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The Jags prepare for 2021-2022 season


By Kirsty Brown

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Turriff Thistle have begun their preparations for a hopeful return to football this year after the 2019-2020 season was declared null and void and the 2020-2021 season did not materialise.

The Jags trained from August to November and played nine pre-season matches until all football activities ceased at the beginning of December with full lockdown back in place.

The last competitive match Thistle played was on Saturday, March 7, 2020 when they defeated Great Western United in a Bowie Cup quarter final tie with goals from Mike McCombie, Andy Paton and Dylan Buxton giving them a 3-2 victory after extra-time.

That was 14 months ago or approximately 64 Saturdays without a match being played.

Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association plan to start the 2021-2022 season in August with pre-season fixtures starting after May 17 if national restrictions are relaxed sufficiently to allow them to take place.

Thistle commenced weekly, non-contact training sessions with limited numbers in the middle of April and hope to return to full contact training with the entire squad and arranging a pre-season fixture programme in preparation for the season kick-off.

Should everything go according to plan the AAFA have already announced that the outstanding cup competitions from season 2019-2020 will be played to a finish in the new season.

This means that the Jags already have an outstanding Edmond Trophy 1st round tie away to Huntly Amateurs and a Bowie Cup semi-final away to Bervie Caledonian to focus on.

Before turning their attention to outstanding cup ties and the new season league fixtures Thistle have only one match on their mind at this time of year as the CMB Trophy will be contested between Turriff Thistle and the Turriff Thistle “Legends” on Saturday, May 22 at The Haughs with a 1pm kick-off.

The previous contest, held in June 2019, ended in a three-nil victory for the Jags with goals from Chris Strachan, Lewis Hendry and Jay Robertson enough to retain the trophy.

Man of the Match awards were also presented to Lewis Hendry from Thistle and Colin Bain of the Legends.

This year, with joint managers Allan Shand and “Chunk” Duncan featuring for the Legends, Matthew Sim will take charge of the Jags and Graham Buxton will manage the Legends.

After the match both teams, sponsors and supporters will head to The Kastille for socially distant refreshments where the CMB Trophy and Man of the Match awards will be formally presented.

Turriff Thistle are into their fourth week of pre-season training under strict Covid-19 precautions as they prepare for a return to competitive football in the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football League.

Thistle’s previous season in Division One (North) was declared null and void in March, as the pandemic hit hard, with the Jags sitting in third place having several games in hand and poised for promotion to the Premier Division.

Major changes were made during the summer lockdown months with the previous management team of Barry Massie, Iain Massie and Steve Robertson stepping down due to personal and work commitments.

The Club, however, were quick to appoint three Turriff Thistle Legends in past striker, Allan Shand, past team captain, Graham Buxton and past goalkeeper, Kevin Duncan to the roles.

A meeting with the playing squad was quickly arranged to allow the new management team to introduce themselves and lay out their plans for taking the team forward.

In addition, the Jag’s Committee welcomed new members Elaine Hay, Michael Hay, Adele Duncan and Stephen Ogg with a programme of improvement for the Club drafted and the introduction in August of a 50/50 club monthly draw after only one full meeting.

The Jags have also announced their new association with The Kastille Food and Drink Venue as sponsors and official hospitality providers and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership.

New home and away strips, based on the old Turriff Thistle tartan design from the 90s, have been ordered and will be sponsored by loyal, long term strip sponsor, Ardinn Homes and Milano’s of Turriff.

Supporters have also had the opportunity to purchase their own replica strips or polo shirts and the Club has received more than expected orders.

Thistle’s pre-season training began in mid-August on Monday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 1.00 p.m, however, Turriff United have offered their floodlit training facilities on a Thursday evening to allow the Jags to continue their midweek sessions and the Club are extremely grateful for this kind gesture.

A pre-season programme of friendlies has been arranged for the weeks leading up to the, yet to be announced, start of the season and will be confirmed after the appropriate permission has been granted for them to go ahead.

The first confirmed match will take place against local rivals St. Marnans F.C at McRobert Park, Aberchirder on Saturday, September 19, however, due to current Covid-19 matchday protocols, spectators are still not allowed to attend.

A spokesman for the team said: "Turriff Thistle are extremely fortunate that loyal sponsors have yet again generously provided funds for kit and equipment for the forthcoming season and the team offers its immense thanks and gratitude for this unbelievable gesture during these uncertain times.

"The committee, management team and playing squad hope it will not be long before competitive football is permitted look forward to welcoming supporters, old and new, down to the Haughs to cheer on the Mighty Jags.".


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