2023–24 North Caledonian Football League

North Caledonian Football League
Season2023–24
Dates12 August 2023 – 13 April 2024
ChampionsInvergordon
Matches played132
Goals scored586 (4.44 per match)
Biggest home winInverness Athletic 13–0 Thurso
(2 March 2024)
Biggest away win
Highest scoringInverness Athletic 13–0 Thurso
(2 March 2024)
Longest winning run9 matches:
Loch Ness
Longest unbeaten run16 matches:
Loch Ness
Longest winless run14 matches:
Bonar Bridge
Longest losing run7 matches:
Bonar Bridge
All statistics correct as of 13 April 2024.

The 2023–24 North Caledonian Football League (known for sponsorship reasons as the Macleod & MacCallum North Caledonian League) was the 115th season of the North Caledonian Football League, and the third season as part of the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system.

Invergordon won their seventh North Caledonian Football League title[1] – and their second in three seasons; a 2–0 win over Inverness Athletic on 23 March 2024 gave them an unassailable seven-point lead over Loch Ness, with Loch Ness still having two games to play.

Teams

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Location of mainland teams in the 2023–24 North Caledonian League
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Location of Orkney in the 2023–24 North Caledonian League

From North Caledonian Football League

Withdrew

Stadia and locations

Team Location Home ground Capacity Seats Floodlit
Alness United Alness Dalmore Park[2] 500 0 Yes
Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Migdale Playing Fields[3] 500 0 No
Clachnacuddin Reserves Inverness Grant Street Park 2,074 154 Yes
Fort William [SFA] Fort William Claggan Park 1,800 200 Yes
Golspie Sutherland [SFA] Golspie King George V Park[4] 1,000 0 Yes
Halkirk United Halkirk Morrison Park[5] 1,000 0 Yes
Invergordon Invergordon Recreation Grounds[6] 500 0 No
Inverness Athletic North Kessock Ferry Brae Park[7] 500 0 No
Loch Ness Fortrose King George V Park[8] 500 0 No
Orkney Holm The Rockworks[9] 1,000 0 No
St Duthus Tain Grant Park[10] 500 0 No
Thurso Thurso Sir George's Park[11] 1,000 0 No

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Invergordon (C) 22 18 3 1 61 23 +38 57 Ineligible for the Highland League play-off
2 Loch Ness[a] 22 17 3 2 78 24 +54 51
3 Halkirk United 22 15 2 5 59 21 +38 47
4 Golspie Sutherland 22 14 1 7 56 42 +14 43
5 Fort William 22 13 2 7 61 37 +24 41
6 St Duthus 22 9 2 11 44 59 −15 29
7 Inverness Athletic 22 7 2 13 57 51 +6 23
8 Orkney 22 7 2 13 38 52 −14 23
9 Clachnacuddin Reserves[b] 22 4 5 13 37 63 −26 20 Ineligible for promotion
10 Alness United 22 5 4 13 42 68 −26 19
11 Thurso 22 5 1 16 25 81 −56 16
12 Bonar Bridge 22 4 1 17 28 65 −37 13
Source: North Caledonian Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Loch Ness deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in their match on 19 August against Clachnacuddin Reserves.[12]
  2. ^ Clachnacuddin Reserves awarded 3 points, after Loch Ness fielded an ineligible player in their match on 19 August.[12]

Results

Home \ Away ALN BON CLA FOW GOL HAL INV INA LOC ORK STD THU
Alness United — 3–2 2–2 1–4 2–6 1–3 2–4 1–2 3–3 3–3 5–1 3–1
Bonar Bridge 1–0 — 4–3 0–4 1–3 0–2[a] 0–3[b] 1–1[c] 0–4[d] 1–4 0–3 3–4[e]
Clachnacuddin Reserves 0–2[f] 7–3[g] — 2–3[h] 0–2[i] 1–7[j] 0–1 2–4[k] 1–7[l] 6–1[m] 4–4[n] 1–0[o]
Fort William 8–3[p] 4–1[q] 1–1 — 3–1 0–4 3–4 2–0 2–5[r] 7–1[s] 0–1 7–0
Golspie Sutherland 3–2 4–1 3–0 1–1 — 0–5 2–4 4–2 0–3 1–0[t] 2–0 3–1
Halkirk United 0–2 3–0 4–0 1–0[u] 2–1 — 0–0 2–0 0–1 6–1 5–0 2–0
Invergordon 3–0 3–2 3–0[v] 3–0 0–3 1–1 — 4–2 4–4 2–1 3–0 4–0
Inverness Athletic 6–1[w] 2–5 1–1 2–3[x] 4–2[y] 3–4 0–2[z] — 3–4[aa] 2–0 5–2[ab] 13–0[ac]
Loch Ness 7–0 3–1[ad] 5–0 3–0 6–2 3–0 0–3 2–0 — 2–0[ae] 4–2[af] 7–0
Orkney 3–3[ag] 1–0[ah] 0–1 1–2[ai] 0–1[aj] 2–1 2–3 4–2 0–3 — 5–3 6–0
St Duthus 2–1 3–0 3–2 1–2 2–8 2–1 1–3 4–3 2–2 2–3 — 3–1
Thurso 4–2 1–2 3–3 1–5 3–4 3–6[ak] 0–4[al] 1–0 1–0[am] 1–0 0–3 —
Source: [51]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[13]
  2. ^ Match played at the Recreation Grounds, Invergordon.[14]
  3. ^ Match played on the second pitch at Dalmore Park, Alness.[15]
  4. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[16]
  5. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[17]
  6. ^ Match played at Culcairn Park, Evanton.[18]
  7. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[19]
  8. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[20]
  9. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[21]
  10. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[22]
  11. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[23]
  12. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[24]
  13. ^ Match played at Culcairn Park, Evanton.[25]
  14. ^ Match played at Culcairn Park, Evanton.[26]
  15. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[27]
  16. ^ Match played at Lochaber High School 3G.[28]
  17. ^ Match played at Lochaber High School 3G.[29]
  18. ^ Match played at Lochaber High School 3G.[30]
  19. ^ Match played at Recreation Grounds, Invergordon.[31]
  20. ^ Match awarded 1–0 to Golspie Sutherland,[32] as Orkney were unable to field a team.
  21. ^ Match awarded 1–0 to Halkirk United,[33] as Fort William were unable to field a team.
  22. ^ Match played at Highland Football Academy 3G, Dingwall.[34]
  23. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[35]
  24. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[36]
  25. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[37]
  26. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[1]
  27. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[38]
  28. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[39]
  29. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy.[40]
  30. ^ Match played on the second pitch at Dalmore Park, Alness.[41]
  31. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[42]
  32. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[43]
  33. ^ Match played at Kirkwall Grammar School, Kirkwall.[44]
  34. ^ Match awarded 1–0 to Orkney,[45] as Bonar Bridge were unable to field a team.
  35. ^ Match played at Naver 3G, Thurso.[46]
  36. ^ Match played at Stromness 3G, Stromness.[47]
  37. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[48]
  38. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[49]
  39. ^ Match awarded 1–0 to Thurso,[50] as Loch Ness were unable to field a team.

Notes

SFA Club with an SFA licence (as of June 2023)[52] eligible to participate in the Highland League play-off should they win the league.

References

  1. ^ a b Clark, Will (22 March 2024). "Invergordon could claim North Caledonian League title tomorrow in final game". Ross-shire Journal. Highland News and Media Limited. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Alness United FC - North Caledonian Football Association". North Caledonian FA Official Website. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Bonar Bridge FC - North Caledonian Football Association". North Caledonian FA Official Website. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Golspie Sutherland". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Halkirk United". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Invergordon". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Inverness Athletic F.C." Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Loch Ness". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Orkney". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  10. ^ "St Duthus F.C." Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Thurso". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (26 September 2023). "NCFA Announcement #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 September 2023 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Hendry, Alan (20 March 2024). "Thurso determined to 'end season on a high' by picking up more points". John o' Groat Journal and Caithness Courier. Highland News and Media Limited. Retrieved 20 March 2024. Fixtures – Wednesday, March 20 – North Caledonian League: Bonar Bridge v Halkirk United (Dalmore Park, Alness, 8pm); Clachnacuddin "A" v Invergordon.
  14. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (2 February 2024). "Tomorrow afternoon's Fixtures. Note - Bonar Bridge F.C v Invergordon moved to Invergordon #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 February 2024 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (24 November 2023). "NOTE - Bonar Bridge v Inverness Ath moved to Alness with a 1 p.m kick-off #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (9 December 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: Bonar Bridge v Loch Ness (Alness 12.00) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (16 March 2024). "FOUR GOALS for Vikings striker Bobby Gunn gets us a much needed 4-3 win v Bonar Bridge at Alness this afternoon. Bobby now has 12 Vikings goals and 31 in the @north_caley_fa #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 March 2024 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Clach Reserves [@ClachReserves] (9 September 2023). "👊 MATCHDAY 👊 🆚 @AlnessUnitedFC 🏆 @NorthCaleyFA @macandmac28 🏟️ BlackRock Park, Evanton ⏰ 09/09/23 14:00 #ncfa #northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 September 2023 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Clach Reserves [@ClachReserves] (6 April 2024). "Half time at IRA. Clach Reserves 5 v 0 Bonar Bridge. North Caledonian League @NorthCaleyFA @MacandMac28 #NCFA #Northcaley #HMParcelsDistributionltd" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 April 2024 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (26 October 2023). "Note - Clach 'A' v Fort William (IRA 1.30 p.m) #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Chalk, Paul (1 February 2024). "North Caledonian League preview: Clachnacuddin 'A' gear up for tough Golspie test". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  22. ^ Halkirk United FC [@HalkirkUnitedFC] (9 December 2023). "Full time in Inverness. Goals from Jonah Martens (4) mark Munro (2) and Aaron Wilson give the Anglers a 7-1 victory at Inverness Royal Academy" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (13 March 2024). "Next North Caledonian League Fixtures - 13.3.24 (7.45 p.m): Golspie v Alness Utd, Clach 'A' v Inverness Ath (Alness) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 March 2024 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (22 November 2023). "Note - Clach 'A' v Loch Ness (IRA 1.30) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (11 November 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: Clach 'A' v Orkney (Evanton 12.30) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Clark, Will (13 August 2023). "Inverness Athletic start North Caledonian League season with victory in Alness. Clachnacuddin A share points with St Duthus in epic eight goal thriller". The Inverness Courier. Highland News and Media Limited. Retrieved 18 August 2023. Clachnacuddin A launched an epic comeback to salvage a point in a 4-4 draw with St Duthus in Evanton.
  27. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (13 January 2024). "IT'S MATCHDAY. We are on our travels away to Inverness Royal Academy to take on @ClachReserves in The @MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA league with a 1.30 p.m kick off #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Fort William FC [@FortWilliamFC] (10 January 2024). "This weekend we welcome Alness United to the Lochaber High School Astro for our North Caledonian FA league game. Kick off will be 1pm #monthefort #webelieve. Thanks to @M_Y_Media_ again for the graphics!" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Fort William FC [@FortWilliamFC] (4 January 2024). "Due to substantial storm damage at Claggan Park, this weekends [sic] Home Game versus Bonar Bridge F.C will take place at the Lochaber High School Astro with a 1pm Kick Off" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Skinner, Andy (26 January 2024). "Shane Carling says Loch Ness have set bar required for North Caledonian League title push". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  31. ^ Chalk, Paul (17 August 2023). "Fort William say closer club denied them use of ground for Clydebank Scottish Cup tie before controversial Golspie switch". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. Retrieved 20 August 2023. That game has been switched from Claggan Park to Invergordon's Recreation Grounds, with a 2pm start to assist Orkney with travel and ferry times.
  32. ^ "Golspie Sutherland F.C." North Caledonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Halkirk United F.C." North Caledonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  34. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (20 December 2023). "IT'S MATCHDAY IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: Invergordon v Clach 'A' (HFA, Dingwall 7.45) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Alness United FC [@AlnessUnitedFC] (7 October 2023). "The only surviving @NorthCaleyFA game today due to the weather, sees us play Inverness Athletic in Alness after a switch of venue. Support the boys at Dalmore Park today if you can ⚫️⚪️" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (16 March 2024). "KICK-OFF IN THE NCL: Inverness Ath v Fort William (IRA 1.30) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 March 2024 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (18 November 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: Inverness Ath v Golspie (IRA 1.30) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (11 November 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: Inverness v Loch Ness (IRA 1.30). 1 p.m unless stated #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (24 January 2024). "Note - Inverness Ath v St.Duthus (IRA 1.30) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Clark, Will (2 March 2024). "Inverness Athletic hit double figures to record biggest victory in club's history as they thrash Thurso in North Caledonian League". The Inverness Courier. Highland News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  41. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (3 November 2023). "Loch Ness v Bonar Bridge switched to Alness #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Orkney FC [@OrkneyFC] (23 February 2024). "This Saturday we are away to Loch Ness. Game is being played in Alness 1pm KO" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 February 2024 – via Twitter.
  43. ^ Loch Ness Football Club [@LochNessFC] (16 November 2023). "⚫️ VENUE CHANGE ⚫️ Saturdays [sic] game has had a change of venue to Dalmore Park / Alness. 13:00 Kick Off. #FORZALOCHNESS" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (18 November 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE: Orkney v Alness United (KGS 12.30) #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Orkney F.C." North Caledonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  46. ^ Fort William FC [@FortWilliamFC] (22 November 2023). "Confirmation of details for Saturdays [sic] game Away v Orkney. The game will be played on the Naver All Weather pitch in Thurso with a 2:15pm kick off. #MonTheFort" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (2 December 2023). "Note - Orkney Football Club v Golspie Sutherland is switched to Stromness with a 1 p.m kick off #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (31 March 2024). "Next Vikings match is at home to @HalkirkUtdFC in The @MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA league with an 8.30 p.m kick off on Tuesday night at Naver all weather #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 April 2024 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (5 January 2024). "Note - venue change. Thurso v Invergordon moved to Naver all weather pitch #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "Thurso F.C." North Caledonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  51. ^ North Caledonian League "North Caledonian League Results". North Caledonian League. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  52. ^ "Licensed Clubs - June 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 29 June 2023.