July 15th 2024
Calum Riddell Memorial Benches were unveiled at Station Park this afternoon exactly one year to the day after Calum’s final football appearance at the ground. Calum died last year at the age of just 28 and played his last match for the club in the final fixture of last season, which took place a year ago today. Now, two benches have been unveiled at Station Park by his widow Rebekah (pictured with her dog, Maggie) in honour of her late husband. The benches are situation at the corner of the ground which backs on to Balblair Road, where old dugouts were previously positioned. Rebekah, said: “I would like to thank Nairn County for allowing us to honour Calum’s memory in this way." “Calum loved his football and he always looked forward to a Saturday whether it was playing with Saints or County. He played in the youth team at County with all his mates and he had many happy times there and then with Nairn St Ninian before coming back to play with County again." “I am delighted with the way the benches have turned out. They look superb, so I would like to thank Chainsaw Creations from Culbokie for their amazing work in making them." “I would also like to thank Paul Shearer and Davie Nicoll for their help in delivering and laying the slabs for the benches’ platform. They gave up their own time to do it, so I am very grateful.” Club chairman, Donald Matheson, said: “I think this is a great way to honour Calum’s memory. He is remembered fondly by us all at Nairn County and his presence around the club is sadly missed. But we will never forget him and these benches will provide us with a lasting memorial to him." “They look great and they give a fantastic view of the entire pitch. Hopefully, supporters can have a sit down on a matchday and enjoy the action or think back over their favourite memories of Calum and I am sure everyone who knew him will have many.” The benches were unveiled before Sunday’s Forres and Nairn District Welfare League’s Calum Riddell Memorial Cup final between Carlton and Elgin Thistle, with the Forres side triumphing by five goals to two. Calum passed away on October 3rd last year after being diagnosed with a Stage 3 Glioblastoma in the summer while on honeymoon. His football career started at Nairn County before he moved to Nairn St Ninian for seven years, winning the Elginshire Cup and achieving promoting. He returned to Station Park in the summer of 2016 as Ronnie Sharp’s first signing but the early signs of the disease that was to claim his life ended his second spell with the club prematurely, with his last appearance on a football pitch coming in the North of Scotland Cup tie against Brora Rangers exactly a year ago today. Graeme Macleod
