Richard Macadie NC500
Richard Macadie made his 500th competitive
appearance (470 starts and 30 as a sub) for the ‘Scorries' at Bellslea Park,
Fraserburgh and it couldn't have been scripted better; he arrived on cue early
in the second half to net his 192nd Academy goal in a 3-2 triumph
which knocked Fraserburgh from their perch at the top of the SHFL table.
On the way home he told Ken Wood some of his memories of his
time with our club.
‘I've been playing football for as long as I can remember
and started with East End at 8 years old. I
played a game for Keiss at 14 and then, along with Craig Gunn, I went to Ross County
where former Academy player Peter Budge was a youth team coach. Just after my 16th birthday in April 2003,
they decided to put us out on loan as we were a bit young for the next season's
Under 18s. For a while it seemed we might end up at Brora and actually that
summer we both played a game for Wick Thistle away to Pentland United. Peter
wasn't keen on us playing County
League and fortunately he
was able to get us to join Academy when Alistair Budge (no relation) was
manager and I made my debut down at Huntly. I think we lost 1-0. It was an
enjoyable season. We played in most of the games and Craig scored quite a few
goals including a hat-trick at Cove when we won 4-3. He was the youngest player
ever to score an SHFL hat-trick. I think he maybe still holds that record.'
Ken: You've scored some memorable goals yourself Richard.
Richard: Yeah the first one that comes to mind was against
Locos in the Qualifying Cup. That would be soon after I was released by County
in the summer of 2007. I remember the ball was sent through ahead of me down
the right and Mark Simpson, a big tough defender, was there but I nicked the
ball away from him and found myself in the clear, into the box, one on one with
the keeper and fortunately managed to stick it away. That was early in the game
and was the only goal. Locos had really fancied their chances. They were a top
team and had flown up for the game.
My first hat-trick was soon after that at Rothes.
Ken: I remember that well. What a start to the game. You had
three goals in the first 14 or 15 minutes. I felt sure you would beat your
Grand-dad Bill Mackay's individual Academy scoring record.
Richard: Bill scored 6 at Brora in a cup tie but no, I only
managed just the three at Rothes that day. My best obviously was five at Buckie
when we won 7-0, in December 2012. Then, of course, it was Chuckie (Gary Weir) who
got the record scoring all eight against Fort William
at the Harmsworth
Park.
Ken: You've scored several match winning goals over the
years including that great run of ten wins in a row in 2009.
Richard: I scored two at Inverurie when we won 3-1 and I
scored the only goal of the game there the previous season.
Ken: The committee and supporters really appreciate the
commitment that all the players show with training and the travelling and
especially yourself with 500 games now and Gary (Manson) who recently passed
the 600 mark.
Richard: We don't really think about it to be honest. You're
doing what you're doing and you just get on with it. It's the norm for us,
living in Wick. We enjoy the away trips. The crack's always good on the bus.
I've been lucky to be with the club at a time when we've had a lot of good,
quality players. Everybody knows Chuckie was a good mate but there has always
been good spirit with everyone included. We've had good times too with
Testimonials – not just the games but the other events too like the golf day.
I've been lucky to be involved with them all; Shoe (Martin Gunn), Craig (Shearer), Gary and Chuckie and now it's a privilege and
honour to be awarded a Testimonial season myself.
