Riddell tribute opens Forres welfare season
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A NEW trophy in memory of former Nairn footballer Calum Riddell will kick off this year's Forres and Nairn welfare football season.
Eleven teams are taking part in the league this year with Kinloss Sappers back after a year's absence while Forres' Red Lion return to the set-up for the first time since 2009.
Nairn's Westerlea assume Brackla's place for their first season since the early 2000s.
Play gets underway tonight (Thursday) with the inaugural ties of the Calum Riddell Memorial Cup. Introduced this year in memory of the 28-year-old former Nairn County and Nairn St Ninian player, who lost his battle with an aggressive brain tumour last October, the Riddell Cup replaces the now-retired Ali Ross Rosebowl and will have its first final at County's Station Park on Sunday, April 29.
The first fixtures of the Harry Fairbairn Welfare League are on Monday, April 23, with Elgin Thistle looking to hold off all challengers and take an unprecedented third title in a row come September.
The FNWFA Cup, sponsored by D Milligan's Removals, returns for its third year in June while the McIntosh Rosebowl begins in August under new sponsorship from AES Solar of Forres.
See full fixtures list here or visit the league's Facebook page.
Fixtures, Thursday, Calum Riddell Memorial Cup Preliminary Round: Mosset Tavern v Uncle Bobs (Roysvale, 6.15pm kick off); Elgin Caledonian v Lossiemouth Welfare (Pinefield 6.15); Kinloss Sappers v Red Lion (Kinloss 7pm).
Monday, Calum Riddell Memorial Cup, Quarter-Finals (all 6.30): Mosset or Uncle Bobs v Elgin Thistle; Elgin Caley or Lossie Welfare v Westerlea; Kinloss or Red Lion v Nairn Utd.
Tuesday, Calum Riddell Memorial Cup, Quarter-Finals (6.30): Carlton v FC Elgin (Roysvale).
