NO MATCH THIS SATURDAY
SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2023
That’s right folks we have the weekend off from the Breedon Highland League.
Last week’s visit to on-form Brora Rangers, who sit in fourth position in the league, was a vast improvement on the previous Wednesday’s result at Rothes.
Playing a new formation of a back five the boys looked very organised and although we were beaten by a goal in each half, the first coming in the 44th minute, new manager Robert MacCormack was delighted with the effort and commitment put in by his team and, although beaten, there was lots of positives to take from the game.
There is a report of the game and a good article about Robert in this week’s Strathspey & Badenoch Herald.
But having no game this Saturday doesn’t mean the players are not near a football, as Robert is using the day for a get together in preperation for next week’s two games at Seafield Park – we play Huntly FC on Wednesday night – KO 8pm and followed by Keith on Saturday KO 3pm.
However, we should be on weather-watch as prospects for the middle to end of next week is heavy snow and minus temperatures, especially at night, so fingers crossed for a more improved forecast nearer the time……..
ROBERT MACCORMACK
As we have no game preview this weekend we thought it would be an ideal opportunity to find out a little more about the new gaffer.
Born in Inverness, he attended South Lodge Primary in Invergordon – and then Invergordon Academy. It was during his schooldays, that he remembered vividly playing seven-a-side for Invergordon Junior FC.
He graduated to Invergordon FC where he won the North Caledonian Division One and the North Caledonian Cup as a player, and then turning to management with Alness United, winning the North Caledonian League Division Two title which gained entry to the First Division.
This year he accepted the offer of management here at Strathspey Thistle.
The biggest influences in his football career, in addition to his parents, were Edwin Skinner and Wattie Stewart and the player he admired most was Steven Gerrard.
Away from the Highland League he supports Liverpool and Aberdeen.
So far, the best moments in his career has been representing Ross County youth teams and winning the division league at Alness United.
Robert has talent and ambition in abundance as well as great enthusiasm and everyone at The Jags is eager to see both Robert’s and our progress over the next few years so we wish him well on this journey.
BADENOCH ROOFING
There has been much debate between Strathspey Thistle and Grantown Golf Club over the construction of a safety net preventing footballs from damaging the slates on the clubhouse roof and there are talks ongoing for future net construction providing the necessary funds can be sourced.
So, as interim the Golf Club have asked that we check the roof at various times throughout the football season and maintain where necessary.
This month we are indebted to the nice people at Badenoch Roofing who took time out of their busy schedule to help Strathspey Thistle fix some loose slates – we thank Andrew Borthwick for their generosity in completing this.
LOCAL TABLE-TOP SUNDAY MARKET
Massive thanks are also due to our intrepid lottery fundraising convener Graeme Stuart who set up a stall in the Royal British Legion branch in Grantown for most of last Sunday selling lottery tickets, a selection of club merchandise consisting of club hats and scarves, collectible programmes and football books normally sold at the ground on match days.
The photo shows STFC committee member Tom Clarke visiting the stall and supporting the club also with a few purchases.
EASY-PLAY ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER
As ever, the last word is encouraging you to play our fund-raising lotto game.
This week’s jackpot is £3500 so join the Strathy Jags family in raising vital funds for the club through Online Lotto hosted by Clubforce. You can choose 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and add extra lines. Tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders. Click here to play.
Thank you – your help in fundraising is much appreciated.
See you next week…..