TRUE HEROES....
Not sure why but I`ve always admired the underdog. Maybe it`s because I`ve been one myself, maybe I have a bit of an aversion to serial winning in whatever aspect of life it may show itself. I know I should treat Kipling`s triumphs and disasters with equal measure but there is something more attractive, perhaps more romantic, in heroic failure than in triumphal victory.
Anyway, there must be a reason that I find sporting struggles far more interesting ; why else would I follow the footballing fortunes of Forest Green Rovers, Truro City, even Southampton or, until they finally achieved their ambition to be relegated to Scotland`s Lowland League, East Stirlingshire? And I have recently become aware of the travails of Fort William Football Club who are propping up the rest of the clubs in the Highland League. Their picturesque Claggan Park ground, nestling under the lea of Ben Nevis, pictured above, is considered to be the most scenic ground in the whole of the Highland League. .
The club, the only senior one in the West Highlands, was formed in 1974 and draws its players from a wide area including Skye, Inverness, Lochaber, Oban and Speyside. Moreover, given its location and the fact that most of the other clubs in the league are located as far north as Wick and most of north-east Scotland, their travels for away matches - and for visiting clubs - involve very long journeys.
In the past 20 seasons, Fort William have finished bottom of the league on 14 occasions, not winning a game in the whole of last season and, indeed, this season seems no different. So far they have played 16 games, won none, drawn one and lost the other 15. They have managed to score 10 goals but conceded 115 and they have not been helped by a points deduction which sees them currently on minus eight points having played an `ineligible player` in one of their games - seems a bit harsh given their struggle to put a team on the park.
But they keep going and they do so for the love of the game. The Rev Richard Baxter, the club's chaplain, says, "There is a challenge from being so remote from the other clubs. It is important Fort William are there. There are good people giving their best to the club, but they are facing pretty challenging circumstances and the more support they get from the community the better." That support has been enhanced recently following a film being made and appearing on the club`s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/FortWilliamFcOfficial/ which is well worth a look as it captures the essence of what the club is all about.
These are the true heroes of football and when you next watch Manchester City, Spurs, Liverpool,even Southampton, spare a thought for the sheer effort and devotion to the cause taking place at the same time in the remoteness of the highlands of Scotland.
(NOTE : To see the Facebook page, highlight the link above, right click and an option appears to `go to....` click on that option and the page appears.)
The club, the only senior one in the West Highlands, was formed in 1974 and draws its players from a wide area including Skye, Inverness, Lochaber, Oban and Speyside. Moreover, given its location and the fact that most of the other clubs in the league are located as far north as Wick and most of north-east Scotland, their travels for away matches - and for visiting clubs - involve very long journeys.
In the past 20 seasons, Fort William have finished bottom of the league on 14 occasions, not winning a game in the whole of last season and, indeed, this season seems no different. So far they have played 16 games, won none, drawn one and lost the other 15. They have managed to score 10 goals but conceded 115 and they have not been helped by a points deduction which sees them currently on minus eight points having played an `ineligible player` in one of their games - seems a bit harsh given their struggle to put a team on the park.
But they keep going and they do so for the love of the game. The Rev Richard Baxter, the club's chaplain, says, "There is a challenge from being so remote from the other clubs. It is important Fort William are there. There are good people giving their best to the club, but they are facing pretty challenging circumstances and the more support they get from the community the better." That support has been enhanced recently following a film being made and appearing on the club`s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/FortWilliamFcOfficial/ which is well worth a look as it captures the essence of what the club is all about.
These are the true heroes of football and when you next watch Manchester City, Spurs, Liverpool,even Southampton, spare a thought for the sheer effort and devotion to the cause taking place at the same time in the remoteness of the highlands of Scotland.
(NOTE : To see the Facebook page, highlight the link above, right click and an option appears to `go to....` click on that option and the page appears.)
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