On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank our Players and Management for taking the decision that during the Covid 19 shutdown they will not take any wages.

Further to that, they have told the club they are handing back their payments for the month of March and to put that money into the club’s Youth Development Programme.

Money is undoubtedly tight in our level of football and at this unprecedented time it is even more so. We sincerly thank our Players and Management for this generous offer and while I am extremely biased, I do believe we have a tremendous family spirit at the club, second to none.

We hope all our supporters are in good health during this difficult time. Please keep following the government guidelines to ensure we get football back to Bellslea Park as soon as it is safe to do so.

We will return to the new season ready, whatever that may look like, but our first priority at the moment is looking out for each other.

Come awa the Broch !!

Finlay Noble

At a meeting earlier today, the SHFL Management Committee agreed to call a halt to the League Season and award Brora Rangers the Breedon Highland League title. While we could still mathematically catch Brora, we think it is only fair that they be declared champions. They have proved to be worthy winners and we congratulate them on their Chamionship and hope, if they get the chance, they can do the Highland League proud and emulate Cove Rangers in getting up to the SPFL.

The below statement from the SHFL;

Scottish Highland Football League clubs met today to consider options during the current public health emergency. The clubs are concerned to provide all involved and interested in the Highland League with as much clarity as possible.

The following decisions were made by the meeting:
• That the 2019-20 season be deemed to have concluded on the date that football activity in Scotland was suspended – Friday 13th March 2020
• That Brora Rangers FC be declared Breedon Highland League Champions for 2019-20
• That the latter stages of the Utilita Highland League Cup 2019-20 (semi-finals and final) be held over and played early in the 2020-21 season
• That there be no further matches in the Highland League Youth Development Initiative for the foreseeable future.

The League therefore goes into a form of hibernation until such time as football resumes after the Covid-19 pandemic passes. At that time, the possibilities for creating meaningful competitions in season 2020-2021 will be considered and that, in turn, will depend on when resumption takes place.

Clubs also recognised the valuable support given to its competitions by the Breedon Group and Utilita and wished to place on record their appreciation thereof.

In such a difficult time for all, the meeting was clear in its view that issues much more important than football currently predominate, with health and livelihoods being far more significant.

The meeting heard of a number of instances of clubs putting their shoulder to the resilience wheel and of club staff being very understanding of the financial challenges being faced. This was uplifting and can only be beneficial to the health and well-being of all concerned.

The final message from the League to club members, staff, volunteers and supporters is to stay safe and healthy and we all look forward to getting back to football when the time is right.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel our darts event in August.

A European darts event in Germany due in March has been cancelled because of the coronavirus and rescheduled for the weekend of our event in August.

The players are contracted to appear in these events and regrettably have had to cancel our event.

They have asked to pass on their sincere apologies to everyone.

Hopefully once everything calms down we can look at arranging another event.

Everyone who has paid their ticket money will get a full refund.

We are delighted to announce that Owen Cairns has extended his contract until the summer of 2021.

Owen joined in the summer and has been a regular in the side and has become very popular with the fans already.

We are delighted to announce that we have agreed the permanent transfer of Ross Willox from Peterhead.

Ross has been on loan from Peterhead since October and has made 13 appearances so far scoring 3 goals in the process. We would like to thank Peterhead FC for their help in getting this done.

We are delighted that Celtic FC have agreed to come to Fraserburgh in a fund raising game for the Broch RNLI Station, just as they famously did 50 years ago after the tragic events of 21st January 1970.

See below link to an interview Jock Stein gave at the time

jockstein

Details of the match will be shared in due course and once a date has been set.

Celtic FC have a very busy schedule at the best of times so it is fantastic that they are willing to take time out of that and help commerate the 50th Anniversary of the tragic sinking of the RNLB Duchess of Kent.

The below statement was posted on celticfc.net yesterday…..

CELTIC Football Club today announced that it will be taking part in a special fundraising match this year against Fraserburgh FC in memory of the victims of the Fraserburgh Lifeboat Tragedy. Today, January 21, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the Fraseburgh Lifeboat tragedy.
On 21 January 1970, the local lifeboat was overturned by a freak wave in gale-force conditions while escorting a Danish fishing vessel to safety, leaving five women widowed and 15 children mourning the loss of their father.
The joint funeral of those who perished was attended by 13,000 people.
Just three months after the incident in 1970, a Celtic team, including members of the Lisbon Lions who had won the European Cup only three years earlier, travelled to Bellslea Park for a charity fundraising match in memory of those who had lost their lives.
It was a hugely emotional occasion, with Celtic’s legendary manager, Jock Stein, paying a huge tribute of respect to the victims and their families just a few days before his side were in European Cup final action again in Milan’s San Siro Stadium.
The Celtic team was littered with stars, including Billy McNeill, Jimmy Johnstone, Bobby Lennox and Bobby Murdoch, as they prepared to meet their Fraserburgh counterparts.
A total 6,500 people braved the elements that day to see Fraserburgh take on the Glasgow giants at Bellslea and, in the process, raised around £2,000 for the benefit of the disaster fund.
Now, to mark the 50th anniversary of a tragedy which rocked the North East and Scotland as a whole, Celtic have committed once again to playing its part in support of the local community with funds raised going to local causes including RNLI Fraserburgh.
Celtic is delighted to confirm that it will send a team to play against Fraserburgh, with further match details now being discussed.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “Clearly we have a very close connection to the tragic events of 1970, with Jock Stein and the club ensuring in 1970 that the local disaster fund was supported.
“We know for many in the local area that these events will still cause hurt and pain even after 50 years. However, after discussions with Fraserburgh FC we felt that once again we should mark this anniversary year, come together and pay our respects to those who were lost and their families”.
Celtic will work closely together with Fraserburgh FC and match details will be announced in due course.

Fraserburgh FC History 2010 to 2019 (click to download spreadsheet)

• 93 Players used
• 21 Players made 100 appearances or more (William West 354, Bryan Hay 353, Marc Dickson, 315, Graham Johnston 306)
• 52 Players made their debuts
• 48 Different players scored
• 3 Players scored 100 goals or more (Scott Barbour 151, William West 115, Graham Johnston 100)
• Biggest win 13-0 v Fort William, Bellslea
• Six trophies won (Aberdeenshire Cup four times and Aberdeenshire Shield twice)
• 39 Different opponents
• 67 Different referees

Mark Cowie clocked up 200 matches as manager of the club in the 3-2 victory on Saturday. Below are the stats for his games so far;

We have decided to amend the prizes in our lottery statrting from 1st January. The new prizes will be;

1st Prize – £300

2nd Prize – £100

3rd Prize – Entry for two to a Broch League match.

Today’s League Cup tie at Buckie has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. A rescheduled date will be announced shortly.