Eight teams register for north-west Sutherland amateur football season
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Amateur football returns to Ross and Sutherland this summer with eight teams confirmed to play in the North West Sutherland League.
Dornoch, Golspie Stafford, Helmsdale United, Inver, Lairg Rovers, Lochbroom, Lochinver and Melvich will take part in this season’s competition which returns for the first time since 2019.
But Brora Wanderers, Embo, Invergordon Social Club, Kinlochbervie, Tain Thistle and Tongue United will not return to the league.
Previously split between two divisions, the league will return to a one division format for 2022, with fixtures expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.
All teams, with the exception of Melvich, have opted to enter this year’s Highland Amateur Cup, with the draw being made tomorrow.
The Stafford Cup, last won by Lairg Rovers in 2019, will be played at the beginning of the season, with the draw also expected to be made this weekend.
The league’s annual general meeting took place over video call on Monday, with several ins and outs taking place.
Change started at the top of the association with long-serving chairman of the league, Sandy Murray, confirming that he will step down from his role. Murray was succeeded by vice-chairman Alexander Macleod, of Lochinver, while Hugh Morrison was re-elected as secretary.
Morrison expressed some dismay that the league’s primary area of the north-west will be represented by only two teams, Lochinver and Melvich. The news follows confirmation from the committee of Kinlochbervie that they will join Tongue United as non-participants this year.
From east Sutherland, Brora Wanderers and Embo have pulled out this season.
It was confirmed there will be a new champions crowned in 2022, following the withdrawal of title holders Tain Thistle, who have been unable to find a new manager following the resignation of Tony Farquhar earlier this month.
The only other team from Easter Ross, Invergordon Social Club, has moved to the Inverness and District amateur league.
Macleod says it is sad clubs who played in the 2019 season are not returning.
“It’s a shame to lose clubs in Kinlochbervie, Tongue, Brora, Embo and Tain, and I hope they come back soon,” said Macleod.
“After a two-year break it is vital that we get summer football going again for the longer term health of the clubs and wellbeing of the villages.”
He added: “I know the boys are buzzing to get back into it.”
Macleod also paid tribute to Murray’s service to the North West Sutherland Amateur Football Association.
He said: “Football in the north owes a lot to Sandy who has been chair of the league for almost four decades.
“He has made a huge contribution and the league committee thanks him for his service.”
