Category: Uncategorized

AWAY MATCH v GALAFAIRYDEAN ROVERS
SCOTTISH GAS SCOTTISH CUP ROUND 1
NETHERDALE, GALASHIELS, TD1 3HE
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

We started last week’s post with the statement that Brechin was one of our longest trips of the season – but that pales into insignificance – this week is a whopping 350 mile round trip to Galashiels and a meeting in the Scottish Cup at Netherdale against Gala Fairydean Rovers.
As the above photograph of Sir Walter Scott’s View, the Scottish Borders is a beautiful part of Scotland and Galashiels is possibly more famous as a rugby town. It is the birthplace of current Scotland Rugby coach Gregor Townsend but is also the birthplace of John Collins the former Hibs manager, who as well being capped for Scotland at football over fifty times, and played for teams such as Hibs, Celtic, AS Monaco and Everton.
Gala Fairydean FC, are a team that had an illustrious history winning many trophies since their foundation in 1894, and merged with Gala Rovers in 2013 gaining admittance to the newly formed Lowland Football League as Gala Faiydean Rovers.
The stand at Netherdale was designed by the renowned architect Peter Wormersley built in the “Brutalist Style” It is a Category A listed building and was opened in 1965.

Robert and the team are very much looking forward to the day and revelling in the excitement that is the Scottish Cup. We wish them all the best in what is a step into the unknown, hopefully not “brutal” but a right good enjoyable game of football – and there will be no replay – extra time and penalties will decide the outcome –  and as we always say you never know what is going to happen in a football match….hopefully a home tie in the second round.

KANE DAVIES
A couple of days before the Brechin game we re-signed local lad Kane Davies from Forres Mechanics
Manager Robert had this to say about our latest acquisition.
“I’m delighted to manage to bring Kane back to the club after a lot of interest in him. Another local player that will come in and make the squad stronger which is exactly what we are looking to do. We want the best local players here and he is certainly one of them” 
“He’s an experienced Highland League player and will bring that much needed experience to the squad. I’m looking forward to working with Kane and I’m confident he will be a great signing for us.”

BRECHIN LAST WEEK

Unfortunately it was a tough afternoon in the Brechin sunshine last Saturday. We were missing through injury, captain James McShane, Ross Logan and Liam Grant plus one or two others who were unable to make it to Brechin – hopefully there will be a larger squad available to manager Rob in Galashiels.
We were four down to the current league title holders by the interval but a great response in the second half saw us back in the game which finished 5-0. 
We have now played six of the top eleven teams – five away from home and we commence a home “heavy’ list of fixtures over the next few weeks.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Our home games commence on the 30 Sept with a visit from Wick Academy followed four days later (Oct 4) by Lossiemouth – we then travel to Inverurie on the Saturday followed by a visit from Rothes (Wed 11 Oct) – there is no game on Saturday 12 Oct – and we are back in action with another home game against Buckie Thistle on Sat 21 Oct.

………AND DON’T FORGET OUR FUNDRAISING DANCE

A week Saturday, (30 Sept), K and the Pupils plus guests will be rockin’ the Legion’s foundations in Grantown. Music starts about 9pm and tickets are selling like hot cakes so contact The Legion in Grantown to get yours – cost is £10 each – The Legion are operating a cash only ticket sale.
We look forward to seeing you there – hopefully after our first home win of the season and three points bagged in the league……

LOTTERY

As is the usual custom we end with offering you a winning jackpot of £2500 from our online fundraising lottery – play here for a chance to win….thanks very much….

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK WHEN IT’S BACK TO LEAGUE BUSINESS AND WE’RE AT HOME TO WICK ACADEMY FC

AWAY MATCH v BRECHIN CITY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
GLEBE PARK, TRINITY ROAD, BRECHIN
SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER – KO 3pm

Well ….we’re back on the road and this week is one of our longest journeys of the year – eighty two miles over hill and dale arriving at Brechin in rural Angus.
And……at the end of the road our Breedon Highland League match with last years champions – Brechin City. In our first visit a couple of years ago we managed to breach Brechin’s defence three times, which was more than any club did that season…but we unfortunately lost the match 7-3…
Of course, Glebe Park is the only senior football ground in Europe which has a hedge along one of its perimeters, hence the club’s nickname The Hedgemen. 
Currently sitting in third place in the league and with a game in hand, we are expecting a very difficult match but it would be great this season to score three again, and keeping a clean sheet into the bargain….you never know in football.

GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP
ROUND 2

Last Saturday we hosted Fraserburgh FC in round 2 of the GPH Builder’s Merchants Highland League Cup and although we lost 3-1 the home crowd were happy with some really good play and and a lot of effort from the Jags. 
We started well and held our own through out the first half even though losing a goal in the twentieth minute but the main concern was that defender and captain James McShane had to leave the field with an ankle injury – however Jack McKay moved from the midfield to cover. Jack had a very good half but unfortunately was caught out in fifty seven minutes and from the resultant penalty Fraserburgh doubled their lead. Fraserburgh scored again a couple of minutes later, but Daniel Whitehorn headed home a great goal for the Jags in the seventy third minute and there was some fraught moments in both goalmouths with The Jags hitting the bar in the latter stages.
Unfortunately winger Ross Logan suffered a nasty foot injury which will hopefully not keep him out of action for too long.
A good game of football which was enjoyed by a good crowd and we wish Fraserburgh all the best in the next round.

MKM DUGOUTS

The photo below shows the MKM team attending the cup game against Fraserburgh at Seafield Park and taking the time to inspect the new livery in the dugouts.

pictured  LtoR : are MKM’s Marty Wares and Steve McRitchie, Strathspey Thistle chairman Donly McLeod and MKM’s Alan Carson

HOSPITALITY AND MOTM

The above photograph shows our friends from the Dulnain Bridge Garage enjoying Jags hospitality- we thank them very much for their support and hope they enjoyed their day with us – they also were tasked with the job of choosing the Jags Man of the Match and their choice of Liam Grant was met with universal agreement.

Liam, centre, is pictured with Connor and Duncan Clark.

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TEAM PHOTO

Just before the Fraserburgh game we were, at last, able to arrange this year’s first team squad official team photograph – unfortunately not pictured were Steve Martin, Jude Fraser, Taylor Sutherland, Cairn Gilles and first team coach Robbie Flett, perhaps we may be able to a re-run when everyone is available ……

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LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2400 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

ON THE BORDER

We’ll be back next week with all the happenings before our trip to Galashiels for our Scottish Cup first round time with Gala Fairydean Rovers.

HOME MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP – ROUND 2
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

After our heroics at Lossiemouth a couple of weeks ago our reward is a home tie against Fraserburgh FC.
There wasn’t much for the Jags to write home about after Fraserburgh’s visit last season, so the less said about that the better – but a far better performance in Fraserburgh nearer the end of the season helped heal the wounds – slightly.
Hoping to carry on our cup form as we obviously expect an exceptionally tough match and it will continue next week when we are away to Brechin City, last year’s league champions – but you never know in football….

For any Broch supporters attending Seafield Park for the first time, or you want some information about the town, click here….and we hope you enjoy your visit…but not too much….

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TWO MATCHES 

Last week was a busy one for the Rob and the boys with a mid-week game in Forres with the next one just along the road in Nairn on the Saturday.
I congratulate all the players who were on the pitch during some horrendous downpours  on Wednesday – it was tough! 

The Jags, as usual, had a good first half and although going into the break one down, we had our chances and could have been leading. However two minutes into the second half the Can-Cans scored again….an annoying trait recently – especially after mistakes …..  and then we succumbed to another two later on in the game !! ….Everyone seemed to agree this was not a four-niller…but goals are the currency and we didn’t score.

So it was off to the drying room and to prepare for our visit to Nairn.

The weather couldn’t have been better – warm with a gentle breeze and The Jags were very much the better team in the first half not converting at least two good chances and arrived at half time with the score being 0-0.
Then…our annoying trait – two minutes into the second half we were one down, again! We then lost another goal in the seventy-third minute and the heads seemed to go down with County scoring two more goals in eighty and eighty-nine minutes – we managed a consolation goal, a nicely controlled shot from the edge of the penalty area by Mike McKenzie in the ninety-first minute – but everyone was very, very disappointed at how the second half had gone….

In both games we have competed very well, but, by not being able to take our chances in front of goal it has cost us dear.

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CUP DRAW

Sunday evening saw the draw for the first round of the Scottish Cup sponsored this year by Scottish Gas and we were the fifth match drawn by Scotland ‘keeper Craig Gordon – we were drawn away from home and our opponents are from the Lowland League – Gala Fairydean Rovers from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders – so we have a fair trek on Saturday 23 September.

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CLIVE’S FAMILY

It was first time for a long time for the Wolstenholme boys to be all at the same match at the same time – pictured in Forres are LtoR – Nick who arrived from Barcelona, Clive who stays in Aviemore and Alex currently residing in Sheffield – all are loyal Jags fans – in fact Clive is Club Secretary, Alex does the Jags Twitter feed and Nick is in charge of our Instagram output……thanks to y’all…….

SEAFIELD PARK HAPPENINGS

Continuing from the last post there was movement with the MKM dugouts  –  and as the photograph shows the Home one has just been completed and looks braw….however, at the moment there is still a perspex panel(s) issue with the Away one…but it will be completed ASAP.

LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2300 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play….

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK JAGS FANS

5^th First bus ride of the new season with a visit to Harlaw Park, Pitmedden to take on Formartine United. A lovely ground with an excellent pitch. Formartine joined the Highland League the same time as we did in 2009. It is always a tough ground to get a result on and this was no different. First 33 minutes saw us keep a good shape but then conceded a sloppy goal but went in one down at half-time pleased with how the team were playing. The second forty-five was a repeat of last week’s game at Forres which was disappointing. Further goals on 58, 63 and 90 minutes made it a long journey home. Shots on goal 3, shots off 5 and 2 corners. Bookings for James McShane and Owen Paterson.
Our first home game scheduled for August 12 has been postponed as Huntly have to play a preliminary round game in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup.

16^thAfter an eleven day break it was another away game at Dudgeon Park, Brora. A beautiful summer evening greeted our arrival for what was Brora’s first home game after they had had their pitch re-laid. It was a really positive performance by The Jags and they created a number of decent chances. A sloppy opening goal on 30 minutes for the home side was followed nine minutes later by a second for the Rangers.
We took the game to the home side and it was no surprise when Owen Loveland made it 2-1 on 71 minutes which really opened up the game with The Strathy Jags having ten minutes of pressure which so nearly became 2-2. Brora scored again on 82 minutes but that was not a fair reflection of the game. So many positives to take for the journey home on what was an excellent team performance. If only we can cut out the defensive errors. 

Team: Steven Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Taylor Sutherland, James McShane (c), William Urquhart, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Jack Davison, Ross Logan, Michael McKenzie –  Subs used: Iain Ross, Cairn Giles, Owen Loveland.

19^thThe positive vibes at the club soon changed when four of the first team developed flu symptoms during Friday and Saturday morning and the club could only field 13 players for the league visit of Banks O’ Dee to Seafield Park.
Missing were Michael Mackenzie, Jack Davison, Taylor Sutherland and Seamus McGonaghy. 

(A recent aerial view of Seafield Park)

Two of the starting eleven were not feeling a hundred percent when ‘The Strathy Jags’ took to the pitch and it didn’t help matters to concede a very poor goal in under a minute and a second on ten minutes. Half time was reached four down but there was an improvement in the second half with the final score 6-0. 

Team: Steven Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Jack Gilliland, William Urquhart, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Ian Ross, Ross Logan, Owen Loveland – Subs used; Liam Grant, Caelen Mutch.

Details above of a fundraising social event coming up soon

26^thCup football today and a visit to Lossiemouth for the Highland League Cup. 
A sunny and warm afternoon greeted both teams and in a close game ‘The Strathy Jags’ recorded their first win of the season through a penalty converted by Owen Paterson in the 87^th minute. This was the best 90 minute performance from the team so far this season and let us hope that this a sign of progress for the games ahead.  

Team: Steve Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Caelen Mutch, James McShane, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Jack Davison, Ross Logan, Iain Ross, Michael MacKenzie – Subs used; Seamus McGonaghy, Owen Loveland, William Urquhart.

30^th More knockout football and, in difficult conditions, the Jags were beaten 4-0 by Forres Mechanics in the North of Scotland Cup at Mosset Park, Forres.
A tight first-half saw the home side take the lead shortly before half-time and a second goal soon after the break put them in command although two further strikes put an unfair gloss on the final scoreline.

Team: Ruaridhri Nicol (GK); Owen Patterson, Liam Grant, Allan Kerr, Owen Loveland, James McShane (c), Jack Davison, Jack McKay, Seamus McConachy, Joe Cuthbert, Michael McKenzie – Subs used; Caelan Mutch, Iain Ross, Ross Logan, Daniel Whitehorn

September Home Games

Saturday 9^th : Fraserburgh (Highland League Cup)
Saturday 30^th : Wick Academy

AWAY MATCH v FORRES MECHANICS FC
NORTH OF SCOTLAND CUP
MOSSET PARK, FORRES IV36 1AU
WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST 2023 – KO 8pm

AWAY MATCH v NAIRN COUNTY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
STATION PARK, NAIRN, IV12 5NQ
SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

Another two away matches sports fans – one cup and one league.

Firstly we travel to Forres for a floodlight encounter with Forres Mechanics. This is our second visit to Mosset Park, in a month as we started our league campaign there on the 29th July, and for Jags fans it was memorable as we scored probably our quickest ever goal within 3 minutes! Forres equalised soon after and scored a deserved winner in the second half after a fair bit of pressure – but we were happy with the first half performance. Since then Forres have lost to only Buckie Thistle in the league and had an impressive win over Banks O’Dee in the GPBuilders Merchants Cup last Saturday.
So we will obviously be expecting a very tough match and if we can play like we did in the first half last time it should be a pretty close game.

And then on to Saturday and our second visit to the seaside in a week. We cross the Dava Moor to the the stylish town of Nairn and a Breedon Highland League match against Nairn County FC at Station Park.
Nairn have had a choppy start to the season and at the moment sit beside us in the league table failing to put any points on the board after four games. so there will be all to play for as both teams try to get our first points of the season. Last week they bowed out of the GPBuilders Merchants Cup last Saturday with a 3-2 loss away to Keith. So manager Steven Mackay will be hoping for better things.

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MATCH LAST SATURDAY v LOSSIEMOUTH FC 
GPBuilders Merchants Cup first round.

On a very pleasant afternoon weather wise Lossie started the game very sprightly and had Jags keeper Steve Martin busy early on, and for the first half hour were the better team. However, the Jags had a couple of good chances before half-time and went in at half-time looking more and more stronger. This continued for most of the second half missing some good chances but, eventually, late on ex-Jags keeper Ollie Kelly felled Owen Loveland in the box and Owen Paterson converted the resulting penalty kick. A couple of good clearances kept Lossie out when the final whistle sounded the Jags were the team in the next round where they will have a home tie against Fraserburgh on 9 September.

Everyone at Strathspey Thistle was absolutely delighted with the result and we hope that this bodes well for this weeks games.

CHANGE OF FIXTURE
OUR NEXT HOME GAME IS ON 9 SEPTEMBER 2023 – THE DATE IS THE SAME BUT OUR OPPOSITION HAS CHANGED. AFTER BEATING LOSSIEMOUTH IN THE GP BUILDERS MERCHANTS CUP LAST SATURDAY, WE NOW PLAY FRASERBURGH FC IN THE SECOND ROUND INSTEAD OF A LEAGUE GAME AGAINST ROTHES FC

TEAM NEWS

It was all action at Seafield Park on Monday night during training and manager Rob, Mike and the rest of the guys welcomed back Jude Fraser after breaking his ankle during our pre-season friendly against Nairn St Ninians – however all was not good and after an awkward turn his ankle injury flared up again – hopefully he’ll be back soon and the injury is not as bad as he feared – he is “desperate to get back – I’ve never been away from football for so long “.

We also wish defender Will Urquhart all the best as he heads to university in St Andrews – he is hopeful he may get back sporadically over the season and perhaps for a few weeks over the Christmas and Easter holiday periods.

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PITCHSIDE ACTIVITY 

Our photographer went a-roving down to Seafield Park capturing some sponsor driven activity.

Murray the blacksmith was grappling with perspex in fixing the away dugout in preparation for MKM branding and in the other corner Frankie and John were constructing the Gleaner Oils board for behind the goals at the golf course end.

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FUNDRAISING DANCE 

The word on the street is if you want to boogie on down to the K and The Pupils dance in The Legion on 30 September get your tickets SOON as we cannot be held responsible if you are too late…….tickets available at The Legion here in Grantown at £10 each – cash only please….

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LOTTERY
As always we close with giving you a chance of winning the Club’s weekly lottery jackpot – this week £2200 – click here to play

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I’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK HENCE THE DOUBLE MATCH POST

…….SEE YOU THEN JAGS FANS

AWAY MATCH  v LOSSIEMOUTH FC
GPH BUILDERS MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP – RD1
GRANT PARK, LOSSIEMOUTH, IV31 6JG
SATURDAY 26 AUGUST 2023 KO – 3pm

This week we head to the Moray Coast and to Lossiemouth FC for a first round match in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup. Both teams will be expecting a good result for them so the prospect of a good, hard fought encounter looks to be on the cards. Manager Rob will be hoping for a bit better luck this Saturday and the flu bug which has been affecting some of our boys has cleared up and everyone is fighting fit!
The Coasters sit one point ahead of us in the league so it should be pretty tight and I know that all of the Jags are looking forward to the game.

This post is being put together on Tuesday so check our social media for up-to-date information on the game.

MEET OUR NEW SPONSOR

Strathspey Thistle Football Club are delighted to welcome PREMIER – GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY as our new shirt sponsor joining McGowan’s and MKM. 

Premier owner Arun Palanippan opened in Grantown, his eighth shop, in April and with another in Nethy Bridge opening soon, it is great to have another successful business in the Strath becoming involved with the Club. Arun was introduced to the Club by Charlie Sinclair, who has recently retired and is now helping the Club’s commercial manager Rob Clark in finding sponsors.

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH  v BANKS O’ DEE FC at Seafield Park.
SPONSORED BY FIFE CREAMERY

Firstly, Strathspey Thistle would like to thank Fife Creamery for sponsoring the match.

Unfortunately it wasn’t the greatest of results to our first home start in the Breedon Highland League 2023/2024. 
After our very good performance last Wednesday against Brora, Saturday’s result was badly affected by the fact that Manager Rob had 4 call offs that morning with players with a flu bug, so all this plans sort of went out the window – and with another couple of guys unavailable. We had only two outfield players on the bench so we were struggling and being two down after ten minutes didn’t help!  Banks O’Dee are a very good team and were four up at the break – we came into it a lot more second half and had a couple of vague chances but another couple of really soft goals made the final score 6-0.
Already one or two people are tipping them for the title.

PS..I was upset that a second half incident culminated in Robert manager being sent off – witnessing the scene personally, it was a very disappointing decision by the assistant referee which sparked the hoopla and to be honest I’m not quite sure why Rob was red-carded …but that’s football……and it can be very annoying sometimes!!

Speaking of the aforementioned Charlie Sinclair, and as reported, recently retired from the match day sponsor Fife Creamery. Thankfully he was very impressed our new look A4 colour team lines leaflet which carries the match’s team line-ups and club and sponsor information – in fact the leaflet received much praise from all quarters and a vast improvement to last year’s efforts – this is thanks to the purchase of a new printer!

SPONSORS
In these difficult financial times Strathspey Thistle would like to thank all our sponsors of the Club and of the players and management — we appreciate every penny.
Thank you.
A list of players sponsors will be uploaded very soon.

NEW PHOTOGRAPH ON HOME PAGE

Well done if you noticed our new home page photograph which was taken during last Saturday’s match and is courtesy of our drone guys Raymond MacWilliam and Mike Shand – and excellent it is too. Thanks gents!!

LOTTERY

As ever, as we finish this week’s post by asking you to play our online fundraising Lottery game – this week’s jackpot stands at £2100 with a runner-up prize of £100 for four numbers matching if there is no-one with five numbers. To play click here. 

All the best to the boys this weekend on the Jags quest for round two……

(celebrating the achievement of the England ladies fitba’ team)

HOME GAME v BANKS O’ DEE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 19 AUGUST 2023

THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY FIFE CREAMERY 

Since 1957, Fife Creamery has led the way in delivering food and food products across Scotland.

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Back home for the first time this season in the Highland League23-24, we welcome Banks O’Dee FC to Seafield Park. 
Banks O’ Dee, joined the league in 2022, and visit us for only the second time and as yet we have yet to take a point from them. As usual, we are expecting a very tough game but again, as we seem to building up a good team spirit and more confidence we go into it with more positivity following our result on Wednesday.
Our visitors currently sit in third place in the league and will be expecting a better finish than last season – they finished in tenth position after an admission error which saw them in that position by being deducted twenty-four points – in fact we were above them for a couple of weeks……
The game kicks off at 3pm so hopefully we’ll have a big crowd to cheer the teams on.

For any Banks O’ Dee fans who want a bit more information about their visit to Grantown – click here

MATCH v BRORA RANGERS last Wednesday evening….

Brora won 3-1
From what my spies reported it seems we played really well and competed very much to the end and were very unlucky not to leave Dudgeon Park with a point.

We were two down at half time but fought back and a Jack Davison goal on seventy one minutes halved the deficit and for the following ten minutes were the dominant force and we were unlucky not to score with a Alan Kerr header and another shot from Jack Davison which hit the post, and on another night they may have gone in….Brora scored just after this making it 3-1….typical football!!
Comments after the match from a couple of unbiased spectators confirmed that we played really well, matching Brora all over the park.

The hospitality afforded to the committee members attending was very warm indeed …The Brora pie moves into second place in our PieChart …

FUNDRAISING LOTTERY

As ever we finish the post with a request for you to play our online lottery – click here for details of winning the £2000 jackpot…

AWAY MATCH v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
DUDGEON PARK, BRORA, KW9 6QN
WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2023 – KO 8pm

We’re on the road again…. and we’re on our way to Brora for our third away match in a row – and on a, hopefully, summer’s evening.
Looking at the result on our corresponding fixture from last year, I seem to remember it was one of our better performances and one which then, new manager, Robert MacCormack could see some of the potential on the pitch that night from what was a very disappointing season. Let’s hope we can deliver another strong performance this season and leave Dudgeon Park with more positivity…..and with Ross County’s young goalkeeper on loan to Brora we have a return meeting with goalie Logan Ross and the Jags own flying winger Ross Logan…….one for the HFL Quiz nights….

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GOINGS ON

Although the Jags weren’t involved competitively over last weekend behind the scenes there was plenty going on.
Members of the committee helped set up a stand at the annual Farmers Show here in Grantown and stalwarts Graeme Stuart and Rob Clark were on standby all day, as the photos show, meeting and greeting the many people a sunny day brings out on Showday! 

It was a very successful venture and both enjoyed themselves at what was our first ever official attendance at The Show and no doubt the Jags duo will be back next year………..

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HOSPITALITY

Bookings for our hospitality packages this season are going very well – our home games against Rothes on Sep 9, Buckie Thistle on Oct 21, Forres Mechanics on Dec 9 and Formartine on 16 Dec have now been taken – we look forward to looking after you at Seafield Park and lets hope our guests go home after enjoying a home win……

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FUND RAISING DANCE 

Tickets are now on sale for the K and The Pupils dance in the RBL Scotland venue in Grantown – see poster for details

We’ll be back later this week for the build-up to our first home match on Saturday against Banks O’ Dee FC…….

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IMPORTANT REQUEST FROM OUR LOCAL REFEREES ASSOCIATIONS

All football matches in the Aberdeen, North East and North of Scotland areas require at least a referee and in certain other fixtures also assistant referees.
Throughout the years there has been an increase in the number of games being played at all levels including, but not exclusively, in Youth and Women’s football.

The three Referee Associations that cover the our areas are always looking to welcome new members and to this end, we would invite anyone interested to contact the Association which covers matches in the area in which they live.

During and since COVID, all three Associations have lost a number of referees who decided during the lay off period to move on and this has put a strain on numbers available. Therefore, new blood is sought now and going forward.

The Associations run introductory classes, face to face basis which can be tailored to suit candidates; and there is the alternative of doing the course on the Zoom platform.  In addition, there is also an on-line course which can be completed at the candidates own pace in their own surroundings, with details on the SFA website. All courses also have a face-to-face session for candidates to provide advice on the practicalities of officiating.

We would be delighted to hear from you and contact details are undernoted. Further details are also on the SFA website in the referee section.

Aberdeen & District Referees’ Association (incorporating Orkney and Shetland)

E-mail: aberdeenrefereeonline@outlook.com

             secretarysfarefereeaberdeen@outlook.com 

Website: www.aberdeenanddistrictreferees.co.uk

Moray and Banff Referees’ Association 

Email: mbrefereecourse@gmail.com

North of Scotland Referees’ Association 

Email: NOSRAinstructors@gmail.com

Website: www.nosref.org.uk

NO GAME THIS SATURDAY

We miss out on Saturday’s 12 August fixtures – our home game v Huntly FC has been postponed as Huntly are involved in the Preliminary Round of the Highland League Cup so we await confirmation of when that game will be scheduled to be played.

THURSDAY 10 AUGUST – GRANTOWN

For the first time Strathspey Thistle FC will have a presence at the annual Grantown Show. Manning the stand will be commercial manager Rob Clark and Lottery Convener and general good guy Graeme Stuart – so if you are attending the show go and have a chat with them – they will be able to answer all your questions about season tickets, potential sponsorship and ways to help the Club and also, how to sign up to play our weekly fundraising lottery – they will be delighted to speak to you and if the weathermen and ladies have got their forecast right it’s going to be a scorcher….

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY 

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER

That fine purveyors of good solid rock music, and establishing themselves as one of the top musical groups in the North, have very kindly succumbed to pressure and have offered their services at a very very reasonable fee to help with the Jags fundraising drive. Rumours abound that another more aging combo may be the support band. So get there early – the evening starts at 9pm.
The dance at the Royal British Legion  Scotland’s Grantown venue will be a ticket only event and tickets for the evening can only be obtained from the venue itself. The cost of each ticket is £10 and payment is cash only. Tickets go on sale on Friday 11 August.

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MATCH v FORMARTINE UTD, Saturday 5 August

According to our travelling supporters at Formartine, the boys did well enough – good commitment and keeping their shape but again we gifted three goals – happenings which must be eradicated – I’m sure Rob, Mike and Robbie will be working on this over the next few days before our trip north to Brora.
Our statistics were three shots on goal, five off target, two corners and both James McShane and Owen Patterson were booked.

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COME AND HELP 

As I have stated before on the website, Strathspey Thistle would be very appreciative of some help in the running the Club – if you are into your football and want to have the satisfaction of watching and getting involved and seeing our local team compete in the Highland League please contact our Secretary Clive Wolstenholme by emailing strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com for details.

THE PIE CHART

One of the success stories from Saturday was that Formartine’s pies are very good. Our travelling support say they are going to keep us informed over the season of the some memorable pies available at the Highland League grounds.

LOTTERY

As is the case I sign off with the prospect of you winning this weeks jackpot of £1900 – to play click here –

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK FOR TWO POSTS INCLUDING OUR FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON!!!

AWAY MATCH v FORMARTINE UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NORTH LODGE PARK, PITMEDDEN AB41 7PA
SATURDAY 5 AUGUST 2023 – KO 3pm

We visit North Lodge Park for our away fixture with Formartine United. Formartine who last year finished in a very creditable fourth position are this year in the hunt for silverware – so says striker Paul Campbell in a recent interview. Fellow striker Scott Lisle should be a well kent face to the Jags fans who attend the game as he left Seafield Park a couple of years ago to continue on his successful goal scoring path. Manager Stuart Anderson will be without a couple players red-carded in last week’s opening League game against defending champions Brechin City which resulted in a 1-0 loss.

So we know we have a very tough game on our hands and as we suffered defeat in the corresponding fixture last season, it will be really interesting to see how the new look Jags match up.

We have no game next Saturday so our next fixture is on Wednesday 16 August with a trip to Brora and our match versus Brora Rangers FC.

MATCH v FORRES MECHANICS last Saturday –

It was a day fit for the start of a football season – intermittent blue sky and warm, no wind and greenish grass…very picturesque.

There were a few members of the squad missing so manager Rob had to make a couple of changes to the line-up from the last pre-season friendly.

The Jags got off to a dream start, and after a well worked move, Highland League debutant, Iain Ross opened the scoring for us on three minutes to make it 1-0. Forres replied six minutes later, through ex Jags loanee and Elgin City player Dylan Lawrence, and that’s how it finished at half-time. Forres manager Steven Macdonald was quoted in the press admitting his side were fortunate to be level as Thistle had missed a couple of very good chances. However in the second half, we seemed to lose our way a little and allowed Forres to score again the game ending 2-1 in Forres; favour.

However all the Jags contingent at the match were very much encouraged with the first half performance and hope that this will be our norm for the season ahead….

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LOTTERY

As ever we draw the curtains with our weekly request that you have a go at our online fundraising lottery – this week’s jackpot stands at £1800 – to play click here – that is as long as you are over sixteen years of age – good luck and thank you.

FUTURE DATES

To view the future fixtures – click here – correct on 3 August 2023.