A Tale of Two Thistles

Something was rumbling over the summer in the Highland Capital of Scotland. By the time league football returned, the name Thistle was attached to two Inverness club names. In the run-up to the 1994/95 bid to join the Scottish League, an acrimonious merger was happening between Caledonian FC and Inverness Thistle. It was the right … Continue reading A Tale of Two Thistles →

1, 2, 3 – No.3- Kelty

In early June 2016, doubtlessly in a pique of boredom I decided to go and have a look at New Central Park, home at that particular time to Junior side Kelty Hearts. I used to work beside a Fife chap, Gordy, who, if he wasn’t at the San Starko, would frequent the Junior grounds in … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 – No.3- Kelty →

1,2,3 – No.1-(ICT v Celtic)

An idea came to me on Saturday driving back from Stranraer. Why not, when visiting a well known venue on a Saturday, write a short blog piece with tales from my three favourite games there. I will make that happen, with Stair Park getting the first outing, when I head that way again, a week … Continue reading 1,2,3 – No.1-(ICT v Celtic) →

In Europe, (part one)

As I am nearing 50 years of watching European football, well okay, a year shy in 2025, but it still got me thinking of which of those jousts I have viewed have stood the test of time, and indeed, are never likely to be forgotten. Stripping out the friendlies, which include Hamilton versus IBK Keflavik … Continue reading In Europe, (part one) →

Hop to it ’25

The annual Scottish Groundhop, always an early signal of spring, and the downward slope to the season’s conclusion. The weather at these gigs hasn’t always been warm sunshine and fine sunsets though. Indeed, togging down at Glenrothes one giddy Saturday morning due the temperature rising was a rare climate high for these occasions, where waterlogged … Continue reading Hop to it ’25 →

Brora Brora

The village of Brora, with a population of just over 1,200 is perhaps an unlikely recent success story in Scotland’s Highland League. Having been going for over 135 years without a title, to now sit with four on their CV is testimony to a remarkable turnaround. Given the size of the village, for many a … Continue reading Brora Brora →