Six teams to compete in this summer's Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare football
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Summer football gets set to return to the strath next month as the Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare season kicks off its 2023 season.
Following the League’s recent AGM, six clubs were confirmed for the latest campaign, including two brand new outfits.
Aviemore Thistle, Cromdale, FC Abernethy and last season’s champions Boat of Garten Ospreys are all returning, and they will be joined by new arrivals Badenoch United and Grantown Rovers.
The latter duo replacing Kingussie and Spey Valley Youths who sadly will not be appearing again this year.
Making a welcome return will be local Cup competitions after last season’s hiatus, with five trophies up for grabs as well as the coveted League shield.
As ever, the League is extremely grateful to long time sponsors David Ritchie & Sons Ltd who have once again generously agreed to sponsor the competition.
The first round of fixtures is: Cromdale V Badenoch Utd; Aviemore Thistle v Boat of Garten Ospreys; Grantown Rovers v FC Abernethy
Action is set to begin on Friday 5 May with 7pm kick-offs.
The full fixture list is available on the association’s website www.sbwfa.co.uk.
Meanwhile the league organisers are still on the hunt for the old League Shield and are hopeful someone may know where it is now.
It was first presented in 1929 to Nethy Bridge, and last presented to Grantown Utd in 1999.
It was subsequently affixed to the wall in the old Tyree Bar in Grantown. But since the Tyree closed down, its whereabouts has become unknown.
League chief Alasdair MacNeill said: "We don’t have too many good close-up images of the shield but it was a real old fashioned beauty.
"It’s so nice that we’re going to assume it didn’t end up in a skip when the Tyree closed down, and is now gathering dust in a loft or shed somewhere."
Mr MacNeill is keen to have the shield restored as the league's most historical artefact.
