Saturday 3rd: The Jags’ tough start to the new Highland League season continued as a strong Brora Rangers side ran out 7-0 winners at Seafield Park but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from both the way we kept battling for the whole 90 minutes and from the healthy attendance.
Tuesday 6th: Prior to the long midweek trip to face Wick Academy, the Jags squad was bolstered by the loan signing of Aaron Nicolson from Linlithgow Rose.
Wednesday 7th: The journey back from Wick was long and filled with a mixture of pride at such a good performance but disappointment that the Jags hadn’t been able to find the equaliser that their second-half display deserved, captain James McShane having halved the hosts advantage soon after the break.
Saturday 10th: A first-half to forget as Forres Mechanics netted six without reply in just 45 minutes at Seafield Park, Dylan Lawrence’s late goal putting a slightly better gloss on the scoreline for the Jags.
Wednesday 14th: The club announced the departure of joint-managers Bobby Beckwith and Ronnie Sharp.
Thursday 16th: Ryan Esson (pictured), a Scottish Cup winner as a player with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was named as the club’s new manager. Also joining the backroom team are another former ICT player in Aaron Doran as player-coach and Becky Mussett as physio/sports scientist.
Saturday 17th: In their first game under the new manager, the Jags took a two-goal lead into the break thanks to Aaron Nicolson with a penalty and a Josh Race strike. However, Deveronvale fought back to level and denied the Jags a first point of the season with a late winner.
Wednesday 21st: Denied on at least three occasions in the first-half by an inspired Clachnacuddin goalkeeper, the Jags were beaten 3-2 in Inverness to exit the North of Scotland Cup.
Saturday 24th: Formartine United were the visitors to Seafield Park for a Highland League fixture and took a single goal lead into the break before adding three more after half-time.
Wednesday 28th: A tough midweek trip to reigning Highland League champions Buckie Thistle and the 8-2 scoreline in favour of the home side doesn’t quite do justice to the spirited nature of the Jags’ performance, especially after half-time when two quickfire Aaron Nicolson goals halved a 4-0 deficit and had visiting supporters dreaming of an amazing comeback.
Saturday 31st: A red-letter day as the Jags gained a first win of the season and a crucial one too given that opponents Lossiemouth started the day one place above us in the table. Goals from Nicolson, Docherty and Cardona secured the points.
STOP PRESS: Sunday’s Scottish Cup draw paired the Jags with Sauchie Juniors of the East of Scotland League.
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP 2024/2025
Contact strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com
Entitles you to;
2x free tickets to home league match of your choice
Company logo/your name advertised against player on this Webesite
Company logo/your name advertised on player related activity on all social media channels
Club gift presented by player at end of season
COSTS
£100 home kit sponsor
£100 away kit sponsor
£175 to sponsor both home and away
MANAGEMENT
£100 each for Management Team Sponsor
Ryan Esson
Aaron Doran
COMPILED BY Alex Wolstenholme 01.09.2024