supporters travelling to the game safe journeys.

There will a commemorative programme on sale at the gate on a first come first served basis, and the Mackellar Suite will be offering the following packages, see below – usual SFA rules will apply –  and our Snack Bar will be available for pies etc before and during the game.

There are two fantastic ways to enjoy the day at Seafield Park on Saturday. 

£45 Package
• Two course meal
• Complimentary drinks (1.30pm – kick off)
• Programme & teamsheet
• Match ticket
• Half-time tea/coffee & pie
• Post-match cash bar

 £30 Package
 • Burger
• 3 drinks
• Match ticket
Both home and away supporters are welcome.
Spaces are limited and bookings are first come, first served.
Please contact for more information
hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

SATURDAY’S LEAGUE GAME AT FRASERBURGH 20 SEPTEMBER

Cliché time – a game of two halves.
The Broch with the wind behind them and the sun shining, started the game very smartly scoring four in a twenty minute spell – probably the standout goal was the their second on seventeen minutes – a thirty yard lob by Sean Butcher giving Jags’ keeper Danny Gillan no chance. We did create some chances nearing the end of the first half but no goals.
As the second half started the heavens opened and although Fraserburgh were still dominant we had a lot more of the ball and we had a couple of decent chances to score, before sub Dylan Lawrence headed a fine goal in the eighty-second minute to make the final score 4-1.
We now move to eleventh spot in the league sitting on fifteen points and look forward to our next League game – at home to Inverurie Locos on Saturday 4 October followed swiftly by another home game, this time under the floodlights on the Wednesday night 8 October 8pm KO against Forres Mechanics.

As we mentioned last week our broadband and WiFi provider is Scotnet and cannily enough our scorer on Saturday, Dylan Lawrence  just happens to be sponsored by them….. 

---

LOTTERY NOW £13,000

Although there are negative connotations to the number thirteen it is believed that in days of yore it meant that it was a new beginning so……
IT’S OFFICIAL – IT’S NOW A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,000 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery today- click here if you want to play this Sunday …

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age
   All winners will be notified.

It goes without saying we wish Ryan, our coaching staff and our players all the best for Saturday.

AWAY MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
BELLSLEA PARK, FRASERBURGH AB43 9BB
SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

On the road again this week, and on one of our furthest away visits we head to Fraserburgh and our Breedon Highland League match at Bellslea Park, home of Fraserburgh FC. Over the years it hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for league points and I would imagine Saturday afternoon will be no different.
Fraserburgh currently sit in fourth position in the league on twenty three points from eleven games, and last year finished in fifth place so they are an established team who will be there or thereabouts come season’s end in April.

Head coach Ryan Esson believes that in the last couple of games against league leaders Brora Rangers, one a league match and one a cup game, we competed for most of both games but the score lines were very disappointing especially in the last quarter of the league match – and something we hope is behind us and we look to correcting that against The Broch – a task that will not be easy, but as we have proved against other top teams this season it is something that is not beyond us.
With more or less a full squad available for selection and a wee bit of a rest from a gruelling start to the season, with most weeks having midweek matches, we wish the boys all the best and with a good performance …..you never know!

AWAY MATCH AT BRORA SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER

Out of the frying pan and into the fire was what many observers were worrying about and sure enough that was what happened.

After a very one sided first half we played a lot better in the second half, and unfortunately the result was not one to write home about, but there were aspects of our play which showed much improvement and we had some good chances in both halves actually, and, maybe if a couple had been taken who says what the outcome would have been – but as in the previous game Brora proved what a top outfit they are!

---

SCOTNET

We would like to thank Stuart Glendinning of Scotnet for being our supplier of broadband enabling us to use more up-to-date electronic gadgetry around Seafield Park.

JORDAN LAIDLAW 

We all wish Jordan Laidlaw all the best in his future football journey as this week he signed a two-year deal with Rothes FC.

Jordan, who signed for us along with Conor MacPhee in early May of 2024, and after missing a substantial part of last season with a serious knee injury, returned to competitive play and produced many a good performance, and this coupled with his friendly personality made him very popular with the Jags’ fans.

---

SCOTTISH CUP HOSPITALITY

Next week sees us host Dundee North End in the first round of the Scottish Cup.

For more information email – hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

LOTTERY NOW £12,900

It’s a ginormous amount –  £12,900, yes £12,900, for you to win by playing our online fundraising weekly lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

AWAY MATCH v BRORA RANGERS FC
R DAVIDSON HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP
DUDGEON PARK BRORA
SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

Well…..this Saturday finds us travelling up the A9 to Dudgeon Park, Brora for our second encounter in four days with the reigning treble-winning Brora Rangers – a task made even more difficult with regards to the result against them in our league encounter in Grantown on Wednesday evening. In betting terms we are very much the underdogs but as Greavsie would say “ It’s a funny old game, Saint” – you never know…..

This is the start of two difficult Saturdays away from Grantown and we return to Seafield Park for another difficult encounter in our Scottish Gas Scottish cup first round tie against Dundee North End on Saturday 27th.

MATCH v BRORA RANGERS, SEAFIELD PARK, WEDNESDAY 10 Sept

On a hellish night for football with strong winds and heavy rain showers, Brora Rangers showed the hardy folks who turned up to spectate what an excellent football team they are.
Everyone who attended, left the ground, some earlier than others, with nothing but praise for last year’s winners of the League and both cups.
The game as a contest was over by half time when we were three down and a fourth goal added on the hour mark – and really that should have been it, but again we seemed to think the game was over after eighty minutes and succumbed to four quick goals in the last ten minutes which made the scoreline look worse – but this is a frailty we have to eliminate from games.
Our player of the match was probably keeper Danny Gillan who pulled off one or two really good saves, especially with the horrid weather making concentration difficult.
In our conversations after the game with the very amiable Brora committee they thought that was probably the best performance by The Cattachs all season, and they were also very complimentary in the improvements around the ground and in the way our league season had gone so far….

Again, we would like to thank everyone who attended the game, especially the travelling fans……it was not a night to be standing about watching a game of football.

HALF TIME RAFFLE WINNER

Probably the only Jags’ fan going home with a hint of a smile on his face was Darren MacPhee, Zach MacPhee’s dad, whose ticket was drawn to win the £50 half time raffle.

Again, we would like to thank everyone who buys a ticket every week and helps with club’s finances .

---

ALAN MCKENZIE

We as a club are very sorry to be losing the services of Alan who is returning south to Tunbridge Wells. 

Alan, originally from Paisley and a staunch Buddies fan, started attending Jag’s games more or less immediately he arrived in Grantown in April 2022, and by doing so, he was “press-ganged” in a friendly way into joining the committee – and his financial skills and wisdom helped us through some dark times a couple of years ago of which the club will always be grateful.
We will also miss him on a Tuesday morning when a select few meet to repair the pitch after a Saturday game and listen to his very knowledgeable take on said game!

We wish Alan and his wife Angela all the best down south and look forward to him soon visiting Seafield Park, when he next visits his daughter in Grantown.

LADIES DAY AT SEAFIELD PARK

We’re delighted to announce the very first Strathspey Thistle FC Ladies Day on Saturday 4 October / Strathspey Thistle v Inverurie Locos.

This is a day you won’t want to miss and with the last few tables remaining, now’s the time to grab your spot!

Book now via email – hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

LOTTERY NOW £12,800

It’s a ginormous amount –  £12,800, yes £12,800, for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES

After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 

The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

---

Well that’s it for this week sports fans as we wish Ryan and the boys all the best for this weekend and we’ll be back next week for a review of the week and a preview of next Saturday’s game in Fraserburgh.

HOME MATCH v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 – KO 8PM

Wednesday evening sees us welcome players, management and supporters of Brora Rangers FC. It is the first of two games on the bounce against Brora as we head to Dudgeon Park on Saturday for an R Davidson Highland League Cup tie KO 3pm.
Currently sitting on top of the league with twenty-four points from nine games – their only defeat was more than a month ago when visiting Fraserburgh – so it looks like being another tough evening under the floodlights of Seafield Park.
In previous seasons we have had some hammerings from Brora, but hopefully this season in light of most of our recent results that will not be the case, and if we bring our A-game perhaps we can get something out of it, especially if we can cut out some of the recent mistakes we have been punished severely for.
We should be welcoming back one of our star players from a couple or so years ago in Craig MacKenzie, who has played a large part in Brora’s success over the past season, after his transfer from Forres Mechanics in July 2024.
If any of the Brora travelling support want a resumé with what’s available in Grantown – click here– and we will have full snack bar facilities open from about 7.15pm.
We also wish them safe travel to and from Seafield Park and appreciate their attendance. 

The Jags will be raring to go after our result in Huntly and head coach Ryan Esson should have a more or less full squad to choose from.

SATURDAY’S VISIT TO HUNTLY

It had always been a very difficult place for us to take points from, so it was great leaving Christie Park with all three on Saturday after our first win against Huntly for ten years and especially after last year’s resounding defeats.

Huntly opened the scoring through their top marksman Angus Grant after only eight minutes, but LIam Shewan equalised for the Jags eight minutes later. Daniel Whitehorn deftly headed us into the lead on thirty-eight minutes from an excellent Zac MacPhee cross. 
We added a third on fifty eight minutes when Filip Franczak won the ball close to the half way line, and proceeded to get to the goal line before cutting it back for Calum Brown to expertly finish – his fourth goal in six games. It was good to see Ali Morrison make his first start in defence and the Jags’ fans at the game said he had an effective debut so all the parts of the jigsaw are beginning to piece together.

Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson was rewarded for his visit to Christie Park in midweek to watch the home side in cup action against our opponents from last week Formartine, and he was able to put a plan together which obviously worked – and was delighted with the work rate the boys are beginning to put in both in training and on the pitch where it matters.

Check out the excellent goals here

GRANT MORTIMER

It was with sadness that Strathspey Thistle FC learnt of the passing of Grantown business man Grant Mortimer.
Grant was proprietor of Mortimers of Speyside and following in the footsteps of his father, built up the business over the past sixty years or so, from their small shop for local anglers to one of international renown.
Grant agreed to become the club’s first ever shirt sponsor for the season 1997-1998 and, we won our first ever trophy wearing that strip.
We send our condolences to his wife Marjory, his family and friends.

AWAY MATCH v HUNTLY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
CHRISTIE PARK HUNTLY AB54 8JE
SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

After last week’s disappointing result against Formartine, we head across country to Huntly’s Christie Park and a Breedon Highland League match against The Black and Golds. We haven’t got a great record against Huntly and you would have to go back to, I think, 2015 to our last victory – a home win by five goals to two.
Huntly lie in seventh position on fourteen points, two points more than ourselves and after a two-nil defeat in the local derby against Keith last Saturday, and a mid-week cup tie losing to Formartine, they will be wanting to bounce back but The Jags will be wanting to do the same, so it looks as it could be another cracker of a game. Jags’ fans travelling to the game should be aware of the annual Huntly Hairst festival which may cause traffic interruptions.
Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson will have more or less a full squad to pick from, missing are Aaron Doran and Conor MacPhee, and after having no mid-week game again this week everyone else will be raring to go..

SATURDAY’S GAME v FORMARTINE UTD AT SEAFIELD PARK

Both teams started the game well with the visitors having slightly more of the play, but it remained much the same until half-time.
Two minutes after the break Formartine were slightly fortunate with Julian Wade taking full advantage of a ricochet to put United one up. However ten minutes later the Jags’ Josh Race scored a great goal. He took posession of the ball just inside his own half and raced towards goal and and from about twenty yards out smashed a curling shot into the top right hand corner levelling the score.

However Jags’ joy lasted only three minutes when a defensive mix-up allowed Wade to score his second of the afternoon and that was that. It was a shame as we had taken the ascendancy before and after our goal and had we been able to maintain that and not lose the second goal the outcome could have been different….but……
Head coach Ryan Esson was generally pleased with the overall performance especially as Formartine sit in third place in the league, but again he was disappointed with both goals conceded.
HALF TIME RAFFLE

A situation arose which hasn’t happened for a while in that the winning ticket drawn at Saturday’s match was not claimed – so if you have the other half of the ticket pictured, please produce it at the next home match and collect your winnings.

---

WELCOME TO A NEW SPONSOR

Strathspey Thistle FC are delighted to welcome LJF Powder Coating Ltd as a new Back of Shirt Sponsor for the season! 
We’re excited to have them join the Strathy Jags family and proud to carry their name on the back of our shirts as we compete across the Highland League.
A huge thank you to everyone at LJF Group for their support, it means a lot to the club. “We’re thrilled to welcome LJF Group on board. Their support is a fantastic boost for the club, and we look forward to building a strong partnership together.”– Grant Mackellar, CEO Strathspey Thistle FC

SEPTEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SCOTTISH CUP DRAW
On Sunday evening live on SFA’s YouTube channel was the First Round of the Mens’ Scottish Gas Scottish Cup and we were were handed a home tie on Saturday 27 September against Dundee North End FC – who have won the SJFC Midland League Championship for the last two years and whose journey in their first ever Scottish Cup last year ended with Airdrieonians beating them in the Third Round.

For all information contact : hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

OTHER NEWS

STFC would like to send congratulations to both Aberlour Villa and Badenoch United. Aberlour Villa won the Donald McNair Cup making them Scottish Welfare Champions and Badenoch United won our local Welfare League – The Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare League….well done guys! 

However, we were disappointed to learn a couple of weeks ago that Don Cowie had left Ross County – Don who is married to Shelley, a Scottish Football Internationalist herself along with her twin sister Suzanne, and who grew up in Grantown so the Jags’ have always taken a great interest in Don’s career from his playing career with Ross County, Inverness Caley Thistle, Watford, Cardiff City, Hearts and his return to Ross County where he became Assistant Manager before taking over as gaffer – unfortunately results over the past few months didn’t go his way so he offered his resignation last month. Always the gentleman we wish Don all the very best in his next career move. We also wish incoming boss Tony Docherty all the best in his quest in taking The Staggies back to the Premier League.
We have also loaned out Bailey Black to North Caley League newcomers Inverness Thistle joining our other loanee Lewis Mackie and we expect to see them back in the New Year.

LOTTERY NOW £12,700

It’s a ginormous amount –  £12,700, yes £12,700, for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 

The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

Wednesday 30^th July: We left last month’s newsletter just before the away game at Rothes and what a game it turned out to be as the Jags recovered from losing an early goal to take a 3-1 lead, Shewan, with two, and Morrison on target, before the hosts scored twice in eight minutes to make it all square on 70 minutes. 
Up stepped skipper James McShane with six minutes left to get the winner and make it two wins from two.

Saturday 2^nd: A long trip to Brechin City to face one of the pre-season title favourites and a sign of the Jags’ mentality this year is that we were disappointed to come away from Glebe Park having lost 3-0. 
The home side’s goals all came in the first half and their manager Ray McKinnon told the Press & Journal afterwards: “I was a bit frustrated with the way the match went in the second half.
“Strathspey are a much improved side from last season and they made things extremely difficult.”

Saturday 9^th: Banks o’ Dee were the visitors to Seafield Park and for 78 minutes the game was goalless with chances for both sides. However, it was the men from Aberdeen who finished the stronger and netted three times to take away a similar number of points.
Jags manager Ryan Esson, although annoyed that a first-half penalty shout wasn’t given, was disappointed with his side’s defending which contributed to the final scoreline.

Wednesday 13^th: A day that will long be remembered by Jags’ supporters after a scoreline that will have turned heads across the Highland League and deserves to be written in bold.

Buckie Thistle 1-4 Strathspey Thistle (Morrison 2, Brown 2)

Manager Ryan spoke to the Strathspey Herald after the game and said: “It was a whole different level last night and I can’t speak highly enough of the players.
“The effort and the way they approach things: everything that I’ve asked them to do they did.”
Possibly the club’s best ever result in our time as members of the Highland League, certainly away from home, and one that was rightly celebrated by the players and travelling fans at the full-time whistle.

Thursday 14^th: Thanks to stalwart STFC committee member Mags Clark for attending Grantown’s Farmers Show on behalf of the club, publicising the weekly lottery draw and its ever increasing jackpot while also selling a range of merchandise.

Click here to visit STFC on Facebook

Saturday 16^th: A fine afternoon weather-wise and yet another excellent result for the Jags as they despatched Deveronvale 3-0 thanks to goals from Shaun Morrison, Calum Brown and Daniel Whitehorn.
That made it four wins out of six in the opening weeks of the Highland League season.

Wednesday 20^th: A short trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Sarens PSG Stadium for a North of Scotland Cup tie and, after a difficult couple of seasons, the ‘other’ Jags showed that they are firmly on the up under their new ownership. 
The SPFL League One club scored six goals in the first-half but were held at bay after the break in what was a positive experience overall for STFC and we thank Caley for their hospitality and wish them well for the season.

Thursday 21^st: It was confirmed that both Keiran Duffty and Lewis Mackie had left the Jags – Keiran on a permanent deal to Nairn St Ninian and Lewis on a loan deal until the end of the year with Inverness Thistle of the North Caledonian League.

Saturday 23^rd: A heavy defeat at Clachnacuddin brought the Jags back to earth a little following recent good results in the league. 
The visitors thought they had taken the lead only for an offside flag to rule out the strike but after that there was little to shout about as the home side scored six without reply.

Saturday 30^th: A hard-fought home game against Formartine United went the way of the visitors who scored twice in the second-half in between a superb equaliser from Josh Race.

Sunday 31^st: Head to our social media pages to find out who the Jags will play in the First Round of the Scottish Cup following this evening’s draw.

Seafield Park Community Trust

The newly-formed Seafield Park Community Trust (SPCT) is getting ready to give the old Scout Hut in Grantown-on-Spey a new lease of life. Set up in April 2025 as a registered Scottish charity, the Trust is run by a team of six local volunteers who want to create a warm, well-equipped space that adds to what’s already on offer in the town, and also helps groups who don’t currently have the right kind of venue. The plan is to transform the building into a hub for local uniformed groups such as the Scouts, Brownies and Guides, as well as sports teams in the town.

SPCT Chair, Charlie Sinclair, said: “We’re really keen to build something vibrant and inclusive that gives local young people the kind of facilities thet deserve.”

The Trust will soon be engaging with local groups and residents to gather ideas and make sure the final plans match what the community needs.

HOME MATCH v FORMARTINE UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 30 AUGUST 2025 KO 3pm

This Saturday after a couple of unsuccessful visits to Inverness we welcome the players, management and supporters of Formartine United FC.
Over the past couple of seasons our matches against United have resulted in some topsy turvy results and although we have not managed a win we’ve been very close…and hopefully so it will be on Saturday with perhaps us keeping the three points at Seafield Park.
Formartine currently sit in fourth position in the table on fifteen points, three points ahead of us so it will be a decent challenge but our home form so far has been good, so fingers crossed, it will stay that way and we will stay unbeaten.
If any of the Formartine supporters want a quick resumé of what’s available in Grantown – click here

CLACH GAME

Well after a bad result in the North of Scotland Cup game against Inverness Caley Thistle in the midweek, we returned to Inverness to face Clachnacuddin FC at Grant Park and although we would be missing a couple of this season’s influential players no one from the travelling support were prepared for what happened. 
We scored with what we thought a really good goal in the eighteenth minute, but it was ruled out as being offside – a decision that many spectators from both sides disputed….but the decision stood and, as usual in football, Clach go straight up the pitch and score! Clach then doubled their tally in twenty-seven minutes, but, just before half-time Jamie Calder had a great shot saved by Mark Ridgers in the Clach goal.
Two nil at the break it was …….then collapse. Four Clach goals in the second half and the thoughts of many of the Jags’ fans was that we had hoped results like this were very much behind especially in League games – as we have proved in our start to the season.
It capped a very negative week for the Jags – no goals scored and twelve goals against.
A vast improvement will be needed for Saturday’s clash against Formartine.

---

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Our home game against Forres Mechanics scheduled for Saturday 13th September has been postponed.
It will now be played on Wednesday 8th October, kick-off 8:00pm at Seafield Park.
On 13th September we are now away to Brora Rangers in the Highland League Cup (3:00pm kick-off).

A MESSAGE FROM THE HIGHLAND LEAGUE REGARDING PYROTECHNICS
PLEASE READ AND OBSERVE – THANK YOU.

---

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BOTH MATCH DAY HOSPITALITY AND PLAYER SPONSORSHIP PLEASE CONTACT

Laura on hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

LOTTERY NOW £12,600

It’s a ginormous amount –  £12,600 – for you to win by playing our online weekly fundraising lottery on Sunday – deadline 5pm – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

AWAY MATCH v CLACHNACUDDIN FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
GRANT ST PARK, INVERNESS, IV3 6DR
SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

Still on our travels and for the second time this week we travel to Inverness, this time for a Breedon Highland League match against Clachnacuddin in what should be a real cracker of a game.
We were on cup duty in Inverness on Wednesday night against an exceptionally clinical Caley Thistle team being beaten 6-0. The League One team showed no mercy in an excellent first half performance but we managed to hold our own in the second half, in a far better performance which, hopefully, we will carry forward to Grant Street on Saturday.
Clach were on cup duty as well on Wednesday night travelling to cup holders Brora Rangers which resulted in a 0-0 draw after ninety minutes, but the visitors winning 8-7 on penalties, which was a great result for Clach.
There has always been a great rivalry over the years between ourselves and Clach, probably because the vast majority of both teams are Inverness residents, and tthere are one or two well known Clach faces to Jags’ fans although we understand that both Jack McKay, with a long term injury, and Jack Davison are out – we wish them all the best and a return to first team football as soon as possible.
Clach were one of the best teams in last season’s league finishing in a very creditable sixth place, a vast improvement on the previous season when they finished second bottom one place above ourselves and this season Strathspey Thistle would love to emulate that sort of trajectory – and although we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves  if we could finish the season in a mid-table position we would be more than delighted….but as it stands this season after six games we are one place behind Clach in fifth place, and one point behind ….so game on!
Who would have put money on that three years ago but as Greavsie used to say “It’s a funny old game, Saint!”

WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S CUP-TIE AT INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE

A full bus of supporters made their way to the Sarens PSG Stadium and were treated to a masterclass by the League One team in the first forty five minutes. Caley Thistle scored six goals to no reply.
The game started with our own Calum Brown’s effort being saved by ICT ‘keeper Logan Ross and that was pretty much it for the first half.
After half time Daniel Whitehorn joined first half substitute the nose-ringed Dylan Lawrence, who had replaced Aaron Doran late in the first half, Daniel replacing Calum Brown, and this was followed mid way through by Caelan Mutch and Ali Nixon replacing Josh Race and Shaun Morrison respectively. 
The second half performance was a lot tighter and the match was a far more competitive affair with no more goals and I would imagine overall the boys enjoyed their time sampling the lush grass, pitch size and the surroundings of what was, only a few years ago, a Scottish Premier League club – and with high intentions of returning there – and ten years ago ICT were winners of the Scottish Cup, with our own Aaron Doran and Ryan Esson part of the team.

So, as we bow out of the North of Scotland Cup, we look forward to the R Davidson Highland League Cup on Sep 14 with an away tie to Brora Rangers, and the first round draw also next month of the Scottish Cup, but before that concentration turns to the Breedon Highland League and Saturday’s game against Clach.

THANK YOU KEIRAN …..

We can confirm that both Keiran Duffty and Lewis Mackie have left the Jags – Keiran on a permanent deal with Nairn St Ninian and Lewis on a loan deal until the end of the year with the North Caledonian League’s newcomers, the re-born Inverness Thistle. We wish Keiran all the best – according to reports he had scored a hat-trick within his first twenty-one minutes on his debut last Saturday, and we’ll see Lewis back in January.

---

PLAYER SPONSORS

For more information on player sponsorship and match day hospitality
contact hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

HOSPITALITY

For more information on player sponsorship and match day hospitality
contact hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

LOTTERY NOW £12,500

It’s a ginormous amount –  £12,500 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

Next week it’s back to Seafield Park for another tough encounter on Saturday afternoon with a Breedon Highland League match against Formartine United.

AWAY MATCH v INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC
NORTH OF SCOTLAND CUP, SECOND ROUND
SARENS PSG STADIUM, INVERNESS
WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST 2025 – KICK OFF 7.30PM

On the road again and this time we make our way to Sarens PSG Stadium, Inverness – formerly known as the Caledonian Stadium – and a second round tie in the North of Scotland Cup versus Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Buoyed by the results from our last couple of league matches this will hopefully be a real cracker and one that Ryan and the rest of the team are very much looking forward to. A full bus of Jags’ supporters will be leaving The Square on Wednesday evening heading towards the Highland capital.

HOME MATCH v DEVERONVALE – SATURDAY 16 AUGUST

Another three points for the Jags which takes our total to twelve points from six games and into fifth place in the Breedon Highland League. It makes very good reading in relation to how our league exploits over the past years have gone and hopefully we can continue on this path.

On an exceptionally hot day  – there was a drinks break in either half, not something that happens too often at Seafield Park – we had to cope in the early part of the game with a concerted effort by Deveronvale but again the defence and Danny Gillan in goals held out and, as the game progressed, we came more and more into it and just before half time Shaun Morrison’s well construed lob gave us the lead. It was Shaun’s sixth goal of the campaign.
After half time, again after some pressing by the ‘Vale, we scored again. On sixty-six minutes, after some strong play by Calum Brown on the left he crossed the ball and from a fortunate rebound off Shaun Morrison, Calum found the net with a good strike.

Last years’ top scorer for The Jags Daniel Whitehorn replaced Morrison after seventy-one minutes and two minutes later had scored, putting the Jags three up. This was then followed a few minutes later by fellow sub Josh Race superbly meeting an Aaron Doran cross but unfortunately his effort struck the post.

All in all, as gaffer Ryan Esson said after the game, that although he thought the Jags didn’t play to their maximum potential they took their chances – and that was the main difference between the teams.
Now we have a cup game to look forward to against Caley Thistle on Wednesday before another trip to Inverness to play Clachnacuddin next Saturday which should be a topper!
Dylan Lawrence was meant to come on as a substitute but the linesman wouldn’t let him as Dylan has a nose-piercing, which was covered by tape – Dylan has had his nose-pierced for years and in all the games he has played in since, this has never been an issue…….

If you want to see all the goals from Saturday head to our FaceBook page : https://www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc

HALF TIME RAFFLE WINNER

A superfan from Glasgow, Scott Robertson, won the cash this week as his ticket was the one drawn. Scott, regularly visits Aviemore and if there is a home game on when he is here he looks forward to visiting Seafield Park for the game. He said that he and some mates had hospitality here a couple of years ago and he enjoyed his day so much that he became a Strathspey Thistle supporter from afar – and is enjoying very much the way we have started the season.

HOME MATCH v DEVERONVALE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2025 KO 3pm

On Saturday we welcome players, management and supporters of Deveronvale FC who make their way to Grantown via the A95 from Banff, and arrive here on the back of a 3-2 home win against Keith on Wednesday night.
The ‘Vale have started the season with a mixed bag of results with 3 wins, a loss and a draw and they currently sit on 10 points and sitting in eighth position in the league – one point ahead of the Jags as we have nine points from our first five games.
Visits to Seafield Park over the years has not always produced a win for the Vale, but with the Jags’ form continuing on an upward trajectory, especially after Wednesday night’s result in Buckie, it could be a match that the Jags’ can, hopefully, add to their points tally.
In light of Wednesday night’s happenings there could be a good crowd on Saturday, and with the weather gods promising a sunny afternoon with a lot less wind than last week it should be a cracker!!
As far as I know Jags’gaffer Ryan Esson will have more or less a full squad to pick from again.
If any of the travelling support want a resumé of what’s available in Grantown click here.

---

WEDNESDAY EVENING’S MATCH v BUCKIE THISTLE

Having had some conversations with Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson over the past few weeks he has stressed that this season we have a really good squad of players, and we should fear no team especially after our start of two wins and two losses – albeit the losses were against title contenders – but I really don’t think anyone would have predicted the score on Wednesday.
We arrived at Victoria Park to face a Buckie Thistle team, another team in contention for the league title in many folks eyes, and who had not lost their last sixteen matches and had started this season with a 100% record – four wins out of four.
To say our boys did well would be a vast, vast understatement and as from what I have read online and in print and seen footage this was not a lucky win……
The game was pretty even early on with ourselves earning three corners and Buckie hitting the bar from a header but, on thirty seven minutes, we took the lead when Shaun Morrison converted a pass from Aaron Doran to open the scoring which was followed by an excellent goal by Calum Brown making it two -nil just before the break.
The second half had hardly started when Shaun got his second goal of the evening followed twelve minutes later by Calum getting his second – four-nil to the Strathy Jags and by now I was getting messages on my phone from friends questioning the verity of the happenings in Buckie! 

Buckie scored in the seventy-second minute  – and that completed the scoring – and the full time the score of Buckie Thistle 1 – Strathspey Thistle 4 reverberated around the North.

It was probably our best ever result in our sixteen years as members of the Scottish Highland League, historic even!
On leaving the pitch all the Strathspey players were congratulated by our small band of travelling support…..now, we look forward to perhaps three points in Grantown on Saturday – and keeping the momentum going!

You can see the goals by going to our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc

---

JAGS MAGS AT GRANTOWN SHOW

In what looks like an annual appearance intrepid committee member Mags Clark set up her stall raising the awareness of Strathspey Thistle at the Farmers Show, the largest event of the year in Grantown – and with the Buckie result still ringing throughout the North it could not have been a better day to do so – especially with the glorious weather and a large, possibly even record, crowd attending.
Although concentrating on our fund-raising weekly Lottery ( this week’s jackpot stands at £12,400 ) Mags and her friend Susan also had club memorabilia for sale too.
BIG THANKS TO YOU BOTH!!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
August dates are as follows 
Weds 20 Away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle

There will be a supporters bus ( cost £15) leaving from the Square in Grantown at 18.15 – not many seats left – contact Commercial Director Laura for more information –

hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

Sat 23 Away to Clachnacuddin FC KO 3pm
Sat 30 Home to Formartine United FC KO 3pm

MATCH DAY HOSPITALITY

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

For more information on hospitality or sponsorship contact our Commercial Director Laura on
hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk

---

LOTTERY NOW £12,400

It’s a ginormous amount –  £12,400 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES

After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 

The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
   All winners will be notified.