Category: Uncategorized

So…. here we are at the start of the build-up to another Breedon Highland League football season but before we begin, Strathspey Thistle FC would like to send their condolences to the families of Scotland greats Craig Brown and Gordon McQueen, who both passed away recently.

The photo shows Craig Brown with Jags’ chairman Donly McLeod and committee member Mags Clark during a visit to Seafield Park in November 2014.

---

It doesn’t seem like it’s been eight weeks since we last communicated so there’s a lot of news to report – so let’s start, in no particular date order, with news of the first pre-season friendly…..

SATURDAY 1 JULY –
FRIENDLY AT SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN v NARN ST. NINIAN’S – kick-off 1PM
The management team of Robert McCormack and Mike Rae began pre-season training on June 1 and although some of the boys are still carrying injuries from last season and with some going on and coming back from holidays its has been slightly disjointed, but, we are hearing positive noises.
We look forward to seeing one or two well kent faces back in Grantown and some new ones as well on Saturday – I would imagine that Robert will be experimenting over the next four weeks with personnel to get the balance right before the Highland League starts, with an encounter in Forres against what will be a strong Mechanics team.
The date for your diary is Saturday 29 July kick-off 3pm.

---

MONK – BYE-YA
One player who won’t be there is Michael ‘Monk” MacCallum who has left the Club this summer after eight seasons. A statement from Rob McCormack said that Michael has, apart from starting a new job, chosen to leave the club for a new challenge.
He continued “that he would like to thank Michael (commonly known as Monk) for all his hard work, dedication and loyalty to Thistle for the past eight years. Not many players manage to stay at a club for such a long period of time, and that is testament to the type of player and the man Michael is.  All at Strathspey Thistle Football Club would like to wish him the best of luck in the future and once again thank him for his commitment to the club” 

And me too….I want to thank Monk for making his way to Grantown one very nasty night of weather so we could do some promotional photography for the new jerseys and strips – we had set up a studio in the Pagoda and that was the only night that all personnel were able to meet, and if not, it would be a couple of weeks later and we needed the photos pronto -one of his are reproduced here. Mike was always very approachable – a good guy – all the best!

SIGNINGS

As we say farewell to Monk we welcome to Seafield Park Jack Mackay and welcome back utility man Alan Kerr.

Alan Kerr has agreed a new deal until 2024! 
“I am delighted Alan has committed to another year with the club” said manager Robert MacCormack. ” Since he has been here he has had some very solid performances. A very important player on and off the park for us with his experience and looking forward to working with him for another year.”
Good to keep you onboard Alan 

We have signed Jack Mackay from North Caledonian FA club Invergordon FC. 
Jack was captain and an integral part of the Invergordon side who won a cup double last season.
Gaffer Rob said “I’m absolutely delighted to bring Jack to the club. He’s a player I know well and he was one of my top targets to bring here. He’s had a very successful time in the North Caledonian League and is more than ready to take the step up into the Highland League. Very excited to work with him next season and he will certainly help us achieve what we are looking to do in the future.”

---

UNSUNG HERO AWARD
At the recent Scottish Highland League annual dinner Jags’ Chairman Donly “Digger” McLeod was awarded one of the UNSUNG HERO trophies – an award which everyone at the Club would thoroughly agree with. The Awards recognise the amount of work, effort and dedication by individuals for their clubs over the years.  

STFC GOLF DAY

There now limited places for teams wanting to enter our Golf Day next Saturday (July 8) at Grantown Golf Club …..so please contact Club Chairman the afore mentioned Donly McLeod for details of how to enter on 01479 872668 -for a fine day out!

STFC invite you to enter a team(s) into the above tournament. the club have been delighted with the success of the previous years and would like to thank Bill Torrance and mtec software for their continued support.
The tournament takes the form of a four person Texas Scramble over 18 holes with the trophy and various prizes being presented at the end of the day. This years event will take place at Grantown Golf Club, which is pleased to offer the use of its facilities for this event. 

Food and drink will be available from the clubhouse where you and your team can pre book any meal requirements you may have.

The cost per team will be £150 inclusive of VAT; you also have the opportunity of sponsoring a hole of your choice for an additional £25 inclusive of VAT.
Please contact us also at strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com to book your team and for any further information you may require. 

THE GOLF DAY IS SPONSORED BY MTEC

---

COMMERCIAL BROCHURE

For the first time in many years we have produced a printed brochure illustrating how companies, businesses and individuals can get involved and financially help the Club.
If you would like a copy please contact us at the Club and we can send you either a paper copy or a pdf via email – strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com

---

FUNDRAISING LOTTERY

Our weekly post would not be the same without a mention of our fundraising lottery game. The jackpot this week stands at £1300 so to play click here – why not sign up for five weeks, it’s auto-renewable and you can stop playing whenever you want….

10^th Seamus McGonaghy who has been with us since January on loan has signed a contract with the Strathy Jags for next season. He joins us from Nairn County.

Manager Rob MacCormack commented: “He is a very technically gifted player with a fantastic attitude.”

13^th    The League 2 play-off game finished all square between The Spartans and Albion Rovers in the first leg at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh. Albion took the lead through a Luke Graham header in the first half he but a 66^th minute own goal by James Leslie gave The Spartans a way back into the tie. The second leg is on Saturday May 20 at Cliftonhill Stadium in Coatbridge with the winner taking their place in SPFL League 2 next season.

20^thSpartans will play in Scotland’s League 2 next season after winning the Pyramid play-off to end Albion Rovers 104 year place in the Scottish senior leagues. An early penalty to Spartans converted by Blair Henderson turned out to be enough to earn the Lowland League champions a coveted place in the Scottish Professional Football League for the first time. The Twitter account for Albion Rovers stated it was ‘one of the darkest days in our  history but we will back stronger.’

22^nd Highland League clubs voted to introduce five substitutions in matches from next season.

26^th Club chairman Donly McLeod was recognised as an unsung hero at the Highland League’s annual awards dinner in Inverness. 

28^thSeason 2023/2024 starts on Saturday June 3 with the first training session in Inverness. Joining up with the group will be new signing Jack Mackay after a deal was agreed for the midfielder, a key player for North Caledonian League side Invergordon FC last season.

Alan Kerr, meanwhile, has agreed a new contract. Manager Rob MacCormack is delighted to keep hold of someone he describes as ‘a very important player on and off the park for us with his experience.’

Talks are ongoing with other players and there will be more signings in the next two weeks. All the players are available for sponsorship – please contact the club for more details. 

Remember to keep an eye on The Strathy Jags social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and new Instagram account plus the club website.

Grantown Golf Club, Saturday 8July 2023

Cost per team will be £150 inclusive of VAT; you also have the opportunity of sponsoring a hole of your choice for an additional £25 inclusive of VAT.

Please contact us to book your team and for any further information you may require. 

                    

Saturday 1^st: A goal seven minutes into stoppage time denied the Jags a home win against Clachnacuddin, the visitors finally taking advantage of playing against ten men after Connor Austin’s controversial red card.

The two sides had traded first-half goals before the Jags took an early second-half lead through Ross Logan’s header.

Manager Robert MacCormack told the Press & Journal that the sending-off had changed the game but added; “to take a draw from a very good side is encouraging.”

Saturday 8^th: Another Saturday and more stoppage time pain for the Jags after a resolute display, including a penalty-save from Man of the Match James Kendall (photo shows him receiving a bottle of Cairngorm Gin from, another of our sponsors, Alan Carson of MKM Building Supplies), had kept league leaders Buckie Thistle at bay for 90 minutes.

The Jags were left distraught by two goals that kept the visitors on course for the title but could take heart from another good performance.

Wednesday 12^thOur last home fixture of the season and another competitive performance by the team but we went down to defeat when Keith scored on 71 minutes. It meant that The Jags have gone the whole season without a home victory. We thank everyone who have supported the club at matches, by playing the lottery or via other means. We have started planning for next season and we will keep everyone updated on any developments.

Saturday 15^thToday off to Aberdeen to play Banks O Dee at Spain Park in our first visit for a Highland League game. Over ten years ago we had played there in cup competitions. The pitch is 4G and the ground is very compact. Their hospitality was sold out with 80 covers. We were three players down due to injury and call offs and the numbers were not helped when we lost keeper James Kendall due to an injury sustained in the warm up. Ironically at about the same time Banks O Dee lost their keeper with an injury during the warm up.

We started the game with one substitute and to complete our day we went down 9-1. Michael MacKenzie was our goalscorer on 41 minutes to bring the game back to 3-1 but with the final kick of the first half we conceded again. A poor team performance and a long bus ride home.

Friday 21^stThe club announced that 21-year-old defender Liam Grant had signed a contract extension for next season. He is a local lad and has played in the Strathspey and Badenoch Welfare league for Grantown United, Spey Valley United and Boat of Garten Ospreys.

Saturday 22^nd Last game of the season and another bus trip this time to last season’s Champions Fraserburgh. The Broch came from behind and ran out winners 3-1 which I think flattered them. The Jags took the lead on 36 minutes with a superb strike from 20 yards by Michael MacKenzie and went in at half time one ahead. Fraserburgh hit back with goals from Sean Butcher and Josh Bolton and on 89 minutes the clincher with a header from Bryan Hay. An encouraging performance from The Jags.  It was a good bus ride back to Grantown and Inverness. Manager Robert MacCormack thought the players worked their socks off and it is now a question of preparing for season 2023/2024.

Congratulations to Brechin City who became Breedon Highland League Champions with a win at Victoria Park, Buckie in a last day winner takes all shootout. Congratulations to both teams for providing such an enthralling race from the start of the season. 

Brechin now play Lowland League Champions Spartans home and away with the winner then playing the bottom side in SPFL League Two over two legs.

Saturday 29^th  The first leg of the playoff was at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh and in a scrappy encounter The Spartans came out on top thanks to a Blair Henderson 90^th minute goal which sets up the second leg nicely.

Saturday May 6^th  Biggest attendance at Glebe Park of 1900 saw an enthralling game go to penalties with The Spartans coming out on top 4-3 on penalties and going forward to play Albion Rovers over two legs. Brechin’s goals came from Macleod on 45, Inglis 61 and Biabi on 65 with replies from Whyte 15 and Henderson 55 for The Spartans. Albion Rovers by finishing bottom of Scottish League 2 will now play home and away with The Spartans over the next two Saturday’s. Albion Rovers play at the Cliftonhill stadium in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

We’re back with an occasional review of what is happening Club wise.

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

During the last couple of weeks the Club are now delighted to confirm that defender Liam Grant, defender/midfielder Joe Cuthbert and keeper James Kendall, have all extended their stay at the Jags till summer 2024.

Liam who joined last summer from the S&B Welfare League had fitted in to his defensive role and had also claimed a bottle of our home match sponsors Cairngorm Gin before a groin injury hampered his progress. Everyone at the Club is delighted that he is back to fitness and will be joining the rest of the team when pre-season training starts at the beginning of June and manager Robert MacCormack is very much looking forward to working with him.

A well ‘kent name on the Jags team sheet over the past few seasons is Joe Cuthbert and again we are delighted that he agreed to extend his contract until next summer.
Manager Robert said “ I’m delighted the Joe has signed up for another year at the Club. His committment since we came in has been excellent and gives his all in every game.”

James Kendall who joined the club late on in the season, has extended his contract for a further 12 months.
“James has been a fantastic addition and has performed exceptionally well in his short time with us so far” said manager Robert, “he is one of the best keepers in the league so we are delighted that he has agreed to stay on at the Club for another year. It is another positive step in our preparations for the new season”.

---

A VIEW FROM THE TERRACE – HOPE IN THE GLEN

BBC SCOTLAND’s A VIEW FROM THE TERRACE featuring the Jags aired on Friday 21 April and can be viewed on the BBC iPlayer now.

The segment of the programme entitled “Hope in the Glen” featured a celebration of being involved with Strathspey Thistle and the surrounding area which has been very well received by all who saw it. Featured talking heads were chairman Donly McLeod, club captain James McShane along with The Jags first keeper Dean Lawson.

On a personal note I thought the BBC team covering the recording were, as well as being very professional, real good guys  and they hopefully too enjoyed their day in Strathspey.

---

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – THE JAGS LEGENDARY FUNDRAISING GOLF DAY

Saturday 8 July is our annual fund raising Golf Day at Grantown-on-Spey and full details should be available very soon – so keep checking our Facebook and Twitter pages….and now, also in full technocolour, our Instagram page being authored by Nick in Barcelona…..technology eh!…..TRY A VISIT here to the Instagram page …….not Barca we can’t afford that unfortunately!!

There is also talk of perhaps another pre-season match against a Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare Select at Seafield Park with perhaps a wee bit of hoopla too….again watch out on our social media outlets…..the inaugural one last year was a great success.

---

AND NOT FORGETTING 

 – and as ever, we would be very grateful for any help in the coming season to help with the running of the Jags whether it’s helping the guys manning the gate and selling half-time raffle tickets at our home games, or, being our new kit man or woman – please get in touch  – every little bit of help helps!

LOTTERY

We also have now updated our Facebook entry page for the fund raising Club lottery and have added a QR code for easier access for newcomers.

This week’s jackpot is £4,400 and if you wish to help the Club you can by playing here

AWAY MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
BELLSLEA PARK, FRASERBURGH AB43 9BB
SATURDAY 22 APRIL 2023 – KO 3pm

Well, well well, here we are at the end of an another Highland League, and another trip in quick succession to the east coast. This time it’s our return fixture against Fraserburgh FC at Bellslea Park…..Fraserburgh, last year’s league champions and currently sitting in fifth place this year, will again, be a exceptionally difficult game and perhaps not one that you want to finish the season with, especially cpnsidering the result when we last met in August…….hopefully we can leave The Broch with smiling faces.

Last Saturday before the game at Spain Park, Chairman Donly McLeod presented Banks O’ Dee President Brian Winton, with a framed copy of the commemorative programme issued when Banks O’ Dee visited Seafield Park in November. There was nothing else to smile about after that apart from Mike McKenzie’s thirty-first minute goal for The Jags which reduced the deficit to two goals – at that moment – unfortunately the flood gates opened again in the second half. 

For everyone associated it was a great disappointment. The previous few games had hinted that we were a lot more competitive and were moving in the right direction – however it was not to be.

On behalf of  The Club, we would like to thank all our supporters, in which let’s face it has not been a good league season for the Jags at all. I would think everyone at the Club is looking forward to a far better campaign next season – and, to putting this season well behind us! 

BFN
As this is the last game of 2022/2023 JagsWeb will be taking a break over the summer and will not be producing a regular weekly update as to what’s going on – for all Club information over the summer please keep fully up to date with our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Obviously if there’s any major news at the Club we’ll keep you informed.

JagsWeb will return for regular posts just before the start of next season.

---

A VIEW FROM THE TERRACE
Please look out for our segment in the BBC Scotlands football show soon. When we are informed by the BBC, the Jags Facebook and Twitter will have the info on what night it will be broadcast.

EASY-PLAY WEEKLY ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER (age 16+):
THE JACKPOT NOW STANDS AT £4200
Help Strathspey Thistle in raising vital funds for the club through an Online Weekly Lotto by Clubforce.  
Choose five numbers for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and extra lines can be added and you can tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders. 

This summer we again start a concerted effort in escalating the finances of the club we would really appreciate if you could perhaps get four of your friends to participate in the online fundraising lottery.

Thank you for helping the club – it is very much appreciated. To play click here.

AWAY MATCH v BANKS O’ DEE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SPAIN PARK, ABERDEEN AB12 3AB
SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2023 – KO 3pm

On Saturday we pay our first visit to Spain Park, Aberdeen on Highland League business to meet Banks O’ Dee FC.

In their first season in the Breedon Highland League it’s been a bit of a roller coaster – with the very unfortunate administrative mistake in playing unregistered players and being deducted twenty four points – however since then they are now in twelfth place with thirty three points – and if you add the deducted points they would be in a very creditable sixth place.

It wasn’t a very happy Seafield Park for the home supporters after our last meeting which produced football fireworks from the away team, but hopefully encouraged by recent results we hope that this game will be a far more competitive affair – we wish Robert and the boys all the best on their travels…

---

MATCH v KEITH FC

As the floodlights faded on another season a reasonably sized midweek crowd were treated to an entertaining hard fought game with Keith emerging as the winners 1-0.  A well constructed seventieth minute goal following a midfield mistake by The Jags was the difference between the teams – both sides missed reasonable chances but the general feeling was that Keith marginally deserved the win. However on a very positive note, The Jags again massively improved their performance from our last meeting with Keith. Maybe after the performances of the last couple of weeks we were a wee bit disappointed…..fans are never happy!!

MAN OF THE MATCH

James McShane was voted Man of the Match by the Jags Committee after the match and was presented with his bottle of gin by committee member Alan McKenzie. 
Again we would like to thank Jack Smith and his company Cairngorm Gin for his sponsorship of our Man Of The Match award at all our home games this season.

---

LOWLAND LEAGUE VISITOR

We also welcomed Thomas Brown, his wife and son Jacob to Seafield Park last night. Thomas is the Chairperson of the Scottish Lowland Football League and he and his family are enjoying another of their frequent trips to Aviemore. This time they managed to fit in a visit to The Jags.  He tweeted that the family enjoyed the welcome, hospitality and the game…we look forward to welcoming the Brown family back next year.

---

EASY-PLAY WEEKLY ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER (age 16+):
THE JACKPOT NOW STANDS AT £4100
Help Strathspey Thistle in raising vital funds for the club through an Online Weekly Lotto by Clubforce.  
Choose five numbers for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and extra lines can be added and you can tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders. 

Thank you for helping the club – it is much appreciated. To play click here.

---

Next week sees our last fixture of the 2022/2023 season – an away trip to Fraserburgh.

HOME MATCH v KEITH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 12 APRIL 2023 – KO 8pm

On Wednesday evening we welcome Keith FC to what is our last home match of the season – after this we have two more away fixtures to finish this years Breedon Highland League.

Keith’s season of six wins and six draws have resulted in them achieving fifteenth place, at the moment. So we have another very tough game for the Jags, but, after our display against on Saturday against league leaders Buckie Thistle we go in to this game with more confidence than the last time we met Keith at Kynoch Park in October. 

Following a horrific midweek defeat courtesy of Brora Rangers, we were soundly beaten the following Saturday by the Maroons – a result we hope to overturn under the floodlights at Seafield Park…..

BUCKIE THISTLE’S VISIT

Saturday was a really nice day for football although there was a bit of a breeze blowing in from the golf course.

There was the usual large contingent from Buckie in attendance which helped make up a good crowd and atmosphere for the match.

Although we did have one or two chances, Buckie with the wind behind them dominated most of the first half – they were awarded a hotly disputed penalty which Jags keeper James Kendall saved much to the delight of his teamates and the home supporters.

In the second half, we had one or two more clear cut chances on the break, but the Jags defence were doing a stalwart job in keeping scoring chances for Buckie to a minimum. The home supporters could gauge the Buckie fans and players becoming more and more edgy as full time approached, as losing two points could have had a major influence in the outcome of the league title. So for the second week in a row we passed ninety minutes and in time added on the away team scored !!  In the 92nd and 94th minutes. 

Strathspey Thistle, players, management, officials and supporters were gutted….. but there was also a phenomenal sense of pride in what the team have achieved over the past few weeks which we hope we can continue over the next couple of weeks….before we find out what’s in store for next season on the park – beginning with Robert and Mike planning a very tough pre-season.

MAN OF THE MATCH

After a great performance, which included a first-half penalty save, keeper James Kendall was voted Man of the Match after Saturday’s match against Buckie Thistle. The photograph shows James with his MOTM Award sponsored by Cairngorm Gin – the award….a bottle of superb gin! 
He was presented with his bottle by Alan Carson of one of our other major sponsors, MKM, who attended our last home Saturday match of the season enjoying match hospitality with their guests. 

As we have stated in our posts before we are very grateful to our local companies who without their financial help we would not be able to exist. 

---

Next is a trip to Aberdeen and a match against Banks O’ Dee FC on Saturday.

HOME MATCH v BUCKIE THISTLE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 8 APRIL 2023 – KO 3pm

This Saturday we welcome the green and white hooped shirts of Buckie Thistle, Breedon Highland League title contenders for the second year in a row and current league leaders and the surrounding hoopla that all that entails. 
The Buckie Jags always bring a sizeable support with them and I am sure this will be no exception and we welcome them to Grantown in what promises to be an interesting afternoon.
Having lost only two games all season, Buckie to all concerned go into the match very much favourites and following a narrow win against Forres Mechanics last Saturday continue their winning ways, but, the Strathy Jags are beginning to put together some good performances and must go in to the game with more confidence than they had for their last meeting. 
Buckie are four points ahead of Brechin City, who have one game in hand, but the pair meet each other on the last day of the season – which promises to be a great occasion for, mainly, one set of supporters….

 For those Buckie Thistle supporters visiting us for the first time, or those wanting a resumé click here for more information.

---

LAST WEEK v INVERNESS CLACHNACUDDIN FC

Recorded for posterity by the P&J cameras filming for their Highland Football Weekly webcast, and, the BBC’s A View From The Terrace filming a segment for their Friday night programme, there were goals, controversy, a red card, nine minutes of added time and an exciting watch if you were not affiliated to either team…..there was also an excellent report in Monday’s Press & Journal.

There now follows our report which may contain a slight bias….

It was a great day weatherwise for football and Clach were well into their stride early on and deservedly took the lead in eight minutes but a defensive mistake soon after allowed Jack Davison in to equalise for the Jags with seventeen minutes played.

After that Clach’s domination began to fade and Strathspey came more and more into the game, although there was a bit of panic in the home defence when an excellent shot was tipped onto the bar by Jags keeper James Kendall.
After the break it was Strathspey who again took the initiative and scored through ex-Clach man Ross Logan, who continued to be a threat to the Clach goal and on another day would have added to his tally. 

Then the most bizarre incident of the afternoon occurred – when Conor Austin was deemed to have fouled stopping a goal scoring opportunity as last man defender…….a decision that dumbfounded all the spectators including even the Clach management team……

We then had a goal ruled correctly offside but the ten men of Strathspey held out until the fourth minute of time added on when Clach equalised. 
All in all it was another very positive performance and one that we were very unlucky to not have the full three points in the bag. 

The excellent action photographs of the game were again supplied by Donald Cameron of NOREmacPIX and we thank him very much again for allowing us to include them in this post and we look forward to his next visit.

Goalscorer Ross Logan was named Man Of The Match and was presented with his bottle of MOTM sponsor Cairngorm Gin by committee member Garry Horton after the match.

---

EASY-PLAY WEEKLY ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER (age 16+):
THE JACKPOT NOW STANDS AT £4000

Help Strathspey Thistle in raising vital funds for the club through an Online Weekly Lotto by Clubforce.  
Choose five numbers for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and extra lines can be added and you can tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders. 

Thank you for helping the club – it is much appreciated. To play click here.

Michael McKenzie has agreed to sign until 2024.

Manager Robert MacCormack said
“I am delighted Michael has agreed to join the club until 2024. Having worked with him for a number of years I was keen to take him to the club with me and in the few games he has played so far he has been excellent for us. Looking forward to working with him going forward into next season and I’m sure he will be a massive part of what we are looking to achieve.”

---

A VIEW FROM THE TERRACE

We were joined for last Saturday’s game against Clach by the filming team from BBC Scotland’s great Friday night football programme. Although the Premier League is duly discussed the programme concentrates more on the other leagues and non-leagues throughout Scotland as well as very interesting features on a variety of clubs and people.

The team arrived and set up for interviews in the home dressing room with Chairman Donly McLeod and Club Captain James McShane. Next up was former player and now a supporter, Deane Lawson, who remembered the early days and life growing up in Grantown.

Then the film team spent some time filming around the ground and the arrival of the Clach supporters before filming parts of the game and the goings on at a typical Seafield Park Saturday afternoon…

It was great having the guys here and we hope they enjoyed their time here too – now we are looking forward to viewing the fruits of their labour in a couple of weeks.

---

Clach game report and Buckie preview later in the week….

Thursday 2^nd The club has signed 27-year-old Michael MacKenzie from Alness United. The players trained at Inverness.

Monday 6^thSnow and sub-zero temperatures returned to Speyside putting Wednesday night’s home game with Huntly in doubt.

Wednesday 7^th With tonight forecast to be around minus ten degrees and day-time temperatures of a maximum three degrees, the Huntly game was called off and the visit of Keith FC on Saturday was already in doubt.

Thursday 9^thNearly a full squad were able to attend training in Inverness.

Friday 10^th With no change in the weather likely over the next forty eight hours Saturday’s home game was called off. Robert was hoping to arrange a friendly game somewhere on Saturday. Preparations now begin for our next game on March 18 at Turriff United.

Wednesday 15^th Last night at the Charlestown Centre in Inverness. The Jags played a friendly match with Nairn County reserves. Manager Robert MacCormack was pleased with the 5-1 win and the general performance. Jack Davison scored three goals and the others from Jake Lockett and Jordan Shaw. It was good to see Jordan back playing after what has been a difficult time for him. For Saturday’s trip to Turriff United James McShane returns to the squad and Mike MacKenzie is set for his debut. Liam McDade and Mike Grimes are unavailable due to work commitments.

Saturday 18^th  Another trip on D & E Coaches to the middle of Aberdeenshire, this time to Turriff. The game had been in doubt last night due to the amount of rain that fallen but an 09.30 inspection passed the pitch as playable. For the opening forty five minutes the team played well, creating a couple of good chances, hitting the post and playing with a good shape and went in at half time having shaded the half. The second period continued in the same vein until the 58^th minute when we went one down. In a 23 minute period we just fell apart and four further goals were conceded. It was baffling to those who were there how the game was completely turned around. Lots of work for Robert and his staff to deal with over the upcoming days as minds turn to the forthcoming Wednesday trip to Wick.

Tuesday 21^st20 year old forward Jordan Shaw has joined Alness United of the North Caledonian League for a month to get some game time under his belt after suffering quite badly from the effects of Covid.

Wednesday 22^ndA long and winding road to Wick on the Jags bus but it turns out to be a well worth it trip. Kicking down the slope to start with ‘The Jags’ soon settled into a  good shape watched by new Assistant Manager Mike Rae. 

After 33 minutes Daniel Whitehorn scored from close range and it was no more than the team deserved. We wondered which team would turn up for the second forty five minutes but we need not have worried because although Wick equalised midway through the half, heads didn’t drop and it was not long before new signing Mike MacKenzie restored our lead. We could have added a couple more goals but all players were tiring as the muddy pitch took it’s toil.

Mike Rae is an ex-Rangers goalkeeper whose past clubs also include Ross County, Buckie Thistle and Lossiemouth. Jags boss Robert MacCormack is delighted that he has joined the club.

Our last home game was on February 4 when we played Nairn County and since then we have visited Inverurie Locos, Brora, Turriff United and Wick so we are looking forward to returning to Seafield Park on Wednesday March 29 for the visit of Huntly.

Wednesday 29^thRobert, Mike and Robbie’s first home game as the new management team at a damp Seafield Park. Another game of two contrasting halves which is again a puzzle to those who were at the game. The Jags started well, carrying on from their Wick performance and enjoyed taking the lead on 22 minutes through newcomer Jake Lockett. A poor defensive tackle on 33 minutes gave Huntly the chance to equalise from the spot which they duly did. We then contrived to miss two golden chances and went in at half-time 1-1. The second half was the complete opposite and on 52 and 54 minutes poor defending saw us concede two sloppy goals. We threatened little going forward and Huntly made it 4-1 on 74 minutes with their second penalty.

We now enter the most important month in our history when it will be decided whether we remain in the Highland League or have to take part in a relegation play-off. The club also celebrates in April our 30^th anniversary. Interesting times as they say. Clachnacuddin visit Seafield Park on April 1.