Latest news with #Huntly
Press and Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League award winners revealed as Angus Grant is named player of the year
Huntly's Angus Grant was crowned player of the year at the Breedon Highland League awards dinner in Inverness. The striker's 23 league goals also earned him the top scorer trophy, while in all competitions he netted 31 times for the Black and Golds. Grant is the first Huntly player to scoop the Highland League's player of the year award since it was introduced for season 1988-89. The 26-year-old said: 'It's a complete surprise, with the amount of talent in the league I didn't expect to win it. 'It's a great honour and I can only thank my team-mates who have put me in the position to win an individual award like this. 'You look at the list of players that have won this award and it's a list of legendary players. 'It's a hugely prestigious award and I'm chuffed to bits to win it. 'I didn't know I was the first Huntly player to win it so that's a big thing for the club and also me personally.' Brora Rangers boss Steven Mackay was named manager of the year after guiding the Cattachs to the first treble in their history as they claimed the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland Cup. It was also the first time since 1954 that a club had won every tournament they compete in at Highland League level in the same season. Mackay said: 'It's a nice way to end the season winning this award, but I have to mention the guys that back me up David Hind (assistant manager), Jordan MacDonald (first-team coach) and Michael MacKenzie (first-team coach). 'Without them I can't do my job, it's not about the individual, it's about the collective. 'They deserve this recognition as much as me, my day job is very demanding and my time is at a premium and they give me a huge amount of support. 'I'm delighted to accept the award, but it's a collective effort from the management team, to the players, to the board.' Jack Mitchell was named young player of the year after a stellar season with Deveronvale which saw him contribute 13 goals and 14 assists. The 18-year-old winger said: 'I'm stunned to win this award. It means a lot because it's the players that vote for it and there are so many good young players in the league so I didn't expect to win it.' Meanwhile, Fraserburgh collected the fair play award and three club stalwarts were recognised with unsung hero awards. Inverurie Locos' historian David Fasken, Brechin City kitman Alan Grieve and Huntly's Jim McGregor, who has served as player, manager, committee member and ambassador, were all honoured for their dedication to their respective clubs. There was also a celebration of Graham Wilson's service to the Highland League as he steps down following 25 years as assistant secretary and youth secretary.
Press and Journal
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Colin Charlesworth hails Huntly's 'statement' signing
Huntly manager Colin Charlesworth hailed the signing of Lenny Wilson as a 'massive coup'. The 28-year-old goalkeeper's contract with Brechin City was expiring this summer and he's opted to join the Black and Golds on a two-year deal. Former Peterhead player Wilson, who has also had a loan spell with Brora Rangers, signed for the Hedgemen three years ago and helped them win the Breedon Highland League in 2023. Christie Park boss Charlesworth is thrilled to have landed someone of Wilson's calibre. He said: 'We've set our bar high with some of the targets we've gone after this summer and we've managed to land one of them in Lenny. 'I think it's a statement signing for Huntly. It shows the ambition of the club that we've managed to get him and it shows the character of Lenny that he's bought into the project here. 'He's looking forward to being part of it. It's a massive coup for Huntly and a real statement signing. 'Lenny is a modern-day goalkeeper, he's a sweeper-keeper and he's comfortable with the ball at his feet. 'The way he communicates with his defence gives confidence to the players in front of him. 'Every time we've played against Lenny he's never looked stressed or panicked, he always looks confident. 'Those are very good attributes to have. Over the last few seasons I think he's been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the league and one of the best. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on at Huntly.' Charlesworth is hopeful the addition of Wilson can help Huntly improve their defensive record next season. He added: 'It's no secret our clean sheet tally this season wasn't great, we only kept seven and that's not enough. 'Looking at our season I think the first two-thirds were successful, but in the final third of the season we fell away. 'In the final third of the season we saw defensive frailties and, as a management team, we need to try to address that as best we can. 'It isn't just about one player because you defend as a team. But adding someone of Lenny's experience and quality will help us defensively.' Meanwhile, midfielder Leon Etko has left Huntly to join junior club Maud on a permanent basis. The 20-year-old signed for the Black and Golds in January 2024, but has been on loan to Maud this season. Elsewhere, Fraserburgh have signed Formartine United midfielder Kieran Lawrence following the expiry of his contract. Lawrence, 28, spent time on loan at junior side Bridge of Don Thistle last season. Liam Duell and Ramsay Davidson have become the latest Banks o' Dee players to sign contract extensions. Attacker Duell arrived at Spain Park last year from Kirriemuir Thistle and defender Davidson came through Dee's youth set-up. Both penned deals until the summer of 2028.
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Firefighters rescue person trapped in truck after Waikato Expressway crash
Firefighters rescued someone after they were trapped in a truck following a crash. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Firefighters have rescued a person trapped in a truck after a crash on the Waikato Expressway on Friday morning. Emergency services were called to the truck and trailer crash on the highway in Huntly just before 4.30am. Fire and Emergency said one person was excavated from the truck. Police said there were no serious injuries but the road was blocked for a time, although it was now clear. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Huntly's Angus Grant on overcoming serious injury and a personal tragedy to become north football's top scorer
Angus Grant will be crowned as north football's top scorer at Friday's Breedon Highland League awards ceremony. However, the Huntly striker's journey to this point is a story of perseverance which has seen him go from being on the brink of giving up the game to scoring 23 goals in the league this season and 31 in all competitions. Along the way Grant has also overcome a serious injury and personal tragedy. The 26-year-old revealed things could have been very different had it not been for a game-changing stint with Isle of Lewis outfit Carloway in the summer of 2016. He said: 'I was very close to giving football up when I was 17, I was signed to Cove Rangers under-20s and I was on loan to Newmachar United. 'I wasn't enjoying it, I was missing training and I was prioritising other things. It was at that time when I started going out with my now-fiancée Ashleigh and I was going to see her rather than going to training. 'But nine years later we've got two kids together so that paid off! However, at that time I didn't see football going anywhere for me. 'The love for the game wasn't there, but that summer playing for Carloway and doing well for them changed my outlook. 'If I hadn't done that and hadn't played well for them then I would have given up football. 'My mum Marj is from the Isle of Lewis so we've gone there every summer since I was born. When we visit we stay in the village of Breasclete, Carloway is 10 minutes away and is the local team to us. 'We used to go up for six weeks in the summer and the year before I went along to a training session and ended up playing two or three games. 'That was 10 years ago and then the following summer I went back and really kicked on. I finished up with quite a lot of goals and assists and we won the league and a cup. 'That spell with Carloway gave me a new lease of life and I came back with different thoughts on football.' Following that prolific summer scoring spell, Grant joined Turriff United and started to make his mark in the Highland League during the 2017-18 season. However, he eventually ended up leaving the Haughs to sign for Huntly in May 2021 after a wrangle about his contract during the Covid-19 pandemic and following the death of his younger brother Rory, aged 18, in March 2020. Grant added: 'At Turriff during Covid they wanted us to come to training but they said they couldn't afford to pay us. 'I know the club didn't have money coming in and I understood that. 'But I'm from Aberdeen so I was going to be travelling to Turriff a couple of times a week and I had quite a good deal at the time, which I didn't want to let go of. 'We did try to come to a compromise, but there wasn't really any budging. 'At the time, for me, after my brother Rory had passed away everything was up in the air. Given what had happened it was hard finding motivation to get out of bed and to go to work, never mind play football. 'Then Allan Hale became Huntly manager and he came in for me. It wasn't that long after my brother had died, it was during Covid and, with everything that had gone on, I wasn't too fussed about football or going to Huntly. 'So initially I said no, but then Allan tried again a few months later and at that point I was in a better place mentally so I listened to what Allan had to say and ended up signing for Huntly.' Grant also revealed that thoughts of Rory are never far away when he's on the football pitch. 'It was a sad time in our lives and it will always be a sad thing for us as a family,' he said. 'But I want to do well for my brother, to make him proud and do well for all my family. 'Rory liked football, he enjoyed playing and he came to a lot of my games, he and Ashleigh always wanted to come and watch. 'When we were in Lewis and I was playing for Carloway, Rory would come to every single game along with a couple of my cousins and when Ashleigh used to come up for a week or two she'd be there as well. 'Those are memories I'll always cherish. 'After every goal I've scored since Rory passed away the first thing I do is look up to the sky and dedicate the goal to him. 'He'll always be in my heart, particularly when it comes to football because he was always an avid supporter. Whenever I do well Rory always comes to mind.' Grant has also overcome adversity during his time at Huntly. In August 2021 he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament, which led to a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He said: 'I've said to a lot of people that the injury was a good thing to happen. Not in the sense of being out for as long as I was, but in terms of how it opened my eyes to a lot of things in terms of looking after my body and preparing for games properly. 'The injury took a couple of years out of my career, but what I've learned since in terms of looking after myself has probably added a few years onto my career. 'My mindset following the injury was not to dwell on it too much and to try to find positives from that negative and I think I've done that. 'When you have difficult experiences it definitely makes you enjoy the good things more. 'I suppose my story has been one of perseverance and not giving up. I've overcome a lot of things in my life and I think you end up being stronger for that.' Angus Grant believes his best is still to come – despite finishing as the Highland League's top scorer for 2024-25. The Huntly marksman's 23 league goals will see him receive the top scorer award at the Highland League's annual prize-giving dinner in Inverness on Friday. In all competitions Grant netted on 31 occasions, but missed the closing weeks of the campaign due to injury. The 26-year-old said: 'On a personal level I'm proud of what I achieved, it was a very good season overall. 'It maybe sounds stupid to say after finishing as top scorer this season, but I feel I've got a lot more in me. 'My hope is that my best is still to come. It was great to finish as top scorer, but I missed something like 12 games. 'The injury I got was a freak foot injury and it's something which hopefully won't happen again. 'So if I'm able to get a full season then I'd hope to hit 40 goals plus potentially.' Grant was also quick to pay tribute to those who have helped him enjoy the best season of his career. He added: 'I need to thank my team-mates. It's a team game and they've created the chances for me. 'A lot of it is down to them, if you've got players who can create chances, which we have, that's a big help as a striker. 'I'm also very lucky to have a great support network around me with my fiancée Ashleigh and my kids Noah and Aria. They've really pushed me to do the best I can, as have my dad Dek and my mum Marj. 'I'm really grateful to Gordon Carter (Huntly chairman) and all the people at the club who helped me get back from my knee injury. 'I'm also grateful to Colin Charlesworth, who since he has been the manager, has shown a lot of faith in me to play me regularly which has allowed me score goals.' Given Grant's form over the last year, it's no surprise there has been speculation about other clubs being interested in his services. But he insists that's not something he's thinking about and said: 'I'm still under contract at Huntly, I've really enjoyed my time at Huntly and I'm looking forward to the future with Huntly. 'I know there are rumours and whispers about things, but my only focus in terms of football is doing well with Huntly again in the new season. 'Football is a funny game and you never know what might happen, however, Huntly has been good for me and I'm happy here.'
Press and Journal
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League digest: Enforced Huntly retirement, Nairn danger-man's new deal and Banks o' Dee testimonial quartet
Huntly manager Colin Charlesworth is disappointed to have lost Fraser Hobday, but is pleased Zander Jack and Lewis Crosbie will be staying at Christie Park. Goalkeeper Hobday has been forced to retire after sustaining a knee injury last year in pre-season which hasn't healed sufficiently. The 29-year-old is in his second spell with the Black and Golds. His first stint was between 2014 and 2016, and he also turned out for Peterhead, Turriff United and Banks o' Dee before returning to Huntly three years ago. Charlesworth said: 'Initially Fraser's injury didn't seem as serious as we first thought. He rehabbed it and he was able to play games in the early part of the season. 'But it was still unstable and causing Fraser issues. He got it scanned and there was slight damage to the ACL, MCL and meniscus. 'Fraser's job doesn't really allow him to go and get an operation and be off work, so we decided to give him a year of rehabilitation and he's been doing all the work that's in the rehabilitation programme. 'But unfortunately the results show it hasn't got any better, so if Fraser was to continue playing, he'd need the operation. 'He had to make a decision, and sadly Fraser has decided to step away. 'It's a sad way for Fraser's career to come to an end, through no fault of his own. 'We've tried to support him as best we can. 'I know it wasn't an easy decision for him to make, but we respect the decision Fraser has made. 'He's been a really good servant to Huntly and I think he's been one of the best in the Highland League during his time in the league.' Meanwhile, full-back Jack has penned a contract extension to stay with Huntly next season, while midfielder Crosbie has agreed a new deal until the summer of 2027. Charlesworth added: 'With Alex Thoirs retiring this season and us losing that bit of experience, I think it was very important for us to tie Zander down. 'I don't think I've seen Zander have a bad game for us – he's a seven or eight out of 10 every week and he's a leader in the changing room. 'It was a no-brainer for us to give Zander a new deal. 'Lewis is a great talent and a great person to have in the dressing room. We're a better team when Lewis is playing. 'He can cover a few positions, wide and in central areas, and wherever you play him, you get a hard-working performance from him. 'We'll challenge him next season to increase his numbers to help push us on again, but it's a great bit of business for us keeping Lewis.' Meanwhile, Nairn County have secured winger Andrew Greig on a new two-year contract. The 32-year-old former Breedon Highland League player of the year joined the Wee County in January 2022 and impressed this season after missing the whole of last term with injury. Recently-appointed Nairn boss Wayne Mackintosh said: 'He has shown throughout his career in the Highland League the dangerous attacking threat he brings to teams, so we are delighted that he has agreed to extend his stay with the club. 'There are not many players about who can provide what Andrew brings to the table and most teams in the league would happily have him in their squad, so it is great news for us that he has signed up for the next couple of seasons.' Banks o' Dee president Brian Winton has hailed their testimonial men after it was announced four players' long service will be recognised. Captain Kane Winton, Michael Philipson, Lachie MacLeod and Mark Gilmour will all receive testimonials in the coming years, having been important players for the Spain Park side in both the Junior and Breedon Highland League ranks. In addition to that news, Dee have also secured Mark Reynolds on a new contract for next season, while Ally Stark and Magnus Watson have penned deals until the summer of 2028. Club chief Winton said: 'We're delighted to grant testimonials to Kane, Michael, Mark and Lachie. 'They're all Banks o' Dee through and through really – Kane and Michael joined the youth set-up when they were six and have been here ever since. 'Mark and Lachie were also part of our youth development and have also been here for a long time. 'It's great to see players come right through the ranks at the club. 'You need players to show commitment to the club, and they've helped the club be very successful in the Juniors and then in the Highland League during their time with us. 'They all richly deserve their testimonials.' Reynolds joined Dee last summer, while Stark signed in January 2022, and Watson came through the club's youth set-up. Winton added: 'It's good news that players want to stay with us with Mark, Ally and Magnus signing new contracts. 'We look forward to seeing them in action again next season – all three have made important contributions in their time with Banks o' Dee.'
