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!
Action v Buckie in a pre-season friendly last June which we won 3-2.
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.
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 1st: The scheduled trip to Keith at the beginning of the month was called off.
Saturday 8th: Another frustrating afternoon of lost football (and revenue) as our home game against Clachnacuddin was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Thursday 13th: 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 15th: 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 19th: 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 21st: Lewis Mackie joined Golspie Sutherland on a one-month loan deal.
Saturday 22nd: 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.
Stop Press – Saturday March 1st: 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 5th 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.
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
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
A minute’s applause for Ali Smith
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.
Caelan Mutch was on target
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..
Dan Whitehorn goes close to adding a second goal against Nairn
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.
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”!!
A delighted Ken Crake
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.
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).
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.
If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
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.
THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
All winners will be notified.
REMEMBER WE PLAY BUCKIE THISTLE AT SEAFIELD PARK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT 8pm KO.
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.
Ali Smith
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.
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.
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 £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).
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.
If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
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.
THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
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 …..
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.
Jags’ scorers Daniel Whitehorn and Paul Brindle
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.
Sam in 2009 and in 2025
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.
Eddie “Van the Man” Morrison before our first home league match in the Highland League in 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….!
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.
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).
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.
If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
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.
THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
We are delighted to confirm the loan signing of 26-year-old defender Sam Morrison from Buckie Thistle Football Club, joining us until the end of the season!
Sam’s experience and defensive strength will be a fantastic addition as we look to finish the season strong.
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.
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
Gordon Smith
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.
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).
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.
If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
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.
THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
January’s newsletter is dedicated to Ali Smith, long-serving committee member and a friend to so many at the club, who sadly passed away earlier this month and whose funeral was held on Thursday 30th.
Ali Smith
Many a Jags’ fan arriving at Seafield Park, and countless supporters of many of the Highland League teams who visited Strathspey Thistle, were met with warmth and a smile from Ali, especially in his latter duties in the 50/50 half time raffle booth.
He will be greatly missed by us all.
Friday 3rd: Saturday’s trip to Formartine United was an early casualty of the weather, all of the scheduled Highland League games eventually following suit, but there was good news on the signings front as the Jags made Filip Franczak’s loan deal permanent and extended goalkeeper Euan Storrier’s loan until the end of the season. Manager Ryan Esson told the Press & Journal: “I knew what type of player Filip was and I knew he could do a job for us. “He’s done really well and the club has done very well to sign him permanently. It allows us to build for the future.”
Saturday 11th: A snow-covered Seafield Park pitch looked lovely but meant the postponement of the home game against Buckie Thistle. Off the pitch, both Stephen Rennie and Scot Docherty extended their Jags’ contracts until the end of the season. Stephen and Scot have played vital roles in our campaign so far, and we’re delighted to have them stay with the squad as we push for a strong finish.
Saturday 18th: Eventually we got to play our first game of 2025 and an important one too against a Lossiemouth side also involved in the battle at the bottom of the league. Unfortunately the Jags found themselves a goal down in the 10th minute and a tight contest was settled by a second home strike early in the second-half. Although we upped our game in trying to get back level in the last thirty minutes ,twice hitting the woodwork and Stuart Knight, the Lossie keeper, pulling off a great save diving low to his right stopping a defender’s deflection it was not to be and we left Grant Park pointless.
Saturday 25th: Another postponement as the home game against Brechin City fell foul of the weather, a shame on all fronts as bookings for the hospitality suite were full and a coach load of away fans supporting the league leaders were expected.
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 8th Feb vs Clach (SOLD OUT)
Sat 22nd Feb vs Nairn County
Sat 1st Mar vs Keith
Sat 22nd Mar vs Rothes
Sat 12th Apr vs Turriff (last home game of the season)
£50 per person, includes: Complimentary Pre-match Drinks; 2 course lunch; Match entry; Half Time Refreshments; Post-match pay bar Also, don’t forget that our bar in the Mackellar Suite is open pre-match, half-time, and post-match for refreshments. Cash and card payments are accepted, so come along, grab a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Strathspey Thistle Club Lottery – Jackpot Now £9,500!
We’d love to see a jackpot winner this new year, and with our jackpot currently sitting at an impressive £9,500, now’s the perfect time to get your entry in!
AWAY MATCH v KEITH FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE KYNOCH PARK, KEITH, AB55 5EB SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2025 – KICK OFF 3pm
WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF A PITCH INSPECTION AT KEITH ON SATURDAY MORNING – PLEASE CHECK OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES IF YOU ARE PLANNING GOING TO THE GAME FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
As someone who has had a shottie or three on a drum kit, the first thoughts I have on seeing the name Keith is the drumming monster that was Mr Keith Moon….this Saturday, I hope will offer us the opportunity to snare the three points at Kynoch Park!
It will be our first meeting with Keith this season as both our attempts to play at Seafield Park have been thwarted by either some form of weather or cup ties….. Keith sit in fourteenth place in the Breedon Highland League with twenty-one points from twenty-one games and have not had a great 2025 so far, with four losses out of the four games played. Last week they faced Lossiemouth and lost by two goals to nil, a similar scoreline from our last game a couple of weeks ago, and Jags’ gaffer Ryan Esson took the opportunity to attend the match as our game had been postponed and he was quoted in the press as saying Keith were veru inlucky to lose as they were the better side. So Saturday’s game looks as though it could be a cracker and with the Jags having to put some points on the board we wish. as ever, Ryan and the boys all the best and hope they can leave Keith with at least a point.
LAST SATURDAY’S GAME v BRECHIN CITY
Although Storm Eowyn created havoc throughout Britain and Ireland last Friday it was Jack Frost who really put paid to our league encounter with Brechin City. After a tough week’s weather Seafield Park had minus temperatures most nights and latterly in the week, coupled with heavy rain during the day which all resulted in a referee’s inspection early Saturday and an unplayable pitch.
ALI SMITH
Most committee and Jag’s supporters who were able to, attended Ali Smith’s funeral on Thursday 30 January at a packed Old Abernethy Kirk in Ali’s home village of Nethy Bridge. There was a very large number of people present – which is only what would have been expected as Ali was one of life’s good guys and he will be sorely missed by all at Strathspey Thistle Football Club and beyond.
Ali Smith
Davie Millar, Ali’s cousin spoke of his and his family and friends memories of Ali and began with the following –
“You would think I would know most things about Ali : I know that he was one of the finest people I’ve known. I know that I’ve never heard anyone to say a bad word about him. I know that he would do anything for anyone. I know that he always saw the best in people. I know that he was loved and well liked by everyone who knew him. I know that his family, his dear Marje, his boys, their partners and his grandchildren meant the world to him. I know that I and many others admired him. I know he was a good man. I know that no one ever saw him be annoyed. I know his memory and legacy will live on for a long, long time
Ali also reminded me of one particular football game when he was in goal for his local welfare team, Nethy Bridge. He couldn’t speak for laughing when it happened and had another laugh relating it again. Ali attempting to kick the ball up the pitch.The ball struck his brother Davey Smith, playing centre half, on the back of his head. Of course the ball rebounded and ended up in the back of the net. Safe to say Davey did not react in a similar way.”
Strathspey Thistle Club Historian Rob Clark wanted to write a few words in honour of his good friend for the website.
In March 2001 Strathspey Thistle returned to France for the second time to play against the team of Grantown-On-Spey’s Twin Town Notre Dame de Monts. Now the first time the team flew, but this time they decided to go by coach & ferry. The Two Coach drivers were both committee members; Johnny Ross & Ali. The route map showed the journey would take approx 22 hours and keep in mind this was before the days of smart phones and GPS etc…So the bus was on route approaching the French capital City of Paris. We went around looking for the exit to the Vandee…… and we went around again…. and again…and again until one of the players Cameron Munro called out “Hey that’s the fourth time we have passed that Cafe!” It was a six hour detour going around the Paris ring road before eventually arriving at Notre Dame de Monts near 10pm!
Ali and the late Johnny Ross photographed at The Jag’s first home Highland League match in August 2009
With a welcoming group party waiting all that time for us to arrive and wondered why we were so late! Johnny blamed Ali … Ali blamed Johnny!
The following week we had a league game away to Lossiemouth and back in the day when cassette tapes were the entertainment on the coach, the tape was put in the first tune was Bonnie Tyler…Lost in France!!!
If you didn’t know Ali, his likeness to former Dunfermline Athletic Manager Jim Leishman was uncanny! It caused much laughter over the years, especially on Strathspey Thistle away journeys to play in the Scottish Junior Cup or Scottish Cup and the fun was that even his own son, Jag’s centre half Gareth would call him “Big Jim”. I remember especially a trip away to Irvine Victoria in the OVD Scottish Junior Cup when, at the time, Jim Leishman was the Manager of Highland League side Inverness Thistle, we kept the deception going all day and especially with the Irvine Vic’s Committee who we convinced that he was Jim Leishman and he was joining Strathspey Thistle!!
Being hospital bound and more recently in Lynemore, the local care home, Ali never let his health condition upset him. Unfortunately this season this kept him away from all the matches. However he kept in regular touch with Clive and myself on match days. His cheerful manner doing the 50/50 half time draw tickets will be missed, and for many seasons he and Mags were the regular sellers and in all weathers. However I will never forget the day when it was heavy rain and the bag of tickets was soaked, however, ever resourceful, Ali dried out all the tickets before the draw, in the shack microwave!!
Rest in Peace Ali, thanks for the memories, thanks for being the voice of reason on many a committee debate, thanks for your 28 seasons as a Committee Member… We all will miss you.” Rob Clark
The Club will commemorate Ali at our next home game with a minute’s applause and both teams will wear black armbands.
FIXTURES UPDATE
Fixtures between now and the end of March are as above and 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…..
MARCH
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 £9600
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of a massive £9400 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).
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.
If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
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.
THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
