PICTURES: Team spirit, courage and the invincibles – Buckie Ladies' road to making league and cup history
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE champagne corks have just about stopped popping for Buckie Ladies in what has been a remarkable, history-making season.
Starting the season with a new manager – former assistant manager Laura Duncan – making her debut in the hotseat and the pressure of being the reigning league and cup champions, even the staunchest supporter might have baulked at predicting they would finish the campaign as the invincibles.
A mix of players from the double winning squad and a raft of fresh faces went on to clinch the double double on Sunday, September 24 at Nairn County's Station Park with a 3-1 victory over Caithness. Just days earlier, the Gordon Park side were handed the Highlands and Islands League title when Brora Rangers pulled out of the competition. The revised standings meant Buckie – who won 10 games and drew two – had finished their fixtures and were four points ahead of nearest challengers Orkney, who had just one game left.
A pre-arranged family holiday to Las Vegas meant Duncan had to follow the final from afar, with coaches Matty McMillan, Emma Laing and Kathryn Evans stepping up to guide the team to victory.
Duncan said: "When I think of the season we've just had, it's an incredible achievement and something I never expected back at the start.
"It's just started to sink in, really.
"It was so disappointing not to be there on Sunday [the League Cup final]; I was in the air on the way home so I paid for wifi on the plane to be able to follow it. Some of the mascots' parents sent me videos for the game.
"I was gutted for Lorna Young when she put through her own net and we went 1-0 down. The turning point came when Rheo [Laurenson] got the equaliser, we picked up after that.
"I watched the whole game later and I'm chuffed with how they played. They were in safe hands with the coaches. Hats off to Lorna, too who did the warm and some coaching as well as playing, which wasn't easy."
The season proved to be something of a voyage of discovery for the Buckie boss, especially as she initially had no plans to take over the reins last year from departing manager Mel Smith.
She was full of praise for her squad not only for helping her settle in but for producing such a dynamic season.
She continued: "It was a big step taking over, it's daunting to step up.
"To begin with I was really doing it to keep the team going.
"The quines have been brilliant. Kathryn and Emma have been great as coaches, with Matty stepping in for the League Cup final while Lorna has just been tremendous. My husband Billy has also been a big help.
"At the start of the season we had quite a few new faces, including some from the under-16 squad who are still learning a lot from the more experienced members of the team. We also welcomed a couple of new experienced players to the side, Michaela Munro and Alicia Paterson. Michaela has played for Clach and Nairn while Alicia has moved up from the Central Belt and used to play for Raith Rovers. They've both brought a lot of experience to the team.
"Rachael Devenney has also been a good addition to the team.
"I think that mixture of experience and youth, along with our team spirit, has been the secret of our success. Everybody gets on so well and supports each other, there's no back-biting. They work hard in training."
Duncan went on to say that while some work is needed on fitness the squad nevertheless contained a lot of "very fit players".
While it is time for the team to enjoy the fruits of their labours, Duncan was under no illusion about what they would face next season.
"We'll have a target on our backs next season, for sure," she continued.
"You could see all the teams in the league improving over the course of last season, especially Orkney, Sutherland and Caithness who all gave us tough games.
"I believe Ross County are also thinking of entering a side into the league next season and they'll be a tough team to beat."
As one of the original Buckie Ladies players when the team was formed back in 2016, Duncan has seen huge changes from the early days in the SWFL Division 2 when double digit defeats were the norm.
She added: "I was in shock when we won the double last year and to do it again this year is a massive achievement for the club.
"We've come so far, it's been brilliant."
For more on Buckie Ladies, follow their Facebook page.
in shocj last year
