Caledonia Gladiators owner hails fan backing as he teases 'even bigger season' to come in 2025/26
Steve Timoney has thanked supporters in an open letter after another season of trophy success at the club
Caledonia Gladiators owner Steve Timoney has thanked fans for their support in another history-making year and promised to provide a bigger and better campaign next season.
The club, based at Playsport in Stewartfield, saw their women's side lift silverware in the SLB Trophy, becoming the first female side in Scotland to do so.
That followed on from the men's team winning the BBL Trophy the previous season. However, the men's side did not fare as well on the court this term as they finished bottom of the league, with head coach Gareth Murray sacked early in the campaign. Changes were made to the coaching staff across the rest of the season, eventually leading to Jonny Bunyan taking the reins as the club closed out the 2024/25 season.
In an open letter to fans, Timoney thanked the Gladiators faithful for their backing and teased that exciting times lie ahead next season.
He said: 'We are more than just a basketball club, we are a community, and without your passion and support throughout the season, none of this would be possible.
'This season, you've shown us what true support looks like. From the roar that fills our Arena to the quiet pride of sporting Gladiators colours wherever you go, your energy has lit up every moment – from the first tip-off to the final buzzer.
'We've faced challenges, we've celebrated victories, and your loyalty has reminded us why we do what we do.
'We believe that basketball can thrive in Scotland and that we're building a club that is not just about the present but is also laying the groundwork for future generations of the community that we are growing.
'This year brought history: our women's team lifted the 2024/25 SLB Trophy – Scotland's first-ever silverware for a female basketball team. A monumental achievement, and one that signals the bright future we're building together.
'We also welcomed club legend Jonny Bunyan back to the court but this time as the men's Head Coach and it's been fantastic to watch Jonny build momentum within the team.
'As the season closes, we look ahead with excitement to continue striving to achieve our vision of building a Basketball Nation.
'We're reflecting on our successes so far as we continue on our journey of creating something special – a community within Scotland that celebrates the very best of basketball for generations to come.
'But this journey wouldn't be the same without you. So, from the entire Caledonia Gladiators family – thank you for standing with us, game after game.
'This is only the beginning. We can't wait to share what's next as we gear up for an even bigger 2025/26 season.'
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Caledonia Gladiators owner hails fan backing as he teases 'even bigger season' to come in 2025/26
Steve Timoney has thanked supporters in an open letter after another season of trophy success at the club Caledonia Gladiators owner Steve Timoney has thanked fans for their support in another history-making year and promised to provide a bigger and better campaign next season. The club, based at Playsport in Stewartfield, saw their women's side lift silverware in the SLB Trophy, becoming the first female side in Scotland to do so. That followed on from the men's team winning the BBL Trophy the previous season. However, the men's side did not fare as well on the court this term as they finished bottom of the league, with head coach Gareth Murray sacked early in the campaign. Changes were made to the coaching staff across the rest of the season, eventually leading to Jonny Bunyan taking the reins as the club closed out the 2024/25 season. In an open letter to fans, Timoney thanked the Gladiators faithful for their backing and teased that exciting times lie ahead next season. He said: 'We are more than just a basketball club, we are a community, and without your passion and support throughout the season, none of this would be possible. 'This season, you've shown us what true support looks like. From the roar that fills our Arena to the quiet pride of sporting Gladiators colours wherever you go, your energy has lit up every moment – from the first tip-off to the final buzzer. 'We've faced challenges, we've celebrated victories, and your loyalty has reminded us why we do what we do. 'We believe that basketball can thrive in Scotland and that we're building a club that is not just about the present but is also laying the groundwork for future generations of the community that we are growing. 'This year brought history: our women's team lifted the 2024/25 SLB Trophy – Scotland's first-ever silverware for a female basketball team. A monumental achievement, and one that signals the bright future we're building together. 'We also welcomed club legend Jonny Bunyan back to the court but this time as the men's Head Coach and it's been fantastic to watch Jonny build momentum within the team. 'As the season closes, we look ahead with excitement to continue striving to achieve our vision of building a Basketball Nation. 'We're reflecting on our successes so far as we continue on our journey of creating something special – a community within Scotland that celebrates the very best of basketball for generations to come. 'But this journey wouldn't be the same without you. So, from the entire Caledonia Gladiators family – thank you for standing with us, game after game. 'This is only the beginning. We can't wait to share what's next as we gear up for an even bigger 2025/26 season.'
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'When I went to college in the States, I thought it was going to be great but at the end of my first year, the coach sat me down and told me I was a great person and a great student, but I wasn't going to be a basketball player in her programme,' McGarrachan recalls. 'I was young and had all these hopes and dreams so to have someone telling you you're never going to make it was really tough. 'But I had a lot of good people around me who told me that even though she didn't think I was going to make it, that didn't mean I couldn't go elsewhere and be successful.' Go somewhere else was exactly what McGarrachan did, transferring to Houston Baptist University where she forged a stellar collegiate career, with a particular highlight being her side's run to the Conference Final. By this point, McGarrachan had caught the eye of the GB selectors and, despite a year on the sidelines due to a serious foot injury, she was well on her way to forging a successful professional career. 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'But, ultimately, I realised what an opportunity it was to join Gladiators and I'm so glad I did go back to basketball.' McGarrachan is too modest to shout about the influence she's had on basketball, especially the women's game, but her impact is undeniable. Caledonia Gladiators as a club, and the women's team specifically, has become a significant force within British basketball, with McGarrachan a major player in the transformation of the sport over the past decade. And she admits reflecting on the journey the sport has taken, and her part in it, is quite breath-taking. 'When I played in England, the difference between how the men's and the women's teams were treated was very prevalent whereas when I look at what we've got here in Scotland, there's absolutely no difference between how the men and women are treated, and that's amazing,' she says. 'In the past three years at Gladiators, the women's fan base has grown tenfold, and the greatest thing is there's a lot of young kids coming to see our games. 'I never set out to be a role model, I just really enjoyed playing basketball, but to have turned into one is incredible. 'It gives you such a massive boost knowing that you're not just running up and down a court after a ball, there is a wider, more meaningful purpose.' With basketball having been both a constant and a dominant presence in McGarrachan's life for so many years, she has little doubt as to the hole retirement will leave. And having been surrounded by teammates all her career, she admits the prospect of being without them is somewhat daunting. 'There's no question I'm going to miss the sport massively,' she says. 'I think I'll always be an active person, but you just don't get that same high from anything else that you get in competition. 'And there's the interaction with your teammates and with the fans. You just can't replace that. 'You have a special connection to your teammates because you have to work with them to make the magic happen. They always have your back, you go through the highs and lows together, and you're always there for each other, so I'll miss having that.' Having already joined the accountancy department at the business of the club's owners, the Timoneys, McGarrachan's future remains at Caledonia Gladiators and although she's ruling out a move into the coaching sphere for now, she's more than aware that she'd be a fool to predict too far into the future. 'I have the best of all worlds by being able to stay involved in basketball and also continue my accountancy career,' she says. 'Coaching has never really appealed to me, although who knows how I'll feel in the future. 'Basketball will always be in my life, whether that's as a fan, a coach, a mentor or anything else, but it does have a way of pulling me back in.'
