Bobby Beckwith’s connection to Strathspey Thistle goes back to the club’s formation and having been appointed manager he wants to help revitalise the Grantown Jags.
A summer of change is underway at Seafield Park with Beckwith being named as the permanent successor to Robert MacCormack, who resigned in March.
Fraser Tulloch – a former Strathspey captain and manager of Grantown FC and Spey Valley – and Josh Horton, ex-manager and chairman of Grantown FC, have also joined as director of football and sporting director respectively.
Beckwith was first involved with Thistle as a player after the club was founded in 1993.
In management he has been assistant to Ross Jack at Elgin City, Turriff United and Rothes as well as having a spell in charge of Lossiemouth and as interim boss of Rothes.
Jags want to be more competitive
Strathspey have finished bottom of the Breedon Highland League for the last two seasons. But Beckwith – who is still finalising his management team – believes they can be more competitive next season.
He said: “It’s my local team, I’ve been in the area for more than 30 years and I’m happy to come in and help the club try to improve.
“I was about when Strathspey were formed as a Junior team, I played for the club in the early years and I’ve always had a soft spot for the club.
“Next season won’t be easy and we’re not going to be ripping up the league, but we would like to aim to get out of the bottom four.
“We need to compete better than we have been and not get beat by big scorelines like has happened previously.
“Being competitive against the bottom six or seven sides and picking up more points is what we need to do.
“We also need to get the local community more involved and get more people backing the club because there are a lot of people interested in the club so hopefully we can harness that.”
Busy time in transfer market
Strathspey have already been busy in the transfer market bringing in five new faces.
Midfielder Josh Race and centre-backs Conor MacPhee and Jamie Calder have signed from North Caledonian League side Loch Ness.
Former Invergordon midfielder Jordan Laidlaw has been recruited having most recently been with amateur side Avoch.
🔵⚫️🔵 SHEWAN SIGNS! 🔵⚫️🔵
We have signed Liam Shewan in a permanent deal from Rothes FC. Liam was part of a swap deal which has seen Ross Logan go the other way. Welcome to the club Liam! 🤝 #STRATHYJAGS pic.twitter.com/OSLSCNYEEo— Strathspey Thistle FC (Official) (@JagsStfc) May 4, 2024
Attacker Liam Shewan – who impressed during a loan spell with the Jags this season – joined from Rothes in a swap deal for Ross Logan.
Thistle are also set to retain some of their current squad, including captain James McShane, although the likes Jack Davison and Jack Mackay have left to join Clachnacuddin.
New directors making their mark
Beckwith revealed that Tulloch and Horton have been playing a major role in recruitment.
He added: “Both Fraser and Josh are very good people to be working with at the club.
“Fraser knows a lot about sports science and things like that and has also coached and managed in the past.
“Josh is very good at identifying players and recruiting players and he did well previously with Grantown FC in the Juniors.
“With Fraser and Josh they know a lot of players and they’re taking a very hands on role when it comes to trying to sign players.
Secondly we have Josh Horton who is taking up the mantle of Sporting Director. Josh is a former manager of Grantown FC in welfare and chairman at a very successfully Grantown FC in juniors #STRATHYJAGS pic.twitter.com/z410vPqISV
— Strathspey Thistle FC (Official) (@JagsStfc) May 2, 2024
“Strathspey as a club doesn’t have much money so the players we’re bringing in have to be coming here for the right reasons.
“We’re trying to get more local players and more young players involved.
“The guys we’ve brought in will help us improve, we need to have a stronger squad than we’ve had previously and we’re hopeful we can build that.
“We’re pleased to have signed Josh Race, Conor MacPhee, Jordan Laidlaw, Jamie Calder and Liam Shewan and I’m confident they’ll be good players for us.
“We’re talking to a few more targets this week and hopefully we can make some progress on that front.”
