Strathspey Thistle FC

July 6    Important milestone tonight with our first pre-season friendly and at home on our pitch, which had extensive work done over the summer, against a full strength Elgin City FC. We gave a good account of ourselves but went down 2-1 to a goal in the 89^th minute. James McShane scored our goal and we received compliments on how the pitch played. No spectators were allowed and social distancing was observed.

July 7    All players and team management being tested three times a week through the lateral flow system. The club announced the season ticket prices for the new season. £100 for adults and £50 for concessions (60+ and under 12). Supervised under 12s are free.

July 8    Visited SJFA side Dufftown, some say the whisky capital of the world, for our second friendly. Jags 3 up on 30 minutes and playing well and in what turned out to be an interesting and feisty game which finished in the dark and the rain at 5-5.

July 9    Another road trip this time to SJFA North Region division 2 side Islavale FC from Keith. Another competitive game which finished 3-2 to the Jags. Game time important at this time of the pre-season.

July 13    A beautiful summer evening at Mackessack Park, Rothes was the setting for another friendly. The Jags played well but went down 2-1. James McShane scored our goal on 87 minutes from a free kick. We played five triallists through the ninety minutes. Rothes were able to field two different sides.

July 17    Another warm sunny day but with strong gusts of wind saw The Jags play their last friendly before the season opens on July 24 with a home game with Forres Mechanics. In another competitive game the Jags came out winners through a Jake Thompson first half goal. Charlie and his team now spend the week preparing the players for the season opener at Christie Park, Huntly.

July 20    The club now has seventeen signed players for the new season with Stephen Rennie, Jordan Wardrope, Jake Thomson and Kris Duncan all signing for this season. We expect further additions to the squad. Jake is with us on loan from Elgin City for the whole of this season. Stephen was with Caley Thistle from 2008 to 2017 and was with us last season. Jordan has played with us before and also had two seasons with Forres Mechanics. Kris is a very experienced forward having played with a number of Highland League clubs and has also joined the coaching staff.

July 22    Notified by NOSFA Secretary that Golspie Sutherland have withdrawn from the North of Scotland Cup tie with us at Seafield Park on Wednesday July28 because of Covid-19. The tie is awarded to us which means we visit Inverness Clachnacuddin on Wednesday August 18. Time TBC.

July 24    The big day. A beautiful summer’s day with blue sky. 24 degree temperature and expectancy, and we were not disappointed. The Jags led after 16 minutes thanks to a superb strike from twenty yards by Kieran Chalmers. The team settled well as the game went on but were disappointed to concede the equaliser right at the start of the second half. The heat and playing on a rock hard pitch didn’t help the flow and at the end a draw was a good result.

July 26    Today is also a milestone for the club with our weekly lottery going online via the club website. Our paper lottery for Grantown, Carrbridge, Aviemore and Kinguissie remains unchanged. The lottery is our biggest source of income so please participate as every little helps. First draw with online contribution will be August 1 and for every week after that.

July 27    Fort William will play all their Highland League and Highland League Cup matches away from home this season as Claggan Park is currently unplayable. After a league inspection on Thursday at the ground found it not fit and in need of immediate work. An emergency meeting on Sunday of the League Management Committee agreed of the Fort having to play away. The league clubs have offered to pass on the travel costs they would normally have to pay for a fixture at Claggan Park and Fort William have started a crowd funder to assist with costs.

July 28    Announced today the passing of Garry Davies the Secretary of Rothes FC. We were speaking a couple of weeks ago at our friendly fixture in Rothes and he has been a help to me over the last couple of seasons which I appreciated. Shocked and saddened.  

July 30    Donate-a-Ticket announced that this would be their last weekend as a fund raiser. Since the first Covid-related disruption in March 2020 they have sold 40,000 virtual tickets and raised £330,000 for over one hundred and twenty league clubs. For those Highland League clubs that took part the total raised for them was £32906. All of this at no charge. 

July 31    Today saw the return of league football to Seafield Park with the visitors being Wick Academy. Our last league game was on March 7 2020. The Jags and Wick fought out a very entertaining 3-3 draw. Our goals from Craig MacKenzie, Jake Thomson and a superb freekick from Kieran Chalmers. A good performance and a deserved point against a strong side.   

Breedon Highland League match v Wick Academy FC tomorrow Saturday 31 July at Seafield Park  – KO 3pm

We welcome the Wick Academy FC team, management and committee and, at last, their supporters for what will be our first home league game since March 2019 – a long, long time…..but as ever CoVid is still with us and we will be operating under the guidelines as issued by the Scottish Government and the SFA and Highland League.

Because of this, we will not be able to offer catering for committee and supporters, and if you have travelled far for the fixture we can recommend that there are one or two establishments in Grantown which will more than satisfy a football fan’s hunger. Can we mention one of our major sponsors – The Grantown Diner ….which will I am sure will fit the bill….also, another of our sponsors is The Royal Fish Bar – both to be found on the High Street. 
Under the present circumstances please feel free to bring a wee picnic or whatever to the ground if you want. 

REGULATIONS FOR ATTENDANCE

These are the regulations which we ask you all to adhere to :

Gates open from 2pm and will close at 3.15pm – there will be no re-entry into the stadium at any time.

PLEASE LEAVE TIME FOR TEMPERATURE / TRACE AND TRACK ADMINISTRATION

YOUR TEMPERATURE WILL BE DIGITALLY MEASURED BEFORE ENTRY TO THE STADIUM

SOCIAL DISTANCING MUST BE OBSERVED AND MASKS MUST BE WORN THROUGHOUT

THERE WILL BE NO SOFT DRINKS/FOOD AVAILABLE

THERE WILL BE NO RE-ADMISSION

THERE WILL BE HAND SANITISERS AVAILABLE.

STEWARDS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP WITH ANY MORE INFORMATION

TOILETS WILL BE AVAILABLE

Thank you in advance for your co-operation in what will hopefully be getting back to some sort of normality but all fans are allowed back to the football – so that’s a giant step forward.

At Seafield Park, together we hope we will create a safe environment for you to enjoy your football.

Thank you, thank you and thank you and of course, you’ve all bought your lottery ticket for Sunday’s draw from your local seller or now ONLINE…….>>>>>

STRATHSPEY THISTLE FC ONLINE LOTTO

Speaking of wishing good luck for participation in, after a few months of deliberation and discussion (thanks mainly to Lottery Convenor Graeme Stuart, Club Secretary Clive Wolstenholme and Conall and Martina from Clubforce) we now have an online lottery.

Strathspey Thistle are proud to offer fans and friends worldwide the chance of winning some money (this week the total is £4100.00) – as well as supporting us financially.

See link on right side of page….>> to the Clubforce platform.

This will also be intimated to the world through our Facebook and Twitter feeds so please let all your friends know about this major change.

This is the statement from Lottery Convener Graeme:

MONDAY 26^th JULY 2021.

NEW!! EASY-TO-PLAY ‘ONLINE LOTTO’!!

Today, Strathspey Thistle FC launch ONLINE LOTTO, using the Clubforce platform (first draw Sunday 1^st August 2021). You can buy online entries up to 1 hour before the draw i.e. up to 18.00 hrs in advance of the draw at 19.00 hrs (draws take place every Sunday unless otherwise advised). 

PLAY VIA THE LINK ON OUR FRONT PAGE – it’s easy and enjoyable (N.B. Minimum age for our small social lottery is 16). You do have to register online and then choose your debit/credit card option, number of lines and length of subscription. That process and the completion of your playslips should be straightforward, as all is explained – step by step. Once you have started playing, download the Clubforce app. to your mobile phone for ready access and regular lottery result updates.

This is a brand new opportunity for fans in distant places, or those perhaps finding Covid-19 restrictions an obstacle, to play online and support Strathspey Thistle FC through difficult times. 

Our weekly lottery PAPER TICKET ARRANGEMENTS CONTINUE AS BEFORE and ALL entries from both sources will be included in the weekly draw, giving an EQUAL random chance of winning. 

Strathspey Thistle FC is extremely grateful to regular players and collectors for sustaining and growing the success of our iconic weekly lottery. However, we also need to access those who have not previously felt inclined to participate.

PLEASE PLAY NOW and experience the thrill of having a “flutter” whilst helping to raise funds for your favourite football club. 

Thank you – every £1 helps!

PRIZES:- 

JACKPOT: £4,100 at draw Sunday 1^st August 2021. If not won, prize rolls over and increases by £100 each week until won. If more than one winner (all five picks from 1-20 correct), Jackpot will be shared. Then reinstates at £1000.

CONSOLATION PRIZE: £100 paid every week to one lucky winner.

N.B. Potential online winners may be notified automatically by the Clubforce system.  Actual winners are identified at the physical draw that includes paper and online entries

We are always indebted to our sponsors but our main sponsors McGowan Environmental Engineering are also offering two season tickets to Seafield Park for this seasons Breedon Highland Football League – go to their website, Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In pages for more information – good luck.

https://mcgowanltd.co.uk

Well there’s a lot happening here at STWeb today – but first congratulations to Keiran Chalmers for scoring the first “official” goal of the season for the Jags at Huntly on Saturday – in what was a very entertaining game according to our observers and the boys did really well – again this augurs well for the season ahead. 

We look forward to hosting  Wick Academy FC at Seafield Park this Saturday (31 July) for our first home league game since March 2020 !

As we get ready for Saturdays Breedon Highland League match at Huntly against Huntly FC there is an entertaining story on the BBC website regarding last seasons achievements – Chairman Donly McLeod and Club Captain James McShane recall a season like no other. But, as ever, CoVid is not far away as illustrated by Golspie Sutherland FC having to withdraw from our North of Scotland Cup tie which was to have been played at Seafield Park next Wednesday. This means we play Inverness Clachnacuddin FC in the next round.

To read all about last year go to

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57796420

SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 – KICK OFF 13.30

Following on from a couple of recent closed doors very closely contested friendlies against Elgin City FC and Rothes FC, Strathspey Thistle Committee and Management are delighted to announce that supporters will be able to attend this Saturdays friendly match.

We would appreciate everyone’s cooperation in following the current guidelines which allow spectators to be permitted – these include:

– current social distancing rules to be adhered to

– face masks must be worn at all times 

– please use the available hand sanitiser at all times

There will be stewards undertaking temperature checks/track & trace at the gate – this is in accordance with SFA guidelines.

Gates will be closed at 13.45pm and anyone who wishes to leave the ground will not be re-admitted.

There will be no fee charged upon entry, however, there will be buckets for donations – any contributions would be greatly appreciated .

We will be taking orders for 2021/22 Season Tickets at the match. 

£100 Adult and £50 Concession (60+ and u-16). 
( Note: Supervised u-12s are admitted free)). 

Please ask for details from Graeme Stuart or Clive Wolstenholme at the gate.

                           

June 4   The fixtures for the new season were published today. Always a time to enjoy especially with where we are at the moment with Covid-19. Our first league fixture is at Huntly FC on Saturday July 24 and the first home league game at Seafield Park is against Wick Academy. We visit league newcomers Brechin City on October 30 and have a Christmas local derby at home to Clachnacuddin on December 27.

June 9   Club Chairman spoke to the Press and Journal to say that the club is looking for potential bosses who may also want to continue playing to consider themselves for the position of Team Manager. He hopes a fresh appeal could help the Jags capture the ideal candidate.

June 14   We are pleased to announce that Charlie Brown has agreed to become our new manager. Charlie knows the Highland league scene well having played for Buckie Thistle and helped Forres Mechanics win the league title in 2012. Forres awarded him a testimonial in 2006 for his services to the club. He will bring in his own support staff. Golspie Sutherland secured their 11^th North Caledonian League title at the weekend thanks to a 1-0 win in Orkney. Next season’s North Caledonian League champions, if eligible as Golspie are, can contest the tier six play-off to try to gain entry to The Highland Football League.

June 17   Our website passed 10,000 views today.
The new management team under Charlie has been announced. His assistant is Jamie McGowan whose background is as Ross County development squad coach and Forres under-20 coach. He also holds his SFA ‘C’ Licence. They are also joined by player-coach Kris Duncan and coach Robbie Flett.

June 20   Charlie and his assistant Jamie met the club Committee at Seafield Park this evening and it was also an opportunity for a ‘photo session’ for the cub website and our local weekly newspaper ‘The Strathy’.

June 21    Nairn County announced that four people connected with the club have tested positive for Covid-19 and a further asked to self-isolate. We wish everyone at Nairn County best wishes. As a precaution the club decided to cancel tonight’s training in Inverness.

June 25    Pre-season game at Rothes FC arranged for July 13 at 19:30 – as yet we do not know if spectators will be allowed into the pre-season games.

June 28    Pre-season home games at Seafield Park see the visit of Elgin City on July 6 with 19:45 start and on July 17 we welcome Forres Mechanics when we kick off at 13:30.
The club welcomes new signing, goalkeeper Robert Donaldson. The manager is pleased to have a new addition to the squad to provide competition for the number one jersey. Robert had six years at ICT youth and then spent time at Clachnacuddin and with the Strathy Jags before helping to win the league title in Junior Football with Spey Valley. His last three years have been spent with Rothes FC.

June 30    18-year-old midfielder Fraser Russell signed on a contract until 30 June 2023. 

Fraser was part of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle set up from under 9s until 18 years old. He was in training full time for a year until he was released and the Jags are his first senior team away from ICTFC.

Tuesday 6 July 2021 – Seafield Park

The Jags put up a very commendable performance in what was new manager Charlie Brown’s first home game.
Elgin brought their full first team squad and went ahead early on in the first half, but James McShane levelled just before half time. City had the bulk of the pressure in the second half but we looked dangerous on the break. Elgin scored their second late on in the second half.
Final Score Strathspey Thistle 1 – Elgin City 2

The game was played behind closed doors with only management and committee in attendance – due to the current co-vid circumstances – hopefully all the fans will be back very soon.
The Breedon Highland League is scheduled to start on Saturday 24 July – when we are away to Huntly FC, with our first home League fixture the following Saturday, 31 July, when we welcome Wick Academy FC to Seafield Park.

NEW SIGNING: Robert Donaldson

Local boy Robert started off with Inverness Caledonian Thistle Youths and was there for 6 years.

He was then with ICT full time with the Under 20s, and had stints at Clach and Strathspey Thistle. He then played Junior Football with Spey Valley FC, where he won the league title and has spent the last three years with Rothes FC.

Manager Charlie Brown said “We are delighted to get another quality keeper added to our squad who will bring experience and provide competition for the No1 jersey.”