Strathspey Thistle FC

HOME MATCH v CLACHNUDDIN FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2025 KO 8 pm

Arriving in Grantown on Wednesday night for their Breedon Highland League match is Clachnacuddin FC, and we welcome the team, their management and supporters to Seafield Park.
Clach are having an excellent season so far. Their dramatic improvement has meant that they currently sit in fifth place in the league as opposed to last season when they finished just above us in second bottom position.
That obviously means that this will be yet another tough match and we will be hoping that The Jags continue the form shown in the last half hour at Banks O’Dee on Saturday. 
We look forward to a close encounter under the Seafield Park lights, and as ever we wish Ryan and the boys all the best.

It’ll be our fourth game against Clach this season and although we have yet to beat them the last game resulted in a two-nil loss with Clach scoring their second in the last minute. You never know it might be fourth time lucky…..

If any of the travelling support need a resumé of what’s happening in Grantown click here
This will be the second of four home mid-week games in March – next week we welcome Huntly after visiting Inverurie Locos on Saturday.

SATURDAY’S MATCH v BANKS O’DEE

As I have said before, if football matches lasted eighty minutes we would be half way up the table this season……and not where we sit at the moment!
We got off to a bad start at Spain Park, Aberdeen when Banks O’Dee took the lead after seven minutes and thoroughly deserved their half time lead, as they were unlucky not to add to their tally, thanks to some well organised defending and a couple of bits of luck maybe.
But 1-0 it stayed at half-time, and on fifty-eight minutes BO’D were awarded a penalty but Jags’ keeper Euan Storrier saved the spot kick.

This seemed to energise the Jags and after a couple of substitutions and positional changes, we upped our game considerably and were rewarded after eighty-two minutes when Conor McPhee equalised, after which, we hit the bar and the post…..however it was to no avail as BO’D sub Anderson scored what was the winning goal following a goalmouth scramble on the ninetieth minute!!!

Liam Shewan just about doubled our tally with a great shot that rocketed off the bar in the fourth minute of added time, but according to the Jags’ posse that were present, BO’D were glad to hear the final whistle as we competed exceptionally well for at least the last thirty minutes against a top three positioned side in the SHFL.

Obviously boss Ryan Esson was gutted at the end, but was very proud of the team’s performance and again it shows we are improving.

Saturday’s team was
Euan Storrier, Ali Nixon, Zach Macphee, Dean Stewart(T), Jamie Calder, Cameron Lisle, Lewis Mackie, Daniel Whitehorn, Scot Docherty, Keiran Duffty and James Fraser(C) – Subs were Ethan Rae(G) Conor McPhee, Liam Shewan, Josh Race, Jordan Laidlaw, Caelan Mutch, James McShane, Aaron Doran.

It’s good to see Jordan back on the bench after a long injury.

STRATHSPEY ROVERS

On Saturday morning at Seafield Park, Strathspey Rovers held their mini-tournament with over seventy children from Strathspey, Elgin, Keith and Nairn attending and Rover’s spokesperson wanted to pass on a massive thank you to the Jags for allowing them access to the pitch and facilities and said that the children loved it. 

We want to thank Strathspey Rovers for all work they do over the year especially in putting on such a successful tournament and we look forward to continually working with them in the future.

AWAY MATCH v BANKS O’DEE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SPAIN PARK, ABERDEEN, AB12 3AB
SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

It’s not little feat we’ll need but mighty big feet as we travel to Aberdeen for this Saturday’s Breedon Highland League match against third placed Banks O’Dee at Spain Park, appropriately situated on the banks of the River Dee.
The Dee have had an interesting few weeks with some excellent results coupled with one or two surprise results including being beaten by Forres at Spain Park less than a month ago, and a draw against Huntly on Wednesday night, so there maybe a chink in the armour…..for as we always say you never know in football….

As is our usual custom we wish Ryan and the boys all the best and he hopefully will have a couple of players back from injury.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT v BUCKIE THISTLE AT SEAFIELD PARK

Although the scoreline read 4-1 to Buckie that doesn’t tell the whole story……

The game started brightly for the Strathy Jags by carving out a couple of really good chances….again…. but it would be to no avail as local Aviemore man Josh Peters scored the first of his four goals in the twenty-third minute for Buckie.
Very soon after this we had a very good shout for a penalty denied, and unfortunately we then went further behind after thirty-six minutes. Buckie were playing some really good football and on forty minutes they were awarded what the local fans thought a soft penalty, followed five minutes later with a real stonewaller – no complaints…. in fact it was a tough few minutes for our on-loan keeper for the evening from Forres Mechanics, Corey Patterson. After this, and just on half-time we were denied a goal – more on this later. If decisions had gone our way it could have been a 2-3 scoreline at the break.

So four-nil down at half time, the boys then put in a very commendable forty-five minutes starting with Liam Shewan scoring five minutes in, and with both teams missing a couple of chances late on, the home fans felt we competed well and with no more Buckie goals we now move on to another very tough game on Saturday in Aberdeen.

A concern to the management team was Filip Franczak picking up what looked like a nasty injury late in the second half….

To see Liam’s goal click here

THE GOAL THAT NEVER WAS RANT…..

Strangely enough earlier on in the game I took the above photo on my phone of some goalmouth action when we were attacking – the photo shows the corner of the net where the ball landed about thirty-five minutes later, yet was judged to not cross the line by the officials, yet, myself and the Buckie and Strathspey fans placed on both sides of the goalposts and the goal line, saw the whole ball definitely cross the line by a fair distance…..
I know it’s an extremely difficult job being an official, one that we respect very much as a Club, but it is also exceptionally frustrating being a supporter of a team when wrong decisions are made.
I can’t remember which English League manager said, or when he said it, but I think he wasn’t far wrong saying that when clubs are fighting at the bottom of the league they seem to have no luck with decisions etc.
I did very politely comment to the official that it was definitely a goal to which he replied that “that was your opinion”… 
I know it’s ifs and buts etc but had decisions gone our way it could have been a completely different score altogether……sour grapes …of course it is….but it just adds to the joys and tribulations of football which keeps bringing us back week after week.

OOOPS! 

After last Saturday’s league match against Keith our match sponsors Westgate Stainless & Alloys Ltd chose captain James McShane as their Man of the Match – the photo taken by Laura, our commercial director, shows Darren Gould from the sponsors presenting James with his award. This should have been in the last post!

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FIXTURES UPDATE 

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY…..Fixtures between now and the end of the season are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information ….
Saturday 8 March – Banks O’Dee FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 12 March – Clachnacuddin FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 15 March – Inverurie Locos FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 26 March – Brechin City FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 5 April – Wick Academy FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 9 April – Keith FC – away – KO 8pm
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC – home – KO 3pm

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MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL is a free app from the SFA, downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – for teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!

Printed team lines available at the gate may be confined to history……not quite yet as not everyone has a mobile……but there will probably not be as many available….

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

It has been confirmed that this year’s Golf Fundraising Day at Grantown Golf Club will be on Saturday 12 July and our now annual FunDay will be held on Saturday June 12 with various activities which will be confirmed nearer the time…..but if it is anything like last year a good day will be had by all!  More details soon…..

LOTTERY NOW £10,100

It ’s a gigantic £10,100 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…and good luck!
LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

HOME MATCH v BUCKIE THISTLE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2025 KO 8 pm

On Wednesday we welcome players, management and supporters of Buckie Thistle FC …..hopefully, it being a Wednesday night, it will not infringe on the Buckie fans making the trip to Grantown as they usually bring a healthy support with them.
Buckie arrive on the back of a two-nil win at Nairn on Saturday and although they currently sit in eighth spot in the league, lowly in their terms, they still bring a mean-looking threat with them.
Our away performance in Buckie back in August was nothing to write home about, but over the season there have been a few chinks in their armour, so with some of the impressive performances the Strathy Jags have put in over the past few games it will hopefully be an eventful game under the Seafield Park floodlights.
Jags keeper Euan Storrier and defender Sam Morrison are not available for this game as Buckie are their parent club.

As ever we wish Ryan and the boys all the best as another win is not too far away……

If any supporter wants a resumé of what is available in Grantown – please click here

We are off to Aberdeen on Saturday with our away match against current third placed Banks O’Dee and we then welcome fifth placed Clachnacuddin to Seafield Park next Wednesday night…..who said it would be easy!  

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH v KEITH FC

Again from a Jags’ point of view it was a case of missed chances, something we seem to be saying mighty often these days.

The team lining up to face Keith was –
Euan Storrier, Ali Nixon, Filip Franczak, captain James McShane, triallist Dean Stewart, (who, according to Jags’ fans had an excellent debut), Conor MacPhee, Josh Race, Liam Shewan, Caelan Mutch, James Fraser and Sam Morrison.

We started very well and could have been two up before half time but, after seventy minutes, Keith scored and then doubled their lead in stoppage time when Jags keeper Euan Storrier was left in the opposing half after coming up for a corner, when unfortunately the ball was cleared into the path of Keith’s Joey Wilson who lobbed the ball into an empty net….
Keith’s keeper Craig Reid earned the plaudits of the crowd with three tremendous saves – which, from a Jags’ point of view, could turned the game.

All in all it was a hard fought match, with possibly the Jags edging it, but again goals win games and, with our main strikers Paul Brindle and Dylan Lawrence out with injury, their presence may have changed the result. – and also a concern was the injury to Sam Morrison who left the field after eighty minutes.

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FIXTURES UPDATE 

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY…..Fixtures between now and the end of the season are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information ….
Saturday 8 March – Banks O’Dee FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 12 March – Clachnacuddin FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 15 March – Inverurie Locos FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 26 March – Brechin City FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 5 April – Wick Academy FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 9 April – Keith FC – away – KO 8pm
Saturday 12 April – Turriff United FC – home – KO 3pm

MY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

 – is a free app from the SFA downloadable from your normal app store and with the Highland League participating in the app’s first season it is a brilliant way of keeping in touch with your own team – with teamlines, goals scored, substitutions etc from the game you are attending and all the other games currently taking place in the Highland League….or if you aren’t attending you are able to keep up with all the happenings – it’s GREAT!!

We can’t recommend it enough!!!!
Printed team lines available at the gate may be very soon confined to history……not quite yet as not everyone has a mobile…….

We’ll be back with a rundown of Wednesday night and a wee preview of Saturday’s game and any other Jags stuff….

Saturday 1^st: The scheduled trip to Keith at the beginning of the month was called off.

Saturday 8^th: Another frustrating afternoon of lost football (and revenue) as our home game against Clachnacuddin was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Thursday 13^th: We were delighted to secure the signing of local boy Sam Morrison, on loan from Buckie Thistle, until the end of the season, providing a link to the past as Sam’s dad Eddie is a former STFC player and committee member. 

Saturday 15^th: A first game of February and lots of positives to take from a 3-2 defeat away to Formartine, although it didn’t feel like that when the home side scored an injury-time winner. 
The Jags, who were reduced to ten men when Ali Nixon was sent off around the hour mark, twice battled back to equalise in the game, through Daniel Whitehorn and a Paul Brindle penalty.

Wednesday 19^th: A tough midweek away trip as Brora Rangers showed why they are looking good to top the Highland League table this season, the home side securing a 7-0 victory over a battling Jags outfit.

Friday 21^st: Lewis Mackie joined Golspie Sutherland on a one-month loan deal.

Saturday 22^nd: At long last, football on a Saturday afternoon at Seafield Park after a sudden rise in temperatures meant no need for a pitch inspection ahead of the visit of Nairn County and gave us a chance to pay tribute pre-match to Ali Smith with a minute’s applause following his sad passing.
The Jags took an early lead through Caelan Mutch and although Nairn did eventually level through Lisle, some important saves from Euan Storrier secured a point that lifted us off the bottom of the Highland League table.

Thanks to our match sponsors – Cafferys Mens Designerwear

Stop Press – Saturday March 1^st: Another battling home performance but a 2-0 defeat to Keith, the visitors second coming in injury time after some strong Jags pressure, kicks off a busy and crucial month of fixtures with Buckie Thistle our next opponents on Wednesday 5^th at Seafield Park.

Strathspey Thistle Club Lottery – Jackpot Now £10,000!

We’d love to see a jackpot winner scoop the big prize and with our jackpot currently sitting at an impressive £10,000, now is the perfect time to get your entry in!

You can enter online through the link below and be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize. Don’t miss out – help us spread the word.

Play here …

Good luck and thank you for your ongoing support!

Hospitality in the Mackellar Suite – Book Your Spot Now!

 We are now taking bookings for matchday hospitality in the Mackellar Suite on the following dates:

• Sat 22nd Mar vs Rothes
• Sat 12th Apr vs Turriff (last home game of the season)

Contact our Commercial Director, Laura Mackie via email at hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk for more information and to enquire about our remaining home games.

£50 per person, includes: Complimentary Pre-match Drinks; 2 course lunch; Match entry; Half Time Refreshments; Post-match pay bar

Midweek Matches

For all our upcoming midweek matches, we’re delighted to announce that our Tea Bar will be operating from the Mackellar Suite! We’ll be serving a range of hot and cold snacks to keep you fueled throughout the game.

Additionally, our bar will be open from 6:30pm until kick-off, and again at half-time and full-time. It’s the perfect spot to catch up with fellow supporters before and after the match while enjoying a drink.  

Dates for the Diary
We have two exciting events coming up this summer that we’d love for you to be a part of! Mark your calendars and save these dates:

📅 Saturday 14th June – Strathspey Thistle FC Family Fun Day at Seafield Park

Bring the whole family along for a fun-filled day of activities, games, and entertainment at Seafield Park!

📅 Saturday 12th July – Strathspey Thistle FC Golf Day at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club

More details to follow, so stay tuned!

HOME MATCH v KEITH FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2025 KO 3pm

THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY WESTGATE STAINLESS AND ALLOYS LTD.

This Saturday we welcome the players, management and supporters from Keith FC to Seafield Park for the second of three home games in a row.

Keith currently sit in fourteenth position in the league with twenty-two points from twenty-three games. They have played one more game than ourselves as they have suffered the same fate with match postponements since the turn of the year.
Strangely this will be our first game against Keith this season at this, the third attempt, as we have succumbed to inclement weather and a cancellation due to cup commitments so hopefully it’ll be all ok for this one!
We hope this will be as exciting a game as last Saturday’s and as ever we wish Ryan and the boys all the best.

If any of the our visitors wish a resumé of what’s happening in Grantown – please click here.

After Saturday, we welcome Buckie Thistle for our league game under the floodlights on Wednesday night – Kick Off 8pm

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH v NAIRN COUNTY

The game was preceeded by a minutes applause in memory of Jags’ committee man Ali Smith.

Both the Jags and Nairn had periods of dominance and the general feeling was that we had the better of the first half hour with a couple of decent chances going a begging but Nairn came very much back into it after that with some excellent chances of their own but were thwarted by Jags’ keeper Euan Storrier and his defence.

The Jags took the lead on eleven minutes when Caelan Mutch ran on to an excellent through ball from Daniel Whitehorn and placed the ball in the bottom left corner much to the delight of the home crowd.

There were one or two very close shaves from both teams after that but Nairn’s perseverance was rewarded with their equalising goal in eighty-three minutes from ex-Jag Scott Lisle, twin brother of our own Cammy Lisle..

So, a hard fought draw took us off the bottom of the league for the first time for ages so there were a few smiles about Seafield Park at around five o’clock when the Rothes result was confirmed – the results in the league this season have been so topsy-turvy with no rhyme nor reason to the outcome of so many games, and with there being some very interesting score lines over the past few months and I would imagine it is going to continue that way until season’s end.

The result gives us confidence for this weeks visit by Keith.

If you want to see Caelen’s goal click on this … https://www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc/videos/1567098110660952

By the way, a huge thank you to Cameron and the amazing team at Highland Industrial Supplies for their generosity in providing our squad and management team with hats and snoods for training!

MAN OF THE MATCH
The match sponsor on Saturday was Cafferys Mens Designerwear from Inverness and the photo shows Keith McCaffery the Managing Director presenting their choice of Man of the Match to Jags’ Keeper Euan Storrier, who in turn presented Keith with a crystal memento of the game on behalf of the Club.

HALF TIME RAFFLE 
In the first of an occasional series of photos this one shows season ticket holder and long time Jags fan Ken Crake who had the winning ticket in Saturday’s half time draw – Ken won the fifty pounds – his first time after many years “of investment”!!

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FIXTURES UPDATE 

Fixtures between now and the end of March are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information …..more dates will be added when the games are arranged and we are notified….but hopefully there will be no more weather interruptions….. with thirteen games still to play dates we have still be informed of the dates have to be arranged against Brechin (A), Clach (H), Wick (H) and Keith (A). 
Wednesday 5 March – Buckie Thistle FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 8 March – Banks O’Dee FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 15 March – Inverurie Locos FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm

 Matchday Hospitality in the Mackellar Suite on Saturdays. 

Join us for £50 per person.

Sat 22 Mar – vs Rothes Football Club
Sat 12 Apr – vs Turriff United Football Club

Package includes:

Complimentary pre-match bar / 2-course lunch / Match entry / HT refreshments

FT pay bar

Email hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk to book for the remaining Saturdays and for information about Wednesday night hospitality.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

It has been confirmed that this year’s Golf Fundraising Day at Grantown Golf Club will be on Saturday 12 July and our now annual FunDay will be held on Saturday June 12 with various activities which will be confirmed nearer the time…..but if it is anything like last year a good day will be had by all!

LOTTERY NOW £10000

10,000 Maniacs, 10,000 hours and now….10,000 Scottish Pounds ….this week we reach the milestone of a massive £10,000 for you to win by playing our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES

After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 

The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

REMEMBER WE PLAY BUCKIE THISTLE AT SEAFIELD PARK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT 8pm KO.

HOME MATCH v NAIRN COUNTY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2025 KO 3pm

The match is sponsored by CAFFERYS DESIGNERWEAR, Inverness.

This week we welcome players, committee and fans of Nairn County and as one of the closer teams geographically to the Jags, they always take a large support with them – to any Wee County fans attending the match and need a resumé of what is available in Grantown – please click here  – I think we are all delighted that it looks that the weather will behave this weekend as we have not had a home game since the end of November!

Back in September The Jags and Nairn played out a very exciting 3-3 draw at Station Park with Paul Bridle, Liam Shewan and Filip Franczack all finding the back of the net for the Jags, and with Nairn equalising late on, boss Ryan Esson thought that we should have had the full three points against a decent Nairn team.
We are hoping for a really close game and with Nairn arriving in Grantown having only played once since the start of February, they may be a wee bit rusty, and although they currently sit in thirteenth position with twenty-nine points a draw, or a win, for the Jags would be a great morale booster in our quest to move up the league.

I don’t know if anyone has noticed that for the last couple of games four local players have been involved in the squad so, with that in mind we hope that we have a bumper home support for Saturday’s game. 
As is our custom we wish Ryan and the boys all the best for Saturday afternoon.

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ALI SMITH
As it is our first home game since November we will be able to commemorate the life of Ali Smith, our committee member for twenty-eight years.

Ali who passed away in January was a good friend to everyone, not only here in Grantown but throughout the North and he will be missed by many.
There will be a one minutes applause just before kick-off and players will be wearing black armbands.

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WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN BRORA

After a commendable display away against Formartine at the weekend the wheels came off the bus with a disappointing result against a very classy Brora Rangers in Brora with them emulating the result they achieved against us at Seafield Park in August.
Losing Paul Brindle to injury early on was not the start we wanted but neither were the four goals Brora scored before half time, and then adding three more after the break.
The small Jags’ contingent that attended the game were very much of the opinion that Brora will be difficult to catch and that the league title will be heading towards Dudgeon Park come season’s end.
It was a very difficult game for us, again the consistency of performance is a worry, but we look forward to hosting Nairn on Saturday in Grantown and we hope that we show the qualities that we showed against Formartine and get the result home fans want to see.

FIXTURES UPDATE 

Fixtures between now and the end of March are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information …..more dates will be added when the games are arranged and we are notified….but hopefully there will be no more weather interruptions….. with thirteen games still to play dates have to be arranged against Brechin (A), Clach (H), Wick (H) and Keith (A). 

Saturday 1 March – Keith FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 5 March – Buckie Thistle FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 8 March – Banks O’Dee FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 15 March – Inverurie Locos FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm

 Matchday Hospitality in the Mackellar Suite on Saturdays. 

Join us for £50 per person.

Sat 1 Mar – vs Keith Football Club
Sat 22 Mar – vs Rothes Football Club
Sat 12 Apr – vs Turriff United Football Club

Package includes:
Complimentary pre-match bar / 2-course lunch / Match entry / HT refreshments
FT pay bar

Email hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk to book for the remaining Saturdays and for information about Wednesday night hospitality.

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LOTTERY NOW £9900

As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of a massive £9900 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 

The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

AWAY MATCH v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
DUDGEON PARK, BRORA KW9 6QN
WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2025 – KICK OFF 8PM

We’re off to Dudgeon Park for a mid-week game under the floodlights and our second meeting with league leaders Brora Rangers. Bolstered by a very decent performance at Formartine United on Saturday we hope that the outcome of the game is not a repeat of our performance at Seafield Park in August which is not one to write home about.

There has been many changes since then, which has been proved by some of our recent performances and although we still have to include consistency game to game we are on the right track and will hopefully be able to add some points to our current league total which would enable us to climb above our current position.

Although sitting on top of the league Brora lost recently to Fraserburgh, who we managed a draw with in our meeting at Seafield Park in November, so as we always say in football – you just never know how it’s going to go.

We wish Ryan and the boys all the best on their trip north up the A9, and hope it’s a game the fans turning up on what will probably be a coolish February Wednesday  – you never know the Jag’s fans may leave Brora with a wee smile …..

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SATURDAY’S MATCH AT FORMARTINE UNITED.

We wuz robbed!

The Jags put in a great performance – each and every one of them and we were very unlucky not to leave North Lodge Park with a point.
Formartine currently sitting in sixth position in the league took the lead on the stroke of half -time, a goal which our spies said was “soft”, which was no reward for the Jags first half performance. The only downside apart from a couple of decent shots saved by the Formartine keeper was a yellow card for Ali Nixon.
Nine minutes into the second half we equalised from a superb header by Daniel Whitehorn but unfortunately were one behind in the next minute.
As the heavens opened eight minutes later Ali Nixon unfortunately was shown another yellow card which meant we would be down to ten men for the next half-hour. 
However after sixty-five minutes Liam Shewan and goalscorer Whitehorn were replaced by Paul Brindle and Cammy Lisle and after seventy one minutes debutant Sam Morrison was replaced by James Fraser and fortunately the rain also eased off.
The Formartine keeper then pulled off a great save from a James McShane header and after a lot of pressure we were awrded a penalty in the eighty-ninth minute which Paul Brindle converted to level the score.

However in the ninety-fourth minute Formartine scored which was to prove the winning goal.
As you would imagine the all the Jags contingent were gutted but again it showed we can compete with the best which augurs well for the future.

PLEASE REMEMBER WE WILL BE AT HOME TO NAIRN COUNTY ON SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY – OUR FIRST HOME GAME SINCE NOVEMBER AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE – KICK OFF IS 3PM.

AWAY MATCH v FORMARTINE UNITED FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NORTH LODGE PARK, PITMEDDEN, AB41 7PA
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm

Snow and ice at North Lodge Park was the culprit for the postponement of our last scheduled league match against Formartine – so hopefully history will not repeat itself and we can actually get going again and play some fitba’.
This will be Formartines’s third home game in a row having played a league game against Fraserburgh last Saturday and a cup game against Hermes FC on Wednesday, winning both, and, with them currently sitting in sixth place in the league it will be a very difficult task to prise any points from them. One of the main concerns is our lack of competitive action we have had since the turn of the year, in comparison to Formartine, who have played three games in February alone.

On the playing side, Jags’ boss Ryan Esson has more or less a full squad to pick from this week we, and as ever we wish the boys all the best in what we think will be a very competitive game. 

LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH v CLACHNACUDDIN

The postponement of the Clach game due to a frosted Seafield Park was one of three games off in the Highland League and with full hospitality booked and a good crowd anticipated it was also another financial blow to the Club.

With fifteen matches to play before the scheduled season’s end on 12 April, everyone at the Club is concerned at how this will affect our playing staff as, considering they all have day jobs and having to play probably at least seven mid-week games, it will be exceptionally tough and hope they can all get through unscathed.

Having to play mid-week also, unfortunately, compromises our earning capacity both at the gate and with our hospitality packages.

The joys of winter football.

SAM SIGNS UP

On the bright side of the road we are thrilled with the news that local lad Sam Morrison has agreed to join us on loan from Buckie Thistle until the end of the season.

As you can see from the photographs Sam grew up here in Grantown, and his dad Eddie played for us many moons ago and was a committee member when we joined the Highland League – his photo was also taken on the day of our first Highland League match in August 2009.

Sam will do all he can to help in our quest to climb the league and will be a great asset to the squad…..and on a personal note I am delighted as I have been pestering Sam for years to join the Jags…..the Strathspey ones that is….!

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FIXTURES UPDATE 

Fixtures between now and the end of March are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information …..more dates will be added when the games are arranged and we are notified….but hopefully there will be no more weather interruptions….. 

Wednesday 19 February – Brora Rangers FC – away- KO 8pm
Saturday 22 February  – Nairn County FC – home – KO 3pm
Saturday 1 March – Keith FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 5 March – Buckie Thistle FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 8 March – Banks O’Dee FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 15 March – Inverurie Locos FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm

 Matchday Hospitality in the Mackellar Suite on Saturdays. 
Join us for £50 per person.

Sat 22 Feb – vs Nairn County FC 
Sat 1 Mar – vs Keith Football Club
Sat 22 Mar – vs Rothes Football Club
Sat 12 Apr – vs Turriff United Football Club

Package includes:
Complimentary pre-match bar / 2-course lunch / Match entry / HT refreshments

FT pay bar

Email hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk
to book for the remaining Saturdays and for information about Wednesday night hospitality.

LOTTERY NOW £9800

As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of a massive £9800 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play online …

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES

After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.

HOME MATCH v CLACHNACUDDIN FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HE
SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2025 KO 2pm

THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY THE MACKELLAR GROUP

THERE WILL BE A PITCH INSPECTION ON SATURDAY MORNING AT 9.15 AM SO PLEASE CHECK WITH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA  FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.

ALI SMITH
This will be our first chance to pay tribute to our friend and Jags’ committee member of twenty-eight years, Ali Smith, who passed away last month. There will be a minute’s applause before kick-off and both teams will wear black armbands in his memory.

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This Saturday, weather permitting, we welcome high flying Clachnacuddin FC to Seafield Park for what will be the last of our 2pm kick offs for the 2024/25 season.
Clach currently sit in a very commendable fourth place in the Breedon Highland League with forty two points from twenty four games –  especially considering they finished one place ahead of us last season on second bottom. That they have done this is a great achievement and one every club would like to emulate and we congratulate them for that – however, that doesn’t mean they are guaranteed leaving Grantown with the three points as The Jags will be giving their all, especially after having only played one game in 2025 so far. 
Clach usually bring a good support with them so if anyone needs refreshing on what is happening in Grantown please click here.
Over the years the clashes between Clach and the Jags has been great entertainment. There has been a fair bit of rivalry between the teams, as most of the players know each other very well….and probably both sets of supporters will recognise a few players this weekend in a change of shirt. I would imagine this Saturday will be no different and we hope we see a crackin’ game of fitba’….. 

Gaffer Ryan Esson will have more or less a full squad at his disposal so we wish him and the boys all the best.

LAST SATURDAY AT KEITH
It’s becoming a bit like a broken record but as you will probably know last Saturday’s match against Keith scheduled for Kynoch Park was postponed due to a frozen pitch…the joys of Highland League football in winter but the forecast for this Saturday, at the moment, looks reasonably promising but as ever, please check our social media for up-to-date information.
We will let you know when we have had further notification of the dates from our postponed matches.

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY AND FIXTURES UPDATE

Q&A Session – Post Match Clach

We’re delighted to announce that Gordon Smith will be a special guest in our Mackellar Suite this Saturday! 
Gordon, the former Kilmarnock, Rangers, Brighton, Man City player and SFA Chief Executive, has very kindly offered to do a Q&A session post-match for us!
Join us in the Mackellar Suite for a post-match beer as we dive into Gordon’s incredible career.
A reminder also – the game kicks off at 2pm!

UPDATE – we have received a cancellation in our Mackellar Suite for matchday hospitality on Saturday – for more information email:
hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk for more info.

 Matchday Hospitality in the Mackellar Suite on Saturdays.

 

Join us for £50 per person.

Sat 22 Feb – vs Nairn County FC 
Sat 1 Mar – vs Keith Football Club
Sat 22 Mar – vs Rothes Football Club
Sat 12 Apr – vs Turriff United Football Club

Package includes:
Complimentary pre-match bar / 2-course lunch / Match entry / HT refreshments

FT pay bar

Email hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk to book now.

Fixtures between now and the end of March are as follows – as ever please check with our Facebook and other social media pages for up-to-date information …..it’s going to be a busy time with eleven games in eight weeks, six home games and five away and more dates will be added when the games are arranged….hopefully there will be no more weather interruptions….. 
Saturday 15 February  – Formartine United FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 February – Brora Rangers FC – away- KO 8pm
Saturday 22 February  – Nairn County FC – home – KO 3pm
Saturday 1 March – Keith FC – home – KO 3pm
Wednesday 5 March – Buckie Thistle FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 8 March – Banks O’Dee FC – away – KO 3pm
Saturday 15 March – Inverurie Locos FC – away – KO 3pm
Wednesday 19 March – Huntly FC – home – KO 8pm
Saturday 22 March – Rothes FC – home – KO 3pm
Saturday 29 March – Fraserburgh FC – away – KO 3pm

LOTTERY NOW £9700

As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of a massive £9700 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES

After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some changes.

There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly. 

The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).

1. The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw. 
2. If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players. 
3. Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100. 
4. THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
5. The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
6. All winners will be notified.