League chief says sorry for 'debacle' over Halkirk postponement
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North Caledonian League officials have apologised for the "debacle" that resulted in Halkirk United's match being called off at the weekend.
Iain Whitehead, president of the North Caledonian FA, admitted the decision to postpone the match against Inverness Athletic at Morrison Park had been made "far too early" and was "ultimately wrong".
He promised that the matter will be investigated fully and they will seek to avoid a repeat.
The title-chasing Anglers are third in the table and had been targeting three points to keep pace with leaders Loch Ness and second-placed Invergordon in the last round of North Caley fixtures before the festive break. The match was scheduled for a 1pm kick-off on Saturday.
However, on Friday evening it was announced that the game was off. The reason given in a North Caledonian FA social media post was "high winds forecast".
In the event, while the weather was breezy on Saturday afternoon, the consensus among those associated with Halkirk United was that the match could easily have gone ahead.
In a social media post on Saturday, the club said: "Halkirk United are both bemused and frustrated to announce today’s game has been postponed. Despite neither Halkirk United nor the referee calling the game off, it looks like there will be no football, in perfectly reasonable conditions today.
"We would like to apologise to anyone planning watching the final game of the year. Despite our protests Inverness Athletic won’t be travelling up."
League officials were asked on Monday to clarify who had called the game off and why the decision was taken so early.
Mr Whitehead explained: "The decision to postpone the game was taken by league office-bearers, with myself having the final say. At the time, with all factors considered, it was deemed to be the best decision to call the game off.
"In hindsight the decision was taken far too early and ultimately wrong.
"In making the decision there were numerous factors taken into consideration. Unfortunately I am unable to comment on them at this time as they will be investigated further by the league management committee at its next meeting.
"After we investigate the matter fully, we will hopefully be better placed to avoid a repeat of the debacle."
Mr Whitehead added: "I know how passionate Caithness people are about their football, so I’m sure there would have been a lot of disappointment at the news of the postponement. On behalf of the league I apologise to everyone concerned."
The Anglers' next match is away to Loch Ness at Fortrose on Saturday, January 6.
Two other fixtures – Orkney v St Duthus and Fort William v Golspie Sutherland – were also postponed.
Loch Ness cruised to a 7-0 home home victory over Thurso, with Sam Urquhart getting four of the goals. Allan Macphee scored twice and Connor Macleod got the other for the champions.
The result ensured the Vikings will remain at the bottom of the table going into 2024.
Invergordon scraped a 3-2 victory over Bonar Bridge, with Blair Morrison netting a late winner after the Sutherland side got themselves back on level terms having been two down. Alness United and Clachnacuddin "A" shared the points in a 2-2 draw.
North Caledonian League results: Alness United 2, Clachnacuddin "A" 2; Invergordon 3, Bonar Bridge 2; Loch Ness 7, Thurso 0.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, January 6: Fort William v Bonar Bridge; Golspie Sutherland v Alness United; Inverness Athletic v Orkney; Loch Ness v Halkirk United (1pm); St Duthus v Clachnacuddin "A"; Thurso v Invergordon (1pm).
