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.
MacKessack Park from the Rothes FC Facebook page
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……..
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
The usual brilliant montage artwork by Marty’s Designs
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.
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 !
Match at Nairn, September 2023
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.
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…
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.
Liam ShewanEwan Neil
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.
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.
Goalscorer Jack Davison
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….
Unfortunately Christie Park is under a blanket of snow so today’s game at Huntly has been postponed…we now hope that the weather improves for next Saturday’s home hame against Brora Rangers, kick off 2pm.
AWAY GAME v HUNTLY FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE CHRISTIE PARK,HUNTLY,AB548JE SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm
PLEASE NOTE 3pm KICK OFF
For Christmas week we are heading towards Christie Park, home ground of Huntly FC. After last week’s very inspiring display against high flying Formartine United we will arrive in Huntly with some confidence, and with hopefully a full squad available for selection we may leave with some much needed points.
It was July 2021 that we last took points off Huntly and with them currently lying in seventh place in the league after a very good start, but recently results haven’t gone their way and, interestingly enough, their last win was against the Jags in November so maybe we can turn the tables this time. The game in November at Seafield Park, was despite the final score a highly contested ninety minutes and I would imagine Rob and the boys are looking for revenge – we wish them all the best.
LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH v FORMARTINE UNITED in GRANTOWN
Team v Formartine Utd 16 Dec 2023
Manager Rob MacCormack’s had a very uncomfortable start to his day with the news that his goalkeeper for the day was unable to play – and as regular number one Steve Martin was out of the country much arranging and re-arranging was required – thankfully first team coach Robbie Flett, who deputised in goal in one of our summer friendlies, was able to step into the goal area, and proceeded to attain Man of the Match status by many of the Jags fans and possibly some of the Formartine fans too with a very assured and competent performance, commanding his box and shouting the odds to his defence…
Robbie Flett in action in a pre-season friendly against Nairn St Ninians in July
Again we were unable to field the same team as the previous week, due to work committments, illness and call-offs.
Possibly the occasional strong gust of wind and a softish pitch perhaps helped us a smidgeon, but take nothing away from the team showing and the individuals within, the Jags management, officials and fans appreciated such a performance and another step forward..it will be only a matter of time when it all comes together.
Formartine’s Emslie scored after five minutes and there were one or two early flurries after that, but the Jags settled in and started playing some good football, defending well as the need arose. I think the away team began to get a bit edgy towards the latter part of the game and in the final minutes we had a couple of very good chances – one of which hit the wrong side of the post which on another day, a few millimetres to the right and it was net bound!!
Latter stages goalmouth action as the Jags hunt for an equaliser
LOTTERY PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOTTERY DRAW OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON HAS BEEN CHANGED. THE DRAWS IN THE CLAYMORE BAR IN GRANTOWN SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS ( DEC 24 AND DEC 31 ) HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY – SAME VENUE.
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3800 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…if you win what a cracker of a Christmas present eh?
FUNDRAISING CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Contact Commercial manager Rob Clark for ticket availability.
CHRISTMAS
ON behalf of everyone associated with Strathspey Thistle we wish everyone peace, joy and happiness over the festive season – and hope Santa is good to you and the Jags …a pile of league points in our stockings would be rather nice!!!!
HOME GAME v FORMARTINE UNITED FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2023 – KO 2pm
This Saturday we welcome players, management and supporters of Formartine United Football Club. Based in Pitmedden in Aberdeen-shire, fifteen miles from Aberdeen, they currently sit in third place in the league and arrive in Grantown following a win last Saturday against second place Brechin. We now enter another tough sequence of games with seventh placed Huntly next week, followed by a visit from Brora Rangers.
Hopefully Rob and the boys can continue their hard work and endeavour from the past few games and manage perhaps a wee upset….
For any Formartine fans coming to Seafield Park for the first time or anyone who needs a reminder of what is available in Grantown click here for information.
The Club would appreciate car drivers to park either in Burnfield car park or the Golf Club car park, which is adjacent to Seafield Park. The Jags would like to thank the Golf Club for letting us use their parking facilities during their winter shutdown..
SATURDAY’S GAME v FORRES
Regarding the result from last Saturday’s match, one of the Forres officials told us that we didn’t deserve to win but we didn’t deserve to lose either – which seems to a recurring motif we’ve heard throughout the season. I am really looking forward to the games when we see manager Rob having a fully fit squad and all players available for selection as I think we will do just fine…… whoever we play!
Strangely enough we did not score first last Saturday, in fact we didn’t manage to get on the score sheet at all which was the first time we haven’t scored since 28 October.
The game was played in cold and damp conditions, and after a few inches of snow and -6 degrees of frost the pitch surface was difficult and easily cut up (which was a delight for the pitch fixers on Tuesday morning!!) – but that’s what happens in the Highlands playing winter football….
Three former Jags players were in the Forres ranks and one of them Ethan Cairns opened the scoring just after the half hour. Forres doubled their tally on virtually the last kick before half-time after a pretty even first half, although the Jags Taylor Sutherland was highly alert in heading over the bar a lob which looked a certain goal!
Both teams kept up the pressure in the second half and even the floodlights being switched on failed to really light up the game, and it finished two-nil to Forres – and as already stated we put in a hard-working performance and all of the boys gave their all but, again, a couple of mistakes make all the difference between winning and losing.
Jags attack the Forres goal area….nice lighting!
QUIZ NIIGHT
After the game at Seafield Park we made our way to the Legion in The Square in Grantown for our first fundraising QUIZ NIGHT which was expertly organised and question-mastered by committee member, Tom Clarke, ably helped on the night by fellow committee members Graeme Stuart, Rob Clark and Garry Horton.
Saturday’s Quiznight in The Legion
With sixteen tables taken and quizzers from all around the Strath, everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Over £800 was raised for the club.
Winning the £100 first prize were the Cromdale Quizzers with 107 points out of a possible 120, followed by Mags Clark’s team named The Ditherers who scored 103.5 points and they each received a bottle of Prosecco courtesy of one of our major sponsors PREMIER Grantown-on-Spey. Winners of the Wooden Spoon were the young guys from Strathspey Camanachd shinty team who were named Otters Pocket, named in honour of their late teammate CalMac.
Saturday’s Quiznight
The Club would like to thank each and everyone who helped, and took part, and we would imagine it will be repeated sometime in the future…..
XMAS RAFFLE
The aforementioned Jags fundraiser extraordinaire Mags Clark and fellow committee member and Jags commercial manager Rob, are pictured in Grantown’s PREMIER on Wednesday during their all day stay in the store selling the Club’s festive raffle tickets – well done to Mags and Rob, and thanks to PREMIER for hosting.
Mags and Rob
LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £3700 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…
JUST A WEE WORD OF THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS PARTICIPATED IN EITHER OUR QUIZNIGHT, RAFFLE OR LOTTERY – THE CLUB VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR ONGOING GENEROSITY.
