1980s
The Centenary year came to an end with the Strath retaining the MacDonald Cup thanks to a 1-1 draw with the Glen and the U16s winning the Strathdearn Sixes for the very first time, defeating Glenurquhart 3-0 in the final. It had been an interesting first century for the Grand Old Club, but the next thirty years were to become an era without equal.
Strathglass captain Donald Fraser is presented with the MacDonald Cup at Drumnadrochit in 1980 after a 1-1 draw with Glenurquhart. Strath, as holders, retained the trophy.
The 1980-81 season saw the club’s first team reach the Glenmhor Cup Final where they were defeated 7-3 by Skye (which is quite far from the Great Glen!), and although the second team finished rock bottom of the whole North pyramid, the U17s would trounce Newtonmore to win the MacTavish Juvenile Cup in 1981 at Spean Bridge.
The second team was folded temporarily in 1981-82, but hope was bright for youth with the U12s winning A a number of cups.
Strathglass won the Strathdearn Cup for the third time in 1982 beating Kingussie 3-2 in the final played at Spean Bridge on the evening of Friday 2 July.
The second team was back with a vengeance in 1982-83 however, and was unlucky not to win North Division Four by a couple of points from Lovat. At this point the first team were usually finishing in the bottom reaches of North Division Two and so there were few highlights other than another Strathdearn Sixes win for the U16s in 1985 until a historic 1985-86 season.
Overcoming Division Two Champions Fort William in an epic Balliemore Cup semi-final, saw the Strath travel to Inveraray to take on Col-Glen in the final. A goal from David Rothe looked to have secured the trophy, when Col-glen scored a penalty in the final minute of regulation time. This resulted in extra-time, and Strathglass saw the task out with Rothe scoring again, along with Raymond “Muc” Fraser and Robert Geddes securing a 4-2 win, and Strathglass’ first national title in 107 years. Robert Geddes would receive the Balliemore Cup from the Duke of Argyll.
It would have been a matter of great pride for Murdo MacKenzie to see his two sons Roy and Colin play a role in this historic victory, but sadly the following season Murdo passed away at the age of 62 after a short illness. Yet his legacy would continue and reach heights he could hardly have imagined.
Balliemore Cup Winners 1986
Back L to R: George Fraser, James Keir, Calum McArthy, Raymond Fraser, Dick Ferguson, Roy MacKenzie, Colin MacKenzie and Bob Black
Front: Bruce Douglas, Graham Black, Stewart Geddes, Robert Geddes, Chris MacLeod, David Rothe and George Phimister
Strathglass Shinty Club’s first sponsored strip
To celebrate Strathglass winning the Balliemore Cup, Ken Thomson decided to sponsor a new strip for the Strath for the 1986-87 season, this was to be the first of many strips Ken generously sponsored right up until his death in 2019.
Pictured at the launch are Bob Black (Manager), Roy MacKenzie (Captain), Ernie Geddes (Committee Member), Murdo MacKenzie (Secretary) and Ken Thomson
The Strath second team finished bottom again in 1987-88 but won a rare thing, the Ali Bàn Cup for the second team against Glenurquhart – the Ali Bàn had been put in place by Peter English of Glenurquhart for competition between the two ancient rivals reserve sides.
In 1988-89, the club reached the Valerie Fraser Cup final (then a men’s competition) but were defeated by Lochaber 6-2 at Newtonmore and finished third in the league.