Manager Robert MacCormack said “I am delighted Michael has agreed to join the club until 2024. Having worked with him for a number of years I was keen to take him to the club with me and in the few games he has played so far he has been excellent for us. Looking forward to working with him going forward into next season and I’m sure he will be a massive part of what we are looking to achieve.”
A VIEW FROM THE TERRACE
James being interviewed
We were joined for last Saturday’s game against Clach by the filming team from BBC Scotland’s great Friday night football programme. Although the Premier League is duly discussed the programme concentrates more on the other leagues and non-leagues throughout Scotland as well as very interesting features on a variety of clubs and people.
The team arrived and set up for interviews in the home dressing room with Chairman Donly McLeod and Club Captain James McShane. Next up was former player and now a supporter, Deane Lawson, who remembered the early days and life growing up in Grantown.
Then the film team spent some time filming around the ground and the arrival of the Clach supporters before filming parts of the game and the goings on at a typical Seafield Park Saturday afternoon…
AVFTT film unit
It was great having the guys here and we hope they enjoyed their time here too – now we are looking forward to viewing the fruits of their labour in a couple of weeks.
Clach game report and Buckie preview later in the week….
Thursday 2nd The club has signed 27-year-old Michael MacKenzie from Alness United. The players trained at Inverness.
Monday 6thSnow and sub-zero temperatures returned to Speyside putting Wednesday night’s home game with Huntly in doubt.
Wednesday 7th With tonight forecast to be around minus ten degrees and day-time temperatures of a maximum three degrees, the Huntly game was called off and the visit of Keith FC on Saturday was already in doubt.
Thursday 9thNearly a full squad were able to attend training in Inverness.
Friday 10th With no change in the weather likely over the next forty eight hours Saturday’s home game was called off. Robert was hoping to arrange a friendly game somewhere on Saturday. Preparations now begin for our next game on March 18 at Turriff United.
Wednesday 15th Last night at the Charlestown Centre in Inverness. The Jags played a friendly match with Nairn County reserves. Manager Robert MacCormack was pleased with the 5-1 win and the general performance. Jack Davison scored three goals and the others from Jake Lockett and Jordan Shaw. It was good to see Jordan back playing after what has been a difficult time for him. For Saturday’s trip to Turriff United James McShane returns to the squad and Mike MacKenzie is set for his debut. Liam McDade and Mike Grimes are unavailable due to work commitments.
Saturday 18thAnother trip on D & E Coaches to the middle of Aberdeenshire, this time to Turriff. The game had been in doubt last night due to the amount of rain that fallen but an 09.30 inspection passed the pitch as playable. For the opening forty five minutes the team played well, creating a couple of good chances, hitting the post and playing with a good shape and went in at half time having shaded the half. The second period continued in the same vein until the 58th minute when we went one down. In a 23 minute period we just fell apart and four further goals were conceded. It was baffling to those who were there how the game was completely turned around. Lots of work for Robert and his staff to deal with over the upcoming days as minds turn to the forthcoming Wednesday trip to Wick.
Tuesday 21st20 year old forward Jordan Shaw has joined Alness United of the North Caledonian League for a month to get some game time under his belt after suffering quite badly from the effects of Covid.
Wednesday 22ndA long and winding road to Wick on the Jags bus but it turns out to be a well worth it trip. Kicking down the slope to start with ‘The Jags’ soon settled into a good shape watched by new Assistant Manager Mike Rae.
After 33 minutes Daniel Whitehorn scored from close range and it was no more than the team deserved. We wondered which team would turn up for the second forty five minutes but we need not have worried because although Wick equalised midway through the half, heads didn’t drop and it was not long before new signing Mike MacKenzie restored our lead. We could have added a couple more goals but all players were tiring as the muddy pitch took it’s toil.
Mike Rae is an ex-Rangers goalkeeper whose past clubs also include Ross County, Buckie Thistle and Lossiemouth. Jags boss Robert MacCormack is delighted that he has joined the club.
Our last home game was on February 4 when we played Nairn County and since then we have visited Inverurie Locos, Brora, Turriff United and Wick so we are looking forward to returning to Seafield Park on Wednesday March 29 for the visit of Huntly.
Wednesday 29thRobert, Mike and Robbie’s first home game as the new management team at a damp Seafield Park. Another game of two contrasting halves which is again a puzzle to those who were at the game. The Jags started well, carrying on from their Wick performance and enjoyed taking the lead on 22 minutes through newcomer Jake Lockett. A poor defensive tackle on 33 minutes gave Huntly the chance to equalise from the spot which they duly did. We then contrived to miss two golden chances and went in at half-time 1-1. The second half was the complete opposite and on 52 and 54 minutes poor defending saw us concede two sloppy goals. We threatened little going forward and Huntly made it 4-1 on 74 minutes with their second penalty.
We now enter the most important month in our history when it will be decided whether we remain in the Highland League or have to take part in a relegation play-off. The club also celebrates in April our 30th anniversary. Interesting times as they say. Clachnacuddin visit Seafield Park on April 1.
HOME MATCH v CLACHNACUDDIN FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN PH26 3HY SATURDAY 1 APRIL 2023 – KO 3pm
This Saturday, we welcome Inverness Clachnacuddin FC and BBC Scotland’s View From The Terrace to Seafield Park.
The fixture has evolved into a sort of derby match – there has been a lot of rivalry over the years and as the both sets of players know each other really well, they always want to win the bragging rights!
We go into this game hoping to repeat the outcome of our last meeting when we earned our first win of the season back in November, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, so as we always say in football you never know what’s going to happen. Clach come to Grantown after a great result midweek beating Banks o’Dee and we play our second home match in a row after Wednesday’s disappointing result against Huntly.
For Clach fans who are coming to Grantown for the first time, or for those who want a resumé, click here for more information.
Unfortunately this Saturday coincides with the opening of the golf season at Grantown Golf Club and parking which was generously offered to the Jags by the Golf Club will not now be available again until the end of the golf season. With the recent wet weather the Community field adjacent to the Park is available to blue badge holders only. The public car park at Burnfield is always available as is some street parking around the ground but please be aware of not obstructing peoples driveways – thank you.
VIEW FROM THE TERRACE
View From The Terrace, the very watchable BBC Scotland football fan programme are recording a segment for their show on Saturday too. So you never know if you come to the match you may be on the telly!
MATCH v HUNTLYLAST WEDNESDAY
Jake Lockett, scorer of our goal on Wednesday and his first for the Club
Another game of two halves for the Jags!
Most spectators at the match would confirm that we were the better team in the first half and we took the lead on twenty two minutes by home debutant Jake Lockett only for Huntly to equalise eleven minutes later thanks to a penalty awarded after what looked like a free kick should have been awarded to ourselves – but that’s fitba! We also missed a couple of decent chances during the first period. Unfortunately in the second half Huntly capitalised on a couple of defensive mistakes and were awarded another penalty in the second half. The home fans were disappointed with the final result as most reckoned the game was closer than the score suggests.
STRATHSPEY THISTLE’S 30th BIRTHDAY
How time flies – yes, on the 18 April 2023 we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Club – please go to the Club’s history page – click here – for more information about how the Club was formed and how we arrived in April 2023.
EASY-PLAY ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER (age 16+):
Help Strathspey Thistle in raising vital funds for the club through Online Lotto by Clubforce.
Choose five numbers for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and extra lines can be added and you can tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders.
Thank you for your help for the club – it is much appreciated. To play click here.
HOME MATCH v HUNTLY FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN PH26 3HY WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2023 – KO 8pm
The floodlights will be on in anticipation of welcoming Huntly FC and their supporters to Seafield Park. Currently sitting in tenth spot in the league on thirty five points Huntly are having a good season and have amassed a very respectable seventeen points since the turn of the year so The Jags know that this will be another tough game.
However, after last Wednesday’s three points in Wick and a game-by-game visible improvement in performance Robert and the boys will be hoping of more of the same, in the first of four home games in a row. In our first game at Seafield Park since the 4th of February there are many home debutants not least our new management duo of Robert MacCormack and Mike Rae who will occupy the home dug-out for the first time. It will also be the first chance for home fans to see our new signings Michael Grimes, Jake Lockett and Michael Mackenzie, who opened his Jags goal scoring account last week in Wick.
Hopefully we will continue the good performances to make the home fans head home smiling…
For any Huntly supporters visiting Seafield Park for the first time or returning ones wanting a refresher please click here for information.
EASY-PLAY THE JAGS ONLINE LOTTO FUNDRAISER
Join the Strathy Jags family in raising vital funds for the club through Online Lotto hosted by Clubforce. Choose 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 52 weeks (2 weeks free) and add extra lines. Tick auto-renewal to avoid the hassle of reminders. Thank you for helping the club – it is much appreciated.
Normally at this time on a Saturday we are preparing for our afternoon’s Breedon Highland League match but the way the league keeps certain Saturdays for re-arranged games we are not involved this time.
So it gives us a chance to assess our fortunes this week which since five o’clock last Saturday have been very good indeed.
Three o’clock on Saturday saw us at The Haughs in Turriff and what was the proverbial game of two halves. After a very good first half according to manager Robert MacCormack we were the better team by being hard to beat and hitting Turriff on the counter and, also, missed a good chance to take the lead. After the break we went one down and again missed a big opportunity to level …..and after that the heads dropped and there followed a shocking twenty minutes or so when we lost a further four goals – the scoreline looks as though we were on the end of a hammering but it wasn’t like that at all – we conceded so many poor goals. A positive from the game was former Alness United forward Michael Mackenzie’s debut performance.
Now, the good stuff…..
NEW ASSISTANT MANAGER
Tuesday saw the announcement of Michael Rae’s appointment as Assistant Manager.
The former Rangers goalkeeper whose past clubs include Ross County, Buckie Thistle and Lossiemouth was assistant at Nairn County until last September and joins the Jags until the summer of 2024.
Boss Robert MacCormack said in the local paper The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald that he was absolutely delighted to get Mike as his assistant. “As well as a massive coup for the Club, he will undoubtedly help the Club get where we want to go and from a personal point of view it will be a massive help to me with his experience and knowledge of the game”.
AWAY GAME v WICK ACADEMY FC
So, it was Wednesday and we made the long trip up the A9 and a midweek Breedon Highland League match against Wick Academy to notch up our first victory since the start of November.
Daniel Whitehorn, scorer of the Jags first goal on Wednesday at Wick
After he enjoyed a well deserved pie and a cuppa after the journey north, our eyes at the match reported that we started the game really well and deservedly scored first on thirty two minutes through Daniel Whitehorn and it remained 1-0 until the break.
Although Wick went down to ten on fifty minutes they equalised on sixty minutes, but, two minutes later new boy Michael Mackenzie scored his first for the Jags’ and their second goal of the evening to make it 2-1. The Jags could have scored again very late on but the chance was missed. Asked his thoughts after the match the Boss said “Absolutely delighted!”
JACK DAVISON CONTRACT EXTENSION Then Thursday brought more good news with the announcement that Jack Davison has extended his contract until the summer of 2024.
Jack Davison
The Gaffer said “I am delighted that Jack has agreed to stay at the Club until June 2024. As we continue to rebuild the squad keeping Jack is a massive part of what we are trying to achieve. I have worked with Jack previously and know how good a player he is, and when I came here I was very much looking forward to working with him again.”
We now look forward to the first of four home fixtures in a row starting on Wednesday night against Huntly – weather permitting again ! – so it would be great to see you at Seafield Park supporting the Jags.
FUNDRAISING LOTTERY NEWS
This week the jackpot is now £3800 – to play online just click here . Thank you.
AWAY MATCH v WICK ACADEMY FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE HARMSWORTH PARK, WICK, KW1 5NH WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH – KO 8pm
It’s off up the A9 again on Wednesday, for our meeting under the Harmsworth Park lights, in a Breedon Highland League game against a Wick Academy team whose path this year can be compared on a slightly similar vein to our own. We have both suffered comprehensive beatings from the top six league clubs and have put in some decent performances in other games – mind you, Wick’s defensive record is far superior to ours as is their points total – twenty one points as against our six.
Mikey Grimes and Liam McDade are back in the squad but James McShane through work committments is unavailable as is Seamus MCConoghy who has a hamstring injury.
Even although we had a mad twenty minute spell last week at Turriff, the boys are beginning to show signs of recovery from which has, after all, been not too good a season so far….but hopefully on Wednesday there will be more signs of positivity and improvement for the new management team of Robert MacCormack and Mike Rae to enjoy – heading home to Grantown with a point or two would be nice….and then be ready for the next run of games.
Yes, it’s going to feel like eight days a week after next Saturday’s rest day as we prepare for four home games in a row…Huntly, Clach, Buckie Thistle & Keith – fortunately there’s a bit of respite for the pitch between the Clach and Buckie games. The Keith game is our last home game of the season so it would be great if you can come along to at least one or two of the games – the two games under the floodlights are always atmospheric and there’s also the visit of title contenders Buckie Thistle on the April 8 ………
Strathspey Thistle FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Rae as Assistant Manager.
Mike, originally from Inverness was with Rangers for four years and more recently was the assistant boss at Nairn County.
He joins up with new boss Robert MacCormack in an exciting development for the club – and they will be using our final six games to develop the squad they want to take forward for next year, beginning with a strong pre-season in June.
As Jags fans we would like to welcome Mike to the Club and wish him every success and we look forward to meeting and seeing him and Robert in the home dug out for their first home fixture next Wednesday night (29 March) in a re-arranged match against Huntly, which is then followed by a further three home games.
Firstly…….we play Wick Academy FC in Wick tomorrow night.
AWAY MATCH v TURRIFF UNITED FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE THE HAUGHS, QUEEN’S ROAD, TURRIFF, AB534DY SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2023 – KO 3pm
This Saturday sees us heading east to Turriff and to The Haughs.
Turriff United sit in eleventh position in the Breedon Highland League, their best season for a few years although faltering a wee bit over the last half-dozen or so games, with the exception of a good win against Fraserburgh, so again we will be fighting hard for points – hopefully leaving Turriff with a result….unlike the Government and the saga “o’ the Turra Coo”.
TEAM NEWS
Manager Robert MacCormack informed us this week that, as they have missed the last two league matches due to bad weather, the team played a friendly on Tuesday night against Nairn County Reserves. We won 5-1with Jordan Shaw, a returning loanee, and Jake Lockett scoring one goal and Jack Davison getting a hat-trick. Robert said overall it was well worth taking the game, getting much needed match time after our enforced break. With regards the squad for the Turriff game, captain James McShane returns from work duties and new signing Michael McKenzie is set to make his debut.
But as discussed at length at the last committee meeting everyone of us at Strathspey Thistle will, if we want to survive and have a more competitive team over the next few months and years, have to show as much commitment as we possibly can.
KITMAN (TEMPORARY)
Chairman Donly McLeod takes a break for a smile between the home and away kits….
Speaking of commitment this week’s behind the scenes look at what goes on day-to-day at a Highland Football League club in March……Chairman Donly McLeod’s Tuesday morning was sorting out the players kit after laundering before the trips to Turriff and next Wednesday’s visit to Wick……..the committee would love to hear from any person who would be willing to help us out with the kit.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
As stated above we have to visit Turriff this Saturday followed by a trip up the A9 to Wick next Wednesday night and there then follows four home matches in a row – two on Wednesday evenings under the floodlights and two at the more traditional time of three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon.
Wednesday 29 March v Huntly FC
Saturday 1 April v Inverness Clachnacuddin FC
Saturday 8 April v Buckie Thistle FC
Wednesday 12 April v Keith FC
And these games Jags fans, are the last home games of season 2022/2023.
We finish it off with with a visit to Banks O’ Dee on 15 April and Fraserburgh on the 22nd.
LOTTERY FUNDRAISING
This week the Jackpot is £3700 – click here and have a chance of winning – and supporting the Club – Thanks!
MATCH OFF v KEITH FC BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023
MATCH OFF
Just as many parts of Scotland are under snow and ice, and with night temperatures falling to over minus12 degrees, it will come as no real surprise to learn that tomorrow’s match with Keith FC has been postponed.
This will mean having to play, sometimes, two games a week and at the moment we only know the confirmed March dates. They are both away games – Turriff on Saturday18 and Wick Academy on Wednesday 22 – so we await notification from the League as to when they will manage to re-arrange the fixtures – which obviously means times that are suitable for both clubs, as for example, Saturday 25 March is the second matchday we miss – there being nineteen clubs in the league. So our social media will strive to keep y’all informed.
It is a pity that the Keith game fell foul of the weather as there was a sizeable media interest.
Captain James McShane modelling our home and away kits a couple of years ago ….
KIT
One of the upshots of having games postponed is there is no rush to the laundry delivering and collecting the team strips – although that changes later on in the season when there are two games a week !!
………and speaking of kit, the Club are looking for someone who would like to help us out as KITMAN or KITWOMAN….. until recently a committee member had been organising this but as he has since left, we would like some help with this so if you would be willing to give us a hand that would be brilliant….please contact any committee member or email : Mr Secretary Clive on strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com
FUNDRAISING LOTTERY
Just because the boys are not able to play on the park this weekend, you are very welcome to play the Club fundraising lottery game. This week’s jackpot is £3600 – play here and thanks – good luck!
