2007/8 Squad

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Ian ‘Zeeky’ Munro has a long association with Academy Football Club, having been involved as a coach since 1999.

Ian also played for Academy when they were in the North Caledonian League.

Ian took over as co-manager with Tichie in January 2007 following the departure of Peter Budge.

Former Academy striker ‘Tichie’ played in the North Caledonian League before we joined the Highland League. He started 117 games for Academy, and scored 32 goals. At time of writing he remains the clubs 4th highest goal scorer.

Tichie took over as co-manager with Zeeky in January 2007 following the departure of Peter Budge.

Ally Webster

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Allan Larnach

A central midfield player from Lybster who has had a spell with Ross County under 15’s. Plays for Lybster in the local county league and was part of the Academy U19 squad last season.

A talented young midfield player with great potential.

A strong no-nonsense central defender who in his early career had trials with St Johnstone.

Broke into the main Academy squad in season 1998/99 but had to stop playing due to injury in season 2004/05.

Has been playing with Halkirk in the North reserve league and Wick Rovers in the county league, and is returning to fitness.

Dunbeath lad ‘Clutchy’ is a reliable no-nonsense defender who has progressed from local amateur football side Wick Groats.

Made his debut as a sub for Wick against Huntly for managers John MacDonald and Pat Miller on the 8th of April 1995. Now coming into his 8th season with Wick Academy.

His 100% commitment has seen him become an established member of the squad, and an anchor in the Academy defence.

Bryan McKiddie

A central midfield player and another product of the Academy U19 youth set-up. A player with good balance and plenty of flair.

Bryan was a steady 1^st team squad member last season and is now looking to break into a regular place with the 1^st team.

Another gifted young player with bags of potential.

Signed from local team, Wick Groats, this local youngster progressed from the U18’s to become a regular in the first team.

Craig has the second most number of appearances for Academy with over 260 games. Made his debut under manager John Black coming off the bench in a friendly against East Fife on the 25th of July 1998.

A genuine box to box midfielder. One of the most under-rated players in the Highland League, consistently giving 100% and winning the Clubs player of the year award in season 2005/2006, and the players player of the year award in season 2006/07.

David Mowat

Talented central defender started his football with John O Groats FC in the Caithness Amateur League.

Had a spell with Ross County and started his first spell with Academy in season 2000/01.

He then headed south to Heriot-Watt University where he continued to play his football for the Uni team in the EoS League.

It was there that he was spotted by Ex Hibee and Cowdenbeath Manager Keith Wright who immediately signed him for the “Blue Brazil”.

After a spell at Cowdenbeath he returned to the EoS League, forcing his way into the East of Scotland select which was played at Buckie’s Victoria Park in season 2006/07.

With his term at Uni finished he has returned North to Caithness to work and he was one of manager Peter Budges first signings.

A commanding no nonsense centre half Davie is a big asset to WAFC.

Hailing originally from Helmsdale David is the nephew of former Academy manager Don Cowie.

Signing in 2002, he has settled well into Highland League football. A strong running confident player on the right side of midfield, with some important goals to his credit.

Has been plagued in the past with injury, but managed to stay relatively injury free for the last few seasons and hopefully that will continue for the foreseeable.

Big news signing, Gary rejoined his home town club during the close season in 2005.

Starting his career with local side, Wick Rovers, he spent a couple of years with Dundee FC as a teenager before having spells at Brora Rangers, St Johnstone, Inverness Caledonian Thistle (from which he had a loan spell at the Harmsworth) before joining his last club, Nairn County.

A quality player who can win a game with his quality passing and from dead ball situations.

Obviously a quality addition to the side, broadening the manager’s tactical options.

Gary has been the winner of the clubman award for WAFC for the last two seasons.

Consistent player who is now in his 8th season with the club. One of a select band of only 3 players who have over 200 starting appearances for the club. Operates on the left, often as an attacking wing back.

Played for Highland Amateur Cup winners Pentland Utd, and had a term at Ross County before he came through the Academy U18’s to become a regular in the 1st team.

Plenty of pace and influential at set pieces. Previously selected for the Highland League North select.

‘Chucky’ is a raw never say die talent from Lybster with a keen eye for goal.

Coming into his fourth season with the Academy senior team, he has scored some vital goals for the Club.

Making big strides last season, his form made it difficult to leave him out of the starting eleven.

With the ball at his feet defenders find him a tricky customer to deal with.

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Graeme Williamson

A big strong commanding goal keeper from Watten who is understudy to James More.

Played in the North Caledonian league for Bunillidh Thistle last season, and was voted their player of the year for 2006/07.

Graeme was the Academy 1^st choice U19 keeper last season, and also played summer football for Wick Thistle.

James More

Young custodian drafted in from our U19 squad to replace Don MacMillan during a suspension in season 2004/2005.

Had a brilliant match against local rivals Brora in 2005/2006 and is now the clubs established keeper.

Was the automatic 1st choice for almost all of season 2006/07 and has grown in stature with every game he plays.

Club Captain with over 300 league appearances for the club in total.

Talented midfield playmaker had a spell with Dundee Utd as a teenager before joining his local team to coincide with their joining the HFL in 1994.

Now entering his 13th season with Wick, “Shoe” as he is known is the one Academy player who would arguably get a game for any other HFL team.

A creative midfield playmaker, previously selected for the Highland League North Select, he gets his fair share of goals from both open play and set-pieces.

Played in all three matches for the Scottish Semi-Professional squad in the 2004/2005 Home International Competition in Northern Ireland, and featured again in the May 2006 tournament in Sussex.

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Martin Sinclair

A forward that can also play in midfield. Yet another youngster from a great pool of Academy U19 players who have progressed through the ranks. A strong player that always gives 100%.

Martin also played for Bunillidh Thistle in the North Caledonian league and played summer football with John O’Groats.

Martin Sutherland

Idea position is right mid-field and he has tons of pace and ability.

Part of the Academy U19 squad and also plays for Bunillidh Thistle in the North Caledonian league.

Was a member of this years Wick Groats county league division 2 wining side.

A talented centre midfield player who is currently recovering from a broken leg and working his way back to full fitness.

Was originally a member of the Academy U18 squad, but has also featured in season 2005/06 in the Academy 1^st team squad.

Played for Thurso Acks in the summer league.

Started with the club on loan from Ross County under Manager Alistair Budge. Made his league debut against Huntly on the 2nd of August 2003. Played with Academy for most of that season before returning to Ross County.

Was released from Ross County in season 2006/07 and was brought back to Wick Academy by the new manager at that time Peter Budge.

Talented young attacking midfielder with good pace and great close ball control.

Richard likes nothing better than getting forward and scoring goals which he has already shown as he bagged 4 league goals in Academy’s 2006/07 season.

Richard also scored the only goal of the game when we beat current holders Inverurie in the Qualifying Cup in August 2006.

Has been a valuable addition to the squad and is a player the fans have taken too with his drive and determination to be successful.

In season 2006/07 Richard was voted joint players’ player, supporters’ player and young player of the year.

George Ross

Shaun Sinclair

Promising young right sided defender who is very composed when on the ball. Has had a spell with SFL Club Ross County.

A definite player to watch for the future, and in season 2006/07 pretty much established himself as 1st pick right back. Shaun is also effective on the over-lap with the ability to deliver dangerous crosses into the opposition box.

Started with Academy in season 2000/01 after a period at Ross County.

Returned North after his term at College was over, where he studied with another former Academy player Gordon MacDonald.

Then went to University but continued to play for Academy when possible during that time.

Now home he has been playing for Wick Groats in the Caithness Summer League and this will be his 5th season with WAFC.

Stewart is a strong skilful right sided midfielder who likes to get forward and score goals.

Can also play in defence or up front. A valuable addition to the squad.

Stuart Sinclair

WAFC U19’s team captain.

Talented uncompromising young Central Defender, who plays his football with John O’Groats FC in the Caithness County Summer League.

Tough tackling, good in the air and comfortable on the ball.

He first featured for the WAFC first team during pre-season friendlies in season 2005/06 and on occasions from the bench on Highland league duty.

In season 2006/07 he started 6 league games and is now becoming more established in the side. A player to definitely watch for in the future.