Author: Stewart

HOME GAME v BRECHIN CITY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 27 JANUARY 2024 – KO 2pm

This Saturday the league leaders come to town. 

Yes, we welcome players, committee and supporters of Brechin City FC to Seafield Park. They are sitting on top of the Breedon Highland League so it’s not going to be an easy return to action for the Jags after having not played since the 16th December.
Manager Robert MacCormack said exactly that to the local paper “The Strathy” this week, but, he has a full squad to pick from and he and the rest of the boys are really looking forward to the challenge. The Jags this season have played reasonably well against the teams nearer the top of the division…and as we always say in football….you never know…..

Brechin, who have been going great guns, play their second away game of the week after their three nil victory in Lossiemouth on Wednesday night. They have only lost two games this season, the last one being a four-three defeat at third placed Formartine in the middle of December and currently lead the league by one point from Banks O’Dee, who have played two games more. Strangely enough our last game was a home game against Formartine and we lost narrowly by one goal to nil. 

So a very tough match is in prospect for the Jags and if we manage to take anything from the game it will be very much a bonus.

Since Brechin joined the Highland League they have always taken a good support with them and we thank them for making the journey and would hope that this Saturday will be no exception. If any of the Brechin fans want to find out a wee bit about Grantown  click here for more information.

NEW SIGNING

On Friday manager Robert MacCormack announced that he had signed forward John MacLeod on loan until the end of the season from very much in the news Buckie Thistle. 

Rob says “ I know John well and I am delighted to bring a player of his quality to the Club. He is a proven goal scorer at the very top end of the Highland League. He’s now fully fit after a long period out and I’m confident he will be a fantastic addition to the group”.

LAST WEDNESDAY BRORA POSTPONEMENT

As said before we have not kicked a ball in the league or cup since December 16 as our game scheduled for last Wednesday night again fell foul of the winter conditions which we have suffered over the past few weeks here in Grantown, and although it was a close decision the game against Brora Rangers had to be postponed – but on a brighter note there are very high hopes that the pitch will be playable on Saturday – fingers crossed for a couple of days of lenient weather.

The fixture has been rearranged for Wednesday 7 February with an 8pm kick off.

FUTURE GAMES

Assuming that the weather does not play havoc over the next few weeks the Jags will have a very busy February with a mostly Saturday /Wednesday schedule.  They are as follows:

HOME GAMES 
Wed 7 Feb v Brora Rangers – Wed 14 Feb v Wick Academy – Saturday 17 Feb v Inverurie Locos

AWAY GAMES
Sat 3 Feb v Wick Academy – Sat 10 Feb v Lossiemouth – Sat 24 Feb Huntly and Sat 2 March v Buckie Thistle

So, hopefully, we’ll see everyone a week on Wednesday for the aforementioned Brora Rangers visit.
As ever please check with our social media and the Highland League fixtures page as these dates were correct on 25 January. 

LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4300 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

HOME GAME v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024 – KO 8pm

Despite the sunny intervals here in Grantown this past hour, the pitch has been inspected and is deemed waterlogged which is not surprising considering the freezing temperatures of a week ago and the rainfall over the past few days….fingers crossed that there is a warming wind, and, perhaps a wee bit of sunshine which will help the pitch get ready for Saturday’s home game against Brechin.

HOME GAME v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024 – KO 8pm

PITCH INSPECTION WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY AT NOON

We again fell foul of the weather when our match against Rothes last Saturday was postponed making it more than a month since our last fixture, but no amount of love nor money can guarantee that a game in the Highland League in the winter months is safe….. and this has been one of these weeks….

Brora’s Scottish Cup tie with Cove Rangers was postponed last Friday and it was then re-arranged for Tuesday (23rd, today) as most replays or postponements are, but, there was always the possibility that the game would be postponed again. So the date of our league game against Brora was provisionally off, but it may be re-instated if the Brora/Cove cup was called off on Tuesday…..as long as Seafield Park was playable……. Now, move forward to yesterday (Monday) and the Brora cup-tie was postponed again due to pitch conditions….so, as I write this and before Storm Joceylyn comes to town we now go ahead with the Breedon Highland League match, which itself was postponed from December 30th, against Brora Rangers at Seafield Park Wednesday night 8pm.

We welcome to Grantown, players, committee and supporters of Brora Rangers on what we hope will be a calm evening under the floodlights at Seafield Park. Brora who are sitting in 9th place in the league but have at least four games in hand on the leaders – all due to weather postponements and cup duties. Very much title contenders they will come to Seafield Park intent on getting the win, but as we always say …you never know in football especially since their last outing cost them two points with a draw at Inverurie a couple of weeks ago. This was Brora’s first league outing in a month so perhaps we could hope that there could still be a rustiness about Brora’s performance. 
The last time we played Brora back in August at Dudgeon Park, we played very well. Two down at half time, we pulled a goal back through Jack Davison but finally losing a very late goal making the score 3-1 to the home side…but for large parts of the game we matched or bettered The Cattachs.

However, as we haven’t set foot on a football pitch in over a month lets hope rustiness does not bother us, and that we can come out all guns blazin’ and start to make an impact on the league position we find ourselves in.

Manager Robert will have more or less a full squad at his disposal and we hope that the weather gods are reasonably benign before and between the hours of 8 and 10 pm on Wednesday night.

THANK YOU
Wednesday night football is more difficult for supporters to attend and we thank them very much for making the effort to do so, especially those making the long journey from Brora and if you require any information regarding your visit please click here for more information. Thank you.

HELP, HELP PLEASE
Assuming the game goes ahead on Wednesday, I would surmise that the pitch will need some repairing ahead of our next home match on Saturday.A couple of committee members and one or two loyal helpers will be at the ground on Thursday morning around 10am armed with their wellies and their garden fork….if you can make it and help us that would be great.

NEXT GAMES 
As mentioned we host Brechin City on Saturday in a Breedon Highland League match KO 2pm followed by a trip to Rothes next Wednesday 31 January.

CONGRATULATIONS

All involved with the Jags send their congratulations to striker Michael McKenzie and Angela on the birth of their baby daughter….welcome to the Strathspey Thistle family, Isla.

STOP PRESS – MONDAY 22 6PM
BRORA GAME TUESDAY OFF SO OUR GAME WITH BRORA COULD GO AHEAD – PITCH PERMITTING

AWAY GAME v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES
SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 23024 – KO 3pm

It is my sad duty to inform you that today’s match against Rothes FC has had to be postponed which is due to this week’s inclement weather and a frozen pitch.

The match will be played at a later date in the season.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Dates received from the Highland League this week for rearranged fixtures are as follows:

24 January Seafield Park 8pm v Brora Rangers has been postponed again because Brora’s Scottish Cup tie against Cove Rangers was postponed on Sat 20th – so it now needs to take place on Tuesday night 23Jan.

14 February Seafield Park 8pm v WICK ACADEMY FC

24 February Christie Park, Huntly 3pm v HUNTLY FC

Our next scheduled game will be next Saturday at Seafield Park against Brechin City.

AWAY GAME v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES
SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 23024 – KO 3pm

By continuing the bad weather theme it could be another blank day for the Jags as there is a good covering of snow blanketing a lot of the Breedon Highland Football League area – we are hopefully heading to Rothes for our Speyside Derby rematch after our entertaining match under the floodlights at Seafield Park back in October. 
The Jags were three goals down by half-time but after the break we scored two before the second half was midway through, before Rothes clinched victory after ex Jags man Jake Thompson scored in eighty-seven minutes. 
The Rothes manager that night Ross Jack, told the P&J newspaper that it could have been 10-8 to Rothes taking account all the chances missed.

Unfortunately for Ross, he and Rothes parted company last week, a move which resonated here with the Jags : Liam Shewan who we mentioned in last weeks post as continuing his loan signing from Rothes until the end of the season, was subsequently recalled, featuring in the Rothes team in their 3-1 defeat at Brechin City last Saturday.
It is such a shame losing Liam as he was fitting in nicely into manager Robert’s plans and he will be missed – but we wish him all the best…maybe not for this Saturday tho’….:-)….but on a positive note Euan Neil should be making his first appearance in the Jags defence.

Rothes currently sit in tenth place in the league and after a healthy start to the campaign have found themselves losing a lot of points over the last few months  – so it will be up to the Jags to consolidate on the improvement we have been making recently…mind you it is a month since we last played….a regular occurrence in a Highland League winter! For example, Buckie Thistle are seven games and Brora Rangers are eight behind the amount Clachnacuddin have played!!

As last Saturday was another without a game for the Jags, Robert should have more or less a full squad available for selection and all raring to go again….but with all the snow and below freezing temperatures it could be another match postponed sign up at the gate!!

And……speaking of Buckie Thistle and Brora Rangers…..

SCOTTISH CUP

Two representatives from the Highland League survived and have made their way to the fourth round. Everyone here involved with Strathspey Thistle hope they do the Highland League proud. All the best to the “other Jags” and to Brora……..

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1664381257428813

Good luck to Buckie Thistle and Brora Rangers for this week’s Scottish Cup Ties against Celtic and Cove Rangers respectively

JAGS FUNDRAISING LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4200 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

Jack Frost never left, so, Seafield Park is still frozen so unfortunately, today’s match against Nairn County has been postponed and will be played later in the season.

There will be dates for re-arranged fixtures in next week’s post.

HOME GAME v NAIRN COUNTY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2024 – KO 2pm

Welcome to the New Year sports fans!

….and in inimitable fashion – the prospect of the game being postponed due to a frozen pitch!!

All week here in Grantown temperatures have hardly been above freezing with some nights reaching minus 9 so fingers crossed for a ginormous thaw and the game will kick off at 2pm on Saturday.

Since our last game played on 16 December, the weather has played it’s part in us having two matches postponed , so you could say we have been on what could be called a mid-season break – and Jags’ manager Robert MacCormack was reported in the local press saying that there is more or less a full squad to choose from and the players are eager to get back on the pitch having trained well over the past couple of weeks, and Rob says he is feeling confident of getting a good result. 

But, very much on the down side is that we have now missed out on four Saturday games this season. Our choice of a 2pm kick off in order to save the cost of at least 45mins of floodlights has unfortunately been scuppered by the prospect of probably three hours per night of floodlighting for four mid-week games with an 8pm kick – coupled with a conservative estimation of at least a fifty percent loss on gate receipts – aye, it’s no easy.

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This Saturday we welcome players, officials and supporters of Nairn County FC to Seafield Park.
Nairn currently sit in sixth place in the league and won the North of Scotland Cup in November, so they are motoring along very nicely indeed !

Under a blue-ish sky and enjoying a warm and sunny afternoon, it now seems ages ago when we last played Nairn at Station Park at the start of September 2023 – a game that could have gone very differently had we taken our chances in the opening half hour or so but, as we always say, goals win games and Nairn were sharper…scoring four to our one….with two goals late-on making the final score look like a more convincing result. It was a hard fought game with the Jags more than a match for the home team – which seems to be a recurring theme throughout most of the season………so far! 
Nairn will be difficult to beat but as we always say the words of Greavsie ” football’s a funny old game……..”

If any of the Nairn fans want a resumé of what is available in Grantown click here for more information and a reminder to drivers that cars can be parked in the neighbouring Golf Club car park  – this is a facility available during the winter months and we appreciate the Golf Club’s cooperation.

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LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4100 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play online…

NO GAME – JANUARY 6 2024

Firstly on behalf of Strathspey Thistle FC we wish you all the best for 2024.

NO GAME
We were supposed to be travelling to Aberdeen to meet Banks O’ Dee but both clubs agreed on bringing the fixture forward to December 6 with a view to fulfilling another fixture this week or perhaps beating the weather. 
So we have the weekend off which should give any of the players who have niggling injuries another few days in preparation for the second part of the season – which means putting some more points on the board as soon as possible as we do not want to get too marooned at the bottom of the table….

MEDIA RUMOURS

There have been some reports in social media this week of our demise – nothing is further from the truth and now with a more settled squad and with the attitude shown over the past few weeks I am predicting totally different results in this coming half of the season.

And….also further to the demise rumours, we are actively trying to source finance to replace our rather rundown Clubhouse which we aim to supersede…..so if you can or perhaps know someone who can help financing the new clubhouse the Club would love to hear from you …..

PLAYER NEWS

We are delighted to confirm that Liam Shewan will be with us until at least the end of the season as will defender Ewan Neil, who also has joined us from Rothes on loan until the end of the season. Ewan was with us in 2021 so it will be great to see him back on the park in Jags blue. We are sure both will play an important part in our rejuvenation.

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ROB’S NEWSLETTER

As we said last month, the Club’s commercial manager Rob Clark has taken over newsletter duties from Club secretary Clive Wolstenholme and Rob is producing an all new all singing and dancing monthly edition which is available on subscription from either Rob or Clive’s email address – this is free and after submitting your email address to either, you will receive the monthly edition and possibly other goodies and club information.

Rob’s address     stfcprogramme@gmail.com

Clive’s address   wolstc@aol.com

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XMAS RAFFLE WINNERS

Once again the Club are indebted to committee members Mags Clark, aided and abetted by brother Rob, in running the Club’s Xmas Raffle – the draw which was supposed to have taken place on the pitch during half time at the Brora Rangers game on the 30 December but after the match’s postponment we went inside to the warmth of one of our great supporters and friends THE CLAYMORE BAR here in Grantown and the draw was made.

The winners were 

1st Sandra Willox, Grantown – Two nights stay at Loch Ness clansman hotel

2nd Vicki Mackinnon Inverness – 4 ball at Spey Valley golf course

3rd Andrew Borthwick  Kinguisse – Festive Hamper

4th Brian Ritchie, Carrbridge – £100 voucher Duncanos, Aberdeen

5th Tom Clarke, Grantown – Caorunn Gin tour for two

6th Scott Mann, Advie – Thistle jumper

7th Angela Clark, Alness – Prosecco

8th Steven Ligertwood,Grantown – Prosecco

9th David Borthwick, Kinguisse – Prosecco

10th Gillian Foster, Grantown – Prosecco

11th Kirsty Ross, Fortrose – Prosecco

12th Steven Mutch, Inverness – Prosecco

13th Brian Ritchie, Carrbridge – Prosecco

Thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and congratulations to the winners who will no doubt enjoy their prizes!

AND SPECIAL THANKS TO THE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO DONATED THE PRIZES – THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LOTTERY

As ever, we conclude this weeks meanderings with a mention of our online fundraising lottery. This week the first of the new year we’re into the 4000’s.

For the first prize, five numbers numbers and you could win £4000 – click here if you want to play…good luck!

Unfortunately due to the weather conditions here in Grantown today’s match has had to be postponed.

We now have to look forward to our next home match which is on Saturday 13 January against Nairn County – kick off 2pm – hopefully the weather will be kinder.

HOME GAME v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 30 DECEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm

For the last game in 2023, weather permitting, we welcome Brora Rangers FC – their team, committee and supporters to Seafield Park on Saturday for a Breedon Highland League game with a 2pm kick off. 

Brora are sitting in 8th place in the league but have five games in hand on the leaders – all due to weather postponements and cup duties. In fact, we wish them well in representing the Highland League, along with Buckie Thistle, in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup in the middle of January.
Having played only one game over the past month perhaps we could hope that there could be a rustiness about Brora’s performance on Saturday. 
The last time we played Brora back in August at Dudgeon Park, we played very well. Two down at half time, we pulled a goal back through Jack Davison but finally losing a very late goal making the score 3-1 to the home side…but for large parts of the game we matched or bettered The Cattachs.

So hopefully, if the weather lets us, it should be a another hard game for Robert and the boys but last week’s postponement at Huntly could have helped our injured players get another weeks rest so, fingers crossed they should be ready to go Saturday 2pm!

If any of the Brora contingent want some information about what’s available in Grantown – click here.

NO GAME LAST WEEK – MATCH v HUNTLY POSTPONED SNOW COVERED CHRISTIE PARK PLUS TRAVELLING DIFFICULTIES.

FESTIVE RAFFLE

Hopefully during half-time on Saturday the winning tickets will be drawn for our Festive Raffle – if the match is postponed the the draw will take place at another venue and there will be full notifications over the following days by personal contact and our social media platforms. 

LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3900 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

There may be some information regarding the lottery coming soon after the current jackpot has been won….