BUCKIE THISTLE have decided to make their home Highland League game against Banks ‘O’ Dee on Saturday FREE entry as a thank you to their supporters and the Moray coast town.
The Jags stunningly had almost 2,500 fans cheering them on in Sunday’s Scottish Cup fourth round game against Celtic at Parkhead.
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The population of Buckie is just 9,000 – and everyone at the fifth-tier, part-time club was knocked out by the backing they got for a tie they lost 5-0 but still emerged as huge winners for their performance.
Not even torrential rain and the bracing effects of Storm Isha could dampen the mood of everyone with Buckie Thistle at heart, with boss Graeme Stewart and his players cheered at full-time and given a standing ovation.
Club commercial director Daniel Farquhar said: “As a club we are totally overwhelmed with the immense support that the fans, the businesses and people of Buckie have shown over the last few weeks.
“As a way to say thanks, the club have taken the decision to make next Saturday’s SHFL match against Banks ‘O’ Dee free entry.
“We want to encourage those who maybe haven’t been to Victoria Park at all to come along, support the team in their quest for the league and enjoy the afternoon at zero cost.”
Speaking after the clash with Celtic, gaffer Stewart praised his Buckie boys’ tremendous spirit as they enjoyed one of the best experiences of their lives.
But he wasn’t happy to see some of his players hand away their shirts during post-match swaps – as each top handed away cost the part-timers £50 a pop.
The Highland League outfit did themselves proud at Parkhead, keeping the tie goalless until the 25th minute before the Hoops’ class eventually told.
Stewart was delighted with his team’s fighting spirit, with his part-time players fighting hard to keep the score relatively respectable – losing just two goals in the second half.
He said: “I thought they were superb, though I don’t want to get carried away.
“When the draw came out I said we have to enjoy it but not get caught up in it, and I don’t think we did.
“When you get to 25 minutes and it is nil-nil you think…it’s happening here.
“I probably gave them too much information for one game, trust me.
“I gave them about four hours of stuff. I thought they handled it perfectly. They are all clever, intelligent players.
“I thought the attitude was tremendous. In the dressing room the boys were out on their feet and cramping up after full-time.
“None of our players were in our changing room after the game; they were all in the Celtic changing room.
“Celtic were brilliant, taking them in and swapping and autographing tops.
“They didn’t have to do that. One or two even asked for our strips, which I’m not happy about.
“I said to the guys they are getting fined now – because they cost us 50 quid each!
“Brendan Rodgers was brilliant too. He came into our changing room after the game and was a class act.
“He gave a wee speech and said he was delighted with our attitude.”
Stewart also revealed he wasn’t happy with Rodgers’ team selection.
Not because the Hoops boss put such a strong team on the park, but because the absent Callum McGregor threw his pre-match plans out the window.
He said: “That messed up my team talk, because so much of it was about McGregor.
“I guessed their team apart from him, but I was delighted with the respect shown.
“They gave us so much respect and took it serious, and that was good.
“We would rather have played against that than a second-string team.
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“Playing the full team, the guys can keep that memory forever.”
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