CULTER FOOTBALL CLUB
March Misery: Culter FC's worst month of the season occurred in March 2004, playing four games, losing three and drawing the ultimate match. We lost the first two, which were Cup Ties against Hermes, after a penalty shoot out in the Regional Cup, and then by the only goal of the game against Sunnybank in the Acorn Heating Cup, which we had won last season. We then played two Super League games losing by the odd goal in five to Formartine United and drawing 1-1 with Wilson's X1. At this stage, the Press reported us as 'stuttering'.
Playing Pool: Two players were transferred to Ellon United - Gordon McDonald followed by Neil Cowie. We were very pleased to welcome back local player Mark Greig from Sunnybank then goalkeeper Ivor Petrie from Keith because of problems of unavailability of Tony Buckley and Russell Milne. Team Captain Marc Small has been put on the transfer list in a recent announcement.
Ron's Resignation: We were stunned at the end of January 2004 when our exceptional Groundsman and Committee Member, Ron Mackay, announced his resignation. He was in his 16th year on the Committee and now spends much of his leisure time enjoying golf.
We were fortunate when Alex Irvine promptly contacted former Groundsman George Aitken and loyal supporter Gordon Laing to take over Ron's duties at Crombie Park. This was such a big relief and quick solution.
Lottery Luck: Our lottery equalled its record payout of £3,300 on Saturday 10 April 2004. This time there were five lucky winners who shared the Jackpot.
Diary Date: Our Season-end Social, combined with the postponed Race Night, has been booked at the Palm Court Hotel on Friday 28 May 2004.
Championship Clinched: Culter made a wonderful start to the league campaign by winning the first ten games to be league leaders throughout the season. Culter FC has been runner-up in the Premier Division for the past two seasons and with the leagues being reformed we are now in the inaugural Super League. In the last few months Culter have been described in the Press as 'Champions Elect' and the title was eventually clinched on Tuesday 27 April 2004 against Glentanar, the only remaining team which could pass us at that stage. We won 1-0 at Woodside through a Roddy Cameron goal to become the Champions. Congratulations go to Team Manager Bobby Gray, the rest of the Team Management and the Players on this excellent achievement.
Albert J Moir
31 years ago: The last time that a Culter team clinched their Association's top league title was in 1972/73 when we were the Amateur League Division 1 Champions. We also won the North of Scotland Cup and the Hans Fyfe Trophy for a splendid Silver Jubilee year hat-trick. The Club completed the entire season without losing a game at Crombie Park.
Back Row: G Ritchie, R Beattie, G Buist, R Lovie, A Gove, A Irvine (Captain) and G Spry
Front Rouu: P Longmuir, I MacDonald, R Smith, D Jamieson, B Beattie and A Watt