HERE COMES SUMMER….OR MAYBE WE’VE JUST HAD IT….

Well. what’s been happening over the past two or three weeks in Jagsland…..

SHAUN SIGNS, AARON EXTENDS

Starting with excellent news regarding Shaun Morrison and Aaron Doran……

We were delighted to confirm the signing of 21-year-old forward Shaun Morrison on a permanent three-year deal from Forres Mechanics.
A graduate of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth academy, Shaun moved to Forres in January 2022 and most recently gained valuable experience during a loan spell at Rothes.
Manager Ryan Esson, who has previously worked with Shaun, said:
“I know Shaun well and I’m delighted to bring him to Strathspey Thistle. He’s a talented forward with real potential and a great attitude. I’m excited to work with him again and watch him develop with us.”

And more excellent signing news we’re also delighted to announce that Aaron Doran has signed a one-year contract extension continuing as a player/coach. 

Aaron arrived at the club alongside manager Ryan Esson, bringing immense experience — most notably making over 350 appearances for Inverness CT, where he cemented his status as a club legend.  
While a long-term injury has prevented him from making his debut for Strathspey so far, his influence behind the scenes has been invaluable. With his recovery progressing well, we’re hopeful Aaron will rejoin the squad during pre-season and finally make his long-awaited debut in Strathy Jags colours next season.
Ryan Esson said:
“Aaron’s quality and experience are clear, but it’s the way he’s applied himself around the club during a difficult year that’s been outstanding. Having him continue as player/coach is a big boost, and we’re all excited to see him back on the pitch soon.”

Pre-season starts 9 June ………

ANNUAL PITCH MAINTENANCE

Mike and Malcolm from Highland Landscapes and Designs (https://www.highlandlandscapedesign.co.uk) started last Thursday (22May) our annual pitch maintenance programme – the pitch as you can see from the photo was showing signs of the good weather and the lack of water over the past month or so, but fortunately Friday night brought a fair bit of rain- so I would imagine we are back to our normal Scottish weather so drought should be now be averted…


SANDWICHES GALORE
According to our sources it was National Sandwich week last week, and we couldn’t let the celebration go past without a big shout out to the Premier team that provides the sandwiches for our visiting teams, committees, and guests at Seafield Park.

Premier Grantown, as you know, are one of Strathspey Thistle FC’s major sponsors and this hardworking crew led by the legendary Mani, prepares for Premier Shops all over Scotland, over 3,000 sandwiches, wraps, baguettes, and salad boxes every week – fresh and full of flavour! 
They’re our behind-the-scenes sandwich stars that keep everyone fed and happy!
Their Coronation Chicken sandwich must be one of the finest in existence!!


HIGHLAND LEAGUE ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

Pictured enjoying themselves at the recent Highland League Annual Awards dinner at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness are three of the Jags stalwarts – L to R – committee member Mags Clark, Babs McLeod, wife of Chairman Donly McLeod, and Laura Mackie, our Commercial Director.


FAMILY FUN DAY – SATURDAY JUNE 21

The details of our Family Fun Day have been finalised for THREE weeks this coming Saturday .. 21 June…..the longest day – more time to enjoy yourselves …..see poster for details

AND CLOSELY FOLLOWING ON IT’S HEELS OUR FUND RAISING GOLF DAY

The Golf day will be taking place again at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club which is situated next door to Seafield Park on Saturday July 12….a Team Scramble event which starts at 9am, with participating teams leaving the first tee at twelve minute intervals with some fantastic prizes.
Details are available from Club Chairman Donly McLeod – tel no 07709 990 286

LOTTERY NOW £11,3000……

As ever we close with details of our fundraising Club Lottery and the jackpot is now a whopping great £11,300…….

 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.

CLIVE’S NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2025

Wednesday 2nd: No game for the Jags but all eyes were on Kynoch Park where Keith edged past Rothes by a single goal to keep STFC three points clear of Rothes at the bottom of the Highland League table.

Saturday 5th: We entertained Wick Academy at Seafield Park, the match sponsored by LG Simpson, Highway Contractors, on a beautiful day for football. The visitors took an early lead before James McShane equalised midway through the first-half. Wick went back in front before the break and extended their lead shortly after before a Jags fightback nearly earned a point, Daniel Whitehorn scoring and then what we thought was an 85th minute equaliser being disallowed. Defeat for Rothes all but ensured we would not finish bottom of the Highland League this season.

Wednesday 9th: Our turn to visit Keith and, with the pressure off for the Jags in the battle to avoid finishing bottom, we turned on the style to record an excellent 4-1 victory. Daniel Whitehorn netted twice, to continue his goalscoring form, with Cameron Lisle and Paul Brindle, with a penalty, also on the mark.

Saturday 12th: A sunny day at Seafield Park but no win to end the season as Turriff United ran out 4-1 winners, Paul Brindle scoring the Jags’ goal. That left the final table looking like this…

Wednesday 2nd: No game for the Jags but all eyes were on Kynoch Park where Keith edged past Rothes by a single goal to keep STFC three points clear of Rothes at the bottom of the Highland League table.

Saturday 5th: We entertained Wick Academy at Seafield Park, the match sponsored by LG Simpson, Highway Contractors, on a beautiful day for football. The visitors took an early lead before James McShane equalised midway through the first-half. Wick went back in front before the break and extended their lead shortly after before a Jags fightback nearly earned a point, Daniel Whitehorn scoring and then what we thought was an 85th minute equaliser being disallowed. Defeat for Rothes all but ensured we would not finish bottom of the Highland League this season.

Wednesday 9th: Our turn to visit Keith and, with the pressure off for the Jags in the battle to avoid finishing bottom, we turned on the style to record an excellent 4-1 victory. Daniel Whitehorn netted twice, to continue his goalscoring form, with Cameron Lisle and Paul Brindle, with a penalty, also on the mark.

Saturday 12th: A sunny day at Seafield Park but no win to end the season as Turriff United ran out 4-1 winners, Paul Brindle scoring the Jags’ goal. That left the final table looking like this…

Last season’s record, for comparison, was played 34, won 3, drew 1, lost 30, goals for 35, goals against 151, goal difference -116 and points 10 so an improvement in every area this time around.

Some milestones along the way this season…we make the first goal in the game at Keith to be our 250th away goal in the Highland League and our 55th league win on the road…thanks to Rob Clark, Stephen MacLean and Clive Wolstenholme who are busy compiling the club’s complete HFL record.

As the season ends, thanks to everyone who has supported the club during 2024/25, our fantastic volunteers, loyal supporters, sponsors and lottery players. Thanks too to the Press & Journal and Strathspey Herald for their coverage of the league and club.

Plans are already underway for next season and the club are pleased to have agreed new contracts with Cameron Lisle, Daniel Whitehorn and Caelan Mutch.

News from elsewhere…

Congratulations to Brora Rangers on their league title win and League Cup success. The Cattachs face a tough task in gaining promotion to the SPFL, however, having lost 4-1 to East Kilbride in the first leg of their play-off game, the return being held on Saturday 3rd May.

Good luck to former manager Robert MacCormack after being appointed as the new boss of Alness United.

Strathspey Thistle Club Lottery – Jackpot Now £10,900!

We would love to see a jackpot winner scoop the big prize and with our jackpot currently sitting at an impressive £10,900, now is the perfect time to enter.

You can enter online through the link below and be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize. Don’t miss out – help us spread the word.

Dates for the Diary

We have two exciting events coming up this summer that we would love for you to be a part of! Mark your calendars and save these dates:

📅 Saturday 21st June – Strathspey Thistle FC Family Fun Day at Seafield Park

Bring the whole family along for a fun-filled day of activities, games, and entertainment at Seafield Park!

📅 Saturday 12th July – Strathspey Thistle FC Golf Day at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club

More details to follow, so stay tuned to our social media pages and club website over the summer.

Last season’s record, for comparison, was played 34, won 3, drew 1, lost 30, goals for 35, goals against 151, goal difference -116 and points 10 so an improvement in every area this time around.

Some milestones along the way this season…we make the first goal in the game at Keith to be our 250th away goal in the Highland League and our 55th league win on the road…thanks to Rob Clark, Stephen MacLean and Clive Wolstenholme who are busy compiling the club’s complete HFL record.

As the season ends, thanks to everyone who has supported the club during 2024/25, our fantastic volunteers, loyal supporters, sponsors and lottery players. Thanks too to the Press & Journal and Strathspey Herald for their coverage of the league and club.

Plans are already underway for next season and the club are pleased to have agreed new contracts with Cameron Lisle, Daniel Whitehorn and Caelan Mutch.

News from elsewhere…

Congratulations to Brora Rangers on their league title win and League Cup success. The Cattachs face a tough task in gaining promotion to the SPFL, however, having lost 4-1 to East Kilbride in the first leg of their play-off game, the return being held on Saturday 3rd May.

Good luck to former manager Robert MacCormack after being appointed as the new boss of Alness United.

Dates for the Diary

We have two exciting events coming up this summer that we would love for you to be a part of! Mark your calendars and save these dates:

📅 Saturday 21st June – Strathspey Thistle FC Family Fun Day at Seafield Park

Bring the whole family along for a fun-filled day of activities, games, and entertainment at Seafield Park!

📅 Saturday 12th July – Strathspey Thistle FC Golf Day at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club

More details to follow, so stay tuned to our social media pages and club website over the summer.

NEW ARRIVAL

THE NEW COMMITTEE ROOM LANDS

The Eagle has landed……the new Clubhouse descends…..

After some months of research, we would like to thank Wernick of Nairn (www.wernick.co.uk) for the supply and delivery of, to us, our brand new unit.
Specifically we would like to thank Angela and Martin at Wernicks, Davie the delivery driver and our own Charlie Sinclair who negotiated the deal. 

The guys that made it possible – Davie from Wernicks, James Gordon, Charlie Sinclair and Denis Smith.

We can now look forward to offering a more relaxed and salubrious surrounding for hosting the committees from the visiting teams to Seafield Park and thank them for their patience this past season as we continue to evolve.

The new Clubhouse in situ at Seafield Park 30.04.25

PLAYER UPDATE
We are delighted that Cammy Lisle, Caelan Mutch and Daniel Whitehorn have extended their contracts with the Jags and look forward to seeing them again next season.

Cammy Lisle
Caelan Mutch
Daniel Whitehorn

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

It has been confirmed that this year’s Golf Fundraising Day at Grantown Golf Club will be on Saturday 12 July and our now annual FunDay will be held on Saturday June 12 with various activities which will be confirmed nearer the time…..but if it is anything like last year a good day will be had by all! 
More details soon…..

LOTTERY NOW £10,900

the jackpot now stands at £10,900 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.

PLEASE KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE JAGS’ HAPPENINGS ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES……