Author: Stewart

HOME GAME v FORRES MECHANICS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm

This Saturday from across the Dava, we welcome Forres Mechanics FC and their fans. Steven Macdonald and his players have had a bit of a topsy turvy type of season so far, with some good results coupled with some not so good – we hope Saturday’s result joins the not so good variety. In fact Forres have failed to win in their last nine cup and league games so it would be nice to see that trait continue.

In our last league encounter at Forres we lost narrowly 2-1, but our home form, apart from a couple of games, has been pretty good and lets hope we turn in another performance similar to the one we had against Deveronvale a couple of weeks ago. We wish Rob and the boys all the best!
If there are any newbie Forres supporters or ones that want a refresher about Grantown just click here.

Strathspey Thistle would really appreciate car drivers to park either in Burnfield car park or the Golf Club car park which is adjacent to Seafield Park.

LAST SATURDAY’S BANKS O’ DEE GAME, SPAIN PARK, ABERDEEN.

Manager Rob MacCormack was generally very pleased with our performance last week in Aberdeen against Banks O’Dee. Although it was exceptionally cold, Spain Park has an artificial surface so not unduly affected by the weather, and it was the only game played in the Highland League last Saturday.
Again we took the lead from an excellent Owen Paterson goal in ten minutes and this was followed by a missed couple of good chances before Alexander equalised for Banks O’ Dee after half an hour’s play. Both teams then had a couple of good chances but that’s how it remained at half time .
In the second half Banks ‘O Dee began creating some good opportunities but the Jag’s defence were very capable in coping with them until the seventy first minute when Jack Gilliland was judged to have fouled Golding. Many observers remarked that it was a soft foul but then, incredibly, the referee red-carded Jack and much to the chagrin of the Jags team and specatators they scored from the resulting penalty – strangely enough taken by Golding – who in the first half had elbowed Jack in the face in a tussle but had received no punishment from the referee. With only ten men against the team now currently sitting on the top of the league, it was always going to be a struggle and Banks O’ Dee were awarded another penalty after seventy seven minutes and followed that by scoring again in the eighty-fourth minute making the final score a 4-1 loss.
In the report on Monday, Callum Law of the P&J , thought that the final score “was harsh on Strathspey”.

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QUIZ

So all roads lead to the Legion in Grantown on Saturday night 7.30pm for our fundraising QUIZ NIGHT – and with the top team sharing £100 The Jags Committee are hoping for a good turnout ……

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

This is the season to be jolly and I reckon it’s a jolly good idea to check out the merch available supporting the Jags – more details next week…..

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

Christmas is also a time of giving so why not buy one of our fundraising Xmas raffle tickets and if you win the first prize of a two night stay for two at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel give it to one of your nearest and dearest….or just keep it and treat yourself….

LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3600 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

NEXT GAME
We welcome Formartine United next Saturday to Seafield Park – 2pm kick off.

HOME GAME v WICK ACADEMY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 6 DECEMBER 2023 – KO 8pm

GAME OFF

Not surprisingly Wednesday night’s game against Wick Academy has been postponed due to a frozen and snow-covered pitch and with temperatures expected to reach minus 5 overnight and continue for most of Wednesday there would have been no chance of betterment.

Temperatures are set to rise slightly over the next few days so hopefully the home game on Saturday against Forres Mechanics will be able to go ahead.

For up to date information please check with our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram platforms.

Be back Fridayish…..

AWAY GAME v BANKS O’ DEE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SPAIN PARK, ABERDEEN, AB12 3AB
SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

This Saturday we make our second ever trip to Spain Park, home of Banks O’ Dee FC and because of the three o’clock kick off I would imagine most of the game will be under floodlights.

Banks O’Dee are currently sitting in second place in the Breedon Highland League which is an excellent achievement for a club in, what is only, it’s second year in the league. The Dee have lost only one game this season so any positive result we can take from the game on Saturday would be a great achievement for Rob and the boys and would make the long trip home enjoyable. We wish the Jags all the best in the Granite City.

LAST SATURDAY’S GAME AGAINST TURRIFF FC

There’s not a lot that can be said about the game other than it was possibly one of our worst performances for a very long time!!
Manager Rob has been quoted in the local paper The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald  describing it as “unacceptable”.
Hopes were quite high after the the last few games that we had passed our “freeze” state but perhaps not quite yet….but being four down after twenty minutes gives you the proverbial mountain to climb….

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CONGRATULATIONS 

Congratulations go to our Highland League adversaries Brora Rangers and Buckie Thistle on reaching the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
A hefty reward awaits Buckie, after winning a monumental tie against Broxburn, the East of Scotland League leaders, as they were drawn against Celtic at Parkhead and no doubt it will be great day to remember for local lads Sam Morrison and Josh Peters who both play for Buckie.

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FUNDRAISING QUIZ NIGHT

FIRST PRIZE WINS – £100 – split between team
SECOND PRIZE WINS – A bottle of Prosecco for each team member
Please remember we are holding a Quiz Night in the Legion in Grantown on December 9 and hope that you can organise a team and come along and support us which would be very much appreciated. All the details are on the poster below and it will be on our social media.

LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3500 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

HOME GAME v TURRIFF UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm

After a fair bit of noise from various sources regarding the lack of home games at the start of the season when we went seven games with only one home game….we now are faced with a tough shift with six home games in the next eight fixtures before the New Year!  

This Saturday we welcome Turriff United Football Club’s players, committee and supporters for our second match in a row at Seafield Park 
Turra after a few barren years have had an excellent start to the season and are currently in tenth place on twenty-one points but recent form with five losses in their last six outings will give the Jags hope that there may be points to be had – one thing is clear though it’ll be another ninety plus  tough but exciting minutes.

For any Turra fans that require a resumé of what Grantown is all about click here for information…

HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC  – Wednesday night

Firstly the Club would like to thank Jon at Grantown Diner and Arul at Premier Grantown for helping out with Wednesday’s home match catering requirements.
We would also like to thank Lois McShane, Lisa McLeod, Doris Grant, Sandra Willox and Audrey Sinclair for their help as well.
Hopefully all will be back to normal for Saturday!

Wind reaching forty mph had been forecast but it turned out to be quite a warm and pleasant evening for November and coupled with the floodlights shining and reflecting off the grass the scene was very picturesque – we had two new fans attending from Jasper in Alberta, Canada…we hope they enjoyed the game and the atmosphere.

We seem to start games really well these days and true to form we were one up after twelve minutes when Mike McKenzie finished an excellent move. We held the upper hand until the half hour mark when Huntly scored twice in three minutes. The result stayed the same until the hour mark when Huntly’s Dangana scored followed twenty minutes later by Grant making it 4-1. Shortly after this, Huntly’s Kyle Dalling was substituted due to a head knock – we wish him a quick recovery.

In a hard fought and tense match the result was probably about right, although slightly flattering to Huntly – and on a personal note I must admit not liking the Huntly strip too much.

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PITCH DOCTORS 

Although overground conditions were very favourable for the match on Wednesday night, on the pitch the ongoing wet conditions made it difficult, resulting in plenty of work to do on Thursday morning, trying to condition and repair the surface ready again for Saturday.  Universally in the league maintaining the pitch is very difficult at this time of year, and as I said earlier we have six home games in our next eight fixtures before the New Year – so if you would like to help we should be at the park on Tuesday morning at 10am.

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QUIZ NIGHT 

Have you got your team selected and named for our fundraising quiz night in the Legion on Saturday 9 December ….see poster for details ….

LOTTERY

As ever, we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3400 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

HOME GAME v HUNTLY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2023 – KO – 8pm

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CATERING KIOSK BE OPEN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 7.45.

This Wednesday, we switch the floodlights on and we welcome Huntly FC and their supporters to Seafield Park.
Huntly currently sit in seventh place in the league and have consolidated themselves over the past few years with performances that has made them a steady middle of table club. 
So we will have it tough to take any point off the Black and Golds. 
Having had an unsuccessful November so far, Huntly will want to get back to winning ways. The Jags will will want them to continue that run, and, hopefully afterwards we can look forward to our next home game on Saturday with some more points in the bag!

If any of the Huntly supporters are needing reminding of visiting Grantown click here for some information.

SATURDAY’S GAME v CLACHNACUDDIN

Grant Street Park was the venue for our latest Breedon Highland League match last Saturday – and if there were any neutrals watching, the ten pounds spent on their ticket must have been best value for a long time!

Our observers at the game were delighted with our first half performance which, apart from playing exceptionally well, saw us scoring three goals – Liam Shewan (29mins), Daniel Whithehorn (33) and Ross Logan (43) and going in 3-0 up.
However a different Clach team emerged after their half-time cuppa and we found ourselves level and and man down before Jack Davison put us back in the lead with only minutes of the ninety to go – Liam Shewan was sent off in the seventy-fifth minute in what we thought was a 50/50 tackle but it earned him a second yellow.
But…. in extra time on roughly the last kick of the ball Clach equalised from a free kick just outside of our penalty area. Both teams had given their all on what was a very heavy pitch, in conditions we encounter frequently over the winter and both teams sportingly congratulated each other on the final whistle.
Although we took away one point from Inverness, which may prove very valuable later on in the season, it still felt like we had left two points behind.

NEXT GAME – HOME MATCH v TURRIFF UNITED NEXT SATURDAY
25 NOVEMBER.   KO – 2PM

IF ANYONE HAS SOME TIME TO SPARE ON THURSDAY MORNING ABOUT 10AM, AND OWNS A FORK AND A PAIR OF BOOTS/WELLIES, WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE AT SEAFIELD PARK TO HELP WITH PITCH MAINTANANCE IN PREPARATION FOR SATURDAY’S GAME – BTW WE DO HAVE SPARE FORKS!!

….AND AS A QUICK ASIDE
Do you know it will be sixty years to the day that JFK was assassinated in Dallas,Texas on Wednesday.

AWAY GAME v CLACHNACUDDIN FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
GRANT STREET PARK, INVERNESS IV36DR
SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm 

After the euphoria of last Saturday’s home win against Deveronvale we were brought back to earth on Wednesday in Keith suffering a 3-1 defeat, so it’s chin up and off down the road.
This time we head toward Grant Street Park in Inverness, home of Clachnacuddin FC and a bottom of the table clash – and in football parlance a real six-pointer!
With Clach one point ahead of us and one place above us this is a must win game – and both managers are in no doubt about that outcome. 
Hopefully all the boys came through Wednesday night without a scratch and will be all set for Saturday!
I would imagine it’ll be a tough game for all concerned but again lets hope the Jags are the happier on Saturday night.

AWAY GAME v KEITH FC – WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Although we got off to the perfect start with a goal from Mike McKenzie after only five minutes, we were unable to continue our winning ways losing 3-1.

Our representatives at Kynoch Park shared much the same thoughts that we should have taken something from the game – they reported at least four glorious chances that we failed to take. Our play and desire were not to be faulted but, again, our defending of set pieces could be improved. 
But the object of the game is to score goals and Keith managed three….

REMEMBER OUR NEXT GAME IS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT – A HOME GAME AT SEAFIELD PARK AGAINST HUNTLY.

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THE FALLEN

Club Secretary Clive Wolstenholme laid a wreath on behalf of Strathspey Thistle Football Club at Grantown’s War Memorial during the Remembrance Day service.

LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a first prize jackpot win of £3300 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…thank you if you do!

AWAY GAME v KEITH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
KYNOCH PARK, KEITH AB55 5EB
WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2023 – KO 8pm 

Hot on the heels of our last Breedon Highland League match on Saturday we’re off on the road this time to play Keith in our rearranged match which was to have been played on 4 November. 
The Jags will be going into this game with a bit of confidence after our result on Saturday and conversely Keith have had a bad run of results recently and are currently sitting in fifteenth position on five points so I would imagine it will be another tough game under the lights at Kynoch Park.
As far as I know there were no injuries to report so hopefully manager Rob MacCormack and his assistant Mike Rae will have the same squad to choose from – but as is the case on Wednesday nights it is a bit more difficult for some players to be present owing to work comittments etc.  

But lets hope that we take the three points back to Grantown.

MATCH LAST SATURDAY v DEVERONVALE

A healthy home crowd welcomed Deveronvale and their supporters to Seafield Park to see a game in which the local paper, The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald editor and reporter in the sixties and seventies the great Eddie Gardner would have headlined “that the Jags went nap“. 

For the first in a very long time, manager Rob MacCormack had a healthy selection problem and with the return of captain James McShane in defence and a debut for new signing Liam Shewan up front there was a air of belief around that we could perhaps get a result.

It took new man Liam Shewan only ten minutes to score his first goal in Thistle colours, which was then followed up sixteen minutes later with the Jags second, courtesy of midfielder Jack Davison. The ‘Vale scored on thirty minutes so we went in at half time leading 2-1, and most would say a deserved lead.

Fifteen minutes after the break Deveronvale equalised, but in the seventy-fourth minute Jack Davison was again on the score sheet curling the ball majestically into the top corner of the net from just outside the penalty box.

This then galvanised the Jags, with Ross Logan and Mike McKenzie adding to the scoreline with two well taken goals in eighty and eighty-nine minutes respectively.

A lot of the comments from spectators leaving the ground at the end of the game and other round the town since, was that they hadn’t seen the Jags playing so well for a long, long time and were very hopeful of plenty more games like that over the next few weeks. 

The final score was 5-2 to Thistle and with our first win of the season and three points secured it meant every Jags player, official and spectator went home very happy indeed.

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FUNDRAISING QUIZ NIGHT

As I said last week we are holding a Quiz Night in the Legion in Grantown on December 9 and hope that you can organise a team and come along and support us which would be very much appreciated. All the details are on the poster below and it will be on our social media.

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NEXT GAME

We play Clachnacuddin in Inverness on Saturday – more details later in the week.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF STRATHSPEY THISTLE’S SATURDAY HOME GAMES KICK OFF AT 2pm FROM THIS WEEK UNTIL 9 MARCH 2024 INC.

THAT NOW INCLUDES THE MATCH ON DECEMBER 16 v FORMARTINE.

HOME GAME v DEVERONVALE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm

HOME MATCH v DEVERONVALE 

This week we welcome players, officials and supporters of Deveronvale FC to Grantown. The ‘Vale arrive at Seafield Park lying in fourteenth place on seven points, and with a very up and down season behind them so far. After heavy defeats from Formartine and Huntly they had a good result drawing with Banks O’ Dee plus also an appearance in the second round of the Scottish Cup which resulted in a narrow defeat to Broxburn Athletic. This was followed by a home loss to Brechin City last week.
If any of the returning Deveronvale fans want to refresh their familiarity with Grantown or any coming for the first time click here for info.

Jags manager Robert MacCormack is looking forward to this week playing one of the teams on our side of the league table – and is hopeful of a positive result.
Although he and the squad were very disappointed with the postponement of last week’s match in Keith, due to a waterlogged pitch, he has now more or less a full squad to choose from. Returning from injury is captain James McShane and with new signing Liam Shewan both are now ready for selection. We wish them and all the boys all the best as we hope to pick up our first points of the season in what will be, as ever, a tough game.

After this game we are in action, weather permitting, ten times before Christmas starting at Keith on Wednesday night – so busy, busy, busy….

AWAY MATCHES v KEITH AND CLACHNACUDDIN

LAST SATURDAY’S POSTPONED MATCH AGAINST KEITH WILL NOW BE PLAYED NEXT WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER- 8pm KO FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO INVERNESS NEXT SATURDAY.

QUIZ NIGHT – SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER

All the information is on the poster – committee member Tom Clarke will be MC.

PLAYER SPONSORS

At last, we are able to confirm that this Saturday for the first time on the team lines, we will be able thank those individuals and companies who have sponsored one of the managerial or playing squad for this season as well as our main sponsors. As ever we are indebted to them for helping with the Club’s finances.

LOTTERY

As ever as we finish we ask if you would like to take part in our weekly lottery fundraiser – please click here for more details in how to win £3200…..

KEITH v STRATHSPEY THISTLE
KYNOCH PARK, KEITH
SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2023

As reported on our social media sites today’s match against Keith has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

We now look forward to welcoming Deveronvale FC to Seafield Park next Saturday ko 2pm.

AWAY GAME v KEITH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
KYNOCH PARK, KEITH AB55 5EB
SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm

This weekend it’s time to remember remember Guy Fawkes ….seems like yesterday when it was the last Bonfire Night !!
Anyway we’re off to Keith this weekend with the hope that the fireworks will occur on the pitch supplied by the Jags and by doing so overcoming Keith by leaving Kynoch Park with all three points. Having played three games in October resulting in three losses and with their last home game postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Keith find themselves in much of a similar position as ourselves – although they have won a game and drawn two bringing their league tally points total to five so it is imperative that we can get something from Saturday’s game, which would then enable us to bridge the gap currently between us.
I would imagine that Craig Ewan and his team have exactly the same objective so it should be an exciting and tense afternoon.

Jags manager Robert MacCormack was hoping that he may be able to add a couple of new signings to the squad this week and, hopefully, with the return of one or two key players from injury he is expecting a different result from last week.  Speaking of which……….

WELCOME LIAM

Joining us on loan from Rothes until the end of the season is forward Liam Shewan who hopefully will bring a a bucket full of goals with him as he was top scorer at Nairn during season 2019/2020.
This is not Liam’s first time in playing football in Grantown, as he played for Grantown FC back in 2015, and very successful he was too – so we are confident that form will continue starting at Kynoch Park this Saturday!
So welcome to The Jags Liam ….enjoy!

As ever the website is indebted to Marty’s Designs for the usage of the Jags Facebook photo-montages.

LAST SATURDAY’S HOME MATCH v LOSSIEMOUTH
“Exceptionally disappointed” was the feeling of the home fans, management and players alike after our home defeat by Lossiemouth last Saturday.
In going into the game there was a small hint of confidence throughout, especially with Lossie sitting just above us in the league and having beaten them in a cup game in August, but that confidence went flying out the window ten minutes into the game.
In a seven minute spell we found ourselves three down and more or less down and out. The boys battled after that and to their credit no more goals were scored although Jags keeper Steve Martin saved a certain goal with a phenomenal save in the second half.

The game was mainly pretty even for the eighty minutes although the Jags did manage a couple of half chances, but it was not to be.
Onwards and upwards!

THANK YOU

Strathspey Thistle FC as ever are indebted to the local businesses who help the Club financially and the eagle-eyed spectators at Seafield Park on Saturday would have noticed a few more pitch side advertising boards on display and looking fantastic – they would also have been prominent I would imagine in the Press & Journal’s Highland League Weekly as we were the featured match ( if you are a masochist “highlights” here ).

Thanks also go to Scotty Clark for his help in facilitating in the workings and the hanging of the boards.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
9 DECEMBER 2023 and a fundraising evening for the Club in the Royal British Legion in Grantown. Committee member Tom Clarke dons his quiz master’s hat for our first ever QUIZ NIGHT.
Teams can comprise of up to six persons with an entry fee of £5 per person – and although booking a table would be preferable payment can be made on the night. It is not a sports quiz although there will probably be sport questions. We look forward to seeing you there.

STFC CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Tickets will soon be available for our Christmas Raffle and the prizes on offer include a 2-night hotel break and a fourball at Spey Valley Golf Club in Aviemore, venue of the SSE Hydro PGA Challenge Tour event.
More details in the coming weeks.

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MFR AND BBC CONTACTS FOR NEWS – NO REPLY
On a personal note ( rant), four weeks ago (Sep 30) our Saturday game against Wick Academy was postponed as their team bus was unable to get Grantown due to the A9 being closed at Brora owing to a serious road accident. We were officially told by the Highland League around noon of the postponement and this left our committee racing about trying to contact staff, suppliers, hospitality clients and spectators that the game was off.
I tried in various ways to contact Moray Firth Radio and the BBC, both Scotland and Inverness, through their Facebook and Websites – by using the telephone numbers listed but to no avail.
At the start of the following week I tried to email MFR – reasonably straightforward – and the BBC – very complicated as the pages I was directed to were not known… but finally a general email was sent – but as of today (Nov 3) I have had no reply from either……all I wanted to know was there a specific telephone number or way of communication that we as a Club can use on a Saturday or a Wednesday evening – both outwith normal office hours – if there is anyone reading who knows how we can resolve this can you please contact the me – please click here – or contact the Club.
Thank you!

LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3100 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…