Author: Stewart

STRATHSPEY THISTLE FOOTBALL CLUB WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED – PLAYERS, MANAGEMENT, COMMITTEE, MATCH DAY HELPERS AND OUR FANTASTIC SUPPORTERS FOR ALL THEIR HELP AND INPUT THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

CONGRATULATIONS BRORA!
Firstly congratulations must go Brora Rangers FC on their winning of the Breedon Highland League Season 24/25 and we wish them all the best in their forthcoming tie against the winners of the Lowland League, East Kilbride FC for a place in Scotland’s Division Two.
Obviously with league reconstruction again we do not know the component teams of next years league as there are various scenarios.
But all will be revealed before what will probably the opening of the league season on Saturday 19 or 26 July.

SATURDAY’S MATCH v TURRIFF UNITED

Saturday’s Match report from Ian Davidson
Strathspey Thistle went into their final league match of the season against Turriff United with renewed confidence following an excellent second half performance from their league encounter with Keith, at Kynoch Park, only days earlier.  Goals from Daniel Whitehorn with a brace, Cammy Lisle and a Paul Brindle penalty eventually gave the Badenoch side a comfortable win. 
So, confidence was high going into their meeting with the Turra, even though the visitors had won the reverse fixture at the Haughs back in November convincingly.  Boss Ryan Esson made two changes to his starting line-up from the side that had overcome the Maroons days earlier with Paul Brindle and Jordan Laidlaw coming in to replace Sam Morrison and Daniel Whitehorn respectively. 
With former Scottish FA Chief Executive, Scotland International and Rangers striker Gordon Smith the VIP for the home side, the home side got off to the worst possible start to proceedings, conceding three quick fire goals inside the opening twenty-five minutes. 
The visitors were ahead as early as the ninth minutes. The deadlock was broken from a corner to the far post where Owen Kinsella climbed above a static rearguard to power home a superb header for the opener. 
Four minutes later they increased their advantage when a ball into the home penalty area caused all sorts of problems for the defence and Reece McKeown weaved his way through to plant a right foot effort into the corner of the net beyond the helpless Euan Storrier.
With the home side struggling to break down a stubborn Turriff rearguard the visitors duly netted a third effort after twenty-five minutes, when Mackenzie Taylor weaved his way into the penalty area before swivelling to beat the keeper with a low drive into the net. 
The home side hit back and two minutes later they reduced the leeway when Lewis Mackie raced to the edge of the box to drive in a powerful cross for Paul Brindle to apply the finish from close range.
Storrier was again called into action with ten minutes of the first period remaining when he made an excellent full length save to deny Taylor his second of the afternoon as the visitors looked to restore their three goal advantage. 
The home side had a let-off twelve minutes after the resumption when a long clearance from keeper Cameron Reid found John Allan on the edge of the box, however, his well struck effort drifted inches wide of the far post.
The home side countered and two minutes later a powerful run from Zach MacPhee following a Dylan Lawrence through ball ended with the full back forcing the keeper into a fine save at his near post as the home side looked to reduce the leeway.
Any hopes of the home side rescuing something from the match ended after sixty three minutes. Euan Storrier could only parry an effort from Mackenzie Taylor and Archie Gibson reacted the quickest to fire the loose ball high into the net.
With two minutes remaining striker Paul Brindle attempted an audacious lob from fully thirty yards that beat the keeper but failed to hit the target. 
Boss Ryan Esson will be looking to add to his squad during the close season in an effort to clearly improve their league position next time round. Priority will be to stop conceding early goals something that occurred consistently throughout this season if they are to give themselves a chance of winning matches. 

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Jags’ boss Ryan Esson was quoted in the Press and Journal after the game saying “Strathspey finished 17th and I think playing on Wednesday night took its toll, the boys looked leggy as well as playing 15 games in two months”
“I’m not happy with this performance, but I can’t criticise the boys for the effort they’ve put in over the course of the season and I’m proud of them.
“We’ve got more points than last season, we’ve scored more goals and we’ve conceded fewer goals than last season, but we need to try to make further improvements going forward.” 

MOTM

Our final Man of the Match award went to Scot Docherty.

He was presented with his award by our special guest on the day, Gordon Smith – former SFA Chief Executive, Rangers and Scotland international.

HALF TIME RAFFLE

It’s that man again……we said last week that lightning never strikes in the same place twice…..well, for the third time in two months Ken Crake was the lucky recipient of the money!!

THANKS
From everyone at Strathspey Thistle Football Club thank you to everyone who came to the games, played the lottery and made a noise when we scored!

On a personal level I would like to thank for their help and support throughout the season with the website and with the tasks I am involved with :
Rob Clark for furnishing me with a few historical details and articles when needed, Caci Horton for helping find the Half-Time raffle draw winning ticket holder, Laura Mackie for updating me with future match arrangements, her Dad, Ian Davidson for sending me some match reports for inclusion on the website, Marty Wares for team lines before our home games, Mike “The Fraz” Fraser on Bradenstoke Radio in the Cotswolds for adopting us, Jim Beveridge and Ken Croke for helping the pitch committee with repairs after every home game, Gavin, Tom and Frances at “the Strathy” for their continued support and also to the rest of the committee for their support and craic throughout the season.

OFF THE PITCH 
And as the season closes we start, preparations for the new season begin with the annual pitch maintenance programme and are expecting the arrival very soon of a new, to us, boardroom and committee/hospitality unit for welcoming the committees of our Highland League colleagues. 

So that should keep us busy until the middle of July when the hoopla returns……… 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 
Keep up to date with the happenings by checking out our Facebook, X and Instagram pages and any other socials we may have for information regarding….

This year’s Golf Fundraising Day at Grantown Golf Club 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!  

LOTTERY NOW £10,700

It ’s still a ginormous amount –  £10,700 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.

SO THAT’S IT FOLKS FOR SEASON 2024/2025 – THANKS VERY MUCH IF YOU HAVE BEEN KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE GOINGS ON AT STFC THROUGH THE WEBSITE AND THERE WILL PROBABLY THE OCCASIONAL POST DURING THE SUMMER –
SEE YOU MID-JULY FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON.

HOME MATCH v TURRIFF UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025 KO 3pm

THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY HORTON HOMES.

So here we are, season’s end!

This Saturday we welcome players, management and supporters of Turriff United FC for our final match of the season.
Turra currently sit in twelfth position on thirty seven points, having won eleven league games and drawn four over the course of the season. Looking at their results over the past couple of months or so their form seems to be a wee bit inconsistent. They have had some very good results against some of the top teams in the division but have squandered points against teams they may have thought they would have had a good chance of picking up all three points from.
We imagine again it will be a tough afternoon and the weather forecast looks very promising so we hope that there will be a large home and away support for this season’s swansong.

Boss Ryan Esson will definitely still be without Josh Race, but hopefully he will be able to pick from the rest of the squad 

If any of the Turriff supporters want a resumé of what’s available in Grantown please click here.

At the end of the match committee member Jon Wood will be doing a BBQ for both home and away teams and committees, at the side of the Mackellar Suite, to celebrate the end of the season. The BBQ will also be available for any fans wishing to purchase food along with drinks from the bar whilst stocks last. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S MATCH v KEITH at KYNOCH PARK, KEITH.

Although going one goal down after a couple of minutes, the Jags fought back to win by four goals to one, a result that puts us onto seventeen points for the season so far.

To see the four excellent goals check out our Instagram and Facebook pages

https://www.instagram.com/strathspeythistlefc/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc

Match Report from Ian Davidson

The Jags recovered from the loss of an early opener to overcome the Maroons at Kynoch Park, on Wednesday evening.  Goals from Daniel Whitehorn 2, Cammy Lisle and a Paul Brindle penalty eventually gave the Badenoch side a deserved victory. 
Thistle got of to the worst start possible and were behind as early as the second minute, when Scott Docherty lost possession in midfield to Nathan McKeown, who raced along the 18 yard line to beat Euan Storrier with a powerful right foot effort at his near post. 
The visitors were level with ten minutes of the first period remaining, when the impressive Daniel Whitehorn raced onto a long through ball to beat keeper Connor Macleod from the edge of the box for the equaliser.
The second period began with the visitors on the front foot, and three minutes after the resumption they were ahead, when following a corner, Cammy Lisle from the edge of the box beat Macleod with a lob that found the net at the far post.
Five minutes later a sweeping four man move ended with Lewis Mackie firing a right foot effort inches wide of the far post.  Daniel Whitehorn was agonisingly close to adding a third on 57 minutes with an effort that beat the keeper but drifted wide of the target as the pressure continued to build on the home defence.
With the visitors controlling the midfield, they went even closer to extending their lead when Lewis Mackie took a pass from strike partner Daniel Whitehorn, his final effort hit the base of the post to the relief of the home side. 
The pressure continued to mount and with twelve minutes remaining the Jags increased their advantage when they were awarded a penalty.  Dylan Lawrence weaved his way into the box before being upended by Michael Ironside, Referee Joel Kennedy pointing immediately to the penalty spot.  Substitute Paul Brindle swept home the resultant spot kick.
Daniel Whitehorn rounded off the scoring with nine minutes remaining when he climbed above a static defence to head home following a corner – for his second of the match.
The home side were seen little in an attacking sense throughout the second period and their only real opportunity arrived two minutes into injury time when Scott Docherty headed a Brody Alberts shot from under his crossbar.

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MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL is a free app from the SFA, downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – for teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!
Printed team lines available at the gate may in the future be a thing of the past……not quite yet as not everyone uses their mobile.

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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 £10,600

It ’s still a ginormous amount –  £10,600 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.

AWAY MATCH v KEITH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
KYNOCH PARK, KEITH, AB55 5EB
WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 2025 – KICK OFF 8PM

Wednesday sees us heading down the A95 on one of our shorter journeys to an away game to play Keith FC in what is our penultimate game, and last away game, of the season.
Keith who sit in fifteenth position in the Breedon Highland League, two places above us, have had a tough time over the past couple of months and hopefully we can capitalise on that and maybe secure an elusive away victory. Although mathematically possible to be overturned, we are destined to finish in second bottom position in the league this season.
As ever we wish Ryan and the boys all the best and hope we sit on seventeen points for the visit to Seafield Park of Turriff United on Saturday.

SATURDAY’S MATCH v WICK ACADEMY
Match report from Ian Davidson 

The frustration was etched on Jags’ boss Ryan Esson’s face on the final whistle, as he watched his side go down to Wick Academy, at Seafield Park last Saturday.  
This was a match that the home side on paper were capable of taking something from, and well though they played at stages throughout, they lost goals that were avoidable at vital times in the match to annoy the manager even further.
Make no mistake, this was a match in which they created numerous opportunities over a keenly contested ninety minutes, however, failed to convert those opportunities into goals.
The opening exchanges were brisk with both teams looking to get that early breakthrough and take an early stranglehold on proceedings. Home keeper Ethan Rae was called into action as early as the second minute when he got down well to block a Kyle Robertson effort at full stretch.
The youngster excelled yet again within two minutes with a super save to deny Academy skipper Mark MacAdie. The home side countered, and Cameron Lisle was only inches away from breaking the deadlock with a shot from the edge of the box.
However, the deadlock was broken after just ten minutes when Mark MacAdie won a ball in midfield before releasing Kyle Henderson on the edge of the box, and the striker ran on to beat the helpless Rae with a drive from 15 yards.
The home side came close to levelling the match four minutes later when, Firstly Daniel Whitehorn, then Filip Franczak went close with a powerful 18 yard effort that the keeper saved at full stretch. 

The Jags continued to push forward and deservedly levelled the match after 20 minutes. A Filip Franczak free kick into the danger zone was headed back across for James McShane to bullet a header home for the equaliser at the far post.
With four minutes of the first period remaining the visitors regained the advantage when from the edge of the box, Mark MacAdie took a touch before beating Ethan Rae with a powerful effort from 18 yards.

Things were to get worse for the home side when the visitors extended their lead within two minutes of the restart when David Allan set up Euan Kennedy.
Back came the Jags, and two minutes later, they came close to reducing the leeway when a Paul Brindle effort drifted agonisingly past the far post.
The same player missed the chance of the match, when twelve minutes later Cameron Lisle found him and with both time and space, the striker wasted a gilt edged opportunity when he swept over the bar from two yards with the keeper beat at his near post. 
To their credit, the Jags continued to put pressure on the Scorries defence, with Brindle and Daniel Whitehorn missing good opportunities. Caelan Mutch went close moments later when he swivelled to fire an effort past the far post. 
With twelve minutes remaining only a brilliant save from Ethan Rae denied the visitors a fourth as the match continued to be played at a furious pace and he was in action again when he pushed a MacAdie drive onto the post.

Daniel Whitehorn set up a grandstand finish when he capitalised on hesitancy in the visitors defence before running on to beat Gallacher with an excellent finish with eight minutes remaining. 

Overall, a frustrating ninety minutes for the Jags, numerous opportunities both created and spurned. The evidence was there for all to see, and the expression on the Boss’s face on the final whistle said it all.    

HALF-TIME RAFFLE WINNER

They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice but for the second time in six weeks our Half-Time raffle winner was Jags’ uber fan Ken Crake. Congratulations!

CAN YOU SEE US….

Thanks must go to committee member Allan Carson of MKM Aviemore for supplying the club with brand new hi-viz waistcoats for all committee members for future matches at Seafield Park. I think you can see from the photograph we can be seen!!!

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 21 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…..

STFC LOTTERY NOW £10,600

It was another roll-over on Sunday so this week’s jackpot is a ginormous £10,600 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

HOME MATCH v WICK ACADEMY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 5 APRIL 2025 KO 3pm

THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY LG SIMPSON, HIGHWAY CONTRACTORS

Initially due to played in December and postponed because of the weather, we can now eventually welcome players, management and supporters of Wick Academy to Seafield Park this Saturday.
Currently sitting in fourteenth place in the league The Scorries have enjoyed a topsy turvy season with some excellent points accrued from their current total of thirty three, and their current form of five wins and a draw from their last six games is impressive, so again it is going to be a tough afternoon, but not insurmountable, and we hope that the boys will get something from the game.
As ever we wish Ryan and the boys all the best in what looks as though it could be a beautiful afternoon for football, weatherwise.

We would like to thank those who may be travelling a long way, and those who may be not…. but if you need a resumé of Grantown’s delights click here.

SATURDAY’S MATCH v FRASERBURGH AT BELLSLEA PARK.

THANKS TO IAN DAVIDSON FOR HIS REPORT.

THE FULL ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IS IN THE PRINTED EDITION OF THE STRATHSPEY AND BADENOCH HERALD OR ON THEIR ONLINE PAGES

Three first half counters from the home side effectively killed off any hopes of the Jags taking anything from their meeting with Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park.  Goals from Sean Butcher and a Scott Barbour brace inside the opening half an hour left us with a mountain to climb at the interval.
Boss Ryan Esson had made six changes to the side that played well against title chasers Brechin City in midweek. Zach MacPhee, Daniel Whitehorn, James McShane, Paul Brindle, Caelan Mutch and James Fraser all coming into the starting line-up against the Broch, again having to rotate the squad. 
It was the home side who got off to the perfect start with the opener after just two minutes. The visitors were forced into an early change when keeper Euan Storrier limped off to be replaced by youngster Ethan Rae after just fourteen minutes following a clash with Broch striker Sean Butcher. 
The home side doubled their lead five minutes later, when Scott Barbour raced into the box and from an oblique angle beat the keeper.
The visitors responded and three minutes later, a cross from Caelan Mutch almost presented Cameron Lisle with the opportunity to reduce the leeway, before Dylan Robertson got back to avert the danger.
The home side added a third after 26 minutes, when Barbour raced clear of the defence to beat the advancing Ethan Rae. 
The second period opened with the Jags on the attack, and they reduced the leeway after 49 minutes when Caelan Mutch picked up a ball in midfield before running on to beat Barbour with a superbly struck lob from the edge of the box that left keeper Joe Barbour helpless. – to view click here  https://www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc/videos/1344069130219362
The final opportunity of the match arrived with just two minutes remaining when striker Logan Watt raced to the edge of the box, however, his 20 yard right foot effort brought a fine save from substitute keeper Ethan Rae.
The opening thirty minutes was where the game was won and lost. However, the Jags came out with a completely different mindset after half-time, pulled back a very good effort to claw their way back into proceedings, and should have added to the scoreline with the opportunities created.   
Next up for the Jags is a meeting with Wick Academy at Seafield Park on Saturday, in an effort to secure three valuable points and in doing so remain clear of bottom spot. 

Again the Jags’ representatives at the game were very satisfied with the effort put in by the boys, especially in the second half, and it finished a sequence of nine games in March and they have been rewarded with a night off training on Tuesday evening but were back on Thursday for their last training session of the season in preparation for the Wick game as we have an away match next Wednesday night so no more training sessions!!

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FIXTURES UPDATE 
After Saturday, we have two fixtures between now and the end of the season which are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information ….
Wednesday 9 April – Keith FC – away – KO 8pm
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC – home – KO 3pm

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY in the Mackellar Suite on Saturdays. 

Join us for £50 per person.
Sat 12 Apr – vs Turriff United Football Club
Package includes:
Complimentary pre-match bar / 2-course lunch / Match entry / HT refreshments..FT pay bar
Email hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk for booking information .

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MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL is a free app from the SFA, downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – for teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!

Printed team lines available at the gate may in the future be a thing of the past……not quite yet as not everyone uses their mobile.

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 £10,500

It ’s a ginormous £10,500 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.

See y’all next week for this season’s last game preview……

Saturday 1st: A hugely important and busy month of fixtures began with the visit of Keith to Seafield Park and it was the away side who edged a hard-fought game, scoring the opener on 70 minutes and then sealing things in stoppage time while the Jags pushed hard for an equaliser. Trialist Dean Stewart made his debut…Elsewhere in the Highland League, Brechin City parted company with manager Patrick Cregg after losing ground in the title race.

Wednesday 5^th: Another home game, this time against Buckie Thistle where the visitors raced into a four-goal lead at the break, helped by two penalties. The Strathy Jags could have folded but scored through Liam Shewan just after half-time with the scoreline remaining the same until the final whistle. Emergency loan signing Corey Patterson played in goal for STFC with Euan Storrier unable to feature against his parent club.

Saturday 8^th: The Jags travelled to Aberdeen to face Banks o’ Dee and did well to come in at half-time just a goal down after a strong home performance in the opening 45 minutes. Gradually, however, the visitors made it a more even contest after the break and were also able to introduce plenty of different options from the bench. One of those players, Conor Macphee, equalised on 81 minutes but there was to be similar late heartache to the game
at last month as BOD netted an 89^th minute winner.

Saturday 8^th: Back at Seafield Park we were delighted to host Strathspey Rovers mini tournament, involving teams from Strathspey, Elgin, Keith and Nairn.

Wednesday 12^th: The busy schedule continued with a home game against Inverness Clachnacuddin and a familiar story of a battling Jags performance but no points with the visitors running out 3-0 winners to maintain their excellent form
Saturday 15^th: No let up in the schedule with another long away journey and tough opponents in the shape of Inverurie Loco Works. Unfortunately, the Jags once again got off to a slow start and a 4-0 half-time scoreline meant that the second half was a case of damage limitation and keeping the home side to just one further goal.
Wednesday 19^th: Huntly were the visitors to Seafield Park for another important Highland League clash. After falling behind early in a number of games this season, the Jags not only scored first this time but James Fraser’s strike was our fastest ever! With a lead to protect the Jags gave everything they had, denied a win only by a late equaliser. With Rothes unable to defeat Lossiemouth it kept STFC off the bottom of the Highland League ahead of the meeting with Rothes on Saturday.

Thursday 20^th: Vital work on the Seafield Park pitch with another big game to come at the weekend. Thanks to all our fantastic volunteers.

Friday 21st: Kieran Duffty made a loan move to join New Elgin FC with Dean Stewart moving in the opposite direction until the end of the season.

Saturday 22^nd: The home game against Rothes had long been earmarked in the diary as a crucial one in the battle to avoid finishing bottom of the Highland League and it proved to be every bit as tight, and tense as predicted in front of a big Seafield Park crowd. As in midweek, the Jags got the crucial first goal of the game, Conor MacPhee scoring, and managed to hold onto their lead until the welcome sound of the final whistle meant we moved three points clear of our opponents.

Wednesday 26^th: Our welcome habit of scoring early continued as Liam Shewan’s penalty gave the Jags a surprise lead at home to title-chasing Brechin City. A 1-1 scoreline at half-time turned into a 4-1 win for the visitors who tightened the screw after the break to show their quality.

Saturday 29^th: A trip to Fraserburgh to end the month and three first-half goals for the home side sparked memories of a big defeat at this ground last season. However, the current Jags’ side are continuing to improve and, despite their hectic schedule over the past few weeks, not only prevented further goals conceded but scored one of their own through Caelan Mutch.

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Strathspey Thistle Club Lottery – Jackpot Now £10,500!

We would love to see a jackpot winner scoop the big prize and with our jackpot currently sitting at an impressive £10,500, 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

To play click here……

Good luck and thank you for your ongoing support!

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Hospitality in the Mackellar Suite – Book Your Spot Now!
We have just two home league matches remaining this season:

• Sat 5^th Apr vs Wick Academy
• Sat 12^th Apr vs Turriff 

Contact our Commercial Director, Laura Mackie via email at hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk for more information about matchday hospitality in the Mackellar Suite.

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 once the season ends.

AWAY MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
BELLSLEA PARK, FRASERBURGH, AB43 9BB
SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

Back to the coast and coupled with a long journey to a major fishing town so that means we will be visiting Fraserburgh on Saturday and Bellslea Park for our Breedon Highland League match against Fraserburgh FC.
We have not fared very well at Bellslea over recent years, especially last season’s visit as it was a particularly sore one.
In hindsight, that was the last game of our season and I think most of our team were probably thinking of their holidays, and, as most of them were leaving the Jags after that game anyway perhaps these were major indicators on the result.

However, that’s not the case this year and as our performances against some of the top teams have been pretty close so we hope that this will be the case again on Saturday.
Jags’ gaffer Ryan Esson and his backroom staff will be rotating the squad again I am sure following Wednesday night’s game, and although we will be missing a couple of boys to injury, I am sure whoever is on the pitch will be giving their all as they have been doing all season, and, as we always quote Greavsie, “It’s a funny old game Saint”, so you never know what this Saturday’s outcome will be.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS GAME v BRECHIN CITY 

The Seafield Park floodlights shone bright for the Jags after two minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Lewis Mackie was felled in the box and Liam Shewan converted the said penalty to make us go one up on the joint leaders of the Highland League. This was followed by a couple of decent chances for us before Brechin began to threaten Euan Storrier’s goal.

A decisive moment came in the twenty-seventh minute when the visitors lost Dayle Robertson and was replaced by former Celtic, CSKA Sofia, Kilmarnock and Inverness Caley Thistle striker Cillian Sheridan. 
Jags’ keeper Storrier made a wonder save from a close range shot but just after that on forty minutes Sheridan was on hand to score from close range and that is how it remained at half time.
The second half was dominated by Brechin and they took the lead in fifty-three minutes when a well placed thirty yard free kick from Mitch Taylor clipped the post and deflected into the net, and with both Sheridan and Taylor scoring again in the final quarter of the match making the final score 4-1 to Brechin City keeping them well in the title race.

There was a substantial crowd especially for a Wednesday night and we thank the Brechin fans for making the long trip to Grantown – and I don’t think anyone present could not have admired the effort put in by the Jags, most of them were more or less on their knees at the final whistle and who could blame them having played eight games over the past twenty-five days – the Premier League’s full time players would struggle with that  and they don’t have day jobs to contend with either!!  A great effort boys and with no Wednesday game next week there will be a slight respite before a three game final week of the season.

WEDNESDAY’S HALF-TIME RAFFLE WINNER

Winner of the Half-Time raffle was Ross Nixon, Not only is Ross a supporter of Strathspey Thistle, but he also sponsors his son Ali through his business, Ross Nixon Massage Therapy

Well done to Ross, and thank you for your continued support!,
Ross is pictured with the Jags’ Raffle Winner’s Search Assistant the always smiling Caci Horton. 

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FIXTURES UPDATE – THREE GAMES TO GO…….. 

As ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information ….

Saturday 5 April – Wick Academy FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 9 April – Keith FC – away – KO 8pm
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC – home – KO 3pm

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL is a free app from the SFA, downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – for teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!

Printed team lines available at the gate may in the future be a thing of the past……not quite yet as not everyone uses their mobile.

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 21 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 £10,400

It ’s still there…… a ginormous £10,400 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.
6. All winners will be notified.

HOME MATCH v BRECHIN CITY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025 KO 8 pm

We say welcome to the players, management and supporters of joint leaders of the Breedon Highland League, Brechin City FC on Wednesday night at Seafield Park in what will be another very tough game for the Jags. 
As we can all see with all team selections and substitutions the final third of the Highland League season is jam packed with games, with some teams featuring more than others, whether it’s due to adverse weather earlier on in the season or enjoying a good cup run it all takes it toll at this time with some players playing an ongoing three games in seven days……
Jags’s boss Ryan Esson was quoted in a Recent Press and Journal article by suggesting it would be in the players interests to play mid-week games on a Tuesday night, giving players a better recovery time between games, which may be something the Highland League may consider for the future 

As ever we wish Ryan and the boys all the best in what will be another difficult game before we head to Fraserburgh on Saturday.

If any of the Brechin City supporters want a resumé of what is available in Grantown please click here for more information, and we thank them for making the long trip to Grantown on a Wednesday evening.
Please note that for the last time this season, the snack bar shifts to the Mackellar Suite.
It will be back as normal for our remaining Saturday games.

SATURDAY’S MATCH v ROTHES FC

The biggest crowd we have seen at Seafield Park for a long time welcomed both teams onto the pitch for our meeting with Rothes FC in what was one of the most crucial games of the day in the Breedon Highland League. The losing team would be anchored at the bottom of the table as both teams started the game level on eleven points.

Rothes captained by ex-Jag Ross Logan were quickly behind after a defensive error let in Conor MacPhee in the sixth minute much to the delight of the home fans and was exactly the start the we wanted.
However, that completed the scoring for the afternoon even though both teams had spells of domination – but again the Jags defence did exactly as they needed to do in restricting Rothes to very few chances.
Overall we probably had the best chances to score, especially in the first half.
The game, although exciting was disappointing as a football spectacle and the final whistle was met by relief by the home fans, and although we remain second bottom we are now three points ahead with a far better goal difference – but as we say in football you never know what’s ahead especially when you take in to account some of the results in the league this season so far.
With the four points we have taken from the last two games we have to congratulate the boys who are having to put a hell of an amount of work, game after game.

However, there have been indications that the Highland League and the SFA are working towards a new set up with regards the pyramid system and there maybe some sort of further reconstruction and the possiblity of relegation and play-offs may not happen this season especially with what is happening in the other leagues.
As far as we know there is going to be a more geographic related set up which all clubs throughout the affected leagues would very much welcome as escalating travelling costs are very prominent in most club’s limited budgets.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Congratulations to Sam Morrison, named Man of the Match in our crucial 1-0 win on Saturday.

 Selected by our Match Sponsor, The Mackellar Group, Sam’s solid defensive display helped lead us to victory, ensuring a clean sheet and vital three points!

HALF-TIME RAFFLE WINNER

Jags supporter Michael Clark had a double reason to celebrate by winning the Half Time raffle draw on Saturday during the Rothes game.

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 now be held on Saturday June 21
( changed from June 14 ) 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…..

Back on Friday with preview of our visit to the ‘Broch.

HOME MATCH v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 22 MARCH 2025 KO 3pm

THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY THE MACKELLAR GROUP

This Saturday we welcome to Seafield Park players, management and supporters of Rothes FC.
As well as close geographic neighbours we also find ourselves neighbouring each other at the foot of the Breedon Highland League – a position both of us would rather not be in – but that is the reality, so the enormity of the game cannot be understated.
With six games to go for us, each one having it’s own difficulty, the eyes of the North will be fixed on this particular one – the clash of the bottom clubs – a real six pointer  – etc etc – We can only envisage a torrid ninety minutes plus on Saturday, with hopefully, The Jags marking up their second win of the season over Rothes.  

We welcome back to Seafield Park, if they are playing, some well ‘kent faces – ex-Jags Andrew Skinner, Ross Logan, Jake Thompson, Liam McDade, Gordy McNab and boss, Ronnie Sharp who will all I am sure, want to put one over on us, especially as our last league meeting at Mackessack Park in Rothes in November resulted in a six-nil win for the Jags.
So, I would imagine it will be all to play for on Saturday with some good old Highland League action and, probably, not for the faint hearted…
If any of the Rothes support want a resumé of what’s available in Grantown please click here.   

As ever we want to wish Ryan and the boys all the best in what probably could be one of the most important games of the season and it would be great to have a large support behind the Jags so it would be great to see you there.

And on the player front Keiran Duffty will be joining New Elgin FC on loan until the end of the season and Dean Stewart who has featured as a triallist recently will be joining us from New Elgin until the end of the season – best of luck Duffty and we welcome Dean on board. The Jags would like to thank New Elgin for their support with these moves. 

….and don’t forget we host league championship contenders BRECHIN CITY on Wednesday night (26 March), again with an 8pm kick off.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS GAME v HUNTLY

According to Club Historian Rob Clark, those who witnessed our goal on Wednesday night witnessed history – as this was the fastest goal we have scored in the Highland League clocking in, according to the P&J, at thirty-one seconds…goal scorer James Fraser’s first of the season.

We couldn’t have started better and James could have made it two after fifteen but the Huntly keeper saved it. 

After twenty-five minutes Huntly’s top scorer was injured and had to be replaced. Although we had a couple of more chances throughout the game, Huntly were in command but the Jags back three of Sam Morrison, Jordan Laidlaw and Jamie Calder were up to the task and led the rest of the team adamantly in their defensive duties until the eighty-first minute  when Huntly’s Allen evaded his marker and headed home.

That is how it remained until the final whistle and the home crowd were delighted with both the point won and the spirit of the team in earning a draw with a very good team who could possibly finish in the top six after they complete all their games.

I must admit I was also keeping my eyes on what was happening in the Rothes v Lossiemouth game in Rothes being played at the same time and the resultant no scoring draw makes Saturday’s game very important for both ourselves and Rothes…..  

To see James’s goal check out https://www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc

FORKERS DELIGHT

It’s not every day when we forkers arrive at Seafield Park with a bit of a smile on our faces but that’s what happened on the morning after the Huntly game – a decent result and a sunny warm day in March.
It’s been quite busy over the past few weeks with sometimes having to fix the pitch twice a week with our mid-week home fixtures but as you can see from the photograph you cannot hide the enjoyment on our faces …….  

FIXTURES UPDATE 

STILL BUSY, BUSY, BUSY…..after Saturday the five fixtures between now and the end of the season are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information ….

Wednesday 26 March – Brechin City FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 5 April – Wick Academy FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 9 April – Keith FC – away – KO 8pm
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC – home – KO 3pm

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL is a free app from the SFA, downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – for teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!

Printed team lines available at the gate may in the future be a thing of the past……not quite yet, as not everyone uses their mobile.

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 £10,300

It ’s a ginormous £10,300 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.

HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2025 KO 8 pm

On Wednesday night we welcome Huntly FC players management and supporters to Seafield Park for a floodlit Breedon Highland League encounter on the back of their match against Keith on Saturday.
Down to ten men and with an injured goalkeeper Keith could not prevent Huntly putting seven past them to no reply so, again, we will have an exceptionally difficult task on our hands.
The Black and Golds are currently sitting in ninth position in the league and in the seven games they have played since the turn of the year they have had some excellent results negated by some not so good.
Hopefully we will have some more luck in front of goal and get a more positive result than last Saturday.
If any of the Huntly fans want a resumé of what is available in Grantown please click here and can everyone be reminded that the Snack Bar will be available in the Mackellar Suite again this Wednesday, although it will be back to normal on Saturday.

As ever, we wish Ryan and the boys all the best and that we put in a good performance which will set us up for our showdown at Seafield Park against Rothes at the weekend.

SATURDAY’S MATCH v INVERURIE LOCO WORKS.

We got off to a bad start losing a goal very early on in the game and struggled to match Locos who added another three before half time.
Our second half performance was better only losing one goal before full time but the general feeling was one of disappointment. With the gaffer having to rotate his squad through injury and a log jam of games, it’s difficult being able to put out a settled team game after game. There should be some returns this week which will help.

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We’ll be back on Friday with a review of the Huntly game and the Rothes game preview.

AWAY MATCH v INVERURIE LOCO WORKS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
HARLAW PARK, INVERURIE, AB51 4SG
SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

So we’re down the road to Aberdeen again this weekend, but this time we stop in Inverurie for our Breedon Highland League match at Harlaw Park against Inverurie Loco Works FC. 

Locos currently sit in fourth position, and have been in impressive form lately and on a seven game winning run since their last defeat in January. No doubt they will be another formidable opponent for the Jags but however, after last Saturday’s impressive display against third placed Banks O’Dee we will go into this game with more confidence than we did in the opposite fixture at Seafield Park last October. 

Jags boss Ryan Esson will no doubt be rotating the squad as we are in the middle of a heavy deluge of games and as ever we wish him and the boys all the best in their quest for points.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS GAME v CLACHNACUDDIN

On a cold but pleasant evening under the Seafield Park floodlights the first chance of the game fell to Clach after about five minutes, when a cross was fizzed over from their right and was narrowly missed by everyone. Soon after there was a meleé in the Clach goalmouth and many spectators were celebrating a Jags goal but the effort was chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper….that was the outcome anyway.
We went one goal down after thirty seven minutes (possible sour grapes alert) to some observers an offside goal, but the goal stood and that is how it stood at half-time.

Clach seemed to rejuvenate themselves after the break, and proved why they sit in fifth spot in the league and although we ably defended they scored another two goals and Clach were well worth their victory.

We did threaten once or twice in the second half but to no avail.

So it’s onwards to Inverurie on Saturday, and then another Wednesday night home game, this time our opponents are Huntly who also have been going along nicely…

WEDNESDAY’S HALF-TIME RAFFLE WINNER 

As part of our occasional series, the picture shows it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke – former Jags’ keeper Mike ‘Monk’ MacCallum who, according to our sources, has had to hang the gloves up as work commitments have taken priority – but it was great to seeing him at Seafield Park, a place he will always be very welcome.

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FIXTURES UPDATE 

STILL BUSY, BUSY, BUSY…..after Saturday the seven fixtures between now and the end of the season are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information ….

Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 26 March – Brechin City FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 5 April – Wick Academy FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 9 April – Keith FC – away – KO 8pm
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC – home – KO 3pm

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY

in the Mackellar Suite on Saturdays. 

Join us for £50 per person.

Saturday 5 April – Wick Academy FC
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC
Package includes:
Complimentary pre-match bar / 2-course lunch / Match entry / HT refreshments
There is also a FT pay bar

Email hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk to book for the remaining Saturdays and for information about Wednesday night hospitality.

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MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL is a free app from the SFA, downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – for teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!

Printed team lines available at the gate may be confined to history……not quite yet as not everyone has a mobile……but there will probably not be as many available….

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 £10,200

It ’s a ginormous £10,200 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.