Tain Thistle AFC - Official Website

Latest News & Updates
Alex McDonald takes the helm

Posted on Saturday, March 15, 2025

Ahead of the 2025 summer season, Tain Thistle are proud to announce a change of guard at the top with Alex McDonald taking the reins as manager for the forthcoming North West Sutherland amateur league campaign.

The move comes after two seasons with John Maclellan in post, who after taking charge at St Duthus has stepped down as Jags boss, and instead joins the playing squad. A massive thank you to John for the work he put in throughout 2023 and 2024, reviving the club after a three-year absence and winning back to back division titles.

On the appointment, Alex said: "Really excited to be stepping up and taking charge this summer.

"Ever since Tain Thistle's revival 2 years ago, John has taken me under his wing and has shown me the ropes and I’m ready now to take the reigns.

"After winning two leagues in a row we’ll all be aiming to make it a third and I’m glad to have a great team around me to make that happen."
Award winners announced

Posted on Saturday, August 10, 2024

Tain Thistle finished off our title winning season with a 2-1 loss at home to Inver in a feisty game, who in all fairness absolutely deserved their win. Our goal came from young Aaron Skinner.

We are happy to say that our award winners for season 2024 are:

Player of the Year: Scotty Macdonald

Young Player of the Year: Adrian Voigt

Goal of the Season: Billy Knox vs Lochinver

Manager’s player of the Year: Adam Allan

We are also pleased to announce the winner of our first ever “George Murray Award for Fan’s Player of the Year”.

This award gives a nod to one of our most dedicated and passionate fans in local legend George - who if he is off work can be found at every game home or away rain or shine. The first ever winner of this award, as voted by a multitude of fans is Finn As-Chainey.

Manager John Maclellan said: “Thank you to all players and fans for your outstanding commitment to this club. I am very proud to once again bring this trophy back to Tain.

"To win last season's League 2 title, and back that up as League 1 Champions this year means so much to me, so again genuinely thanks to everyone who has committed time, money and effort towards making this happen.

"We deserve to be Champions but couldn’t have done it without the support of our community of Tain. Come on the Jags!”
Thistle secure league title

Posted on Saturday, August 3, 2024

TAIN THISTLE ARE NWSFA LEAGUE ONE CHAMPIONS

Lochinver 1 Tain Thistle 3

Goals from Sam Ross, Callum Murray and Scott MacDonald overturn a 1-0 deficit to take all three points and the North West Sutherland league championship!
Lochbroom 1 Tain Thistle 3

Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2024

Tain came through a very tricky away fixture with all three points in an enjoyable contest with Lochbroom, in a game where the standard of football played by both teams was excellent.

Liam Rostock opened with his obligatory goal from close range after a mazy run from Finners, before the former pulled up and had to be replaced.

Both teams went at it back and forth, before Adam Allan was tripped on the byline for a Thistle penalty, which top scorer Scotty Macdonald duly dispatched. The half wasn’t done with drama, as Ben Bruce lofted a naughty 45 yarder into the top corner to make it 2-1.

Tain had the better of the chances in the second half without taking any, and Lochbroom were still in it for sure. Ten mins before the end, Adam Allan collected a bouncing ball 30 yards from goal on his chest, before rifling it into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club. All the best to Lochbroom for the remaining games, and cheers for the hospitality

MOTM: Again could have been a number of players, but today it goes to Stef Macritchie. Going band for band in the middle of the pitch with Ben Bruce is not easy, but Stef did a phenomenal job in there both offensively and defensively.
Tain Thistle 2 Golspie Stafford 0

Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2024

Tain won a massive three points against fellow title challengers Golspie yesterday afternoon, with two goals from Scotty Macdonald.

The game started fast with Tain having the majority of the chances and ball. There was no breakthrough until just before half time, when Scotty showed great composure to slot the ball into the top corner first time inside the box.

Golspie went down to ten for an understandable slap on Adam Allan as Tain prepared for a second half battle. It took a while to get our foot on the ball and take the sting out of the game, but we did eventually through the excellent Liam Smith in particular.

Scotty made it two zip with a mazy run and finish, as Tain saw out the rest of the game maturely keeping the ball.

We have three remaining fixtures in the title race, and will focus on taking each one at a time starting with Lochbroom away on Saturday. For now though the boys deserve to enjoy a great win down the Links in front of a large support from our community.

Man of the Match: Seriously tough one the day. Stevie Martin was excellent and well worth his clean sheet, Scotty took his goals tremendously, Smitt was phenomenal all game. But this week's MOTM goes to our very own Mowgli, who was vicious in the tackler and put in a top drawer performance in his first game back. A true Tain Thistle legend

I also want to shout out Adam Allan. We have had three huge games within the space of a week, and he’s played in every minute and has been a huge part of coming through that tough period with nine points. Well done fluffy - John Mac
Tain win Battle of the Bay

Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2024

Tain triumphed in an all-timer through in Inver today, after being 4-1 down at half time. Inver and Tain both collaborated to ensure there was a big crowd in the spirit of community and to raise money for Mikeysline, and sure enough both sides were packed with noisy supporters.

Inver raced into a 2-0 lead early doors with a cracking strike from the edge of the box and a good finish from Bruce Urquhart. Tain responded with a very well worked goal from Cal Murray after good work from Stef and Finners, but Alex Mackenzie immediately restored the two goal cushion with a great strike from 40 yards. He then made it 4-1 at half time after beating Aneek one on one to give Tain a mountain to climb.

Tain refused to lie down and started the second half doggedly, getting back into the game through Scott Macdonald who continued his fine run of form. But it was then that Adrian Voigt decided he had taken the imminent loss personally, firing in a superb double to put Tain level.

Will Ross then scored from a corner in his first game of the season to put us 5-4 up in a comeback that would shame Istanbul. Scotty Mac added another and the immense Adrian Voigt got his hat trick to put Tain 7-4 ahead and comfy. Keigan Mackenzie pulled one back for Inver but it was a bitty too late.

After a poor half first showing where every point in the table is vital, all credit to the Tain boys who stepped up to the plate and got the job done. There is still plenty of work to be done, starting with a home fixture vs Lochinver on Wednesday, but Tain can enjoy the derby win today knowing we have it all to play for. All the best to Inver for their remaining games and thank you for the hospitality and craic.

MOTM: Adrian Voigt. Second hat trick of the season for the half-turn master, putting the ball in the back of the net when we desperately needed it most. On yourself Voigty

Highlights at: https://dai.ly/x92ecza.
Tain Thistle 10 Melvich 0

Posted on Saturday, July 6, 2024

Tain returned to winning ways with a flourish in an emphatic home victory over Melvich. Our Northern opponents have often been a very sticky team for us, however Alex McDonald’s Tain flew out the traps with a vengeance following our cup final defeat last weekend. Scott Macdonald opened the scoring with a volley, before a cracking diagonal ball from Jamie Skinner was headed home RVP style by Sam Ross.

Voigty smacked one into the top corner and Scotty deservedly got his second after staying on his feet following a foul to make it 4 at half time.

He continued as he left off, scoring a further three as he ran riot in the second half with Rostock, Jamie Skinner and Andy Kellock joining in on the scoring, the latter grabbing his first for the club. Great result and performance, onto the next one

Man of the Match: Scotty Macdonald, even aside of his five goals he was electric. He also looks a lot like Charlie Mulgrew. Big mention also to young pair Aneek Khan, who kept his first clean sheet of the season, and Dyllon Smith who played very well on his first start for the club.
Tain lose Stafford Cup final

Posted on Saturday, June 29, 2024

Tain lost the Stafford Cup final today to a strong Golspie side, in what was an opportunity missed to win the first silverware of the season. Tain raced out of the traps to go 2-0 up through a Voigt volley and a good finish from Cal Murray, but Golspie fired back to make it 2-2 before half time.

There was only one team starting the second half sharply however, as Golspie deservedly scored 3 without reply. Duffers scored a cracker from 25 yards 5 mins from time to claw back a bit of hope, but it wasn’t to be.

In all fairness, the best team won on the day so congratulations to Golspie. Tain now need to bounce back with our final three pre-split fixtures coming thick and fast, and the league still well up for grabs.
Helmsdale United 1 Tain Thistle 3

Posted on Saturday, June 22, 2024

Tain returned to winning ways with a cracking result up in Helmsdale this afternoon. Stand in gaffer Alex McDonald opted for a 3-5-2 and the game started brightly with both teams going at it. Helmsdale took the lead on roughly the half hour mark with a trademark Jack Wardrop volley.

Tain shortly after had a goal disallowed for young Billy Knox who earned a deserved start, however weren’t to be denied as Adrian Voigt slotted calmly after great work and a lovely reverse ball from the returning Finn As-Chainey on the stroke of half time.

After the restart, Alexander Scott did the Bizness with a rasping 20 yarder to put Tain into a 2-1 lead. Tain controlled much of the rest of the game, and Scotty Macdonald fired home from another Finn ball to make it 3-1 again and a hat trick of assists for the Dutchman. A big three points for the boys we now look forward to the Stafford Cup Final next Saturday (29th) vs Golspie.

MOTM: Plenty of candidates but it goes to JW Skinner today - didn’t lose one header and was fantastic on the ball as well, forming a great partnership with Duffers.
Golspie Stafford 3 Tain Thistle 1

Posted on Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Tain succumbed to their first league loss of the season against a Golspie side who were deserved winners. Tain started brightly with a great finish from Callum Murray in the opening few minutes after a good knock down from Scott Macdonald, before Golspie had a goal disallowed for handball.

Louis Macpherson dispatched a penalty to make it 1-1 at half time, and Golspie took the lead shortly after the restart. It was a fairly end to end game with both teams having spells of being on top, and Tain were lucky to not go 3-1 down at one point with Stevie Martin making an excellent penalty save.

As Tain pushed for an equalizer space opened up and Golspie did make it three in the end with a cracking header.

The best team won on the night but we get our heads up and go again as there is still everything to play for.
Thistle win Kenny Raigie trophy

Posted on Saturday, June 8, 2024

Tain claimed a big three points on a wet and windy day at the Links, along with the Kenny Raigie Memorial Trophy for a year. “The Broom” were supported by a large Ullapool contingent who made their way East to support their team and come together to remember a local legend.

The game started off very evenly in truth, with Shaun Marshall and Kyle Mackenzie causing problems for the home side.

Tain kept it steady and responded with three quick goals before the end of the half - Rostock slammed one in from close range as he has done so many times before, Callum Murray beat the goalie at the near post to finish off a clever Tain move, and Sam Ross tapped in for his second goal in two games.

Into the freezing second half and Scott Macdonald fired home on his welcome return after good work from Rostock again.

Both substitutes Billy Knox and Dyllon Smith impressed, with the former grabbing himself two well taken goals. Goose fired in a long range strike to score for Loch Broom.

All the best to Ben and the boys for the rest of the season

MOTM: Sam Ross. Absolutely relentless from start to finish in his new midfield role, always an option, covering every blade of grass and deserved his goal.
Stromness Ath 2 Tain Thistle 1 (aet)

Posted on Sunday, June 2, 2024

Tain Thistle bowed out of the Highland Amateur Cup yesterday with their first loss of the season despite an excellent performance. It was a tough challenge up in Orkney and an opportunity for Tain to try a more defensive performance than usual and from start to finish they matched their hosts.

Paul Cowie’s first game of the season was unfortunately short lived due to illness, however Dyllon Smith replaced him well in the middle with Jamie Skinner and Robbie Allan.

Stromness took the lead just before half time with a well taken header, and Tain were up against it playing with ten men for a while as Billy Knox struggled with an injury having used our only fit sub.

We were still well in the game and had some good chances through the excellent Adrian Voigt, with the equally impressive Aneek Khan keeping us safe at the other end.

As we pushed for an equalizer Stromness made it 2-0 late in the game, however Tain refused to lie down and scored immediately after with a long range effort from Voigt.

We looked like we could score again to make it 2-2 and chucked everything at it, but it wasn’t to be. Great shift from the boys and all the best to Stromness in the next round.

Team: Khan, Lohse, John Skinner, Smith, A. Allan, Voigt, R. Allan, Jamie Skinner, Cowie (Smith), Rostock, Knox

MOTM: Josh Lohse. The 17 year old continued his fantastic start to the season and was relentless on the right hand side, putting in a serious defensive shift while also being a real threat going forward. Great rendition of Sweet Caroline for his initiation on the bus on the way home too
Embo 1 Tain Thistle 13

Posted on Sunday, May 26, 2024

Tain came through a potentially tricky fixture away to Embo with flying colors yesterday despite a long injury list. The sun shone over an early kick-off on Embo’s third game since being back in the NWSFA and Tain started brightly.

Thomas Lewis started a busy day by firing Tain into a 2-0 lead with two sharp finishes. Embo pulled one back through Alex Stainke, and Thommo took that personally, setting up Adrian Voigt and then Callum Murray for his first goal for Tain. Thommo then went on to score two more, one of which being an acrobatic bicycle kick similar to your man Garnacho’s.

Jamie Skinner got in on the act with a left footed lob from 35 yards before Rostock finished a 1 1 well. Thommo scored again, and Voigt, Murray, Rostock and Knox all added. Also a massive shout out to Tain number 2 Alex McDonald, who pulled on the boots to make his first appearance on a football pitch for two years

Tain now face a very tough run of fixtures, starting with our first ever trip to Orkney for the second round of the Highland AM on the 1st June.

MOTM: Robbie Allan. Thommo can feel very hard done by with his five goals and two assists, however even he would admit that Robbie was immense in midfield on his first start.

Adam’s better looking twin kept it ticking over brilliantly and always seemed to make the right decision
Tain Thistle 2 Lairg Rovers 0

Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2024

Tain caused another upset at the Links this afternoon in a firey game in front of another big crowd. Lairg went down to ten men early doors as Tain pushed for an opener, but the game was goalless at half time with both teams evenly placed.

Tain made the breakthrough with our goal of the season so far, when Finn As-Chainey drifted past four players to finish low into the bottom corner.

Adrian Voigt was soon after given a second yellow which put both sides at ten apiece, but Tain responded well to the pressure soon after with Liam Rostock playing a great ball into the box for the superb Sam Ross to finish like he’d been born a striker.

Lairg were reduced to nine after a bad tackle on debutant Kealan Hartnett, however it was Tain who saw out the game with maturity and composure to make it six wins from six so far in what will be a long and tough season. Mon the Jags!

MOTM: Alan Duff - tough call today with every Tain player leaving everything out there, however Tain’s center half was immense tying the team together and forming a great partnership with Adam Allan.
Lairg Rovers 1 Tain Thistle 2

Posted on Saturday, May 11, 2024

Tain progressed to the second round of the Highland Amateur Cup after beating Lairg Rovers 2-1 on a hot and sunny day at Ferrycroft Park. A very closely contested game began with two quick goals from Tain through Thomas Lewis and Adrian Voigt.

Thomas was sharp as a tack in the box to finish with his knee for the first, then the Flying Dutchman Finn As-Chainey danced past a few defenders before squaring the ball to Voigty to smash home.

Lairg then pulled one back before half time through the energetic Dean Tuck.

Both teams had some chances in the second half, but Tain progress through to the next round. It was another composed and canny effort from all of the boys, who look like we are now beginning to click into gear.

Cheers to Lairg and all the best for the rest of your season, apart from next week

MOTM: Adam Allan. The boy was a fluffy haired colossus at the back; didn’t lose a header or put a foot wrong the whole game.