Sutherland Football Club set to make debut in Highlands and Islands League
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It has been over a year in the making, but Sutherland Women's Football Club will finally kick off in the Highlands and Islands League.
In March last year, they were two days away from playing their first game in the competition before all football in Scotland was suspended due to the pandemic.
The 2020 season was cancelled without a game being played and all plans and hard work the Helmsdale club made had to be put on hold.
But they are ready to kick into action when they play their first match at Nairn St Ninian on Sunday.
Club secretary Nadene McCulloch says it has been a long frustrating wait, but are now looking forward to the first competitive match.
“We were all set last year and had done all our fundraising and were hyped up and had a massive team,” she said.
“Then Covid came and wiped our plans out.
“We had our bus booked and team picked and then we were told there was no game.
“We just had to make sure when we came through the other side we were solid as a team.
“We hope everything we have done over the last 14 months will pay off and be part of a winning team.”
The team was founded by former Ross County player Siobhan MacBeath, who is also chairwoman and plays in centre midfield.
What started as a get together with friends led to a demand in the county for a new club to be established which could play competitive games on a regular basis.
"I just wanted a kick about,” said MacBeath, who works as a paramedic.
"I phoned girls who hadn’t played for years and asked if they fancied a kick about.
“Once we started playing the girls wanted game time, I ended up saying let’s start up a club and it has gone on from there.
“We have 30 players signed and 44 on a rotating basis for training.
"We are getting a good turnout for our under-15 section too and are now planning to start a four and over section this season too.”
Sutherland will play their home league matches at Couper Park in Helmsdale, but McCulloch is keen to stress they are a county team.
They attract players from all over Sutherland, as well as Ross-shire and Caithness too.
"We started with a kickabout and it has escalated into something crazy," says McCulloch.
"We are not specific to one area, we are playing our games at Helmsdale but we train at the astroturf at Golspie and keep it as inclusive as possible.
"A lot of girls come from different areas, we’ve got girls from Dornoch, Tain, Muir of Ord, Scourie and the west coast.
"But Couper Park suited with the club and have been made to feel most welcome at Bunillidh Sports Club.
“We have had a lot of support from our sponsors to get the club running and play in the league for which we are grateful.”
Sutherland kick off their league campaign at Nairn St Ninian on Sunday at 1pm, with their first home game against Caithness at Helmsdale on Sunday, July 4.
Despite their short history, the club did win the Highlands and Islands tournament last year and have played a friendly in Helmsdale which attracted a good crowd.
MacBeath says this season will be a learning experience, but is looking forward to the challenge and hopes the club can make an impact as well as develop a bigger fanbase.
"We have been watching the other teams the whole way through.
“We are positive but realistic as we have not played as a team before.
“We can’t compare ourselves to anyone else, but we are going in positive and as best as we can.
“It is our first season and we are the newbies on the block.
"We aim to go in and win our first match and then we will concentrate on the game after.
"We had 100 people who came to watch our friendly which was incredible.
"If crowds are allowed then I think we will have decent numbers watching us this season.”
