Culter Football Club
Awards Ceremony
Shortest Season: Culter played only 37 competitive games in the past season. It was the shortest season on record since we joined NRJFA in 1987/88. Our highest number of games were played in 1988/89 when the total was 54 matches. The only other time we have been below 40 games in these 17 seasons was in 1999/2000 when the tally was 39.
Annual Awards: Winners of our Annual Awards were announced at our Season-end Social/Race Night in the Palm Court Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday 28 May 2004.
• The Dick Brown Memorial Trophy was won by Team Manager, Bobby Gray.
Bobby's remarkable record was rewarded with this Club honour. Bobby joined us when we were bottom of the Premier League in 1999 but he came too late to save us from relegation. However, underdogs Culter beat Formartine United 2-1 to win the Regional Cup that season. In 2000/Ol, Bobby guided Culter to the 1st Division Title then beat Premier Champions Longside twice in the last week of that season to win two cups - the Camstruction Trophy (McLeman Cup) and the Jimmy Gibb Trophy. In the next two seasons, Culter were Runners-up in the Premier Division and last season won the Acorn Heating Cup, again by beating Longside, then clinched the inaugural Printagraph Super League this season in convincing style - a tribute to Bobby.
Bobby Gray being presented with his Trophy by Mrs Barbara Duncan.
Team pictured with the Printagraph Super League Trophy, which they clinched in April 2004.
• The Larry Barclay 'Player of the Year' Trophy was won by Murray Rattray. Murray's consistency was borne out by the fact that he only missed one game during the season and this was due to his unavailability. He was a tower of strength in our defence and, like Bobby, he was a clear-cut winner in the annual awards vote.
Successful Season-end Social: Our Season-end Social/Race Night, held in the Palm Court Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday 28 May 2004, was a great success and particular thanks go to organiser, Eric J Duncan. Gus Johnstone and his brother Derek did a great job conducting the Race Night and Disco. Eric even produced a guest appearance by the legendary Denis Law whose short visit was a
Printagraph Super League Trophy, ultic{t they clinclicd
special highlight of the evening. Denis assisted with the framed photograph auction and readily was photographed at the occasion.
Playing Pool: Three players have departed during the close season - Paul Morrison was transferred to Ellon United, Marc Small to FC Stoneywood whilst Gavin Hendry went to Cove Rangers as a free agent. There have been two incoming transfers so far with Andy Cowell joining us from Sunnybank and Gary Thow moving from Stonehaven. Gary has been appointed as Player/ Coach.
Murray Rattray receiving his award from Mrs Lyn Milne
Season Start: As winners of our Super League, Culter qualified for the new SJFA Super Cup. Culter faced a formidable away trip to play Kilwinning Rangers in the semi-final on 24 July 2004 but unfortunately lost 4-2 in an entertaining game. Culter were 1-0 down at the interval but, soon after the restart, equalised through David Calder and then went ahead thanks to a Neil McRitchie goal. However, Culter suffered a blow when new player Andy Cowell was sent off for a second bookable offence after we were trailing 3-2. Goalkeeper Ivor Pirie had an uncharacteristic disappointing game and let a speculative shot squirm under his body to see the body dribble over the line for the 4th Kilwinning goal.
The North Region season starts on Tuesday 10 August 2004 with the Grill League Cup and Culter have been drawn in Section 1 along with Dufftown, Lads Club and Longside.
Albert Moir