Dornoch football club sets sights on North Caledonian League return amid plans to build new multi-use sports facility at the Meadows
A renewed push is under way in Dornoch to bring senior football back to the town for the first time in nearly two decades, alongside plans to establish a new umbrella sports association with aspirations to redevelop the town’s main sports field.
The ambitious proposals are being spearheaded by David Anderson, the founder of Dornoch Juniors FC, who hopes to unify various footballing groups under one banner — a newly re-formed Dornoch Football Club.
The new club will seek entry to the North Caledonian League in 2026, marking what would be a return to senior football after an 18-year absence. Dornoch last competed in the league during the 2007–08 season.
Anderson, who launched Dornoch Juniors in 2022 to provide youth football coaching for children in the area, says the new-look Dornoch FC will aim to bring together the existing juniors, the Dornoch Auld Eagles — an eleven-a-side team for over 40s — and an adult team capable of competing at senior league level.
“We want Dornoch Football Club to be one club going forward,” said Anderson. “The plan is to be able to offer football for everyone, from nursery age right up to their twilight years.
“We felt it would be better to have everything, football-wise, all under one umbrella to be a voice in this new association. It makes more sense to do it this way.”
Dornoch Juniors FC, which is SYFA affiliated, has already laid solid foundations at youth level and is preparing to expand with teams at under-10, under-12 and under-14 age groups.
The senior (adult) club’s proposed re-entry to the North Caledonian League in 2026 could bring an end to nearly two decades without competitive senior football in the Sutherland town.
During that time, the town’s only adult offering has been through Dornoch City — an amateur side with an on-off presence in the summer leagues — who are not currently part of the proposed structure.
However, Anderson says the door remains open.
“There’s definitely a lot of positive interest in this plan,” he said. “There’s a lot of football history in Dornoch. A lot of good players have come out of the town. Our main motivation is to ensure that there is football for everyone of all ages.
“The North Caledonian League is a very good league. It’s just a level down from the Highland League, so being part of a more competitive league would give our youngsters something real to aspire to.”
The inclusion of the Dornoch Auld Eagles also reflects the broader ambition to cater to all ages and abilities.
“We’re delighted to have the Auld Eagles involved, as even after your playing days are over, there’s no reason why you must stop playing,” Anderson said. “With this group, you can go and remember the passes you used to make when you were 20 years younger.”
But football is only one part of a much larger plan.
Anderson, with the backing of other sports stakeholders in the town, is now seeking to establish a Dornoch Sports Development Group, with the goal of taking on responsibility for running and developing the Meadows — Dornoch’s central community-owned sports field.
The proposed Dornoch Sports Development Group would work with other town-based sporting bodies including Dornoch Cricket Club, the Dornoch Highland Games committee, and other community stakeholders to look after and enhance the Meadows.
Plans include the building of a new sports pavilion, complete with changing facilities, a gym, and a flexible community space that could host parties and events.
Outside, early sketches include stands, fencing, benches and a viewing area.
“The Meadows is such a wonderful place,” Anderson added. “It’s used for bonfire night, games day, the festival — but it has to be multi-functional. We want it to become a base for all of these activities that are going on.
“There’s not really enough facilities in Dornoch to support this, so it’s so important we see it through. We have approval from the Meadows board of trustees, so it’s all systems go for us now.”
While the town has other sports facilities — including four high-quality MUGA (multi-use games area) pitches — Anderson pointed out these are too small for full-sided football, making the Meadows an essential component of the plan.
“There’s a beautiful golf course here, but not much else for bigger sport to be played in the town,” he said. “The MUGAs are great for tennis and pickleball, but they aren’t really suitable for what we are trying to do.”
An inaugural AGM is now being planned to formally establish the Meadows Sports Association and elect a committee to oversee its activities.
The board of trustees currently responsible for the Meadows have welcomed the move.
In a statement, they said: “The Meadows Trustees will work closely with the Dornoch Sports Development Group and applaud their vision to create a sporting organisation that seeks to link the different sporting groups that currently use Meadows Park.
“The land was gifted by the Duke of Sutherland for the benefit of the people of Dornoch and while football, cricket, and Highland Games are the main users, the playing area is also accessed by our local youths who mostly play football informally.
“Other groups, including those raising funds for charity, will still have the support of the Trustees to book the Meadows Park.”
