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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!”
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 
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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. -
Duck placer Dan's donation
Posted on Tuesday, May 7, 2024
We would like to say a massive thank you to Duck placer Dan Fahy of Leeds, who has decided to donate his £50 winnings from the race to the fantastic cause of Munlochy Animal Aid.
Munlochy Animal Aid is an animal rescue centre located on the Black Isle providing care for sick animals and works to rehome them. The centre also helps aid low-income families with vet bills.
Founded in 1979 by Iona Nicol and her mother Margaret Macdonald, the charity works to find permanent, suitable and loving homes for animals who have been abandoned or suffered from abuse or neglect.
Thank you for your generosity Dan
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Brora Wands 2 Tain Thistle 4
Posted on Saturday, May 4, 2024
Tain got off to a winning start in league business with a hard fought 4-2 win over Brora Wanderers. Finn As-Chainey got Tain off to the perfect start early on in the game finishing a great cross from Adrian Voigt.
Brora punched back with a quick equaliser shortly before debutant Lewis Smith headed in another Adrian Voigt delivery for his first Jags goal.
An injury to John Maclellan forced Tain into an early change as Brora came back to level 2-2 at half time with a stunner of a free kick from Mike Maclean.
Tain rallied early in the second half with a brilliant piece of individual technique from young Alexander ‘Biz’ Scott, who beat one man before slotting a low finish calmly from outside the box for his first Tain Thistle goal.
The goal settled Tain Thistle and we got into a rhythm. Debutant Frazer Campbell then played the ball to Finn As-Chainey before the latter broke the lines, beating the entire Brora back 4 and Goalkeeper, before passing the ball into an empty net.
Tain Thistle were soon after forced into their second sub as a result of injury to the direct and energetic F.Campbell who broke his nose from a collision with a Wandies midfielder.
All the very best to the hospitable Brora boys, who are sure to take many points off other teams going forward.
MOTM: Jamie Skinner. St Duthus' Player of the Year was instrumental throughout a stormy game and proved his worth a hundred times over.
Tain’s next fixture comes away to Lairg in the Highland Am, this Saturday 11th. We look forward to what is sure to be a tough game. -
Jags reach Stafford Cup final
Posted on Saturday, April 20, 2024
Tain progressed through to the Stafford Cup final today after an impressive 5-3 win away to Lochinver.
This was Tain’s first trip West since Tony Farquhar’s league winning side of 2019, and a stern test for the boys. Tain went 1-0 down to an excellent goal from Jake Lockett, despite being on top for the majority of the first half.
Our dominance eventually payed off when the superb right back Andy Kellock won a penalty, giving Finn As-Chainey the chance to equalise which he took no bother.
Tain managed to turn it round just shy of half time with Adrian Voigt scoring a stunner from outside the box to add to his hatrick against Melvich, only this time playing from the left back position.
Again we began the second half as the dominant team, with centre half pairing Adam Allan and Joe Cuthbert organising the team well orchestrating attack after attack.
Jake Lockett continued to be a thorn in Tain Thistle’s side however and grabbed his second to draw the game level despite an excellent initial save from Khan in goals. Tain rallied again quickly with goals from Finn and Thomas Lewis before Lochinver again fired back to bring it to 4-3.
Then came the moment of the game… A moment which will go down in Tain Thistle history, as teenage substitute Billy Knox scored a dipping, swerving strike from 40 yards with his first touch of the game to send the whole of the Tain Thistle bench onto the pitch as he secured the 5-3 win for the team.
Team: Khan, Kellock (Lohse), Voigt, Cuthbert, A Allan, L Smith, MacRitchie (Knox), As-Chainey, Hulme (R Allan), Lewis (Scott), MacDonald (Wilson). Not used: D Smith
MOTM - Liam Smitty
Tain manager John Maclellan said: “Absolutely delighted for the boys, especially the young fellas, really happy with how we are shaping up this season.
@We deserved our win today and got there through quality and hard work. All the best to Lochinver going forward; tough, tough opponents and we look forward to go head to head with them again.”
Tain now look towards league action commencing, as the Stafford cup final versus the winners of Golspie/Helmsdale will be played towards the end of the June, date TBD. -
Thistle reach Stafford Cup semi with win over Embo
Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2024
A young Tain side progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-0 win over league newcomers Embo.
There was also a third entity on the pitch playing against both teams in the form of Storm Kathleen, and at certain points she had the upper hand, with referee Ian Ross calling a 5 minute break midway through the second half due to hailstones the size of spark plugs.
Noah Edwards opened the scoring from right back in what was a class performance from the youngster. Scott Macdonald scored his first goal for Tain Thistle just before half time with a cracker from 20 yards.
Youngster Jack Wilson set up John Maclellan for Tains third, before Scott Mac got his second after brilliant work from Robbie Allan. We now look towards our semi final away to Lochinver, date TBD. Well done boys and all the best to Embo going forward.
Team: Ritchie, Edwards (D Smith), A Allan, JW Skinner, J Skinner, Lohse (R Allan), MacRitchie, Lewis, Maclellan, MacDonald, Knox (Wilson)
MOTM: Noah Edwards
Tain Thistle will play the Dogs of War Lairg Rovers in the first round of the Highland Amateur Cup on May 11th. This will be our first match in the HA for a good few years, and we look forward to a local derby which is sure to be hotly contested. -
Tain Thistle Duck Race results
Posted on Friday, April 12, 2024
Congratulations to the ten winners, and a massive thank you to everyone who shared, liked a post, bought a duck for today's Tain Thistle Duck Race.
A huge thank you also to Jock Mackinnon, Stevie Martin, Alex McDonald, Sean McCarthy, Alison McCarthy and of course young Tommy McCarthy for their help with the actual event.
Check our Facebook live posts if you want to see how things unfolded!
10th place #631 - Forrest Skelet
9th place #521 - Andy Mair
8th place #565 - Shane MacLochlainn
7th place #725 - George Murray
6th place #613 - Thomas Peden
5th place #262 - Dan Fahy
4th place #68 - Jamie Skinner
3rd place #194 - Michael As
2nd place #750 - Craig Nimmons
1st PLACE #297 - CHRIS MAY of SOUTHEND ESSEX
All winners will be contacted tomorrow for their prizes. Well done!! -
Jags open season with ten goal bonanza at Melvich
Posted on Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Tain Thistle defeated Melvich 6-4 on Saturday to progress through to the Stafford Cup quarter finals.
Tough conditions in the North made for a tricky back and forth game, but goals from Darren Goller, Liam Rostock, Finn As-Chainey and a hat trick from Adrian Voigt saw Tain set up a home tie with Embo.
Tain will take on the newcomers to the league this Saturday 13th at 3pm down the links.
A big shout out to the gaffer for the day Alex McDonald, who as far as we are aware becomes the only Thistle manager in history to have a 100% win record.
Team: Beaton, L Smith, Voigt, A Allan, JW Skinner, Wilson (Edwards), Lewis, As-Chainey, Rostock (R Allan), Goller (Knox), MacDonald (D Smith)
MOTM: Adrian Voigt
Our fundraising Duck Race is set to take place on this Friday (12th) at around 6pm at Tain Golf Course. This is dependent on tide times and weather, however at the moment it’s looking like a go-er.
Spectators are welcomed, and you’re also welcome to come for post race pint after the race in the Golf Club.
We still have some ducks left, so if you would like to grab some last minute ones then please message John Maclellan.
You never know, it could be the winner
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Maclellan rallies troops for 2024 return
Posted on Friday, April 5, 2024
Tain Thistle make their return to competitive action tomorrow in the first round of the Stafford Cup, with a tricky away tie to Melvich. Tain head up with a strong team fresh from last weekends successful memorial match.
Assistant manager Alex Macdonald will deputize in the absence of manager John Maclellan, who had the following to say regarding the upcoming season and this weekends game.
“There’s a fantastic buzz around the club after the last few weeks. We want to use this momentum to kick on from last season and impose ourselves in the new league format. We are going to come up against some quality teams and look forward to testing ourselves. I have added some new faces and am excited to see them gelling with the current thistle boys.
Melvich absolutely deserved their win last summer, but the way everyone at the club used that defeat to turn round our season deserves a lot of credit. Young Alex McDonald has been fantastic for both St Duthus and Tain Thistle over the last two years, and deserves every bit of the opportunity he has this weekend. It’s a tough place to go but I have every faith the lads will get the job done”
The match kicks off at 2:30pm in Melvich tomorrow. Come on the Jags!! -
Ode to Garry Perks and Graham Macrae
Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2024
From Steven Martin:
A massive thank you to everyone who came and supported us this afternoon, without you; players and spectators, the match would not have been possible.
It’s never nice to lose friends and loved ones, but its something we have all experienced at one point in our lives, but it is hugely important that those of us left behind remember those who are no longer with us and celebrate their lives and achievements.
So to Garry and Graham; your dedication and passion continue to inspire us. Your contributions to the club will forever be cherished and remembered.
Here's to the memories we shared, the victories we celebrated, and the legacies that you've left behind, may your spirit live on in the hearts of all who love this beautiful game, here in Tain and beyond.
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Steven Martin on Garry Perks: I was fortunate enough to call him my best friend
Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2024
With one day to go, the stage is set for our memorial match for Graham Peeps MacRae and Garry Perks, with the park freshly rolled, cut and painted. The weather is set to be similar to today for tomorrow’s 2pm kick off, with refreshments and raffle opportunities available. Today’s final memory comes from current goalkeeper Stevie Martin, who has been the main organizer of the event and is a Thistle legend in his own right. Hope to see you tomorrow, mon the Jags! 
“Remembering one of our own.
On March 31st we will hold out first annual memorial match for arguably one of our greatest ever players.
Garry made his competitive debut for thistle on the 1st of May 2004 at home to Alness based 3Gs in the cup, a 2-1 success.
4 days later he showed his ability and eye for goal with a hat trick at home to his former club, Portmahomack.
The first of 81 goals he would score for the club over his 91 starts.
Garry also had a successful spell with Brora Rangers representing their Under 18s, Under 19s and first team in the highland league where a number of notable goals were scored. Despite his youth he showed no fear making the step up to the higher level scoring twice from the half way line in his debut season (against Fraserburgh and Clach).
Born in Staffordshire, England in 1986, Garry moved north to Tain at a young age, when Corinne, Garry’s mum, relocated the family back to her hometown. He attended Craighill Gaelic Primary school where he found his competitive edge and talent for football representing the school team at the earliest opportunity. His ability was clear, and he became the only player (as far as we are aware) to represent TRA 1st year boys whilst still in Primary 7.
Always kitted out in the newest adidas predator football boots, the goals continued to flow on a weekly basis for Garry, scoring goals well into the hundreds by the time he became a prefect at TRA in 2004.
Weekends as a youth were spent on the links pitches, with some 20 something young boys, who would be fine-tuning their skills from morning until night, returning home only when too dark to see the ball with a regular pit stop at Garry’s Gran and Grandad’s on Morangie road for a refreshment and a yarn from Wattie.
Garry would score for fun, from flukes to the spectacular the way only natural strikers do.
I remember one day, another where Garry couldn’t miss, he was challenged by Andrew Corbet,
“£20 if you can hit both posts and the bar in one shot”
Of course what seemed unachievable, was executed with ease as the ball hit both posts and the bar, before crossing the line. A goal you had to see to believe!
I am not convinced Garry seen the £20 mind you; but I’m sure Andrew will donate it on the 31st
but that’s enough about Garry’s footballing prowess, more than that he was a tremendous individual; funny, caring and always there to support his mates. The centre of attention and the life of the party.
Always up for a laugh and regularly the instigator of a practical joke, you would be hard pushed to find anyone with a bad word to say about him (defenders and goalkeepers of the opposition excluded of course)
I was fortunate enough to grow up with him in a time before mobile phones and games consoles became the norm, riding bikes, camping, playing football and stealing milk to put on Nikki Cattanach’s window ledge. And many more stories that are for another time.
I was fortunate enough to call him my best friend.
Miss you everyday Gaz
”
Steven Martin -
Brian MacAngus on Graham 'Peeps' Macrae: Friends are good on the day of battle
Posted on Monday, March 25, 2024
We are now into the week of our memorial match for Garry Perks and Graham 'Peeps' Macrae. This Sunday's game is a 2pm kick off down the links, with refreshments available from the tea hut and raffles/football card opportunities on the day.
The St Duthus Hotel have also kindly offered soup and sandwiches after the match.
We hope to see you there if you can make it! Today's memory comes from Brian MacAngus, about his dear friend Peeps, without whom there would be no Tain Thistle!
"There are many things I can say about Peeps.....there are also so...very...very many things that I cannot say about him...many due to the hilariously funny, but politically incorrect nature of his epic adventures and ...umm...his unique sense of humour.
He was such a talented, intelligent man....with an amazingly superb, finely skilled comedy soul.
I was not only lucky to be a friend of Graham, I was very blessed to have known him since before I was born.
He was always part of my life.....and more even more so with my big brother Norman. He was a constant part of my entire life...from my earliest memories.
Our late mother Helen, was particularly fond of Graham and his banter.....manys a time I would be babysat by Norman and Graham when I was a beautiful wee toddler.
I'm very proud to say that by my third birthday I was a regular skilled player of the Saints darts team with a fondness for scampi fries that is still with me to this very day.
He was such a very, very funny man....so skilful with his comedy. In a different life I have no doubt that he would have been more than able to be a famous tv comedian....in the same kind of mould as Peter Kay or Billy Connolly.
I often cried with pure delight at his magnificent, hilarious one liners and shenanigans.
On the field of play he was a more than decent goalkeeper, but a total nightmare to me during games. Being the centre back with that fool of a man, berrating my every move, my every mistake, yet singing my praises as being the slowest centre back he had ever had the misfortune to embarrass publicly.
Calling me "a unique cross between a bad tempered rhino and a rusty stannah stairlift" is the finest insult that was ever thrust on me in my long life of being constantly insulted on or off the field of play.
Peeps off the pitch had a magnificently astute knowlege of music and literature....he was always reading a book or asking me obscure general knowledge questions. He was well known throughout the thriving local music scene, with bands from far afield such as Del Amitri, Big Country, Tonight at Noon, Echo and the Bunnymen, Gun, Ralph McTell etc all knowing Peeps personally through his roadie duties on the music scene.
Infact im sure he was credited on one of "Tonight at Noons" albums for his assistance and banter when they played in the Town hall during the early 90's.
A favourite song of Grahams makes me chuckle very often...."The Corries" ...."The Portree Kid"....he was always giving it laldy....mainly when I was trying to organise the defensive wall during free kicks.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Tain Thistle would never have survived if it wasn't for Graham. During the long now forgotten struggles of the Club, back at the very beginning of the club. We were bombarded from all directions regarding us simply existing.
No pitch, strips, players,money, yaddah yaddah yaddah, Peeps refused to let the club fade into obscurity.
From arguing the cause locally, at league meetings, on the pitch etc he flew the colours proudly and defiantly. He wouldnt give an inch to anyone that laughed at us for propping up the league. No one dared insult our club to his face or knowlege. There would not be a Tain Thistle F.C without his stoic efforts.
As i said at his Church service...."Là a' bhlàir 's math na Cairdean"
Friends are good on the day of battle.
On a final personal note to Graham, we are not apart forever, we have just stopped for a wee break of soup and stovies off a coronation tray.
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