Today we're joined by Duncan McKay, who tells us all about his affection for Elgin City.
How would you assess your club's 22/23 season so far?
The season started inauspiciously with administrative problems which ensured four losses in our League Cup Group, including a defeat to League 2 rivals, Annan Athletic. Despite getting through two rounds of the Challenge Cup, it took until September for us to register our first league win of the season when we defeated newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose at home. That kickstarted a six game undefeated streak that ensured this season was one in which Elgin fans could be optimistic.
Since mid-October our form could be best described as patchy with defeats to Forfar, East Fife and Dumbarton. However, we start December still in the Challenge and Scottish cups and sitting third in League 2. That’s the basis of a very promising season for the Black and Whites.
Main Man: Favourite current player and why
It’s hard to look past the Angus Assassin, Kane Hester. 48 goals in 89 appearances including 21 already this season is the main reason why we’re sitting third.
What is your earliest memory supporting your club?
Both sets of my grandparents are from Elgin so my Borough Briggs going was based around summer and Christmas holidays with many a local Moray derby when the team were a Highland League mainstay.
Explain the nickname
Elgin City are nicknamed the Black and Whites because… we play in black and white. What can we say? It’s nothing if not literal. Author Gary Sutherland’s suggestion of ‘the Moray Bianconeri’ fits well with our Juventus-style shirts this season.
Almost Famous – What is your club best known for?
Although you might not think of it looking at the map, Elgin City are in fact the most northernly football club in senior football in the UK.
Greatest Gaffer: Your favourite/most loved boss watching your team
Current manager, Gavin Price, probably best fits the bill. He’s been at the helm for the last five years and he’s a properly solid, likeable man. Doesn’t get too high or too low with the team and it says a lot that he’s been able to keep a good proportion of players from one season to another. He furthered proved his ‘good guy’ credentials with his incredible community organising in his hometown of Aberfeldy during the pandemic.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about your club which other fans may not know?
Until our ascension to the SFL in 2000, Borough Briggs was home to a World War 2 pillbox behind the east-side goal. Sadly, it had to be removed in order to join the league although an image of it still lives on the pie shop at the ground.
Who would make your ultimate all-time 5-a-side team?
- Tom McHale - Goalkeepers and Elgin City haven’t always got on and there’s often been a reliance on securing young keepers on loan from Premiership or Championship clubs which means they are often here for a short time regardless of quality. That’s changed since the signing of McHale from Truro City (perhaps the longest distance transfer in the UK?) in 2018. A tall commanding presence, McHale has provided City with some much-needed stability.
- Darryl McHardy - Already into his second decade with the club, McHardy has played almost every position for the club and continues to be a leading presence to this day.
- Brian Cameron - Another in his second decade at the club, Cameron is a curio for League 2, a languid, cultured midfielder that is adept at both scoring, running deep from midfield and getting stuck in when required.
- Craig Gunn - Gunny deserves a special mention purely for his commitment to playing for Elgin despite living three hours away in Wick. But what made Gunn so special was his lightning pace which terrified defenders for years which led to him scoring 111 goals over his eight years at the club.
- Shane Sutherland - I considered another defender or midfielder but that’s never been Elgin’s style over the last decade or so. So instead, I’ve plumped for Shane Sutherland who has had four different stints at the club scoring 78 times and becoming a talisman for the club.
What is your all-time favourite match?
Probably the 2-1 defeat of Dundee at Dens Park in the Challenge Cup in 2019. You travel to away games against teams two leagues above you more in hope than expectation but on that Sunday we absolutely outplayed the Dark Blues despite going a goal down and we went on to win.
What should visiting fans make sure they see/do when visiting your club/town?
If you have the time, there’s the possibility to visit two luxury items that the city is best known for: either some time on the Glen Moray distillery tour or a visit to Johnstons of Elgin for some high-quality clothing. If you have slightly less time, a meandering walk to the ground via Cooper Park will let you see the remains of Elgin Cathedral and one of only two (when it was built) Biblical Gardens.
What makes your club special to YOU?
Elgin City will always be about family to me. Despite my parents moving away from Elgin and my grandparents no longer alive, the football club still connects me to this special place.
You can follow Elgin City's progress every week in our SPFL Lower League Round Up - watch the latest edition now!
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