Russell McBride will bring his long career with Fraserburgh to an emotional end after 24 years when the Broch take on Fort William at Bellslea Park on Saturday.
McBride will wear the famous Broch black-and-white jersey for the final time after being told he is free to find another club – and the 38-year-old defender has no intention of hanging up his boots.
The inspirational club captain is in his 24th season at Bellslea and will make his 583nd and final Broch appearance against Fort. During almost a quarter of a century with Broch McBride has scored 95 goals and is sure to receive a tumultuous send-off.
He made his first appearance for the club in a pre-season friendly against Albion Rovers on Sunday, July 25, 1993. Apart from two seasons with Elgin City in the Scottish League from 2001-2003, he has spent the rest of his career at the Broch.
McBride said: “It looks like Saturday’s home game against the Fort will be my last game for the Broch. I have mixed feelings about it all but I have been thinking about it for the last couple of months.
“I’ve not been playing for the last couple of weeks and that has pro-bably helped me to make my final decision. Things change in football, managers change, but I can’t grumble as I’ve been part of the club for 24 years, with two years at Elgin in between. But even then I was still training at the Broch twice a week.
“My one big regret is that the season I left to move to Borough Briggs, in 2001-2002, Fraserburgh went on to win the Highland League and I missed that. I will content myself with memories of the numerous cups I’ve won while playing for the Broch.”
McBride, who started his career as a centre forward and was renowned for his aerial ability, has many treasured memories from his time at Bellslea but he admitted that one, in particular, stands out.
He added: “The highlight of my playing career was the Wednesday night during the 1996-97 season when we played Peterhead in the Aberdeenshire Shield final through at Allan Park, Cove. It’s a night I’ll never forget.
“Our manager Charlie Duncan dropped me for the final, which was hard for me to take as I had scored both our goals when we beat Huntly 2-1 in the semi-final.
“I came on as substitute for the final 10 minutes of the game.
“We were 3-0 down but we scored twice before I grabbed the equaliser in injury time to take the game into extra time. I then scored to make it 4-3 before Michael Stephen grabbed another from a free kick.
“We eventually beat Peterhead 6-3 and I still have the photo of the goalscorers, myself, Clark Killoh, Kris Hunter and Michael Stephen, with the shield.
“The same season we also went on to win the Aberdeenshire Cup as well, defeating Peterhead 3-2 at Recreation Park.”
Looking to the future, McBride said: “I still feel I have something to offer and, hopefully, I can continue my Highland League career with another club, hopefully one in Aberdeenshire.
“I hope to get a contract until the end of the season and see how it goes but I intend to continue playing again next season.”
Fraserburgh chairman Finlay Noble paid tribute to his club captain.
He said: “Russell approached us about three or four weeks ago about his plans for the future and, because of the fantastic service he has given the club, the right thing to do was to rip up his contract, which would allow him to move on.
“Since arriving at Bells-lea as a 14-year-old, Russell has undergone two successful knee operations and had one or two other health issues but he has been a great ambassador for Fraserburgh. He epitomises what our club is all about. He’s been an inspirational captain and a great example for any youngster coming into the game. Hopefully, he’ll score five penalties on Saturday to take his goal tally to 100.”