The summer of 1997 saw the arrival of Graeme Bennett as player/manager and he brought in Brian Black as his assistant. Robbie Benson was re-signed after a season with Caley Thistle blighted by injury and Bennett persuaded his former manager Steve Paterson to allow Caley Thistle youngster Andrew Mackay to come to Clach on loan and he was followed in December by James Glass and David Gray. Bennett also brought former team-mate Alan Hercher into his squad but lost Jamie MacPherson to Ross
County. Bennett’s reign as manager came at the start of a period of off-the-field stability, a welcome change from the doom and gloom of the previous season. In February Scott McLean came from Caley Thistle on a one month loan as he battled back to fitness after injury. Clach finished the season mid table – eighth with 45 points and reached the final of the Inverness Cup where they lost 1-0 to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The Highland League was won by Huntly for the fifth season in a row and now the strength of the league was very definitely in the east.
Bennett strengthened his squad for 1998/99 with Wayne Addicoat coming on loan from Caley Thistle and Alan Keddie joining but this led to Norman MacMillan and Donean Murray being placed on the transfer list. In September Jamie MacPherson signed from Ross County on a three year deal. In October there was an important result as Clach beat Cove Rangers 2-1 to reach the semi final of the North Qualifying Cup – and thus qualify for the Scottish Cup for the first time in 16 years. Clach then beat Huntly 3-2 to reach the Q Cup final and it was even better when Clach took the Cup with a 3-1 victory over Keith. It had been 24 years since the last Q Cup success and the goal-scoring heroes on the day were Jamie MacPherson, Alan Keddie and Bruce McCraw (with a penalty). In the Scottish Cup Clach were given a bye into the second round where they were drawn against Glasgow’s famous amateur side Queen’s Park. The match was played at Lesser Hampden on Monday 18 January after four postponements with the carrot of a home third round money-spinner against Dundee United. Jamie MacPherson gave Clach the lead but Queens equalised. The home side were awarded a penalty in the closing minutes with Andrew Lewis seeing red for hand ball.
Clach ‘keeper Martin Rae was the hero of the night when he saved the penalty and it was up to Inverness for a replay. This was to take place just two days later but was postponed to the following Saturday. It was a great occasion with a bumper crowd but there was no happy ending. Despite playing in a mud bath Clach were 2-1 ahead with six minutes left and looking good but Queens equalised then scored a winner three minutes from time. It was a major disappointment to get so close to the third round but Clach had put up a brave fight. In January Clach signed Colin Mitchell from Forres then Gary Farquhar came on loan from Caley Thistle in February. Clach ended the season in a very creditable sixth spot in the league with 56 points.
The Second Century - Graeme Bennett Becomes Manager
