Jags find out opponents for season opener as pre-season training begins
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As Strathspey Thistle begin pre-season training today, new fixtures for the new season have revealed that a trip to Forres Mechanics awaits the team on the opening day.
The Jags will travel to Mosset Park on Saturday July 29, before taking a trip to meet Formartine United on August 5.
The Grantown side will have to wait until Saturday August 12 for their first home match, against Huntly.
Manager Robert MacCormack says he "can't wait" to begin preparations with their Inverness-based training session, buoyed by recent additions and contract extensions announced by the club in April and May.
He said: "I can’t wait to get started. Our pre season schedule is pretty full on. We have to make sure we are fully prepared for the season coming to give ourselves the best chance to ensure we have a better season than the previous one. We are all looking forward to getting started and putting in the work that is required."
Jack Mackay, who has agreed a one-year deal with the Grantown club after leaving North Caledonian League champions Invergordon, is MacCormack's latest addition to the side.
The Jags announced his signing earlier this week, joining Seamus McConaghy and Michael Mckenzie as permanent additions, each agreeing deals until next summer.
The club has also agreed one-year extensions for Liam Grant, Joe Cuthbert, Alan Kerr and James Kendall.
It is anticipated that the club will announce further contract signings in the coming weeks, with deals for Liam McDade, Connor Austin and Michael Grimes said to be "in hand".
The retention of striker-turned-defender Alan Kerr was particularly pleasing for the manager. The 30-year-old former Clachnacuddin and Rothes forward played most of last season in the centre-back position.
He said: "Alan was really good at the back last season so I have potentially found a new home for him there. He is big strong lad, and is good in the air. It might not be where he plays for the rest of his career, but he certainly showed he is more than capable of playing there."
Several players from the Strathspey Thistle community team are also on the manager's radar, as he continues to build links between the club and the local combination.
MacCormack added: "Cairn Giles, Daniel Whitehorn and Rory Mackinnon all featured for us this season and hopefully they will come back next season too. I am looking to get the best local players to the club. I’ve been to a couple of games in the welfare already, and plan on going to the Strathspey Rovers youth festivals."
The Jags' full fixture calendar for 2023-24 is as below:
July 29 – Forres Mechanics v Strathspey Thistle
August 5 – Formartine United v Strathspey Thistle
August 12 – Strathspey Thistle v Huntly
August 16 – Brora Rangers v Strathspey Thistle
August 19 – Strathspey Thistle v Banks o' Dee
September 2 – Nairn County v Strathspey Thistle
September 9 – Strathspey Thistle v Rothes
September 16 – Brechin City v Strathspey Thistle
September 30 – Strathspey Thistle v Wick Academy
October 4 – Strathspey Thistle v Lossiemouth
October 7 – Inverurie Loco Works v Strathspey Thistle
October 21 – Strathspey Thistle v Buckie Thistle
November 4 – Keith v Strathspey Thistle
November 11 – Strathspey Thistle v Deveronvale
November 18 – Clachnacuddin v Strathspey Thistle
November 25 – Strathspey Thistle v Turriff United
December 2 – Fraserburgh v Strathspey Thistle
December 9 – Strathspey Thistle v Forres Mechanics
December 16 – Strathspey Thistle v Formartine United
December 23 – Huntly v Strathspey Thistle
December 30 – Strathspey Thistle v Brora Rangers
January 6 – Banks o' Dee v Strathspey Thistle
January 13 – Strathspey Thistle v Nairn County
January 20 – Rothes v Strathspey Thistle
January 27 – Strathspey Thistle v Brechin City
February 3 – Wick Academy v Strathspey Thistle
February 10 – Lossiemouth v Strathspey Thistle
February 17 – Strathspey Thistle v Inverurie Loco Works
March 2 – Buckie Thistle v Strathspey Thistle
March 9 – Strathspey Thistle v Keith
March 16 – Deveronvale v Strathspey Thistle
March 23 – Strathspey Thistle v Clachnacuddin
April 6 – Turriff United v Strathspey Thistle
April 13 – Strathspey Thistle v Fraserburgh
