Highland League club Clachnacuddin gunning for 50 points after bringing feelgood factor back at Grant Street Park in Inverness
Conor Gethins wants Clach to smash through the 50 points barrier after “putting smiles back on faces” this season at Grant Street Park.
Since their famous title-winning campaign of 2003/04, the Lilywhites have only accrued a half century of points twice – with 50 in 2011/12 and 66 in 2012/13, the last time the club achieved a top five finish.
Just three wins from 10 remaining matches would take them past the 50-mark, while cementing the feelgood factor permeating the ground since Gethins and his coaching team took charge.
Pumping pride back into the place was always the Irishman’s priority and he is delighted to see supporters holding their heads a little higher these days and relishing match-days.
“I’ve heard talk of breaking through the points mark and that is the target,” he said.
“I’m not sure when the last time Clach got 50 points was, but there’s a real buzz about the place, people smiling.
“They’re having a drink after the game and they’re enjoying the football, talking positively about the team and our performances.
“That’s what it is all about, for any team in the Highland League. Whether it is Strathspey down at the bottom of the table or whoever, you want people to turn up on the Saturday and enjoy themselves.
“The only way we can do that is if we put on a performance on the pitch that gets the place buzzing. We’ve done that this year and, hopefully, we can continue to do it.”
It would be a massive ask for Clach to hit 50 points by winning the next three matches, all away from home to Wick Academy, third top Banks o’ Dee and then title favourites Brechin City.
But Clach’s competitiveness with the bigger teams of late has certainly bred confidence.
The manager is eager to ensure the difficulty of the first match of the sequence, against struggling Wick on Wednesday night, is not overlooked.
“I know we’ve beaten Wick quite convincingly in the last few games, but they’ve turned in a few decent performances lately,” he said.
“Brora beat them, but by all accounts they gave them a good game. And to go to Fraserburgh away and draw, given the 200-mile journey, is another indication.
“We’re under no illusions, it is going to be a tough game and our boys have to have their heads focused on it correctly.
“They are very capable on the day. I don't know if Wednesday matches suit them as they have a lot of lads who travel, but we have the journey to make and our boys will be prepped and ready for it.
“We know we can’t drop our standards now.”
