CULTER FOOTBALL CLUB
Dinner
Delight: Our 18th Celebrity Dinner on Friday 14 November 2003 proved yet
again to be another great night. The event was attended by approximately 230
gentlemen (around the same number as last year) and as usual there was a
splendid atmosphere. President Doug Jamieson made the introductory speech,
Gordon Morrison said Grace and the colourful Peter Mitchell was an amusing and
competent Compere. Guest Speaker Tony Higgins, Scottish PFA Secretary, ably
entertained the audience whilst Comedian Terry Joyce's different comedy routine
made the laughter resound.
Top
Team Twice: Culter were announced as the NRJFA Printagraph Super League Team
of the Month for October and December 2003. In October, Culter won three Super
League games beating Formartine United 2-1, Longside 3-0 and FC Stoneywood 6-2,
whilst in the other October match, Culter won 2-1 against Burghead Thistle in
the 1st round of the Rollstud Regional Cup. In our three Super League matches,
we won both home games, beating Hermes 3-1 and Stonehaven 3-0, then in our away
game we drew 1-1 with last season's champions, Sunnybank (at the time lying
second) at Heathryfold on a damp, dark December day.
Scottish Story:
Culter
were favoured with a bye in the 1st round of the OVD Scottish Junior Cup
followed by two home region draws, albeit away games. Culter safely negotiated a
tricky tie when they dealt with Maud - we inflicted the first home defeat on the
Buchan men in windy and damp conditions at the Pleasure Park, winning 4-1. In
the 3rd round, we beat Glentanar 1-0 at Woodside Sports Complex thanks to a
Colin Craik goal. The final score did not reflect Culter's domination but left
us as the only North team going into the last 32. Culter made an undistinguished
exit from the Cup with a disappointing display in Fife, losing 2-0 to the
1989/90 Scottish Cup winners, Hill o'Beath. After a goalless first half, on a
very heavy pitch, Haws scored immediately after the interval and any hope of
gaining at least a draw disappeared when Skipper Marc Small was red-carded. The
tie was over when Hill o'Beath scored again to make it 2-0 in the late stages.
To add to our woes, we had a bus breakdown on the way home!
Playing Pool: In
December, we were pleased to welcome back Gavin Hendry after his break of nearly
a year in Australia. We also announced that Andrew Smith had joined us on loan
from Elgin City. Unfortunately on the other hand Alan Morris decided to call it
a day due to his prolonged injury problems. In January, Team Manager Bobby Gray
secured the services of David Calder from Keith FC.
Diary
Date: We are holding a Race Night on Saturday 6 March 2004 in the OTC in
King Street, Aberdeen. Catering has been arranged for Stovies/Curry. It will be
a mixed company evening.
The 1973 / 74 team group pictured at the end of the season
with the Division 1 Shield and the Aberdeen FC Trophy:
Back Row: Gary Gauld, Gordon Buist, Ron Beattie, Raymond Lovie, Alex
Irvine, lain MacDonald, David Strath
Front Row:
30
Years Ago: On Sunday 20 January 1974, Culter beat Rosslyn Kinglassie 4-2 at
Crombie Park, Culter, in the 4th round of the Scottish Amateur Cup. It was an
historic occasion - it was the North East's first ever competitive amateur match
to be played on a Sunday. It was a sunny Sunday and attracted a large attendance
(estimated at 500) and a record collection of £28.84 was taken. The Fife team
wore maroon shirts so Culter played in our white strip. The referee was J K
McPherson and his linesmen were E J Coutts and N Rose. The half-time score was
3-1 and our scorers were Graham Spry (2 mins), Jim Heatherwick (17 mins), Arthur
Watt (23) and John Low (78 mins).
Our team that memorable afternoon was: R Lovie; D Strath, R
Beattie; G Buist, A Irvine (Captain), G Spry; P Longmuir, I MacDonald, R Smith,
J Heatherwick, A Watt; Substitutes: J Low and D Jamieson
The
tie was brought forward at our
opponents' request due to their team problems in the days of the 3-day working
week. Two former Kinglassie players were W Fernie and Jimmy Bonthrone (then
Managers of Kilmarnock and Aberdeen respectively) who were born in the same
street in Kinglassie.
Albert J Moir