Latest news with #BuckieThistle
Press and Journal
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
STARTING XI: Graeme Stewart on title joy with Buckie and early days at Caley Thistle
Former Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart takes on this week's Q&A feature. The man known as 'Spider' – who stepped down as Jags boss after leading the club to the Highland League title in 2024 – looks back on his playing and managerial career to date. It was for Caley Thistle in a League Cup tie at Stenhousemuir in July 1999. We won 3-1 and I played an hour. I was 17 and just remember everyone seemed so big and quick. I enjoyed it, but was out my depth and it made me realise I had a lot of work to do to be able to play at that level. Winning the league with Buckie Thistle four times as player and manager. I won promotion with Peterhead for finishing second one season but nothing comes close to the feeling of winning the league and knowing all the hard work paid off. Bobby Mann and Barry Robson at Inverness were both brilliant. If Bobby had pace he could have played at any level, in my opinion. In the Highland league, Ian Murray was an outstanding striker and could have played at a higher level. There are a few others that stand out – Tommy Wilson, David Macrae and Zander Sutherland were all terrific. I always had hard games against Rab Brown, and we ended up being teammates. He was a very good hard player, which every team needed. Kyle MacLeod and Andrew MacAskill had the worst gear I've ever seen. It was like they were trying to look bad and the clothes were either too bright, too big, or too small. Hopefully as enthusiastic and encouraging. I was always talking and trying to help those around me. However, in my early 20s, they might have said a few different things. You only get out of something what you are willing to put in. I don't think it's a coincidence that the most successful people tend to work the hardest. I used to love playing against Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park. There was a big rivalry between the clubs and they always had a big, strong and aggressive team. The games were a battle and usually ended in a red card or two. When I went there as a manager, it made me miss playing. I didn't score many, but my favourite would have been against Morton in the Scottish Cup for Buckie. We were away from home and losing 2-0 and I scored to make it 2-2. We ended up conceding in the last minute to make it 3-2, but if we held on, it would have been one of the best results in Buckie's history. I would probably take Daniel Bell as he is one of my best friends. I'm not sure if he would be able to help catch any food, but at least we could have a laugh. Well, I have been away from football for 12 months now, so I have had plenty time to relax and spend time with my family. I have two daughters and it has been good being able to do things with them at the weekend. I also enjoy watching football matches on TV or going to grounds when I get the chance.
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Former Buckie Thistle and Elgin star pocketed cash for training courses
A former Elgin City and Highland League star has admitted to pocketing more than £10,000 he was given to provide non-existent football training courses and sponsorship. Ceiran McLean, who once turned out for and won the Highland League title with Buckie Thistle, strung along his customers for more than a year with promises he could deliver bespoke packages after taking their cash. At Elgin Sheriff Court today – on the first day of his scheduled trial – the 34-year-old admitted conning customers of his football training business. Ceiran McLean once played for Buckie Thistle. The court did not hear the circumstances of McLean's crime, but was told that his illegal efforts stretched from June 15 2020 to August 11 2021. Throughout that period, he admitted breaching a section of the Trading Regulations Act, which prevents businesses from conducting unfair commercial practices that are likely to influence the behaviour of the average consumer. His own defence solicitor, Matthew O'Neill, said the sum he would pocket by doing so was more than £10,000. Mr O'Neill, who was appearing on behalf of Aberdeen firm George Mathers & Co., said the former footballer was now attempting to pay that money back and asked for sentence to be deferred to allow him to do so. He said: 'My understanding is that the amount obtained will amount to £10,686.66. 'The principal agents have engaged in conversations, significantly, with Mr McLean. I understand Mr McLean is currently in employment and has certainly proposed to the principal agents a plan that he has in relation to be able to return those funds. 'Mr McLean should be in funds to do that within three months.' 'There ought to be a punitive element' Agreeing to defer sentence on the case, Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov advised McLean, of Inchbroom Avenue in Lossiemouth, to start saving money. 'Restitution is one thing, but there ought to be a punitive element,' she said, addressing McLean's solicitor. The sheriff also called for background reports on McLean, as well as a restriction of liberty assessment, which, if he were sentenced to one, would limit the hours of the day during which he could leave his home. McLean, who has a previous conviction from Elgin Sheriff Court, will now return to the dock in June. In 2013, while he was still at Elgin City FC, he was sentenced to 12 months behind bars for his part in a horror smash on the A96 Nairn to Alves road, which left a trialist in a coma for two months. McLean and another Elgin City player were racing each other in separate vehicles when the crash happened. McLean also suffered broken legs, a broken pelvis, and a brain injury.
