Three Westdyke footballers have followed in their coach’s footsteps by being honoured for 10 years of service to the Westhill-based Aberdeenshire and District Juvenile FA club.
The talented trio – midfielders Alex Wright and Andrew Bremner, who have both also played in defence and up front, and defender Scott Mackie, have represented the club since under-eight level. Andrew and Scott now turn out for Westdyke under-19s, while fellow 17-year-old Alex joined Cove during the summer to end his association with the club.
The Westhill trio, who have played around 600 matches for Westdyke between them through the different age levels, received their long- service awards from their former under-19 coach Kevin Buchan, who picked up a similar accolade during his Westdyke playing career.
Buchan said: “It really is great for these three lads to receive this very special award. I’m sure it will mean a lot to them as it did to me years ago when I was in the same position as they are.
“I joined Westdyke when it all began in 1996 at the age of eight – and I’ve been there, as a player or a coach, ever since. You couldn’t ask for three better boys, both on and off the park. It is a huge achievement for them.”
Reflecting on the players’ qualities, Buchan added: “The three are fantastic to work with. Andy has played on the right wing and midfield for a lot of his career and has bags of pace.
“Alex is a central midfielder. As soon as we took him on board at under-16 level he always did the right thing at the right time, while Scott is an excellent defender.
“One of the highlights for us all was last season’s Noskab Cup final at Stonehaven where we lost 2-1 to Albion, the reigning Scottish under-17 champions at the time.
“Getting to the final was an achievement in itself but to push them so close, after they had twice beaten us earlier in the season, was tremendous.”