The Silver Age 2000 – 2009
North Division One Champions 1999-2000
Back L to R: Colin Aiton, Stewart Geddes, Simon Owen, Alan Tinney, Allan MacLeod, Angus MacDonald, Roy MacKenzie, Donald Fraser, Barry John Phimister and Donald Fraser Snr
Front: George Phimister, Iain MacLeod, Donald MacLean, Robert Geddes, Les Fraser, Graham Black, Ivor MacLeod and Ian McCallum
Strathglass were the first team to win a title in the new millennium as they won North Division One, claiming the fine MacGilllvrary Senior Trophy for the first time (although now relegated to third tier status). On top of winning the league they also won the MacDonald Cup in what was turning into a real purple patch for the Strath in terms of a competition the Glen had historically dominated. Unfortunately, in a play off for a place in National Division One, Strath were defeated by Oban Celtic at An Aird losing 3-2 in extra time.
MacDonald Cup Winners 2001
Back L to R: Angus MacDonald, Ivor MacLeod, Donald MacLean, Allan MacLeod, Robert Geddes, Graham Black, James Whyte and Gordon Fraser
Front: George Phimister, Ian McCallum, Iain MacLeod, Donald Fraser, Sam Todd, Adam Todd and Les Fraser
Over the next four years Strathglass would finish second four seasons in a row (including the interim season before the switch to summer shinty) 2001 saw the second team win the Ali Bàn for only the second time, retaining it with a draw in 2002 and the MacDonald Cup was retained in 2001.
The 2002-03 season marked one of the finest moments in Strathglass’ history as they defeated National Division One side Skye Camanachd at Spean Bridge in a penalty shoot out after the teams finished level at 3 – 3 at the end of extra time to lift the Balliemore Cup for the second time.
The achievement was all the more remarkable as they became the first, and only team from a lower league to win this trophy. At the time Strath were a North Division One side and three National Division One sides plus North DivIsion One rivals Beauly were all defeated on route to lifting the silverware.
On their way to the final it was two National Division One sides who exited at the hands of Strathglass with Ballachulish and Kyles Athletic both taken care of. Ballachulish were defeated 2 – 0 in a quarter final replay followed by a 2 – 1 win over Kyles in the semi final at Spean Bridge.
Balliemore Cup Winners 2003
Back L to R: Angus MacDonald, Alan Tinney, Alasdair Rothe, Adam Todd, Darren Reid, Allan MacLeod, George Phimister, Donald Fraser, Gordon Fraser and Donald Fraser Snr
Front: Donald MacLean, Stewart Geddes, Les Fraser, Robert Geddes, Iain MacLeod, Barry John Phimister and Sam Todd
Yet, there was even more to come as the club marked 125 years in the 2004 season, marked by a game between the Balliemore winning teams of 1986 and 2003.
Strath reached the semi-finals of the Camanachd Cup for the first time in the club’s history where they lost 5 – 1 to runners-up Fort William at The Eilean. Fort were defeated by Inveraray in the final at The Bught. The second team narrowly lost 4-3 after extra time to Kilmallie in the Strathdearn Cup Final at Invergarry.
On 18th September a 4-0 victory against Inverness saw Strath crowned North Division One Champions at Cannich. On 2 October the club won the play-off against South Division One Champions Kilmory with a convincing 7-2 victory at Spean Bridge eventually clinching promotion to National Division One.
The late 2000s are without question the height of Strathglass’ achievements as a shinty club. Empowered by winning North Division One in style the year before, the club went out and won the National Division One without losing a game in 2005. This was the first and only time a club has achieved back to back promotions as champions.
The National Division One title and promotion to the Premier League was clinched with a 0-0 draw against Glenurquhart at Drumnadrochit having gone through the entire league campaign undefeated. In some ways it was fitting that Strathglass should clinch this historic promotion playing against our oldest rivals.
Skipper Donald Fraser with the National Division One Trophy clinched after a 0 – 0 draw with Glenurquhart at Drumnadochit on the final day of the 2005 season
Cousins George and Barry John Phimister
The Reid brothers Darren and Garry
James, Barry John and Doreen Phimister
The Frasers – Donald and club President Donald Snr
The Phimisters – George Snr and George
Strath in their first season in the Premier Division finished in fourth place in 2006, only one place behind Kingussie who had been dethroned by Fort William.
2007 saw the Strath comfortably mid-table in an expanded Premier with the National Division scrapped. At Cannich, the MacDonald Cup was secured.
MacDonald Cup Winners 2007
Back L to R: Barry John Phimister, Ian McCallum, Angus MacDonald, Lee Bain, Stewart Geddes, Darren Reid, Robert Geddes and Mike Stokes
Front: Les Fraser, Garry Reid, Donald Fraser, George Phimister, James Ross and Robbie Stokes
2008 saw Strath slip out of the top tier, narrowly finishing two points behind eighth placed Bute.
2009 would see them fail to make any real impact in a very competitive second-teir North Division One (although their fellow relegation candidates from the previous season, Lovat, bounced straight back as champions.)
2009 however was memorable for the simple reason of a third Balliemore Cup win, this time with a 5-1 over Kinlochshiel at the Meadows in Rothesay, Isle of Bute. On their way to the final, Strath had also beaten Lovat 5-1 in the semi-final as well.
The joy of the club’s historic third Balliemore win was tempered by the loss of Scott Bain, a former player and twin brother of Lee Bain, whilst on leave from the Army. Lee was a key member of the Strathglass cup-winning team. Lee would sign for Kingussie the following year and go on to become an important player for the great Badenoch club. Scott’s memory is kept alive by a bench at Cannich Park and occasional challenge matches with Scots Camanachd, the Army’s shinty club for whom Scott also played.
Balliemore Cup Winners 2009
Back L to R: David Balharry, Donald Fraser, Les Fraser, Steve MacLachlan, Andy Behan, Ally McAdams, Seth Jones, Marc MacLachlan and Robert Geddes
Front: Lee Bain, Robbie Stokes, Hamish Myers, Darren Reid, Garry Reid, George Phimister, Scott Douglas and Colin Chapman