Snow Stoppage

It was no surprise when our Soccer World Super League match, Culter v Formartine United, due to be played yesterday was postponed because of our frozen snow covered Crombie Park.

Past Picture.            Our "Player of the Year" Trophy was introduced 35 years ago.   Team Captain Jim Ward was presented with the Trophy at the Club's Dinner and Dance in The Douglas Arms Hotel, Banchory on Saturday 1 April 1972.  The I Trophy was donated by Larry Barclay, a Committee Member at that time and now an Honorary Vice President.

Jim's interesting football career started in Edinburgh and when he played for Oxgangs Rovers, another member of that side was Sean Connery!   When he was with Murrayfield Amateurs they had a great run in the Scottish Amateur Cup, losing in the 7th Round to Cove Rangers.  Whilst playing for Kirknewton Amateurs he was invited to go to Stamford Bridge for a month's trial with Chelsea but was unfortunately unable to accept due to his studies at the time.

After he moved to England he played for Poole Town in the Southern League for a year or two.       He then moved to Culter when he was appointed as a Chemist in Culter Paper Mills.       My father found out about Jim's football skills and quickly signed him for Culter for Season 1966/67.           Our large playing pool that season was:­

Arthur Stuart, Derek Forbes, Ronnie Beattie, Dennis Scott, John Robson, Roy Pirie, Bill Leslie, John Summers, Jim Hunter, Ronnie Smith, George Allan, Alistair Murray, John Durham, Alexander McConnach, Arthur Watt, Abbie Ritchie, Fred Wright, Bill Craigmile, Dennis Leith, James Davidson, Allan Clark, Charlie Morrison and Jim Ward.

Culter FC members were very sorry to bid farewell to Jim when he changed his employment and moved to Chirnside in Berwickshire. Jim made his last appearance for Culter when he motored up from his new home in Duns, Berwickshire, to be in our side which won the North of Scotland Cup by beating City Police 2 - 1 in the Final at Linksfieid on Saturday 19 May 1973.

Pictured from Left to Right: Alastair Gove, George Ritchie, Alex Irvine, lain "Chuck" MacDonald, Ronnie Beattie, Jim Ward, Arthur Watt, John Low, Glennie Melvin and Larry Barclay

.Weekly Lottery.          Numbers Reduction: Since there were no winners again, the numbers available for selection will be reduced by one for the next draw, i.e. 1 to 18 for Lottery dated Saturday 17 February 2007.

Prize Increase:          In addition our prize goes up by £100 to £2700.

Next Week's Fixture - Soccer World Supper League - Saturday 17 February 2007.

Culter v Stonehaven (at Crombie Park, Culter)     Kick Off 2.30 pm.      Ref: S McKenzie.

Neil McRitchie           Andy Thain

Deesiders Double Disappointment. Two disappointing announcements regarding our Playing Pool were made this week. Striker Neil McRitchie has been placed on the Transfer List whilst defender Andy Thain has hung up his boots.

Copier Change.        To-day's Bulletin is being printed on our new photocopier - a Konica Minolta 130f.     Our oia machine, a Selex GR-1650, which served me so well, is being transferred to Crombie Park Pavilion for further useful service particularly on match days.  The new machine was supplied by our Player/Coach Gary Thow of Capture Imaging Solutions.