LOOKING BACK: 60-year anniversary of Golspie High School's north cup triumph
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There was great excitement along the length of Golspie's Main Street on the evening of March 7, 1964, when buses carrying players and supporters of Golspie High School senior football team rolled into the village with the North of Scotland Schools Cup.
Recalling their incredible triumph, Allan Lannon fondly remembers those who he played with some sixty years ago – many of whom now live thousands of miles away.
Mr Lannon said: "A number of players who played that day – Adam MacPherson, Alan Syme and Chris Yuill – have now passed but they are fondly remembered by the squad members who are now spread across the world.
"John MacKay is in New Zealand, Arthur Fraser in San Francisco and David Cowie and Bobby MacLeod in England. Ian Taggart is in Aberdeen, Cecil Melville in Golspie and I am in Thurso.
"Team captain Bobby MacLeod, who now lives in Sunderland, went on to become Brian Clough's first signing for Hartlepool United where he played professional football for a number of years."
The 60th anniversary of their historic win was not the only significant anniversary for the team in 2024.
The team's much respected PE teacher and coach, Norrie Brown, who came to Golspie High School as a Scottish champion pole vaulter, celebrated his 90th birthday.
Brown's boys were the first team north of Inverness to lift the trophy.
They did so by defeating Peterhead Academy by three goals to two in the final at Station Park, Nairn.
Their achievement was made all the more remarkable as all of their games on route to the final were played away from home.
The travelling squad of school seniors were sent on their way with a close fought victory over Inverness Royal Academy in the first round.
A 4–3 win was enough to see them through.
The Golspie lads were straight back to Inverness for the next game to play the High School team in what proved to be a much easier match.
A score of seven goals to nil was a fair reflection on the contest – but that was allowing for the fact that the Golspie's 'first goal' actually went past the post, as Mr Lannon attests.
"No nets had been put up at the ground," he explained. "And Norrie Brown's attempt at fair play, trying to put the matter right by entering the field of play to tell the referee that the result should be a by-kick, was quickly overruled by the official!"
The semi-final of the cup was played on a very cold and icy day at Dingwall Academy.
Mr Lannon added: "Today, it is unlikely that the game would go ahead in such conditions and even then there was some doubt up until kick off time. The final score was 4–2 to Golspie and after going the whole season unbeaten, we had secured our cup final spot.
"We had been undefeated all season in cup and friendly matches and so there was an air of excitement when two buses left on the big day for Nairn.
"The school had a large following of supporters who were in high spirits as they headed south with the excitement – only surpassed by the jubilation on the return journey."
Although nothing is planned this year to mark the historic anniversary, Mr Lannon hopes that those who played and supported the team on the day can still one day meet again.
He said: "'It has been sixty years now since we had that momentous day in Nairn and it is hoped that maybe in the not too distant future the team members who are still with us can get together, in Golspie, to reminisce over old times.
"With so many of our group being so widespread around the globe, getting together has been very difficult, but at the last formal reunion in Golspie over 30 years ago in the Sutherland Arms Hotel, players, spouses and friends had dinner along with PE teachers Norrie Brown and Juna (Ross) Sutherland, and Alan and Anne Barclay.
"Also present was Jock Watt, former PE teacher at Invergordon, and at that time, director of leisure and recreation for Ross and Cromarty.
"The events of the evening and a toast were introduced by Ian MacKay of Golspie – now a resident of Dornoch."
