Halkirk FC - History (If you know the...)

The below information was taken from a match programme edited by Ken Wood and sponsored by North of Scotland Newspapers for the Halkirk United FC v Wick Academy FC, North Caledonian League match on May 11 1994. This was a league winning debut season for HUFC and it was to be Wick's final match in the North Reserve League before adoption in the Highland League.

Some of the past players and trophies. See below for more photos and info.

The young men of Halkirk like their counterparts throughout the North had probably been playing football from about 1880 onwards but with no organised league or association this would have been on a friendly basis and there are no known records or press reports.

A club began in 1930 for the first season of the North East Rural League, playing against Keiss, who won both trophies, the Mackay Cup and Clyne Bowl. Castletown, Mey, Watten and Wick Boy Scouts also took part. Over the years teams from Stirkoke, Staxigoe, Bower and Canisbay (who became Pentland United) also played regularly in the Rural League, while Wick Rangers Supporters and Dunbeath were members for a short period.

Halkirk had only modest success in their first thirty years, winning the Mackay Cup in 1934, 1937, 1947 and 1956 and the Paterson Cup in 1935, 1948 and 1960, but the club has enjoyed more consistent success in local summer football over the past thirty years. Their record as winners in Rural Cups are:-

• Mackay Cup:-
  • 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1987.
• Paterson Cup:-
  • 1963, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989.
• Malcolm Cup (first played for in 1969):-
  • 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991.
• Mackay Shield (first played for in 1970):-
  • 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1992.
• Walter Long Cup (first played for in 1973):-
  • 1973, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

Halkirk won the Rural League championship in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1973 and 1974. The Rural League then amalgamated with the County League as members of the Caithness AFA. Halkirk won the Second Division championships in 1976 and have since won the First Division title in 1979, 1984, 1986 and 1987 as well as setting a record five successive Rosebank Cup triumphs from 1981 to 1985 and winning several other county trophies too.

The village club also has a proud record in the Highland Amateur Cup having met and defeated top clubs from all over the Highlands and Islands. Halkirk lost in the 1979 final but then won the Cup in 1982 and 1985. The club usually has a good run in this competition but suffered narrow, though disappointing defeats to Dingwall Thistle in 1989, final at Brora and to Kirkwall Thorfinn in the 1992, semi-final in Kirkwall.

The ambition for further success for footballers in the West of the County along with experience of an enterprising group of administrators led to the formation of a new Winter club, Halkirk United in May 1993. Under the leadership of Chairman, George Manson - Vice-Chairman, Hugh J Mackay - Secretary, Alistair Wares and Treasurer, William Manson the club was accepted into the North Caledonian League. John MacDonald was appointed manager and with William Manson as his assistant, Alan Bremner as Coach and Leslie Watt as physio, the team enjoyed a marvellous first season.

• click here to view the Halkirk United Football Club webpages.

Season 1987

The photo below is of the winning Halkirk FC league team at Harmsworth Park, Wick. (The dramatic final league decider match v Wick Groats)

Back LtoR:- M Bain, J Mackay, L Sinclair, B Manson (manager), R MacLeod, P Mackay, G Andrew, N Mackay, D Paul & R Craigie
Front LtoR:- I Mackay, S Cowie, G Angus (captain), ?, J Mackay & S Campbell

Season 19??

Back LtoR:- W Sinclair, H Falconer, A Gunn, C Swanson, L Sinclair, A Falconer and J Banks
Front LtoR:- I Burns, S Coghill, A Rettie, H Mackay, J Banks, E Sinclair and W Manson

Season 1969

The photo below was taken by Mario Luciani on June 7, 1969.

Back LtoR:- J Banks, C Miller, J Cormack, C Swanson, A Falconer and C Cameron
Front LtoR:- J Campbell, D Sutherland, I Banks, H Mackay, W Manson and A Gunn

Season 1968

Below is the Halkirk Youth Club team from 1968. They played Inverness Youth Club (known as Cameron Boys Club) and beat them 3-1 on 16/11/68.

Back LtoR:- C Cameron (manager), G Manson, J Banks, C Swanson, A Gunn, J Campbell and C Miller
Front LtoR:- K MacKenzie, I Banks, A Gunn, H Mackay, W Manson and H Falconer

Season 19??

Back LtoR:- A Spencer (manager), J Cormack, D Mackay, C Swanson, A Falconer, R Burns and D Mowat
Front LtoR:- J Campbell, A Campbell, I Banks, R MacKenzie and D Campbell

End-of-Document