Trusty Cans stopper takes stock in his testimonial season
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THIS month’s testimonial match against Aberdeen will cap what could be Forres Mechanics’ skipper Graeme Grant’s final season in football.
The Dons are set to send a strong side to Mosset Park on Tuesday, November 17 as a tribute to ‘Grapies’, who had made 375 appearances for the club since joining in 2003.
Grant (36) said that he has spoken about hanging up his boots at the end of the current campaign, but no decision had yet been made.
He told the Northern Scot he is still enjoying his football with Mechanics, who he said has been a great club for him over the years.
“It’s a good place to play your football,” he said. “If there is anything you need, they are there for you. That’s been the main thing for me. Going back and winning a few trophies and being a bit more successful, that makes you want to stay.”
The defender has carved out a great career in the Highland League and Scottish League.
He was a big favourite with Buckie Thistle before making the move to his hometown Elgin City for a spell in Division 3, soon after the Black and Whites stepped up to national level.
The late Alan Scott signed Grant for Forres 12 years ago, and apart from a brief spell of a few months at Huntly in 2007, he has been a Cans favourite ever since.
Serious knee injuries have affected his career, most recently last season when he spent the bulk of the term on the sidelines.
Having penned a two-year deal in the summer of 2014 to take him through to his testimonial year, Grant feared his career could have ended with injury and said he didn’t want to accept a testimonial match if he couldn’t return to playing.
But he battled back to fitness earlier this year and has been a mainstay in the heart of the Mechanics’ defence, apart from a couple of rare blemishes in his record.
“I’ve already been sent off twice this year and I’d hardly been sent off in my career. These young boys are getting quicker, either that or I’m getting slower.
“I suppose that’s been in my thoughts as well when I’ve considered whether or not to keep playing. I have spoken to the family about maybe making this my last season.
“My young lad (Ellis) is coming up for six and I’m thinking it’s maybe his time and I should be there for him on a Saturday.
“I’ll sit down with Charlie (Forres manager Rowley) and discuss the way forward.”
Grant has no hesitation when speaking about the two highlights of his entire playing career, both achieved while at Forres.
Winning the Highland League title in 2012 was the pinnacle, closely followed by playing against his beloved Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie at Mosset Park later that year.
“That was my dream come true,” he said. “I never ever thought I would win the league for one, and then getting to play Rangers the following year was like an extra bonus of winning the league. You can’t top that.”
He laughs about his record about having scored more goals in his own net than in the opposition goal during his 12 years at Forres.
Forres supporter and historian Douglas Delaney discovered that ‘Grapies’ has netted six own goals, including four for Fraserburgh, during his Cans career. In contrast, he has scored just four at the right end with the last coming almost eight years ago in a 6-0 home win against Fort William.
“I think it’s fair to say I’m due another one. But Charlie won’t let me go up for corners, he says I’m needed to stay back.”
With his testimonial game coming during an international break for Euro 2016 qualifiers, Aberdeen could send several first team players through to Forres to play in Grant’s match.
Grant hopes one of them will be former team-mate Graeme Shinnie, who spent six months on loan at Forres and won a Highland League Cup winners medal at the club, before going on to be called up to a Scotland international squad earlier this year.
“I’m just looking forward to the game, I can’t wait. I was overwhelmed when Charlie told me a couple of years ago that there was a new deal with a testimonial in the second year.
Guest players on the night will include ex-Forres men Ryan Green, Neil Whyte, John Mutch, Nathan Sharp, Kyle Scott, Steven Rattray and Davie Calder, the latter promising to jet over from Dubai to play.
Fraserburgh defender Russell McBride, who played with Grant at Elgin, will also be involved on the night, as will some of Grant’s former Buckie team-mates.
Current Cans boss Charlie Rowley said about his current club captain and stalwart defender: “His performances throughout his career have been outstanding and his consistency levels are difficult to match with any other individual at the club.”
Fans can attend Grant’s testimonial game on November 17 (kick off 7.45pm) and also get a corporate package which involves at two-course meal with wine at the nearby Mosset Tavern and hospitality before and after the game (£35 per head).
On Twitter:
Still some hospitality and sponsors packages available. More details gm.macd@gmail.com 07590 396011 Groups of any... https://t.co/fq3cSJZsbU
— ForresMechanics (@themightycans) November 6, 2015
There will also be a testimonial dinner next March, with guest speakers, around the same time as the club are staging a 30th anniversary match in honour of their first Highland League title triumph in 1986.
For more details on Graeme Grant testimonial events, contact Grant Macdonald on 07590 396011.
Similar stories:
- This is for you, Charlie
- Early blows cost Forres in cup replay
- Forres 'legend' Brown seriously ill in hospital
Links:
