That’s us at the end of another season and one which we played a mammoth 51 competitive games. The most games we have ever played in a season. 34 League games and 17 Cup games.

We must give credit to the players who have put in a demanding effort this season and we often forget that these guys have full time jobs, many of which are manual jobs where they are on their feet for most of the day and then have to train or play games at night. There was hardly any rest afforded to them last close season due to the early start to the season with the Kilmarnock game at Bellslea in July. That on the back of the intensity of the title run in the previous season is some shift so hats off to the guys for that immense effort.

Our season, certainly for me, has been a great success. While not successful in our defence of the title, we have won all three Aberdeenshire trophies, the Cup, the Shield and the Aberdeenshire League (U21). That’s a great achievement for the whole club and one which I am extremely proud of, especially as I am President of the Aberdeenshire FA. We are the first club to do that.

A huge thanks to the coaching staff, Mark, James, Antony, Alex, Paul, Matthew, Dean and Graham along with our two match day physios Sarah and Emma. Your efforts are hugely appreciated by everyone at the club.

It’s equally demanding for the guys off the park where some of us are involved in all games we play, including the U18 and U21 games on a Monday night, especially the ones at Bellslea. A total of 41 home games over the season!!

We are very fortunate to have a core team of guys who keep the club functioning for these games and to make it as professional as possible in all aspects of the club.

We also have a very good Hospitality Lounge on a matchday and it without doubt a major part of the club’s finances so we are extremely grateful to all the girls who do such a wonderful job in keeping everyone happy, so many thanks to Alice, Amber and the team.

People like me and my fellow Directors are merely custodians of the club and it’s imperative we keep the club as healthy as possible so that when the time comes, we pass it on to others for them to continue.

We have two Directors who are moving on due to work and family commitments, Peter Bruce (Vice Chairman) and Calvin Morrice. These are two guys who between them have given over 50 years dedication to the club and two that I will miss immensely. Peter and Calvin have been at the forefront of the successful running of the club for many years and will be greatly missed, but it comforts me that they will be on the end of a telephone for help and advice when it’s required. That happens in football all the time, up and down the country, but it’s sad when it is your own club. On behalf of everyone at The Broch, we wish Peter, Fiona, Calvin and Gayle the very best wishes and look forward to seeing them at Bellslea Park again in the future.

Another significant change at the club is the end of a hugely successful sponsorship from McWilliam (Aberdeen) Ltd and in particular, Mike Lawrie. Mike has recently sold his business and is enjoying an extremely well-deserved retirement. Mike has been our main sponsor for 12 years and in that time, we have won 15 trophies together, our most successful period in the history of Fraserburgh FC. Mike is a very quiet and humble man who is a great friend of the club, and we thank him for his generosity over the years. I just hope that he has enjoyed the ride and got as much out of it as we have.

As I say, football moves on and with that comes change so I am excited to see a new logo on the front of our shirts for the first time since 2011 but more of that later.

With Peter’s departure we had a vacancy for the Vice Chairman and that will be filled by George Thom, who I look forward to working more closely with.

Further thanks to all our sponsors and advertisers who support us so well over the years and whose backing we couldn’t do without. Especially the main club sponsors, Entier, VT Wealth, Gray & Adams, Bruce of the Broch, Score Group, PBP Services, AM Campbell, JBS Group, Victoria Group and of course McWilliam (Aberdeen Ltd).

And finally, to our loyal supporters for your continued backing both home and away in such good numbers. Here at Bellslea, the supporters have always been like an extra man and when you travel in numbers to our away games it is so encouraging for the players to see that support.