Strathspey Thistle FC

MATCH v HUNTLY FC – 8 MARCH 2023 POSTPONED

As a photograph this is scenically beautiful – but it’s bad news for the Jags and Huntly fans planning on coming to the game tonight – as you can see there is a substantial snow covering and with temperatures expecting to remain below freezing for most of the day and plummeting to -12 degrees or similar again tonight the game has been postponed.

Thanks goes to committee member Alan McKenzie for the photo – ©STFC….

HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH 2023 – KO 8PM

Robert MacCormack takes his place in the dug out on Wednesday in his first home game as manager. 

We host Huntly FC and their fine supporters at Seafield Park, in a re-arranged fixture from 18 Feb when our pitch was covered in snow – and according to weather forecasts the game on Wednesday could be in jeopardy of starting too, as there is a few centimetres of snow lying and temperatures of -12 expected tonight (Tuesday).
Huntly, currently sit in eighth position on thirty-four points – three of them from a recent home win against title contenders Buckie Thistle – but generally their away form has not been as good as their home form, so hopefully, if we can put in the effort and guile that we did a couple of weeks ago against Nairn and Brora, it should be a good game and we can perhaps add some pointage to our league tally.

If any of the Huntly supporters haven’t been to Grantown click here for more information. 

THIS WEEKS PLAYER NEWS
Captain James McShane returns after work commitments. as does Mikey Grimes who has recovered from an eye injury. New signing Michael McKenzie could make his debut. 
We welcome Michael to Strathspey Thistle and we hope there’s many a goal to come and we wish him all the best! 
Hopefully we will be able to organise official photos of the new arrivals very soon.
Seamus McConoghy is still 50/50 as he is carrying a knock so he may not make it – Jordan Shaw and keeper Michael McCallum have been loaned out until the end of the season, Liam McDade is unavailable due to work commitments and Rory Williamson has been recalled by his parent club Nairn County.

Hopefully see you all at Seafield Park on Wednesday night but I’m afraid it doesn’t look very promising and not wanting to be so but still being the prophet of doom the weather may affect Saturday’s home match against Keith FC too. The joys of a …..Scottish Spring?

NO MATCH THIS SATURDAY
SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2023

That’s right folks we have the weekend off from the Breedon Highland League.

Last week’s visit to on-form Brora Rangers, who sit in fourth position in the league, was a vast improvement on the previous Wednesday’s result at Rothes.
Playing a new formation of a back five the boys looked very organised and although we were beaten by a goal in each half, the first coming in the 44th minute, new manager Robert MacCormack was delighted with the effort and commitment put in by his team and, although beaten, there was lots of positives to take from the game. 
There is a report of the game and a good article about Robert in this week’s Strathspey & Badenoch Herald.

But having no game this Saturday doesn’t mean the players are not near a football, as Robert is using the day for a get together in preperation for next week’s two games at Seafield Park – we play Huntly FC on Wednesday night – KO 8pm and followed by Keith on Saturday KO 3pm.  

However, we should be on weather-watch as prospects for the middle to end of next week is heavy snow and minus temperatures, especially at night, so fingers crossed for a more improved forecast nearer the time……..

ROBERT MACCORMACK

As we have no game preview this weekend we thought it would be an ideal opportunity to find out a little more about the new gaffer.

Born in Inverness, he attended South Lodge Primary in Invergordon – and then Invergordon Academy. It was during his schooldays, that he remembered vividly playing seven-a-side for Invergordon Junior FC. 
He graduated to Invergordon FC where he won the North Caledonian Division One and the North Caledonian Cup as a player, and then turning to management with Alness United, winning the North Caledonian League Division Two title which gained entry to the First Division. 
This year he accepted the offer of management here at Strathspey Thistle.
The biggest influences in his football career, in addition to his parents, were Edwin Skinner and Wattie Stewart and the player he admired most was Steven Gerrard.  
Away from the Highland League he supports Liverpool and Aberdeen.
So far, the best moments in his career has been representing Ross County youth teams and winning the division league at Alness United.

Robert has talent and ambition in abundance as well as great enthusiasm and everyone at The Jags is eager to see both Robert’s and our progress over the next few years so we wish him well on this journey.

BADENOCH ROOFING
There has been much debate between Strathspey Thistle and Grantown Golf Club over the construction of a safety net preventing footballs from damaging the slates on the clubhouse roof and there are talks ongoing for future net construction providing the necessary funds can be sourced.
So, as interim the Golf Club have asked that we check the roof at various times throughout the football season and maintain where necessary. 

This month we are indebted to the nice people at Badenoch Roofing who took time out of their busy schedule to help Strathspey Thistle fix some loose slates – we thank Andrew Borthwick for their generosity in completing this.  

LOCAL TABLE-TOP SUNDAY MARKET

Massive thanks are also due to our intrepid lottery fundraising convener Graeme Stuart who set up a stall in the Royal British Legion branch in Grantown for most of last Sunday selling lottery tickets, a selection of club merchandise consisting of club hats and scarves, collectible programmes and football books normally sold at the ground on match days.
The photo shows STFC committee member Tom Clarke visiting the stall and supporting the club also with a few purchases.

EASY-PLAY ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER 

As ever, the last word is encouraging you to play our fund-raising lotto game.
This week’s jackpot is £3500 so join the Strathy Jags family in raising vital funds for the club through Online Lotto hosted by Clubforce.  You can choose 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and add extra lines. Tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders. Click here to play.

Thank you – your help in fundraising is much appreciated.

See you next week…..

1^st   The club gives a warm welcome to our new assistant manager Robert MacCormack. He joins us after being first team manager at Invergordon FC, team manager at Black Rock Rovers FC and finally first team manager with Alness United FC of the North Caledonian League. He has various qualifications including the Scottish Football Association badges for 1.1 and 1.2 courses.

4^thIn one of the best performances of the season the team came very close to beating high flying Nairn County. After a goalless first 45 minutes, the Jags took the lead through a 20-yard shot from Daniel Whitehorn on 54 minutes and it was no more than they deserved. County came back fighting and on 87 minutes got the equaliser they had fought so hard for. In the second half referee Kevin Buchanan issued nine yellow cards in what was a feisty encounter. Although disappointed about not getting the season’s second win, upon reflection it was a very good result. A real confidence boost for everyone associated with the club

11^thOff to Aberdeenshire to take on Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park. The best day of 2023 for weather with sunshine and warmth. Last September we drew 2-2 with Locos at Seafield Park in a pulsating game, conceding a goal in the 85^th minute. It was the first time we had taken a point from Inverurie during our time in the Highland League. Today started ok but goals on 10 and 16 minutes set the team back and a further goal on 33 minutes left us with lots to do. The second half was more even and we created a couple of half chances but in the end conceded a fourth on the hour and it was game over. Prepare now for the visit of Huntly on February 18^th

15^thThe club are very pleased to announce that their new Manager is 32 year old Robert MacCormack who was first team manager of North Caledonian League side Alness United.

 He spent two and a half years with the club which includes winning the Ness Cup in 2021. Robert now has to start planning for a possible relegation two-leg game and also for next season and which league we will be playing in. The club wishes to place on record their thanks to Brian Ritchie and Craig Ireland who have run the team while the search for a new manager was carried out. Robbie Flett, our goal keeping coach will join with Robert.  Brian and Craig remain with the club and hope to bring through more local players to play for the Jags in the future.

17^thIn an interview with The Press and Journal new boss Robert MacCormack is optimistic about the future with Strathspey. He has always wanted to test himself at the highest level possible and is delighted by being given the opportunity with The Jags. 

18^th  Woke up to the sight of overnight heavy snow in the Strathspey area. Carried out two pitch inspections at 0800 and 0900 as Huntly needed to know by 0930 as their bus would be starting from Aberdeen. It was very disappointing for the club to have to call the game off but 3 to 4 inches of snow is difficult to clear. Financially the club took a hit because we had hospitality booked for the game and we are unlikely to have it for when the game is rescheduled.

19^thLeague secretary John Campbell informs us that the Huntly game will now be played on Wednesday March 8^th with kick off at 8pm.

22^ndRobert MacCormack makes his first signing by bringing 28 year old midfielder Michael Grimes to Seafield Park. He joins us from Alness United of the North Caledonian League. Tonight is Robert’s first game at MacKessack Park, Rothes. Again we conceded an early goal after 5 minutes but the team matched their hosts for the next 25 minutes with Ross Logan very close after a mazy run but again Rothes took charge and by half-time we were four down. The second period was a big disappointment for all Strathspey followers with the final score 9-0 to the home side. Not the start that Robert wanted and it doesn’t get any easier as on Saturday it’s up the A9 to Brora.

23^rd  A second signing confirmed today with 26 year old Jake Lockett, a forward, joining us from St.Duthus of the North Caledonian League. He has plenty of experience in that league and is hoping to make his debut on Satuday at Dudgeon Park Brora.

25^th  After the disappointing performance at Rothes it was with some foreboding we set off for Brora, a top six team and Champions two seasons ago. We need not have worried.  A fine defensive performance limited the home side to few chances and as the first half came to a close we were hopeful of keeping the reds goalless but it was not to be. With literally the last play of the opening 45 minutes a goal was conceded to a free header from a corner. 

The second half followed the pattern of the first as defensively we were organised and competitive but showed little attacking flair and eventually the pressure allowed the home team to score a second.  The performance of the team was a 100% improvement on Wednesday night at Rothes and let us hope we can follow up the much better team show when we face in our next two games, Huntly and Keith at Seafield Park on Wednesday 8 and Saturday 11 March respectively.
Clive Wolstenholme   28.022023

AWAY MATCH v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
DUDGEON PARK, BRORA KW9 6QP
SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023 – KO 3pm

We’re on the road again this Saturday, and we make our way up the A9 to Brora and a 3pm kick off at Dudgeon Park against the high flying Brora Rangers. 
The Cattachs sit in a very respectable fifth place in the Breedon Highland League so again we will be expecting an exceptionally difficult game, especially with the still painful memories of a resounding defeat at Seafield Park back in October and following on from a heavy defeat in Rothes on Wednesday night.
According to my spies at Rothes we competed very well until half-time ….if you don’t count the mistakes which caused the goals  – and goals iz the name of the game – but after half time we were never at the races!! 
Unfortunately, this seems to have been quite a common occurrence this year. 

Hopefully on Saturday in Brora, the Jags will give a much improved performance both halves.

New team manager Robert MacCormack recently stated that being such a young team we do lack the experience of Highland League, and, perhaps, our fitness levels are lesser than the other teams we are playing – our second half performances rarely match our first half ones.
These are both avenues Robert is endeavouring to change before the end of the season with preparations for a strong pre-season in hand, and some new faces around Seafield Park next season.

NEW SIGNINGS

Robert began the rebuilding this week by signing two players in time for the Rothes game. Michael Grimes and Jake Lockett joined us.
Michael, 28, a midfielder, joins from Alness United and Jake, 26, a forward, from St Duthus and both are experienced in the North Caledonian League – we welcome them to the Club and wish them all the best and a barrowload of goals…..

LOTTERY

Bit of a truncated post this week but as ever we finish with a request that if you want to help the Club’s finances bu playing our fundraiser weekly Lottery game. This weeks jackpot is £3400 – to play click here – Thank you.

NO GAME NEXT WEEK

The Jags have no scheduled game next week as there are cup games and re-scheduled league matches taking place Saturday 4 March but we have a bumper extravaganza coming up the following week with two home games in a row – a Wednesday 8 March floodlit match against Huntly and a Saturday showdown – 11 March – against Keith.

Hope to see you at Seafield Park then.

AWAY MATCH v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES, AB38 7RU
WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2023 – KO 8pm

We’re off down the A95 to a floodlit meeting with our fellow Speysiders in a Breedon Highland League match which was originally meant to have been played on December 27. Similar to last Saturday, the weather intervened and the game was postponed. 
Rothes currently sit in seventh place in the league and come off a good result against Forres last weekend. 

Most of the Jags squad are all fine for selection and the Rothes game, normally, is a hard fought and entertaining one with the usual jovial banter from both sets of supporters.

This will be our new manager Robert MacCormack’s first game in full charge – it should have been last Saturday’s home match against Huntly.  The home fans will now have to wait till Wednesday March 8 to see the Jags in action at home again, with the rescheduled Huntly match (8pm KO). This is followed on the Saturday(11th) by another home match, this time against Keith FC – usual KO 3pm – two dates for the diary, both games look very interesting…… 

There will be more about Robert in the Brora preview on Friday….

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PHYSIOTHERAPIST REQUIRED

The Club are wondering if there are any qualified physios or persons undergoing physio training who would be able to join the club – we very much appreciate that perhaps the commitment of every Saturday between July and April is very daunting, but at a recent STFC committee meeting it was discussed that perhaps it could be carried out as a “job-share” – i.e. if a few interested parties offered themselves then perhaps a rota system could be put in place.
So, if you, or someone you know would be interested in having a chat about joining us please contact our Secretary Clive on wolstc@aol.com – Thank you in advance.

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ROB’S TALK

We seem to have a proliferation of Roberts now at the club…….this time it’s the turn of Club historian Rob Clark, and his talk last Friday, on the history of football in Grantown from the 1870’s till the 1940’s.  

One of the gems from his talk was that in the late 1880’s – early 1890’s the first football club formed in Grantown was……Strathspey Thistle!
No records of them feature after that until the current Jags were formed on the 18 April1993… although there have been numerous other differently monikered Grantown teams over the years – it was all really fascinating stuff…and his book on the subject will be published August / September this year….

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WE’LL BACK ON FRIDAY JAGS FANS……

HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC – 18 FEBRUARY 2023

9.15 am – Seafield Park, Saturday 18 February 2023

As you can see Seafield Park has succumbed to Winter with Mother Nature, and the conditions have, unfortunately,  forced us to postpone our Breedon Highland League match against Huntly which was meant to have kicked off today at 3pm.
It is such a disappointment as it would have been new manager Robert MacCormack’s first game in charge and everyone at the Club was, as usual, really looking forward to the game.

Robert and the team’s thoughts now turn to Wednesday night and an away match against Rothes FC at Mackessock Park – KO 8pm.

By the way, there was an excellent and very positive interview with Robert in yesterday’s Press & Journal.

HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN, PH26 3HY
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2023 – KO 3pm

WELL IT’S BEEN QUITE A WEEK 

Robert MacCormack takes his place in the home team dug out on Saturday for the first time as our new manager.
Everyone at the Club is delighted and we all hope that Robert and his assistants can take the club to a higher competitive level. 
He is already planning for next year and how he hopes to lead the Club on a more successful path.

Hopefully we will still be in the Highland League – I think we have resigned ourselves to the fact that we’re not going to win the league this year – but everyone at the Club are aware of the future difficulties that could face us, but we are all very positive and upbeat for the future.  

On behalf of the Club can we take this opprtunity to thank the interim management team of Brian Ritchie and Craig Ireland, who stepped in very quickly, and, have done a great job for the club – and I suspect will be available to liaise with Robert, especially in the immediate future.

Another piece of positive news is that interim assistant manager Craig Ireland has joined the committee.  This follows two more new members Alan McKenzie and Rob Clark who joined last week.

SATURDAY’S MATCH

This week we host Huntly FC and their fine supporters at Seafield Park, and with a kick off at the more normal time of 3pm.
Huntly, currently sit in tenth position on twenty-eight points – three of them from a recent home win against title contenders Buckie Thistle – but generally their away form has not been as good as their home form, so hopefully, if we can put in the effort and guile that we did a couple of weeks ago against Nairn, it should be a good game and we can perhaps add some pointage to our league tally.

If any of the Huntly supporters haven’t been to Grantown click here for more information about the amenities available.

ROBBIE FLETT

….and there’s more good news as Robbie Flett has been appointed First Team Coach. Robbie has been associated with the Jags for many’s a year and its an appointment well deserved. Again it’s onwards and upwards for the Club….

FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY – HISTORY OF FOOTBALL IN GRANTOWN

As part of the Grantown Society’s series of talks, this month it’s the turn of the aforementioned committee member and Strathspey Thistle’s club historian, Rob Clark. 

Rob will be telling us all about the history of the game and the people involved, research he has been carrying out in preparation of the book that will be published hopefully towards the end of the year.  I know it will exceptionally interesting for us football fans. 
See you there.

THE CLUB’S FUNDRAISING LOTTO

So as we finish this week’s post, as ever, can we offer you the prospect of winning the jackpot of £3300 in our fundraising Club Lotto – please click here to play online – thank you very much for your support.

All we need to do now is to wish Robert, Robbie and the boys all the best for Saturday and beyond……

See you next week sportsfan’s….

STRATHSPEY THISTLE APPOINT NEW MANAGER

WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2023

Robert MacCormack has been appointed full time manager of Strathspey Thistle Football Club.

Robert, who was appointed assistant manager last week, was offered the manager’s job after impressing over the past couple of weeks. The Club have recognised Robert’s potential as manager and have made the decision to give him the job.

Robert’s first game in charge will be Saturday’s home match against Huntly and he will continue liaising with Strathspey Thistle’s Head of Football Development, Brian Ritchie, a partnership which will benefit the club tremendously.

Robert will now also be able to start preparing for next season and take in or release players as he sees fit, and have a basis of a squad ready for a good pre-season and, hopefully, a more successful Highland League campaign for the 23/24 season.

Strathspey Thistle are delighted that Robert has accepted the role and look forward to a very positive working relationship for the future.

AWAY MATCH v INVERURIE LOCO WORKS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
HARLAW PARK, INVERURIE   AB51 6AN
SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY KO – 2pm

Well, it’s off down the A95 and A96 and the sixty three miles to Inverurie for this weeks Breedon Highland League match kick off 3pm at Harlaw Park.
Inverurie have a had a wee dip in form recently with some up and down performances and results after a relatively good start to the season – but they are still in sixth place in the league so they’ve obviously doing something right.
In our home match in September the score was 2-2 so hopefully we’ll be coming back up the road with at least one point, especially after The Jags drawing against Nairn County last week. 

REMEMBER THIS IS A 2pm KICK OFF

Speaking of last week’s game at Seafield Park in front of a healthy attendance, The Jags had one of their best performances for a long time.
Everyone played their part in what turned into a fiesty competitive match. With James Kendall making a very impressive debut in goals, The Jags took the lead with Daniel Whitehorn scoring from the edge of the penalty box early in the second half and this led to a nervous half hour from the Jags fans. It could have been two but Ross Logan was denied a penalty when he was brought down by the Nairn keeper – well Jags fans thought so – and a much debated corner led to Nairn scrambling an equaliser in the 87th minute.
Nairn had the bulk of the pressure in the second half so a draw was probably just about right…..but the home fans were very pleased with their team’s performance and the hope is that this is the beginning of more consistent and hard working performances.

ROBERT MACCORMACK

Taking his place in the home team’s dug out for the first time was our new Assistant Manager Robert MacCormack. robert, who had a very impressive time as manager of Alness United in the North Caledonian League, was delighted with the performance although as is always he says improvements will made…. More from Robert in the coming weeks.

NEW SIGNINGS

Also making this debut on Saturday was James Kendall, who put in a very good and steady performance but, due to committments made before signing, he’ll not be available for a couple of weeks. So, with Michael MacCallum still working away, we welcome back Olly Kelly between the posts, who’s loan deal from Elgin City was interrupted by having to return to his parent club for cover after one of the Elgin keepers were injured.

We have also recruited from interim manager Brian Ritchie’s Strathspey Thistle in Community team striker/forward Rory McKinnon so we welcome them all and wish them all the best.

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NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

We welcome Alan McKenzie and Rob Clark to the committee.

 Alan arrived in Grantown last April with his wife, daughter and grand-daughter after many years in the the south of England running a successful property business. He quickly became a fixture at our home games and has been helping us out with pitch repairs after every home game – so Alan will be a great asset to the club.

Rob needs no introduction as his role as Club Historian has been mentioned a few times and as a stalwart of the local branch of the Royal British Legion for many years. Rob is giving an eagerly anticipated talk on the history of Grantown football and it’s place in world football a week Friday (17 February) at the Grant Arms Hotel, here in Grantown…see you all there!

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THIS WEEK’S STRATHY

We sent a letter to our local and very supportive newspaper this week outlining the strife that comes with a small local professional football team based in the north-east Scottish Highlands.

It reads……

Dear Sir
May I take this opportunity through the “Strathy” to thank everyone who continues to help in the running of Strathspey Thistle – from loyal fans to our main sponsors. We’d also like to thank the Strathy for it’s continued support.
As anyone who is interested in the Highland League will know we have not had the best of seasons so far, but big changes have taken place and there is a more positive outlook. 
There was a feeling last summer amongst the committee that we would like to try and encourage more local involvement, especially on the playing side, and the appointment of Brian Ritchie as Head of Football Development has been instrumental in moving this forward – with Brian’s ‘Strathspey Thistle in the Community’ football team supplying seven signed players who are in the squad this year – four were involved in last Saturday’s excellent draw against ninth place Nairn County. 
We have also had contact with Strathspey Rovers and hope that more liason between all three clubs will and can only be to everyone’s benefit.
For the first time in the Jags dug-out on Saturday was new Assistant Manager Robert MacCormack, whose work with Alness United has been very impressive. 
A new manager will be confirmed in the next couple of weeks or so, and the club are very positive for the future that things will go well on the park.

However, it’s not only on the park that a football club survives….and Strathspey Thistle over the years has been served by a stalwart bunch of volunteers behind the scenes.  The Club are very thankful to them, but as we look to the future we would be very pleased to welcome new help to run the Club – perhaps yourself – or you may know of someone keen on football who would enjoy helping us out on match days, or possibly have a couple of hours to assist with some weekly tasks, or maybe join the committee where their skills could be very much utilised in the running of the Club. 
We are indebted to our major sponsors Ross at McGowan Environmental Engineering, Steven and Alan at MKM Aviemore and Jon at The Grantown Diner and The Pagoda, because without them we would not be able to exist.  
We also want to express our gratitude to all the companies and individuals who have an advertising board on the periphery of the pitch at Seafield Park and we also very much appreciate our loyal and dedicated supporters who are at all the home games, and our faithful fund-raising Lottery players.
But today’s times are hard as you know, and, if there was anyone willing to help financially or with a sponsorship e.g.  an individual player can be sponsored or perhaps,advertise your business with a pitch side ad-board. Financially it would mean so much as players and management wages, energy bills, transport costs and pitch maintainance are all escalating and a small rural Club like Strathspey Thistle suffers substantially more than many of our rivals.
Perhaps that all sounds a bit gloomy ……but, there is a a promising future ahead and it would be great if you could be a part of it – whether by buying a fund-raiser lottery ticket online every week or coming along and watching a game or by helping us on a match day – everything is much appreciated.

If you’d be willing to help out please come along on a home match day and talk to one of the committee or phone Club Secretary Clive Wolstenholme on 01479 811334 – thanks.

Our next home game at Seafield Park is on February 18 – a Breedon Highland League match against Huntly FC – maybe see you there.

Yours
Strathspey Thistle 

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LOTTERY FUNDRAISER

As is usual at this time we focus on our fund-raising Club Lottery and your chance of winning the £3200 by playing here – good luck and see you next week for the preview of our home match against Huntly FC on the 18 February – Huntly are currently in tenth position so it should be a cracker!