CULTER FOOTBALL CLUB

Top Team: Culter was announced as the NRJFA Printagraph Premier Division Team of the Month for October 2002. Culter started October by beating Longside 2-0 at Crombie Park then pulled off a notable away win beating league leaders FC Stoneywood 4-2 at Polo Park . A set-back came the following week when Culter drew 2-2 with Banks o' Dee at Culter after extra time but went out of the Rollstud Regional Cup on penalties. In the last week of the month, Culter beat Hermes 3-2 at home in a Premier Division match.

Dinner Date: Our 17th Celebrity Dinner on Friday 15 November 2002 proved to be yet another great night. The event was attended by 230 gentlemen, slightly fewer than last year, but once again there was a splendid atmosphere. President Doug Jamieson made the introductory speech; Gordon Morrison said Grace and Jimmy Wilson once more was an able compere. Guest Speaker Paul Fletcher's tasteful humour delighted the audience whilst Comedian Rudi West had us in stitches. It turned out to be another Culter FC night to be remembered.

Scottish Story: Culter had a good but short run in this season's OVD Scottish Junior Cup. After a 1st Round bye, Culter travelled to Ayrshire to produce a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Saltcoats Victoria . The next round meant a journey to Ayrshire again and, in a match that had everything, Culter drew 4-4 with Hurlford United. In both these games, our prolific scorer Neil McRitchie scored a hat-trick. In a strangely subdued 3rd Round replay, Culter went down 2-0 to Hurlford United to go out of the competition on Saturday 14 December 2002 .

Winter Woe: The adverse winter weather at the end of December and beginning of January saw Culter have four matches postponed in succession at time of printing. At this stage, Culter had played a mere nine Premier Division matches, six fewer than League Leaders FC Stoneywood and with 15 points less than they had.

30 Years Ago: Culter started Annual Dinner Dances in 1964 and the first venue was the Douglas Arms Hotel, Banchory. Our 10th consecutive function there was held on Saturday 24 March 1973 . The price for 89 dinners @ 85p each totalled £75.65; the popular Mary Milne's Band was paid £15.50 while the hire of two buses cost only £10! There were several presentations made that night:

The PJ Stuart Shield was presented by Pat Stuart (to mark his record of over 50 years in minor football) to Aberdeenshire Amateur FA President George Stephen to go annually to the winners of the Division VI title. At the age of 76, Pat was then Culter's masseur.

Club Awards: The Dick Brown Memorial Trophy went to Groundsman George Aitken, whilst Alex Irvine won the Player of the Year Trophy. (See photograph) Light-hearted awards were made for Tuesday evening training prowess. Ronnie Beattie was presented with a bar of soap to clean up his game; Arthur Watt received a pair of miniature boots with sequined toes in recognition of his nickname 'Twinkletoes' and Raymond Lovie accepted the prize of a potty for being the best dribbler!

Albert J Moir