
Hall of Fame member Fraser dies aged 88
Former Hibernian player, coach and Hall of Fame member John Fraser has died at the age of 88.The Edinburgh-born winger made his debut in 1954 and went on to make 275 appearances for his boyhood club, including the 1958 Scottish Cup final.Fraser had the unenviable task of coming into the team in place of his hero and club legend, Gordon Smith.After he retired, he worked with the reserve team before holding a coaching position for over a decade with the club.Fraser also helped form one of the club's most successful sides in 'Turnbull's Tornadoes' with Eddie Turnbull.Pat Stanton, who captained the successful side, recalled Fraser as a "terrific mentor".
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Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Press and Journal
Highland League digest: Hamish Ritchie joins Formartine United; Rothes boss Ronnie Sharp on his two new recruits
Formartine United manager Stuart Anderson is thrilled to have made Hamish Ritchie his latest summer signing. The 28-year-old midfielder is the seventh new recruit to arrive at North Lodge Park during the close season and returns to the north-east after a year with Edinburgh-based League Two side Spartans. Ritchie's career began with Keith in the Breedon Highland League before he played in America with Hartwick College in New York and Seattle University between 2016 and 2020. When he came back to the north-east during the Covid-19 pandemic Ritchie signed for Inverurie Locos, before having a short loan spell at Cove Rangers. Then in 2021 he joined Peterhead before moving to Spartans last summer. Formartine boss Anderson said: 'Hamish is a very talented player who has played at a higher level for a number of years. 'But he's also got experience in the Highland League from earlier in his career, so he knows what playing in the Highland League is about. 'I think Hamish is someone who will excite the fans, he'll add goals and assists to our team and we're delighted to get him. 'Hamish is comfortable playing in a variety of positions, he's an excellent passer, but he can also move with the ball at his feet. 'He'll bring those qualities to our team and I'm looking forward to seeing him in action.' It is believed Ritchie had interest from SPFL clubs, but has opted to return to the Highland League with Formartine. Anderson added: 'It's really pleasing that Hamish wanted to come to Formartine. 'Circumstances dictated that he wanted to play a bit more locally and we've benefited from that. 'We're delighted to sign Hamish and I think he'll be a really big asset for us.' Anderson has been busy during the close season reshaping his squad ahead of the new campaign, which gets under way on Saturday July 26. As well as Ritchie he has signed Rory McAllister, Connor Scully, Scott Ross, Stuart McKenzie, Finlay Murray and Luke Emmett. However, he has also lost a number of players from his 2024-25 squad. Veterans Johnny Crawford and Stuart Smith retired, Kieran Lawrence joined Fraserburgh, Aidan Combe has moved to Culter, Robert Ward's loan from Peterhead expired and he has since signed for Inverurie Locos and Lewis Wilson returned to America during the course of last term. Reflecting on a busy summer so far, Anderson said: 'We've had a good couple of months in terms of recruitment and the players that we've brought in. 'But we needed to do it because we've had players leave for a variety of reasons. 'We've taken in seven players and we're looking forward to pre-season and building up to the new season.' Elsewhere, Deveronvale have signed midfielder Joel Wiseman on a permanent basis. The 17-year-old was on loan at Princess Royal Park last season from Aberdeen and has joined the Banffers again following his release by the Dons. Wiseman featured for Vale's first-team, under-21s and under-18s last term and manager Garry Wood said: 'Joel has shown great promise, and we look forward to supporting his development over the coming years. 'Our aim is to help him establish himself as a regular member of the squad. 'Last season he demonstrated his goal-scoring ability at all levels and he possesses a number of strong attributes that we're excited to build on as he continues his progression.' Rothes manager Ronnie Sharp believes new signings Rory Williamson and Robbie Lean will prove to be quality additions. The Speysiders have swooped to sign the midfield duo from junior side Nairn St Ninian. Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth player Williamson, 21, previously played for Nairn County in the Breedon Highland League between 2021 and 2023 and also had a loan stint at Strathspey Thistle before joining Nairn St Ninian. Elgin City youth product Lean, 20, was also at Nairn County before joining St Ninian last summer. After finishing bottom of the Highland League last season, Mackessack Park boss Sharp has been keen to strengthen his squad. He said: 'Rory's got good quality, he's got lots of energy and gets up and down the park really well. 'His range of passing is excellent and he can score goals from midfield as well so hopefully he brings that to our team. 'He's played in the Highland League before and knows what it's about which helps as well. 'Robbie is a very tenacious player and I think he'll fit in no problem in the Highland League because he's been excellent for Nairn St Ninian, as has Rory. 'Robbie's very energetic, his fitness is incredible and we're hoping he'll add drive in midfield. 'The two of them will give us extra quality and that's something we've been looking to add. 'You also need guys that are keen to make the step up and play at this level. It's good to get Rory and Robbie in and we're still looking for more.' This summer Rothes have also secured Kenzie Shepherd, Brodie Mitchell, Owen Alexander, Matthew McConachie and Jake Thomson on new contracts. Sharp added: 'Some of the boys did really well for us last season, despite where we finished, and it's good they're staying with the club. 'Towards the end of the season I felt we were unlucky in a few games and we could have picked up more points. 'For a few of them that was their first experience of playing in the Highland League. 'Hopefully they can develop and build on that experience going forward, they were keen to stay with Rothes which is a good sign for us.' Elsewhere, Nairn County attacker Ben Kelly has signed a new contract to remain with the Wee County for season 2025-26. The 27-year-old arrived at Station Park two years ago from Invergordon and helped Nairn win the North of Scotland Cup in November 2023. Nairn have also promoted left-back Ross Murphy, 18, midfielder Chevy Thomson, 18, and 16-year-old midfielder Charlie McKenzie to their first-team squad. The trio have all been part of the Wee County's under-18s set-up.


BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Veteran striker Graham switches Thistle for Bairns
Falkirk have signed "one of the hardest working strikers" in Brian Graham, as the veteran forward joins on a one-year 37-year-old scored 21 goals in all competitions last season for Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle and has over 220 goals in his 18-year is the second time John McGlynn has signed Graham, having previously done so in 2011 with Raith Rovers, and Graham said he "couldn't say no" to working with the manager again."Brian's had an amazing career and it's a credit to him and the way he's look after himself that he's still one of the hardest working strikers going about," McGlynn told club media."He has the natural instincts of a top striker, he's in the right place at the right time, he knows the position inside out and with the number of crosses we put in the box, I'm sure there's plenty more goals to come."Brian is a winner, he is very determined individual and his experience at this level will be important to the team. "I've said we needed Premiership experience and physicality, and Brian brings both of those in abundance."The former Hibernian forward has 25 goals in 96 top-flight appearances with Dundee United, St Johnstone and Ross County."The opportunity to work with John McGlynn again was one I couldn't say no to," the former Partick Thistle women's manager said. "You can see how well the players and staff have done here over the last two years with back-to-back promotions, and it's a chance for myself to get back and play in the Premiership as well."It's up to me now to work hard, get the head down, and get myself in the team. With the wide players here, I know for a fact I'm going to get chances to score goals and I'm really looking forward to getting started."


Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler actions under microscope as CBS star speaks
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among the favourites to win the 125th US Open, but neither have been able to get to grips with the Oakmont Country Club's troubling greens The US Open is hitting its stride, yet it's proving a tough nut to crack for top contenders Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Both the Northern Irish golf star and the New Jersey-born icon have bagged the last two majors with victories at the Masters and PGA Championship respectively. The Oakmont Country Club's merciless greens are giving elite players a run for their money, with neither McIlroy nor Scheffler spared from the challenge. According to former pro, and CBS analyst, Dottie Pepper, the pair will now be working on how to break their way back into contention, with two very different views on how the game should be played, reports the Mirror US. Discussing their behaviour on the course and how their styles vary, Pepper, 59, told the Sliced Podcast: "Rory is more apt to roll the dice than Scottie is. Scottie rolls the dice by the way he flights the golf ball into tough targets. "Before the tournament at Pebble [Beach, in January] got started this year, Scottie played at Cyprus and [I] talked to the kid that caddied for him and he said 'I've never seen anything like it'. "Because he never really took on flags directly, the way Rory does. He took a line and moved the golf ball toward it, took a line and moved it right, took a line and moved it left - so everything fed toward the hole. So there's a different flight pattern, there's a different artistry. "They are both extraordinarily powerful. They're both definitely motivated to win, you don't want to get in their way. But Rory has this way of doing something unpredictable and then has that flair to recover." Pepper also remarked that while some golfing aces relish a "big production" with an entourage and high-tech gadgets, Sheffler opts out of such theatrics. "He sees things, he feels things," Pepper added. "Everyone else is out there with their diagnostics and their team, and all of that. But there's not a lot of business around them [Scheffler and his team]." At the time of writing, Scheffler is T45 while Mcilroy is T52. Scheffler endured a first round of 73 and is now in the midst of his second. Speaking after his first round, Scheffler said: "I made some silly mistakes and I just need to be a little sharper." McIlroy had a promising start on Thursday but faltered with four bogeys and a double bogey ending the day at four over 74. The 36-year-old arrived at Oakmont after missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open. He has now hit 71 or higher in five straight rounds, going back to the PGA Championship. McIlroy declined to speak to the media about his round on Thursday, and tees off later on Friday for his second. Meanwhile out in front on the leaderboard is U.S. star JJ Spaun. Thriston Lawrence is currently in second, while Si-Woo Kim and Sam Burns are behind in third.