Highland League Football Club based at Seafield Park, Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland
Strathspey Thistle Football Club are delighted to welcome our new management team to the club.
Manager : Charlie Brown
Assistant Manager : Jamie McGowan
Player/Coach : Kris Duncan
Assistant Coach : Robbie Flett
More information and exclusive photos will be available here soon.
But at the moment please check out our friends at “The Strathy”
Also our best wishes go to Marty our FaceBook guru who has recently been hospitalised following a shinty mishap…let’s hope he’s back real soon.
The fixtures have been released from the Breedon Highland Football League for season 2021-2022.
Our first game is an away fixture with Huntly FC on the 24 July followed by our first home league match the following Saturday 31 July against Wick Academy FC. There will be a cup game on Wednesday 28 July – the draw has yet to be made.
Checkout our Twitter feed or Facebook page as well.
A full list is available here .
May 4 After all the stalling, visits to the lawyers and binding arbitration, the SPFL Pyramid Play Off first leg was played this evening at Dudgeon Park, Brora. Kelty Hearts ran out worthy winners and take a 2-0 lead back to New Central Park on Saturday May 8. Brora were not at their best and had Kelty not missed two penalties it could have been worse. I enjoyed the live streaming together with interesting commentary and summing up. Let’s hope Brora turn up and play as we know they can and give it their best shot.
May 5 Reports that the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) have issued an invitation to Rangers B and Celtic Bteams to play in the league next season for one season to see how it works out.
May 9 Although Brora took a deserved lead on 26 minutes in the second leg of their play-off game at New Central Park, against Kelty Hearts, the home side ran out deserved winners over the two legs by 6 -1. Kelty will present a real challenge to team 42, Brechin City. For Brora the task now will be to retain their Highland League crown in the upcoming season and have another go at joining the SPFL.
May 10 The SLFL confirmed that they had voted to invite Rangers B and Celtic B teams to play for one season only in the league. Neither of the two teams can win promotion so it is going to make the experiment interesting.
At a club meeting this evening the Management Committee agreed that the club lottery would resume with the first draw on Sunday May 30 at 1900.
May 13 Work has been taking place on the maintenance of the grass surface at Seafield Park by RM Welch & Son of Monifieth.
May 14 The club confirms that it has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Team Manager Gordon Nicolson. Gordy has been with us for a total of five years – about a year as youth and first team coach, a season and a bit as assistant manager and the rest as first team manager. Everyone sends him our best wishes and a big thank you for all that he has done for STFC.
May 18 At an emergency meeting of the club committee Ian brought us up to date on the manager situation and it was agreed to begin the search for a new team manager. Tommy Wilson, assistant to Gordon Nicolson, informed the club that he also would be leaving the club with immediate effect. Tommy had been with us for two and a half years and we also wish him well in the future and thank him for all of his efforts.
May 23 Kelty Hearts won 1-0 at Brechin City to confirm their place in the SPFL league 2. Brechin City will play in the Highland League taking that league back to eighteen clubs. The defeat for Brechin ended a 98-year association with league football.
May 27 The Scottish Lowland Football League confirmed at their AGM tonight that the majority of member clubs have voted in favour of admitting Rangers and Celtic ‘B’ teams into the league next season – for one year only. The new SLFL will start on July 17. Under the agreement neither ‘B’ team can be promoted so this is an area that needs clarity for the other teams. It is thought that Bonnyrigg Rose, Civil Service Strollers, Bo’ness United, Dalbeattie Star and Edinburgh University voted against this plan. It has certainly split opinion.
May 31 What I thought would be a quiet month for news was quite the opposite. The departure of Gordy and Tommy was a blow but the club is in the process of interviewing candidates for the two positions. Kelty joining the SPFL will bring a new vigour to League 2 and also kept the integrity of the pyramid system. With confirmation that they will become the 18th member of the Highland League next season, we look forward to welcoming Brechin City to Seafield Park.
TEAM MANAGER
Grantown-on-Spey based Highland League football club, Strathspey Thistle are looking to recruit a new Manager / Management Team.
All applicants should have the appropriate qualifications and will need to provide a full C.V. with their application.
Applications in confidence should be made at the earliest opportunity via email to the Club’s secretary Clive Wolstenhome at
Written applications by post can be made to
The Secretary
Strathspey Thistle Football Club
18 Munro Place
Aviemore
PH22 1TE
Postal applications must be received by 4 June 2021.
A statement issued by Tommy yesterday :
I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone involved at the club. I have enjoyed every minute of the last few years and the help we were given was always greatly appreciated by Gordie and I.
Gordon’s departure made me reflect on things and due to our great working relationship I felt I wouldn’t be able to replicate that with any other manager.
Thanks again, and I am sure I will see you all in the future in some capacity.
Strathspey Thistle Football Club would like to thank Tommy and wish him well on all his future endeavours.
It’s back – and the Jackpot stands at £3200 – maybe not quite enough for a vintage car but a large amount of money for your next staycation, house improvements or even an excellent night out – or two!!
TICKETS ARE £1 EACH
Tickets are available from the following outlets:
GRANTOWN NEWS, BEN MHOR HOTEL, CLAYMORE BAR, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION STRATHSPEY, GRANTOWN DINER, CARRBRIDGE SPAR, NETHY BRIDGE SPAR, BEST-ONE AVIEMORE and Local Contacts.
Consolation prize of £100 if jackpot not won – Jackpot rolls over and increases by £100p.w. until won.
The Club welcomes all regular and new players – your support is very much appreciated.
GOOD LUCK!
Strathspey Thistle Football Club have reluctantly accepted the resignation of manager Gordon Nicolson. The Club would like to thank Gordy for all he has done and wish him well for the future.
His assistant Tommy Wilson will oversee pre-season preparations as the Club’s search for a new manager begins.
Ongoing work has been taking place on the maintenance of the grass surface at Seafield Park by RM Welch & Son of Moniefieth – the photographs show the breaking of the subsoil stage yesterday.
April 1. In todays Strathspey and Badenoch Herald, team manager Gordy Nicolson welcomed the clarity that ending the season has brought. The Jags didn’t get to play a league game with their only competitive game being the mid December defeat to Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup. He thought it was the right decision as everyone now knows where they stand and planning for season 2021/2022 can start.
April 2. Relegation play-offs look set to be introduced to the Highland League next season. Talks have been ongoing between the Highland League and the Scottish Junior FA to create a formal link between tiers five and six of the Scottish football pyramid. From next season the team finishing bottom of the Highland League could find themselves on a play-off against the champions of either the North Super League or the North Caledonian League. For one of the teams in tier six to play in the play-offs they would have to meet the criteria for membership of the Highland League. They would have to have a full licence of the SFA and with all that entails. At present the only clubs meet the criteria are Golspie Sutherland and Banks o’ Dee.
April 3. Congratulations to Brora who came within two minutes of pulling off another shock in the cup tie with Stranraer which then went to extra time but the Cattachs then conceded two more goals as they tired. Well done to Formartine United and Fraserburgh for also carrying the Highland League flag in the Scottish Cup.
April 5. The league announced that next season should start on Saturday 24th July 2021, government regulations permitting.
April 9. The SPFL were unable to announce the dates of Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts play-off games due to ‘several issues’. It had been expected that a draw would have been made to see who played at home on April 24. The second leg was allocated to May 1.
April 15. The club are pleased to announce that Kieron Chalmers has signed a contract extension.
“I am really excited to get Kieran tied to an extended contract. Unfortunately because of COVID he has hardly played any competitive games but I know he is eager to get out on the pitch as soon as we can get back playing. He has great vision and is a very clever footballer. He is an important part of the squad and I think he will quickly become a fans favourite.” said manager Gordy Nicolson.
April 19. No statement from the SPFL about play-off dates for Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts.
Charlie Macdonald informed the club that he would be standing down from the management committee. We appreciate what he has done for the club over the years.
April 21. Sad day for Rothes Football Club with the demolition at Mackessack Park of a building where supporters used to buy raffle tickets in exchange for cans of beer. The club discovered water had come in during the recent shut down and were left with no option but to demolish. The club are planning to build on the site a hospitality suite, first aid room and secretary’s room.
April 26. After the fiasco of the European Super League it was disappointing that the SPFL who were very forthright in denouncing the breakaway were busy taking legal advice on whether Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts should be allowed to play off for the right to face club 42, Brechin City, for the chance to play in their league next season. You wonder if the SPFL really believe in the pyramid system.
April 27. First issue of our pre-season fixtures. June 19 away New Elgin ko 1500, June 24 away Burghead ko 1900, June 27 Rothes FC at Aviemore Sports Centre ko midday, July 1 away Forres Thistle ko TBC and Dufftown away ko 1930. More games are under discussion and when confirmed we will let everyone know via the website and social media channels.
April 29. At last the SPFL have agreed that Brora and Kelty will meet over two legs for the right to play Brechin City. It is most unfair that both clubs have been put through these extra hoops and considerable expense. See BBC Sport article below,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56922670
April 30. Brora at home in first leg to Kelty on Tuesday May 4 with the return on Saturday May 8 at Kelty. It wouldn’t be Scottish football without the legal profession being involved.
Strathspey Thistle FC – March 2021
March 2. The SFA (Scottish Football Association) is waiting for a ‘final decision’ from the Scottish Government on when the divisions below the Championship can restart. Part-time professional football below the second tier, including SPFL, Leagues One and Two, the Highland and Lowland Leagues and the top two tiers of the domestic women’s game, have been on hold since January 12.
March 3. First minister Nicola Sturgeon has given the go-ahead for the bottom two tiers and SWPL 1 to return, with players to be tested before games. “We hope to be back playing games within a couple of weeks,” said Stenhousemuir Chairman Iain McMenemy. We will have to wait a little longer before we know if our season will start or be cancelled.
The club are pleased to announce that local lad mid-fielder James McShane has agreed a contract extension until June 30 2022. James has been with the club since 2010. He was a youth player at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The Scottish FA Board has announced that the Scottish Cup is to resume on Tuesday March 23 including the clubs from the Highland League. The Cup Final will be held at Hampden Park on Saturday May 22 and will bring down the curtain on the 2020/2021 season. The competition will see the introduction of concussion substitutes on a trial basis, following approval by the Scottish FA Board and FIFA. The Highland League teams left in the cup are Brora, Nairn, Keith, Huntly, Fraserburgh, Formartine and Buckie.
March 5. Huntly boss Allan Hale feels Highland League clubs have been “backed into a corner” over the return of the Scottish Cup. The seven Highland League clubs were given little notification, according to Hale, of the proposed March 23 return, when the outstanding second round ties are due to be played. He feels the cost of the three rounds of Covid-19 testing required to take part in the competition will be higher than estimated. Huntly play Dumbarton on March 23. Thanks to The Press and Journal for this story.
A meeting of the League Management Committee has been called for Thursday March 11 to discuss what is going on between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Football Association with regard to SHFL clubs taking part in the Scottish Cup, covid-19 testing and costs and if there is a chance to complete the season or call it a day and move on. Should be an interesting evening.
March 11. No update on a date to re-start the Highland League from the Scottish Government so the wait goes on.
March 12. In today’s Press and Journal an interview with Highland League secretary Rod Houston.
March 13. An update from Donate-a-Ticket is a reminder that it is a year since Scottish football closed down.
March 16. Article published onBBC Football website by Brian McLauchlin indicating that Rangers and Celtic could be entering B teams in the Scottish league division 2 next season. 2 teams from the Highland and Lowland Leagues could also be joining league 2.
Highland League secretary Rod Houston admits it is ‘difficult’ to see a restart at this stage, but says nothing has been ruled out. Clubs in Leagues One and Two are set to resume on March 20 having agreed to carry out coronavirus testing on their players and staff. The seven Highland League clubs left in the Scottish Cup have also agreed to do this to participate in the competition, however to resume the league campaign carrying on with testing would place too big a financial burden on clubs. Testing remains the central issue and until that gets resolved which would make it less of a financial commitment then it’s difficult to see a restart. Thanks to Press and Journal for the story.
March 23. What a wonderful evening for Highland League clubs in the second round of the Scottish Cup with victories for Brora Rangers over Championship leaders Hearts at Dudgeon Park and Formartine United winning on penalties over Annan Athletic of League 2. Buckie Thistle came very close to taking Inverness Caley Thistle to extra time but went down 3-2 to a Daniel Mackay winner in the 86th minute. On April 3 in the third round Brora take on Stranraer, Fraserburgh play Montrose and Formartine play Premiership club Motherwell.
March 25. 2,500 pay-per-view customers watched the game between Brora and Hearts on Tuesday.
March 29. At tonight’s meeting of the Highland League Management Committee it was decided to call a halt to season 2020/2021 because it could not see a viable way to finish it in a reasonable time. The hope is that this decision will allow preparations for season 2021/2022 to go ahead and provide circumstances for a return to more normal activity. Brora Rangers were declared champion club for season 2020/2021. Brora have been put forward as the SHFL’s nominated club for the SHFL.SLFL/SPFL play-offs. They will play Kelty Hearts from the Lowland League home and away and the winners will play the bottom club from league 2 Team (42).
March 30. The following players are contracted to the club for season 2021/2022. Ashley Ballam, Kieran Chalmers, Adam Crichton, Joe Cuthbert, Martin Duncan, Roddy Kennedy, Cameron Lisle, Michael MacCallum, Andrew MacLean, Liam McDade, and James McShane. Craig MacKenzie has signed until June 2023.
Donate-a-ticket have been fundraising for 12 months and have raised £319,878.00 for 131 UK clubs and so far £779 for Strathspey. It remains open for the time being so please consider donating a ticket to STFC.
March 31. Chris Race announced his resignation from the club’s management committee. He has contributed to the clubs’ establishment in the Highland League and we appreciate his efforts helping the club to where it is now.
The club website had 371(287) views during March. Twitter 1196(1174) followers and Facebook 1551(1551). Brackets are February figures.