Clachnacuddin to host 20th anniversary reunion of league and cup winning team
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CLACHNACUDDIN will host a special reunion at their match against Lossiemouth tomorrow when it marks its 20th anniversary of winning a Highland League and Cup double.
Players who were part of the 2003-04 Highland League and Highland League Cup winning team will be at the stadium for the club’s match against Lossiemouth on Saturday.
Twenty years ago was the last time that the Lilywhites won the league, when they were guided to victory by former manager Robbie Williamson.
They were considered surprise winners of the championship, taking the title by five points from Buckie Thistle in second place.
They also won the Highland League Cup that season when they defeated Forres Mechanics 3-0 in the final.
Former defender Neil MacCuish (43) is the chief organiser of the reunion and says a number of ex-players will be in attendance.
He says everyone who is attending is looking forward to going by to Merkinch and meeting up with old friends.
“Some of the old players have a group chat which started during the lockdown period.
“We knew we were approaching the 20th anniversary and thought we had to do something to mark it.
“It is not easy to pull together a group of men who are in the 40’s to 60’s, but there is a buzz towards this weekend.”
MacCuish says it was a special group of players at Clachnacuddin who went on to achieve success in both the league and cup.
Although, he missed the pre-season and beginning of the start of the 2003/04 campaign as he recovered from a broken leg, he says it was still a special season,
“Robbie brought in six or seven guys to the squad who included Dave Mackay, Daisy Ross, Steve Macdonald.
“I remember watching the game they played in and the transformation was huge, we looked a really good team with a really good core group.
“We started off really well and kept going and I managed to get back involved in November.
“We went from a good competitive team to a really good quality side, momentum gathered quickly and we were solid all the way through that season.
“I think we surprised a lot of people as the likes of Fraserburgh and Deveronvale were really strong teams at that time.
“But the Highland League in those days, a different side usually won the league every year.
“We went from a mid-table team to a top team due to guys we added and it transformed the performance level of everyone else at the club.”
Over 20 former players will be taking hospitality at the club and organise a celebration of their title and cup winning squad with a team photo and catch up the day.
MacCuish said: “It could be a long time before we are all together again so it will be a special moment.
“Clachnacuddin has a special moment and that period meant a lot to everyone.”
