After their draw yesterday away to Bournmouth Blyth Spartans have been handed a home game against Premiership side Blackburn Rovers if they manage to win the replay.                                        

With two games already shown live on TV is promises to be a lucrative cup run for our friendly rivals….can we match them?

As before please email Cameron on Cameron_hobbs@blueyonder.co.uk or call him on 07962 353645.  The cost will be £2 for those who made the abortive trip yesterday or £10/£8 as before for those who didn’t make it.  Hopefully we will get another big turnout – might depend on the next round draw which is tomorrow at 2.30pm.

We are delighted to announce that Debbi McCulloch has been appointed our second full time development officer.  Debbi has worked at Ross County for the past five seasons and before that she was at Dundee Utd.  Her role is part funded by the SWFA so part of her role will be to further develop our girls and womens sections.  She will also design, devlop and deliver Community programmesand work with our Youth section on coach and player development.  Her work will also include helping some of the youngsters in our area to achieve Community Sports Leader awards.  Her experience from Ross County will be invaluable as their programme has been recognised as one of the best in the country for some time.  Debbi starts with us in January and said “I am delighted and excited to be joining the Spartans Academy project.  Spartans is already a great community club and the Academy will help us make it even better.”

Debbi -

With the Academy set to open next weekend our managament team is now in place.  Douglas Samuel, our Development Manager, is supported by Colin Hutchison looking after all maintenance and groundswork, Kenny Cameron and Debbi our the two Development Officers and Dan Gerrard in a part-time role as the Cafe/Bar manager.

We will be revruiting a number of part-time staff and volunteers over the next few weeks.

Both our Womens 1st XI fixture at home to Aberdeen today and this mornings Under 13 Scottish Cup tie against RossVale have been postponed due to the frost.  Finally our Under 19 League Cup game against Edinburgh City due to be played at City Park this afternoon has also been postponed.

Kenny Young was allowed to move on a free transfer to Lothian Thistle at the end of last week.  He proceeded to score on his debut today in a 4 – 2 defeat by Edinburgh University.  Kenny joined Spartans in February last season and we wish him all the very best at his new club.  His experience around the 1st XI squad will be missed. 

Kenny Young

Obviously it was a very frustrating day.  Many thanks to our supporters, some who had reached Elgin and others who were en route.   Chairman Craig Graham said “It was very surprising that it was called off as early as 11am with the sun out and it thawing.  Indeed it did clear up enough for Clach to go ahead with their game against Stenhousemuir.  We would have preferred to wait and see how the weather developed over lunchtime but it did mean some of our fans were able to turn round part way north.  Our skipper Stewart Fowlie headed through to Elgin after the game to see his brother and did say it was still frosty.  All in all very frustrating and costly but we will certainly be ready for the game next Saturday.  At least we are in the draw on Monday and our secretary Jimmy Murray got back to Edinburgh in time to catch his favourite TV show Strictly Come Dancing!”

Jimmy Murray - Hearts win and home for Strictly

Supporters travel plans for next Saturday will be announced tomorrow evening. 

Jordan Steele - his third goal of the season today

The 2nd XI won their East of Scotland 3rd round cup match 2 – 0 with second half goals from Danny Forbes and Jordan Steele.

The team leaves tonight for Inverness before heading through to Elgin in the morning.  Scott Livingston is still out with his knee injury and Struan Preston is doubtful with an ankle knock.  Ross Archibald returns to the squad after suspension and Kevin Brown returns to the squad for cover.  Kevin retired last season after seven seasons at the club, but has helped out the 2nd XI this season and his experience will be useful in the dressing room tomorrow.  Recent signing Sam Woods may come into the reckoning after a very positive week at training.  Coach Mike Irving is looking forward to the game “we’e watched Elgin and had a number of other reports but they may not prove very useful as i see their their manager is intending making a number of changes after their defeat last week.  Our players know that they will have to be flexible and react as the game develops, and we have been working on this during the week.  We enjoy being the underdogs and are looking forward to the challenge”.

Kevin Brown - back in action

Squad: Flockhart, Gerrard, O’Donnell, Archibald, Fowlie (capt), Kader, Malin, Preston, Manson, King, McLeod, Walker, Hair, Brown, Smart, Devlin, Hoskins, Henretty.

Our fans have been invited to enjoy some hospitality at their social club just outside the ground before and after the game.

Looking ahead to Sunday our Under 13s are also in Scottish Cup action, they play Rossvale BC at Edinburgh Academy with an 11am ko.  Some of the boys are on the supporters bus to Elgin but I am sure they will be allowed to snooze on the way home!