BLUE CHRISTMAS

AWAY MATCH v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE 
MACKESSACK PARK, STATION STREET, ROTHES
TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER 2022 KO – 3pm

Lets hope it’s not a blue Christmas for Brian and the boys as we head towards Rothes and our second league match against them this December.  Our last meeting in Grantown unfortunately ultimately resulted in the resignation of our manager, Charlie Brown. Hopefully the game will go ahead as it’ll be the first with our new management team in place and they and the players are raring to go.

So it’s all change at the top and we look forward to our next adventure as we wish Brian, Craig and Robbie all the very best over the next few weeks until a new permanent management team is appointed..

Applications for the position of manager can be directed at our Club secretary Clive Wolstenholme. 

Our next scheduled league match is on Saturday 7 January with an away match against Forres Mechanics FC in Forres with a 3pm kick off.


WELCOME BACK ROSS

Christmas came early to Seafield Park with the news that former player Ross Logan has returned  – and Strathspey Thistle FC  are delighted to announce his permanent signing.

Gaffer Brian Ritchie  had this to say on his new addition.

“Delighted to have the opportunity to work with Ross again having previously coached him during our time together at Clach….Ross is a top quality player with a first class work rate and attitude towards his football and training. I am also very grateful to Strathspey Thistle for putting this fantastic piece of business together. 
Hopefully this signing will show any interested parties in the vacant Manager’s position the clubs ambitions to build a quality squad for the future. “

We would like to thank Clachnacuddin FC for allowing this deal to happen.


CLUB LOTTERY

As ever in finishing we would like to offer you the chance of winning the jackpot of £2500 – just in time for the New Year- click here to play online.

As you know the draw usually takes place on a Sunday evening and because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday this year the following draw arrangements have been made for over the festive season.
The dates and times are as follows:
Sunday 25 December’s draw is moved to Wednesday 28 December at 7pm – last online sale 6pm
Sunday 1 January’s draw is moved to Wednesday 4 January 2023 at 7pm – last online sale 6pm  
Sunday 8 January 2023 draw remains the same at 7pm – last online sale 6pm 

2022 -2023

ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU AND YOURS FOR 2023

Everyone and their families involved with Strathspey Thistle would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters and all their families for their loyalty throughout 2022 – it’s not been easy but hopefully there will be a turn of fortune in 2023.

We wish everyone all the best for the New Year and beyond at this reflective time of the year.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

AWAY MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
BELLSLEA PARK, FRASERBURGH, AB43 9BB
SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2022 KO – 3pm

Did you know that the first ever mainland lighthouse was situated in Fraserburgh in 1787 – neither did I! 
Anyway, back to the fitba and this week sees us on our travels east again to the coast and Bellslea Park for our second league encounter this season with the current Highland League champions, Fraserburgh FC. 
We always get a good welcome from The ‘Broch and we look forward to our visit there. 
However, our last meeting in Grantown resulted in a fairly hefty home defeat so hopefully although the odds are against it, we hope to dent the welcome with a good result.

It’ll be the first time that Brian, Craig and Robbie will be temporarily in charge of the team after Charlie’s departure, so we would like to wish all of them all the best from Jagsweb and look forward to what happens in the new year.  

Hopefully the extreme winter weather conditions will not affect the match but I have my doubts.
For up-to-date news on the game’s playability please keep a check on social media and local radio.


SEAFIELD PARK

As you can imagine with a flurry of snow showers and temperatures reaching -14 C the pitch is under about 15cm of snow and unplayable……but as the League fixtures would have it, our next home match is scheduled for the 14 Jan 2023……so hopefully, fingers crossed the winter weather will improve by then!!!

Our next league match after Fraserburgh is in Rothes on the 27 December and this is our last game of 2022.

2023
Away League match v Forres Mechanics FC Saturday 7 January 2023 – 3pm kick off
Home League match v Lossiemouth FC Saturday 14 January 2023 – 3pm kick off
Away League match v Brechin City FC on Saturday 28 January 2023  will have a 2pm kick off.
Away League match v Inverurie Loco Works FC  on Saturday 11 February 2023 will have a 2pm kick off


CLUB LOTTERY

As ever in finishing we would like to offer you the chance of winning the jackpot of £2400 – just in time for Christmas – click here to play online.

As you know the draw usually takes place on a Sunday evening and because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday this year the following draw arrangements have been made for over the festive season.
The dates and times are as follows:
Sunday 25 December’s draw is moved to Wednesday 28 December at 7pm – last online sale 6pm
Sunday 1 January’s draw is moved to Wednesday 4 January 2023 at 7pm – last online sale 6pm  
Sunday 8 January 2023 draw remains the same at 7pm – last online sale 6pm 

A MERRY CHRISTMAS 

As this will be the last post before Christmas, everyone at Strathspey Thistle FC would like to wish all our supporters, helpers and everyone who takes an interest a very Happy Christmas and hope Santa is good to you all….and as ever lets not miss the opportunity of promoting our merchandise – buy clicking here….. 

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

Following on from the announcement yesterday we are in a position to announce the Interim Management Team to take the club forward until we appoint a new Management Team.
Brian Ritchie will be taking charge and assisted by Craig Ireland and Robert Flett. We wish Brian and team all the best for his time in the role.

Brian Ritchie

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

Charlie Brown

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

Strathspey Thistle would like to confirm as from yesterday afternoon Charlie Brown has stood down from his role of Team Manager with immediate effect.

The club would like to put on record their great appreciation of Charlie’s professionalism and effort he gave to the club in this tough time.

Thank you Charlie Brown and we wish you all the best for the future.

STFC.

BUCKIE THISTLE GAME OFF

As we thought yesterday, tomorrow’s match against Buckie Thistle has been postponed due to inclement weather conditions.
Our next match will be away to Fraserburgh next Saturday more details next week.

ROCK THE BOAT

HOME GAME v BUCKIE THISTLE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER 2022

Buckie Harbour

Featured photograph this week is Buckie harbour – so that must mean that this Saturday we welcome Buckie Thistle FC. 

Buckie currently sitting on top of the Breedon Highland League have already beaten us convincingly at Victoria Park in August, and since then both teams couldn’t have had a more diverse season – we cannot but expect an exceptionally difficult game but as we always say you never know in football. 

Buckie always have a good travelling support so we look forward to seeing them again – click here if you need any more information for your visit. 

Hopefully our Jags outperform your Jags……

Seafield Park – Thursday 8 December

Having enthused about the game there is a distinct possibility of Mother Nature scuppering all plans as this is what Seafield Park looks like this afternoon (Thursday) and with the forecast for more snow and overnight frosts it may be advisable to check social media and local radio to see if the game will be played on Saturday.

LAST WEEK’S MOTM

The Cairngorm Gin MOTM was Jack Davison who put in a right good shift even though the result went very much against us. 


UPDATE ON FUTURE GAMES

Next Home match v Buckie Thistle FC on Saturday 10 December – 2pm kick off.
Away match v Fraserburgh FC on Saturday 17 December – 3pm kick off
Away League match v Rothes FC on Tuesday 27 December – 3pm kick off 

2023
Away League match v Forres Mechanics FC Saturday 7 January 2023 – 3pm kick off
Home League match v Lossiemouth FC Saturday 14 January 2023 – 3pm kick off
Away League match v Brechin City FC on Saturday 28 January 2023  will have a 2pm kick off.
Away League match v Inverurie Loco Works FC  on Saturday 11 February 2023 will have a 2pm kick off.

CLUB LOTTERY

As is our usual custom we offer you the chance of winning a jackpot of £2300 by playing online – click here – and thank you and good luck.

Also for Lottery players a reminder of what’s happening over the festive period – 

The dates and times are as follows:

Sunday 25 December’s draw is moved to Wednesday 28 December at 7pm – last online sale 6pm

Sunday 1 January’s draw is moved to Wednesday 4 January 2023 at 7pm – last online sale 6pm  

Sunday 8 January 2023 draw remains the same at 7pm – last online sale 6pm 


That’s all folks – see you next week ….

CLIVE’S NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2022

2nd  A day all ‘Jags’ fans had waited for this season. OUR FIRST WIN. On a damp night in Inverness at Grant Street Park the side gave by far their best show of the season so far. An early goal by Aiden Cruickshank settled the team and they kept the pressure on Clach throughout the first half and were rewarded by Liam Grant netting his first of the season. The players showed what they can do over 90 minutes so let us hope this is the turning point as we go into the second half of the season.

5th  A special day today as we welcomed to Seafield Park, for their first league visit, Banks o’ Dee from Aberdeen. To celebrate Rob Clark produced a programme to celebrate the day. Visiting chairman Brian Winton was presented with a copy. The cost of the programme was supported by local painter and decorator Dai Lovatt for which the club was very grateful. The game was the opposite of Wednesday night’s performance. A goal down on nine minutes was not the start we wanted and it became 2-0 on 29 minutes. Thomas McInnes brought a wonder save from Dee’s goalkeeper, Ross Salmon, just after and had that gone in who knows what would have happened.  It was even for the opening twenty minutes of the second half until 2 goals were conceded on 64 and 66 minutes and game was gone. 7-0 was a very disappointing finish. A positive on the day was the visit from Dundee of Sean Anderson and his friends who took advantage of one of hospitality packages the club has to offer. Their support is appreciated. 

Sean and his friends

12thThe players trained today in preparation for the visit of Formartine United on November 19. It will be a 2 pm kick off. Elsewhere, in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup there were wins for Banks o’ Dee, Brechin City, Buckie Thistle, Turriff, Forres Mechanics, Inverurie Locos and Formartine. The draw for the quarter finals is; Banks o’ Dee v Forres Mechanics, Formartine United v Buckie Thistle, Nairn County v Brechin City and Turriff United v Inverurie Locos. Ties to be played on Saturday December 3.

19thIt took Formartine until the 70th minute to break The Jags resistance when Julian Wade converted a disputed penalty and Graeme Rodgers made the the game safe on 80 for the team from Pitmedden Park. Late on, Strathspey’s Man of the Match, Goalkeeper Oliver Kelly, saved a second Julian Wade penalty. With the poor weather leading up to the weekend putting paid to games at Keith, Rothes and Nairn, it is a credit to everyone who worked so hard to get the game played. This was our 17th game of the league season, the halfway point of the campaign.

26th  As the second half of the season is upon us it is now we all understand that these next five months are the most important for the club since it was formed 30 years ago. It was with this in mind as we set off to Banff for our game with Deveronvale-a real six pointer. When we played them at Seafield Park in early August the result was 2-2 and the general feeling was it was a game we could and should have won. Nothing was going to prepare you for what happened at Banff. We were blown away by seven goals and we really didn’t see that coming. There is nothing further to say on what was a poor afternoon. Dust ourselves down and prepare for two upcoming home games against Rothes and Buckie Thistle followed by a trip to Fraserburgh.

29thMark Holmes our assistant coach notified the club that due to family commitments he would be standing down from his role with immediate effect. We wish him all the best and thank him for his time and effort for the club.

Play the JAGS lottery by clicking here


GOING UP THE RIVER

NEXT HOME MATCH v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 2022 – 2PM KO

Yes, it’s another two o’clock kick off on Saturday when Rothes FC visit Grantown for our first encounter of the season with our Speyside friends. 

Rothes currently sit in a commendable seventh place in the league and manager Ross Jack will have his team already for the clash of the Speyside rivals – last season the spoils were shared with both teams winning their away games – so hopefully the result from Seafield Park will be reversed this season and we can put three points in the bag!

We usually welcome a large and vociferous support from Rothes – so if you wish more spectator information please click here.

In 2019 we played Rothes and there was a rainbow…lets hope if there’s one on Saturday there are three points at the end of it for the Jags…..

LAST SATURDAY
It was possibly one of our worst ever performances since joining the Highland League, one of our supporters was heard to say after last weeks visit to Banff and our seven-nil mauling by Deveronvale – a result which returns us to the bottom of the league. Everyone at the club is hoping for a better showing on Saturday….and quoting Greavsie “It’s a funny ol’game!” – lets hope so.


Mark Holmes

MARK HOLMES
Mark informed chairman Donly McLeod on Monday that owing to family committments he would be unable to continue his role as assistant manager with immediate effect. 
We thank Mark for his contribution to Strathspey Thistle and wish him well for the future.


DATES AND TIMES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Next Home match v Buckie Thistle FC on Saturday 10 December – 2pm kick off.
Away match v Fraserburgh FC on Saturday 17 December – 3pm kick off
Away League match v Rothes FC on Tuesday 27 December – 3pm kick off 

Away League match v Forres Mechanics FC Saturday 7 January 2023 – 3pm kick off
Away League match v Brechin City FC on Saturday 28 January 2023  will have a 2pm kick off.
Away League match v Inverurie Loco Works FC  on Saturday 11 February 2023 will have a 2pm kick off.


CLUB LOTTERY

As usual we end with a mention for the Club Lottery and by clicking here and spending £1, you will be in with a chance of winning the jackpot of £2200 – just in time for Christmas.

Speaking of which we are changing the draw dates over the festive period.
The dates and times are as follows:

Sunday 18 December draw as usual

Sunday 25 December’s draw is moved to Wednesday 28 December at 7pm – last online sale 6pm

Sunday 1 January’s draw is moved to Wednesday 4 January 2023 at 7pm – last online sale 6pm  

Sunday 8 January 2023 draw remains the same at 7pm – last online sale 6pm 


See you next week sports fans – we host Buckie Thistle….

WATCHING THE RIVER FLOW

AWAY MATCH V DEVERONVALE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
PRINCESS ROYAL PARK, BANFF, AB45 1AZ
SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2022

Owen Loveland skips by a couple of Deveronvale defenders during our first league encounter in Grantown in August which ended 2-2
Stephen Kelly(extreme left) scores The Jags first goal in the ‘Vale game in August

On Saturday we’ll be watching the River Deveron flow by, as the Jags roll into town for our encounter with Deveronvale FC. It’s our second league game of the season against The Vale and as ever we look forward to meeting everyone at Princess Royal Park..

It’s now over sixteen years since Deveronvale won the Highland League and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then – for example The Jags were still a Junior Club then.

Most games between the clubs have usually been a pretty close affair – the game at Seafield Park in August finished in a draw 2-2, and it looks as though it could be very close game this Saturday. ‘Vale manager Craig Stewart stated in the press that it was a must win for Deveronvale – which is exactly the same that was said by Jags boss Charlie Brown. 
The three wins and three draws this season put Deveronvale one place above us – but seven points ahead so we must get something out of the match

Incidentally “Watching The River Flow” was written by Nethy Bridge songster Bob Dylan….!!


First half goalmouth action v Formartine last Saturday – pic © courtesy of Nick Wolstenholme, secretary Clive’s son.

The Jags were unlucky in our league game last Saturday afternoon against fifth placed Formartine United.  After reaching half time level, a contentious penalty was awarded to Formartine after seventy minutes which they scored from. Our keeper Olly Kelly made some important saves following this but could do nothing when Formartine doubled their lead ten minutes later. Another penalty was awarded to the visitors but this time Kelly pulled off a great save. Probably, on their second half display Formartine deserved their win.

For more on the game, and the Highland League as well, check out the excellent coverage in the local newspaper The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald in print and online.

NEXT HOME GAME KICK OFF 2PM
Just a reminder that next weeks home match v Rothes FC will kick off at 2pm.

DATES AND TIMES FOR YOUR DIARY AGAIN:

Away match v Deveronvale  FC on Saturday November 26 – 3 pm kick off.

Provisional Rearranged Home League match v Rothes FC  on Saturday 3 December – 2pm kick off.
( This should be played on 3 January 2023 but both clubs have agreed on the change – subject to approval )

Home match v Buckie Thistle  FC on Saturday 10 December – 2pm kick off.
Away match v Fraserburgh FC on Saturday 17 December – 3pm kick off
Away League match v Rothes FC on Tuesday 27 December – 3pm kick off 
Away match v Brechin City FC on Saturday 28 January 2023  will have a 2pm kick off.
Away match v Inverurie Loco Works FC  on Saturday 11 February 2023 will have a 2pm kick off.

All above information correct at time of writing this post –
but please check nearer the time – thanks.


CLUB LOTTERY

As we usually do we like to offer you the chance of winning the Club Lottery Jackpot of £2100 for only £1…play here…….thanks very much.

JOIN TOGETHER

HOME MATCH v FORMARTINE UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER  2022 – KO 2PM

YES, it’s a 2pm kick off – this is the first of what is looking like quite a regular starting time over the next couple of months or so.

This week we welcome players, officials and fans of Formartine United FC to Grantown.  United joined the Highland League at the same time as Strathspey Thistle but over the years their fortunes have been a wee bit better than ours. Manager Stuart Anderson and his team have only lost once in their last nine games so it will be a formidable task for the Jags again. 

Jags boss Charlie Brown said in the local paper “The Strathy” that it will be another very tough league game for us, but he has noticed that Formartine can concede – so if the Jags can tighten up in defence hopefully there’s a chance of picking up something from the game.….
Formartine sit in fifth position in the league…

For Formartine supporters if you need any more information click here.


PHOTO GALLERY
Last home game v Banks O’Dee match photos….on a nice sunny Autumn afternoon the lighting was nice…..unfortunately the score wasn’t!!

All photos © STFC/Stewart Grant

DATES AND TIMES FOR YOUR DIARY AGAIN:

Home match v Formartine FC on Saturday November 19 – 2pm kick off.

Away match v Deveronvale  FC on Saturday November 26 – 3 pm kick off.

Provisional Rearranged Home League match v Rothes FC  on Saturday 3 December – 2pm kick off.
( This should be played on 3 January 2023 but both clubs have agreed on the change – subject to approval )

Home match v Buckie Thistle  FC on Saturday 10 December – 2pm kick off.

Away match v Fraserburgh FC on Saturday 17 December – 3pm kick off

Away League match v Rothes FC on Tuesday 27 December – 3pm kick off 

Away match v Brechin City FC on Saturday 28 January 2023  will have a 2pm kick off.

Away match v Inverurie Loco Works FC  on Saturday 11 February 2023 will have a 2pm kick off.

All above information correct at time of writing this post – but please check nearer the time – thanks.

Club Secretary Clive is in contact with all the teams we are playing both home and away to ascertain if a 2pm kick off would be suitable for both teams.


CLUB LOTTERY JACKPOT £2000
As we normally finish with offering you easy access to playing online click here for a chance of winning a £2000 jackpot. Thanks very much and good luck.