This part of Clach's history is not strewn with cups and league flags, but they did present a team in the mid seventie's that could live up to any Clach team of the past and this is the team that I remember. In 1961 they contracted out to Kenneth Mackenzie & Sons for two large enclosures to be erected either side of the grandstand. Even then they sold part of the ground to the Council for houses and used some of that money to create another pitch inside the grounds. It was small but they allowed the youngsters of the Merkinch to use it and also the first team used it to save undue wear on the park.
At the cost of £3,000 floodlights were installed and along with the enclosures and other improvements Clach were saddled with a £20,000 debt which was cleared in 1967. In July 1967 a select side was picked to play Rangers at Grant Street Park which was a benefit match for Ally Chisholm, Ernie Latham and Caley striker Chic Allan. Sharing in the gate money the following year on December 19th the late George Rodgers opened the Clach Social Club and in 1981 the then President Ally Chisholm opened a £16,000 bar and lounge.
Another first for Clach was when they took part in the first penalty shoot-out playing Caley in the North Cup replay. Clach were a goal up when Caley scored with a minute to go and after extra time it was still level, Caley won 4-2 on penalties. Although there had been good teams and some great players since the 47-48 team none really challenged for the title and it was 27 years after the last title that Clach finally won it again. Credit must go down to Sandy Wallace who although had no Clach connections was offered the managers job by Chairman George Rodgers. This was in March 1972. Clach had little money at the time which hasnt changed to this day but he was given £600 to start building a team, Charlie Kennedy came from Nairn, Peter Corbett from Jags, Norrie Mcarthur from Elgin and Calum Grant from Brora teaming up with the likes of Robbie Giles, Whizzy Dingwall and Bryan Munro. Billy Macdonald, Donald Stuart, Sandy Young, and Doug Macildowie came from Ross County reserves, Calum Nicolson, Sugar Kennedy, John Allison and Alan Stevenson were all free transfers with the exception of Peter Corbett who cost £50.
In October of that year Clach had a tax problem so Whizzy Dingwall was allowed to go to Elgin City and that fee cleared the debts and left £250 which secured the services of Ray Mackintosh from Elgin City. In the 72-73 season Clach finished 9th in the table but it was the following year that things began to take shape with Donnie Maclennan and Robbie Giles joining. Up front Charlie Kennedy scored an amazing 63 goals and Ray over 30 but even then Clach only finished 6th in the league, lost to Ross County in the qualifying cup final and lost to Caley in the North of Scotland Cup final.
Then in season 74-75, it all came together when Jocky Clark and Alan Maclaren both joined. They were the final pieces in the jigsaw, that season they were crowned League Champions and Qualifying cup winners and Clach had a great Scottish Cup run. Managers after Sandy were Jim Fleming, George Stapelton, ex Clach keeper and trainer Billy Robertson, Brian Mackay and up until the end of 85 Charlie Kennedy.
There have been many players who made it down South and carved a good career for themselves, here are just some of them:
R. Maceachern (Arsenal)
A. Godsman (Bristol Rovers)
George Macdonald (Newcastle)
Ronald Mackenzie (Chelsea)
Roddie Mackenzie (Newcastle)
James Baxter and Roddie Munro (both Rangers),
Roddie Maclean (Spurs) and more up to date
Donnie Gillies (Morton&Bristol City),
Dave Shearer (Middlesbrough)
Duncan Shearer (Chelsea) and many many others bringing glory to the Clachnacuddin name.
Going back to that league title win, going into the last two games it was neck and neck: Keith with 43 points Clach with 42. The next game for Clach was Keith at Grant Street: a 3-0 win with goals from Calum Nicolson, Ray Mackintosh and of course Charlie Kennedy saw Clach go into their last game against Thistle at Kingsmills. The first half saw Clach go one nil down and even missing a penalty, Clach right back John Allison scored with a header with half an hour to go and then with thirteen minutes to go Ray Mackintosh smashed the ball home to win the league for the first time in twenty seven years and it was to be another twenty nine years before they would do it again but that is another story.
D. Noble
23rd September 2008