As expected really, tomorrow’s match against Keith has been postponed – Kynoch Park is snow and ice bound – we now turn our attention to next week’s home game against Rothes FC.
KEITH GAME OFF
A ROLLING STONE
AWAY MATCH v KEITH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
KYNOCH PARK, KEITH AB55 5EB
SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm
This Saturday, weather permitting, we’re off down the A95 to Kynoch Park, Keith for our Breedon Highland League match against Keith FC.
This begins our second round of fixtures and being on twenty-two points for the season it is, so far, our best season since we joined the league in 2009.
Keith visited us for our first match of the season way back in July and we started the league well with a 3-1 win so, I would imagine the Maroons will want to avenge that result. Keith, on seventeen points, sit in twelfth place in the league one place below ourselves and have been putting together one or two decent results over the past few weeks, and drew with Brechin City on Wednesday night at Glebe Park, the home side levelling with a stoppage time penalty – so Saturday’s game has the makings of a cracker…..providing Kynoch Park escapes what looks like a bleak weather forecast – please check out our social media if you are planning going.
SATURDAY’S GAME v LOSSIEMOUTH AT SEAFIELD PARK.
As football clichés go this was a game of two halves as Lossiemouth had the better of the first half and scored just before half-time going in 1-0 up.
However, a different Jags team started the second half, and we were level after three minutes when captain James McShane out jumped the Lossie defence and from six yards headed home from a corner. Goal number two followed fifteen minutes later when Caelan Mutch fired home a screamer from just outside the penalty box. The match was over in the ninety-second minute when Calum Brown dispossessed the Lossie keeper thirty yards out, and ran in to score the Jags’ third.
Ex-Jag Owen Lovelace pulled one back for the visitors two minutes later making the final score 3-2 for the Jags.
Again it was a hard fought match, and as everyone now says there are very few easy matches in the Highland League.
As stated earlier the win took our points tally to twenty-two, so hopefully we are on track for our best season yet.
If you want to see the goals click here on our Facebook page.
HALF-TIME RAFFLE WINNER
This week’s winner of the Half-Time Raffle was Andy MacEwan, whose dad is Nethy Bridge’s own Rev Jim MacEwan.
Andy was at the match with his daughter Lottie.
MAN OF THE MATCH
In the match against Lossiemouth Jamie Calder was named Man of the Match, as chosen by Barry Wilson, one of our hospitality guests.
A composed and committed performance at the back from Jamie, contributing significantly to the result at Seafield Park.
WELCOME BODHAN
We’re delighted to announce that 18-year-old forward Bodhan Campbell has joined Strathspey Thistle on loan from Buckie Thistle Football Club until January, subject to SFA approval.
Bodhan, enjoyed a standout season with Balloan Thistle in the Highland League North last year, catching attention with his goals.
Welcome to the Jags, Strathy that is…Bodhan!
SCOTLAND’S MENS FOOTBALL TEAM
Although we had a wee setback on Saturday night with a loss against Greece – the last twenty minutes of the game must have given us a bit of confidence coming back from three goals down and scoring two and especially with result in Denmark.
So it was a showdown at Hampden on Tuesday night – winner takes all.
WHAT A GAME……three brilliant goals – you would be lucky seeing one at a match during a season, maybe a lifetime, but not three in the one match…add to that Denmark equalising twice – they only needed to draw – and the jubilation after the final whistle meaning after twenty-eight years we were going to a World Cup.
Everybody at Strathspey Thistle would like to send their congratulations to the players and managerial team…..and as a post script according to our Club historian Rob Clark, Lawrence Shankland’s great uncle was Sir Thomas Shankland, provost of the town in the 1960’s, and Shankland Court in Grantown was named after him. – you never know if Lawrence has a great World Cup there maybe another set of houses named after him!!!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Our next scheduled home games, all kicking off at 2pm, over the next couple of months or so are as follows – but remember please check with our social media pages for up-to-date information as we are now at the mercy of Mother Nature for ground conditions.
Saturday 29 November v Rothes FC
Saturday 13 December v Brechin City FC
Saturday 27 December v Buckie Thistle FC
2026
Saturday 10 January v Clachnacuddin FC
Saturday 28 February v Fraserburgh FC
For a full fixture list click here
QUIZ NIGHT
Next Friday night ……
XMAS RAFFLE
More information will be available very shortly.
LOTTERY NOW £13,800
IT’S A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,800 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery today- click here if you want to play this Sunday evening…or why not subscribe online to play for five weeks, ten weeks etc – all information available when you click on the clubforce web page….
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).
- 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.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- 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.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
REMEMBER TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE KEITH GAME IS ON – AND HOPEFULLY WEATHER PERMITTING – WE’LL SEE YOU AT SEAFIELD PARK NEXT SATURDAY 29TH FOR OUR MATCH AGAINST ROTHES FC.
FLY AWAY
HOME MATCH v LOSSIEMOUTH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2025 – KO 3PM
This Saturday we welcome players, officials and fans of Lossiemouth FC to Seafield Park for our first meeting of the season in the Breedon Highland League. For travelling supporters please click here if any would like a resumé of what’s happening in Grantown.
Lossie have not started the season as they would have wished and currently sit in seventeenth position with eleven points, and suffered at the hands of Formartine in their cup tie last Saturday, but in this topsy turvy league who knows what will happen and it promises to be another cracker of a game.
Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson and the team missed out on last week’s cup ties so have had a couple of weeks of recovery and preparation since their last match – a creditable draw away to Turriff – and with most of the squad back fit hopefully we can get all three points.
As ever we wish the boys all the best.
MATCH v TURRIFF UNITED, SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER
We made the trip The Haughs in Turriff for our Breedon Highland League match a week past Saturday. The Haughs have not been kind to us over the past few seasons and we knew it was going to be tough to get anything from the game.
Not for the first time this season we went a goal behind after thirteen minutes but two minutes after the half time restart Liam Shewan converted a penalty after Shaun Morrison was fouled in the box.
That was how it finished although the Turriff keeper pulled off a great save in the final minute after a great effort by Shaun Morrison so it could have been three points but one point was deserved – our first point from our Turriff visit since 2021 so we were more happy than sad!
Esson interviewed by the Press & Journal after the match and he said although we struggled early on and lost a poor goal our reaction was very good and no one could deny us something from the game. We tried to use the wings and get balls into the box and we got our reward with another point away from home which is never a bad thing”
Watch Liam’s penalty : click here.
PETER GOW
That day’s football was marred by the tragic news that Peter Gow had taken unwell at the Nairn County v Brechin City match, and had very sadly died at the scene – the match was obviously abandoned.
Peter was a huge supporter of the club, a previous Nairn County Fan of the Year winner, and long-time sponsor for not just the first team, but their youth teams as well.
Strathspey Thistle FC sends our condolences to Peter’s family and friends, and also to our friends at Nairn County FC.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Committee member Charlie Sinclair attended the Remembrance Service at Inverallan Church on Sunday 9 November and laid the STFC wreath at the ceremony at the War Memorial in the Square immediately after the service.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Our next scheduled hame games, all kicking off at 2pm, over the next couple of months or so are as follows – but remember please check with our social media pages for up-to-date information as we are now at the mercy of Mother Nature for ground conditions.
Saturday 29 November v Rothes FC
Saturday 13 December v Brechin City FC
Saturday 27 December v Buckie Thistle FC
2026
Saturday 10 January v Clachnacuddin FC
Saturday 28 February v Fraserburgh FC
For a full fixture list click here
QUIZ NIGHT
Two weeks to go………
XMAS RAFFLE
More information will be available very shortly.
LOTTERY NOW £13,700
IT’S A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,700 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery today- click here if you want to play this Sunday evening…or why not subscribe online to play for five weeks, ten weeks etc – all information available on the Clubforce web page….
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).
- 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.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- 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.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
That’s all this week sports fans – see you next week.
CLIVE’S NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2025
Saturday 4th: Only one Highland League game managed to escape the wrath of Storm Amy, sadly not the Jags’ home clash with Inverurie Locos for which we had taken some healthy hospitality bookings.
Fraserburgh’s 1-0 victory away to Brechin City took them to the top of the table with another exciting title race slowly building up.
Wednesday 8th: Prior to the visit of Forres Mechanics to Seafield Park, the loan signing of Ross County midfielder George Robesten was confirmed and he made an immediate debut in the Jags starting XI.
A goal down inside the first couple of minutes, STFC equalised through Cameron Lisle ten minutes into the second half. Forres, however, scored almost from the restart to earn all three points.
Appearing as a substitute for the Jags was another new signing, forward Matthew Wright having signed from Brora Rangers.
Saturday 11th: A trip north to face Wick Academy with another new (old) signing confirmed, that of Steven Macdonald, back in the ranks after the end of the shinty season.
The Jags had recovered from conceding a late first-half goal thanks to Josh Race’s superb solo effort but there was injury-time heartbreak when Louis Hancock netted the hosts’ winner.
“Losing late goals is becoming a real issue for us,” manager Ryan Esson told the Press & Journal afterwards.
“It was a tough one to take as we should have won the game.”
Saturday 18th: Another week on the roller-coaster as the Jags took a 3-1 lead into half-time against Nairn County, goals from Josh Race, Filip Franczak and Shaun Morrison more than cancelling out the visitors early opener.
However, Nairn turned things around to level after the break and took home all three points thanks to ex-STFC man Paul Brindle’s hitting the winner before being sent off.
Friday 24th: Good to see the Highland League in the national spotlight as Formartine United and Buckie Thistle battled it out (in true Highland conditions) in a second round Scottish Cup tie that was televised live on BBC Scotland. Buckie ran out 2-0 winners although their ‘reward’ in the draw was a long trip south to Annan Athletic in the next round.
Follow STFC on Facebook
Saturday 25th: After a difficult month of matches that could have all gone in the Jags’ favour but ended in defeat, a great end to October as goals from Calum Brown, Josh Race and a lovely finish from Shaun Morrison secured a 3-0 victory at home to Huntly to move us onto 18 points for the season and 11th place in the league table.
Upcoming Fundraiser
STOP PRESS: LOTTERY JACKPOT NOW £13,600 – PLAY HERE
A VERY BRITISH COO
AWAY MATCH v TURRIFF UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
THE HAUGHS, TURRIFF AB53 4EF
SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm
This Saturday finds us on our travels again this time to Turriff and our Breedon Highland League match against Turriff United. The Haughs has not been one of our happier hunting grounds over the past couple of seasons, and we have suffered some heavy defeats against Turra both home and away – so no time like like the present to change that scenario.
Turriff, who joined the Highland League at the same time as the Jags, currently sit thirteenth in the league on fourteen points, two positions below ourselves, but with an excellent win against Nairn County in the Scottish Cup last Saturday, it looks as though it will be another cracker of a game. As ever in the Highland League no result is ever predictable so it will be all to play for on Saturday.
LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH v HUNTLY 25.10.25
Unusually for us we had a great start to the game and on seven minutes Shaun Morrison on the right crossed the ball into the Huntly box and Calum Brown deftly controlled and passed the ball into the net for his fourth goal since joining us in August.
We were playing some good stuff, as were Huntly, and they were unlucky with a couple of chances before the break but Jags’ keeper Danny Gillan and the central backs pairing of James McShane and Jamie Calder kept the Huntly forwards at bay – something they continued to do throughout the whole match – and we went in at half time one-nil up. Unfortunately the Huntly pairing of Angus Grant and Lewis Crosbie both suffered what looked like sore injuries, and in Angus Grant’s case probably does not want to step onto Seafield Park again as he was injured on his last outing here in March.
The second half started brightly for us again, this time it was Calum Brown the provider as a he met long ball down the left and made his way to goal firing a in decent shot which the Huntly keeper could only parry and Josh Race following up headed in our second goal for his fourth goal of the season. Huntly began to pile on the pressure and again Danny Gillan made a couple of really good stops before a long ball from James McShane was beautifully taken down by Shaun Morrison and in one movement lobbed the on-coming Huntly keeper Lenny Wilson for the Jags’ third goal.
According to both managers Huntly probably edged the possession but the Jags took their chances and goals win games.
To see all three goals go to our Facebook page CLICK HERE
That took us to eighteen points in the league – one point more than we accumulated in total last season.
WE STILL HAVE PLAYER SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE….
The above photo was taken a couple of months ago and shows Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson with his players Ethan Rae and Caelan Mutch in a PR Pic for their home and away shirt sponsors Highland Copiers – Ethan and Caelan are both employed at Highland Copiers.
To see who currently sponsor the squad please CLICK HERE
At the moment eight players are still available for sponsorship both home and away and one has sponsorship with his home top but his away top is still available.
Zach MacPhee, Jamie Calder, Jamie Williamson, Liam Shewan, Ali Nixon, Bailey Black, George Robeston and Matthew Wright have home and away tops awaiting sponsorship while Ali Morrison’s away top is available too.
Please contact Laura for all the information you require with regards player sponsorship.
CLICK HERE for more information on how to sponsor a player,
Strathspey Thistle thank all our sponsors as without you there would be no football team.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
As we have done for the past couple of years, when the opposing clubs agree we move the kick off times of our matches at Seafield Park to 2pm.
These are the dates that have been confirmed by both the teams and the Highland League.
Please note that the next home game on the 15 November against Lossiemouth is a 3pm kick off.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING GAMES WILL KICK OFF AT 2PM
v ROTHES SAT 29 NOV
v BRECHIN CITY SAT 13 DEC
v BUCKIE THISTLE SAT 27 DEC
v CLACHNACUDDIN SAT 10 JAN 2026
v FRASERBURGH SAT 28 FEB
v WICK ACADEMY SAT 14 MAR
And…..remember we are not in action next Saturday 8 November as it is the first round proper of the R Davidson Highland League Cup – we lost in the preliminary round to Brora Rangers.
MATCH DAY HOSPITALITY
For full details contact Laura – click here
QUIZ NIGHT
Our quiz night is getting ever closer so it’s time to start revising your sports, entertainment, history etc knowledge with your team members – up to six people can make up a team – and again a great night out to be had by all.
XMAS RAFFLE
Tickets will soon be available for our Annual Christmas Raffle and committee members are scurrying about putting together a superb range of prizes to be won.
Something to look out for soon!!
LADIES DAY
Contact Laura for more info – click here
LOTTERY NOW £13,500
IT’S A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,500 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery today- click here if you want to play this Sunday evening…or why not subscribe online to play for five weeks, ten weeks etc – your choice – all information available on the Clubforce web page….
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).
- 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.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- 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.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS……..
A SCOTTISH SOLDIER
HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 2025 – KO 3PM
It was a joint decision taken a few weeks ago when both teams were knocked out of the Scottish Cup, that it would be a good idea to play their match scheduled for the 31 January 2026 this Saturday, when hopefully the weather would be more conducive.
So, we welcome players, officials and supporters of Huntly FC to Seafield Park on Saturday and if any of the travelling support would like a resumé of what’s happening in Grantown click here.
Our game will be the only one played in the Breedon Highland League this weekend, because of the participation of eight clubs still in the Scottish Cup, so hopefully it will be as entertaining as last’s week’s game against Nairn County was to the neutrals.
Huntly had a pretty decent start to the season and currently sit in ninth place in the league and with impressive early league wins over Clach, Fraserburgh and Nairn, their season has been a bit topsy turvy and a mid-week defeat in an Aberdeenshire cup tie against an Aberdeen FC Development team hasn’t helped, although their prolific striker Angus Grant seems to be getting back on the goal trail.
However, we last met in September at Christie Park and we managed a three – one win so I would imagine that the game on Saturday will be a cracker with both sides eyeing the three points.
Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson has one or two players back from injury who may feature.
As ever we wish the Jags all the best and hope we can do a very creditable double over Huntly this season.
SATURDAY’S GAME v NAIRN COUNTY at SEAFIELD PARK.
Several good chances missed in both goalmouths, I think a total of nine yellow cards issued both on and off the pitch, a sending off and seven goals produced a great afternoon’s entertainment for the neutral supporter and, latterly, joy for the County fans – unfortunately, we only managed three of the goals so lost 4-3…… .
On a beautiful afternoon for football, sunshine, warm (ish) and none of the wind we have experienced over the past few games the game matched the conditions!
Nairn took the lead on the ninth minute through Paul Brindle, who looked far sharper in Saturday’s game than he did all last season when he was with the Jags. However, after Nairn coming close, Josh Race scrambled an equaliser after twenty minutes, followed six minutes later after some good work on the right wing Calum Brown squared the ball and Filip Franczak was there to finish. The Jags were on top at this point and after another three minutes Shaun Morrison raced on to a through ball ansd a well placed shot beat Nairn keeper Munro to put us three – one up. Just before half-time, Nairn captain Fraser Dingwall escaped an early shower after a crunching tackle on George Robesten – it would have been an interesting second half had the ref shown the red card instead of a yellow.
The Jags very much deserved their half time lead but Nairn were a different team in the last half hour.
The aforementioned Fraser Dingwall headed home Nairn’s second on sixty-two minutes, followed soon after by County’s prolific scorer Ben Barron, on the park for only five minutes, scoring their third to equalise on sixty-six minutes and to rub salt in our wounds Brindle scored his second of the afternoon on seventy-eight minutes – before picking up his second yellow card by kicking the ball away one minute into add-on time at the end of the game.
All in all, a draw was probably a fairer result as we had a couple of very reasonable chances during the last ten minutes or so which would have levelled the match but goals win games – they scored four, we scored three – end of story!
HALF-TIME RAFFLE WINNER
This week’s winner was a very happy Ewan Calder, father of Jags’ defender Jamie, who very kindly donated his prize back to the Club…..very much appreciated Ewan and thanks very much!
QUIZ NIGHT
LOTTERY NOW £13,400
IT’S A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,400 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery today- click here if you want to play this Sunday evening…or why not subscribe online to play for five weeks, ten weeks etc – all information available on the clubforce web page….
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).
- 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.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- 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.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
Next week we are away to Turriff and with a free Saturday following on from that, our next home game will be on saturday 15 November against Lossiemouth FC.
We wish all the Highland League clubs still left in the Scottish Cup this weekend all the best!
STATION TO STATION
HOME MATCH v NAIRN COUNTY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2025 KO 3pm
Saturday afternoon’s visitors to Seafield Park are Nairn County FC and we welcome their players, officials and supporters having crossed the Dava Moor en-route to Grantown..if any of the travelling support wish a resumé of what’s happening in Grantown please click here.
After a very successful September for the Wee County the wheels came off the bus last Saturday at Keith so it promises to be a close encounter. Nairn currently sit in eighth position in the league four points and four places above us – surely we can break our current habit of being beaten by the odd goal in three…and that goal being scored in the dying remnants of the matches…..hopefully our performance this Saturday will match our earlier ones of the season when it was three points we earned and not disappointment.
As far as I know we have still two or three players out again this week, but with the arrival of our latest signings head coach Ryan Esson should have more or less a full compliment to select from.
As ever we wish the boys all the best – this is a game that should be some sort of measure of how far we have come this season, as we have had a lot of plaudits from opposing managers who have been impressed with improvements from last season, so a home win or draw would be nice.
LAST SATURDAY’S GAME v WICK ACADEMY.
In what proved to be a very close game at Harmsworth Park, we unfortunately had to travel the long way home pointless.
My spies admitted that Wick probably had the best of the first half and led by a goal scored just on half time, but we improved second half and Josh Race scored one of his what seems to be his trademark goal – beat one or two players and then shoot from just outside the box – it is worth watching and if you want to see it click here – unfortunately sub Aaron Doran missed a glorious chance to win the game for the Jags near the end of the ninety minutes. This proved costly as Wick scored in the ninety-third minute after a Jags’ defensive lapse to give The Scorries all three points, leaving us with none.
All in all it was a tough one to take but hopefully lessons have been learned and we go again on Saturday.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Remember next Saturday we host Huntly FC at Seafield Park KO 3pm in a Breedon Highland League match.
QUIZNIGHT
As was intimated last week we have had to change the date of our quiz night from the 24 October to FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER .
LOTTERY NOW £13,300
IT’S A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,300 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery today- click here if you want to play this Sunday evening…or why not subscribe online to play for five weeks, ten weeks etc – all information available on the clubforce web page….
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).
- 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.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- 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.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY AT SEAFIELD PARK……
LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN
AWAY MATCH v WICK ACADEMY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
HARMSWORTH PARK, WICK, KW1 5NH
SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm
We’re on the road again this Saturday with a mighty long trip all the way up the A9 to Wick and a Breedon Highland League game at Harmsworth Park against Wick Academy Football Club.
Wick currently sit in fifteenth place in the league and although they had a good win against Rothes in the Scottish Cup a couple of weeks ago and a win at Huntly at the start of August, their league form has been a bit topsy turvy which is in keeping with their form in the league over the past couple of seasons or so – they seem to have indifferent form before Christmas but find another gear in the New Year!
All said our results at Harmsworth Park over the past couple of seasons have resulted in narrow defeats a stat we would like to reverse on Saturday and go back down the A9 with at least a point.
With the addition of three new faces to the squad Jags’ head coach Ryan Esson should have more or less a full squad to pick from – provided there were no injuries picked up in the game against Forres on Wednesday night.
As ever we wish the boys well.
WELCOME MATTHEW WRIGHT
We’re delighted to announce 22-year-old striker Matthew Wright joins Strathspey Thistle from Brora Rangers on a three-year deal!
Born in Stornoway, Matthew began his full-time career with Ross County in 2020, gaining valuable experience with loan spells at Brora Rangers, Montrose, Falkirk, Elgin City and Brechin City.
After leaving Ross County in 2024, he enjoyed a short spell at Nairn County before returning to Brora Rangers.
Matthew now makes the move to Seafield Park, bringing proven attacking quality and a sharp eye for goal to the Jags’ front line.
Welcome to Strathspey Thistle, Matty.
WELCOME GEORGE ROBESTEN
We’re also delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old midfielder George Robesten from Ross County Football Club on a loan deal.
George is no stranger to the Highland League, having played with Nairn County, Clachnacuddin, and most recently Brora Rangers.
Manager Ryan Esson said “George is a talented young midfielder with good experience already at this level. He’s got great energy and composure on the ball, and we’re really pleased to bring him in.”
Welcome to Strathspey Thistle, George!
WELCOME BACK STEVEN MACDONALD
Fresh from lifting the Camanachd Cup with Newtonmore Shinty Club, and with the shinty season almost finished, Steven returned to his role in defence for us again on Wednesday night against Forres …..and we welcome him back – hopefully for a few months before the start of the 2026 shinty season.
LEWIS MACKIE
As we welcome three new players we are sad to confirm that Lewis Mackie has left the club following the mutual termination of his contract for personal reasons. Lewis, was a popular figure at Seafield Park and we would like to thank him for his contribution to the Jags during his time here and wish him all the very best for the future.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S GAME v FORRES MECHANICS – 8 OCTOBER 2025
On what was first perceived a nice night for football under the floodlights of Seafield Park, the wind became stronger and stronger and rather spoiled what was a close encounter between the teams.
The Jags’ with three new faces in the squad had a horrendous start finding themselves a goal down after only two minutes when a shot across goal found the net.
For the rest of the first half it was nip and tuck with the Jags dominant for the first half hour but the Can-Cans dangerous on the break – but we could not break down the Forres defence and it stayed one-nil at half-time.
Ten minutes into the second half Cammy Lisle fired in a cracker to equalise for the Jags- but it was to no avail as more or less directly from the restart Forres were back in front.
As the wind got stronger both teams found accurate passing difficult and many times Danny Gillan in the Jags’ goal found his kick outs hanging in the wind.
Again Danny had a strong game making crucial saves in both halves.
Unfortunately we weren’t able to get back on level terms so that is how the game finished – two – one to Forres – a disappointing result as we thought we could have got a least a point out of the game.
We welcomed to the squad George Robeston, who played all ninety minutes, and Matt Wright, who came on for the final ten. We also welcomed as a trialist the return in defence, now that that his successful shinty season is finishing, Steven MacDonald.
All three will be great additions and we look forward to seeing their contributions over the next few months.
HALF-TIME RAFFLE
The winning ticket at the Forres game belonged to Ross Nixon, father of Jags’ defender Ali, and for the eagle eyed, you will remember Ross being successful a few months ago – this time he very generously donated his winnings back to the Club….thanks Ross, very much appreciated.
QUIZ NIGHT DATE CHANGED
Unfortunately the date for our Quiz Night has had to be changed due to a clash of dates within Grantown.
Our new date is Friday 28 November.
LOTTERY NOW £13,200
IT’S A RECORD AMOUNT WAITING TO BE WON ON THE JAGS’ FUNDRAISING LOTTERY!!!
£13,200 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).
- 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.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- 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.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT SEAFIELD PARK FOR OUR NEXT SATURDAY FIXTURE v NAIRN COUNTY – 18 OCTOBER – 3PM KO
WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?
HOME MATCH v FORRES MECHANICS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2025 – KO 8PM
Following on from the disappointment of Saturday’s game against Inverurie Loco Works being postponed because of Storm Amy, we welcome players, officials and fans of Forres Mechanics FC to our re-arranged Breedon Highland League match on Wednesday night (8 Oct).
The game originally scheduled for September 13 was moved because both teams had to play in a preliminary round of the R Davidson League Cup, with Forres winning theirs and the Jags losing to Brora.
So the scene is set for what could be a cracker of a game with ourselves one point ahead of the Can-Cans in the league on fifteen points, with us winning five games and Mechanics four with two draws.
Over the years we have had limited success against Forres, notably a home win three years ago and a draw at Mosset Park last season, so it would good to emulate the score from 2022 and keep going the Jags decent start to this season.
Head coach Ryan Esson should have the bulk of the squad available for selection although Daniel Whitehorn and Ali Morrison are still very doubtful.
As always there is a certain amount of je ne sais quoi about games of football under floodlights so I hope the weather behaves and we get a magical evening.
We wish Ryan and the boys all the best to pick up a point or three.
If any of the travelling support want a resumé of what’s happening in Grantown click here
OCTOBER FIXTURES
As we did last year we have contacted the clubs we play at home between November and earl March to offer the possibility of a change of time by bringing the kick off an hour earlier and so for two clubs have responded – please keep an eye out for more.
Please note that the below fixtures at Seafield Park now have an earlier kick-off time of 2pm.
Saturday 13th December 2025 vs Brechin City
Saturday 28th February 2026 vs Fraserburgh
QUIZ NIGHT
LADIES DAY
Email to book – hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk
LOTTERY
Another rollover – a multitudinous amount of spondoolicks to win
Click here if you wish to play this Sunday 12 Oct – thank you.
MATCH POSTPONED
Storm Amy has knocked out the entire Highland League programme for today (Saturday 4 October) except for the game in Brechin between Brechin City and Fraserburgh.
We look forward to welcoming you to Seafield Park on Wednesday evening for our league match against Forres Mechanics KO 8pm.
CLIVE’S NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2025
Click here to read this month’s newsletter