Martin Mackay, committee member of Blairgowrie Junior FC, looks back over 2012

Dec 28 2012 by Clare Damodaran, Blairgowrie Advertiser

The year 2012 will be remembered nationally as the year of sporting achievement.

But at the Davie Park, the year will be remembered for the steady progress of Blairgowrie Juniors.

Most notable for being the year of two managers, 2012 has been a quick calendar year for all at the club!

The year began with John Holt in the dugout, halfway through his first full season at Blairgowrie.

Results were a mixed bag of good and bad but the signs were that the unenviable task entrusted to the manager of rebuilding the team was beginning to pay off.

Some of the players in their first year of playing at junior football had made the big jump from underage football and were beginning to acquit themselves well against experienced junior sides.

As is the case with teams as young as Blair’s, naivety and the lack of know-how at the higher level cost them dear in some games, meaning that the club finished low in the North Division.

It was below the target that Mr Holt had set for the team at the start of the season but a solid foundation for the following season had been laid, one that the manager was adamant would serve the club well in future years.

However, he would not be at the club to continue with his task.

News that John Holt would be leaving Blairgowrie Juniors to take up a coaching post at his former club, Dundee United, shocked the club.

But with stability in mind, former long serving manager Billy Mackay was persuaded to return to the dug-out, following his retirement three years ago.

Also returning was his right hand man, Alex McCulley and trusted lieutenant Campbell Sands.

The services of Graham Taylor, who had been a coach under John Holt, were retained.

Mr Mackay added local players making the step up from the amateur ranks to the Blair squad. A rigorous pre-season at the club’s new training ground at Burnhead Farm brought a steady start to the season.

Progression in the GA Cup and the Scottish Junior Cup was achieved in October but the adventure in the latter tournament came to a shock end with defeat against Blackburn United in November.

Already in North Division, Blairgowrie have equalled last season’s points total of 15 and will be hoping to add to that in the first part of 2013.

Next year will bring the eagerly anticipated and much badly needed league reconstruction in the East Region in the summer.

The leagues will expand from 12 teams to 16. Blairgowrie also have the match against Rangers to look forward to in the summer and you can expect to read about it here in the Blairgowrie Advertiser when a date is confirmed.

The year 2012 may not have been the year of cups and medals for Blairgowrie Juniors but it has been the year of steady progress under two managers.

■ Martin Mackay is committee member of Blairgowrie Juniors FC