July 15th 2024
SUPPORTERS of Nairn County FC marked the club’s centenary in membership of the Scottish Highland League by throwing a memorable bash at the British Legion in the town on Sunday. The centenary reunion was free to attend and saw players, supporters and committee members past and present come together to reminisce and share old memories of their time involved with the club. Compere Ian Thain hosted the event and welcomed everyone before Bill Logan revealed the details of the club’s centenary exhibition, which started at Nairn Museum on Tuesday and runs until the end of August. The first part of the eagerly-anticipated Team of the Century was announced by Graeme Macleod which saw goalkeeper Richard Konczak and defenders Harry McFadden, Sammy Forsyth, Andy Cadenhead and Dave Cochrane selected following a four-month long voting process. Co-author of The History of Nairn County FC: 100 Years in the Highland League, Donald Wilson then gave a talk on the book before the second part of the Team of the Century was announced. The midfielders voted into the team by the fans were Ian Gibson, Ronnie Sharp, Chic Allan and Stan Brown while the striking berths went to Conor Gethins and Davy Johnston. Over 130 guests attended the reunion and enjoyed a barbecue laid on by Donnie Macleod of DM Catering. Organiser Donald Graham said: “It was quite something to look around the room and see the mix of people who attended." “We had guys like Neil MacKinnon there, who is 92 now and played for Nairn as far back as the 1930s along with goalkeeper from the 1950s, Tommy MacGillivray." “Stars of the 1960s such as Donnie Grant, Ronnie Mair and Andy Cadenhead, who came through from Aberdeen, were there along with 12 members of the 1975/76 championship winning squad, including manager Innes Macdonald and his assistant, George Welsh." “Brian Derby and Malcolm Cowie made the effort to come over from New Zealand for the event while I was personally delighted to see Steven Mackay there. He played in defence for Nairn in the 1980s and was one of my heroes when I was growing up." “Most of the present day team was there too and it was fantastic to see everyone mixing and quite emotional to see old friends reacquainted for the first time in decades.” Graeme Macleod
