October 13th 2024
Christmas and New Year Message from Donald Wilson. Keep Giving – Keep Believing – It's coming to that time of year again when everyone will be making their resolutions and reflecting on the year gone by. I hope as Nairn County fans we will see 2013 as a new beginning in terms of the relationship between ourselves and the club, and it is all for the good. 2014 is going to be a very exciting time with the planned developments taking place at Station Park. The application for the new Cowshed has been lodged with planners and a major internal refurbishment of the stand is also programmed. Everyone must remain focussed and ensure we play as big a part as possible in assisting the board to complete these major infrastructure projects. The input of supporters has been acknowledged by the Chairman in his annual report as a major enabling factor in accelerating the Board's programme of improvements at our ground – Station Park. This message to all Nairn County fans was written after our 4-3 defeat by Brora Rangers. I was disappointed like any other fan. It was being hailed as a league decider – only time will tell. It was a crazy game, wasn't it? We were 4-1 down but staged an incredible fight back and we so nearly pulled it off. It was evident the Nairn players were spurred on by the large travelling support who didn't throw in the towel. It's that togetherness which I am sure has helped the team on many occasions when they were staring defeat in the face and turned games on their head into victory. This year began with our campaign to raise funds to help the Board realise their ambitions to transform Station Park into one of the best grounds in the Highland League. We have played our part and it's been a roller coaster journey. But the fund-raising aside, the campaign has brought much more to the table than hard cash. It has given fans a sense of ownership of their club and the realisation that we have much more to contribute. The players are aware the fan base of Nairn County FC is growing and they also recognise the passion and commitment of the supporters at home and away games. When we held our first meeting in January to launch the Ground Improvement Fund (GIF) I had no idea it was going to grow arms and legs and be such a success. There has been a lot of back slapping going on and plaudits for the contribution we have made towards the work carried out at the ground this year and the money we have raised towards the improvements planned in 2014. But I'm sure everyone will agree, it's been great fun. A few decades ago Nairn County was run by the kind of events we have been doing for the GIF. We have not re-invented the wheel or anything like it. But we have re-engaged in tried and trusted fund-raising ideas which were the key to the club's survival decades ago. The GIF and Panel Beaters Campaign has been embraced by the whole community and we are now seeing new fans every week turning up at games. There is a new young generation of fans coming to Station Park which augers well for the future. We owe a debt to the present Board and main sponsors Narden whose contribution over a decade has more has transformed Nairn County from debt into profit and from a struggling side into one that is respected by every club in the Highland League and further afield. We can look forward to the Centenary year with the ground developments and a book to commemorate 100 years in membership of the Highland League. To everyone in Nairn and surrounding district who has supported our Panel Beater and Ground Improvement Fund campaign; and especially you the fans, for all your madcap ideas and your tireless work fundraising, the fundraising group extends the our very best wishes for Christmas and what promises to be a very memorable 2014. The 'We Believe' Ground Improvement Fund, an initiative launched by fans – has generated £34,000 in less than twelve months! Keep Giving – Keep Believing. Compliments of the Season to you all. Donald Wilson on behalf of the Supporters Group. Donald Wilson
