2008/9 Squad

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Ian 'Zeeky' Munro has a long association with Academy Football Club, having been involved as a coach since 1999.

Ian also played for Academy when they were in the North Caledonian League.

Ian took over as co-manager with Tichie in January 2007 following the departure of Peter Budge.

Former Academy striker 'Tichie' played in the North Caledonian League  team. Then when we joined the Highland League he started 117 games for Academy, and scored 32 goals. At time of writing he remains the clubs sixth highest goal scorer.

Tichie took over as co-manager with Zeeky in January 2007 following the departure of Peter Budge.

Ally Webster

Has played with and coached several local amateur teams and is now an asset as the club physio.

 
Alex Lamb

From Wick. Went from school to Ross County where he captained the Under 18 team. Missed a year through illness (Glandular Fever) before being released. However  since making his Academy debut against Brora in August 2002 he has been staking a claim for a regular place in the Academy defence.

Had a bad injury at the start of season 2007�8 and is gradually returning to full fitness.

Dunbeath lad 'Clutchy' is a reliable no-nonsense defender who has progressed from local amateur football side Wick Groats.

Made his debut as a sub for Wick against Huntly for managers John MacDonald and Pat Miller on the 8th of April 1995. Now coming into his 9th season with Wick Academy.

His 100% commitment has seen him become an established member of the squad, and an anchor in the Academy defence.

Bryan McKiddie

A central midfield player and another product of the Academy U19 youth set-up. A player with good balance and plenty of flair.

Bryan was a first team squad member last season and is now looking to break into a regular place with the first team.

A gifted young player with bags of potential and was voted as the supporters young player of the year for season 2007�8.

Signed from local team, Wick Groats, this local youngster progressed from the U18's to become a regular in the first team.

Craig has the second most number of appearances for Academy with over 300 games. Made his debut under manager John Black coming off the bench in a friendly against East Fife on the 25th of July 1998.

A genuine box to box midfielder. One of the most under-rated players in the Highland League, consistently giving 100% and winning the Clubs supporters player of the year award in season 2005/2006, and the players player of the year award in seasons 2006/07 and 07/08.

Hailing originally from Helmsdale David is the nephew of former Academy manager Don Cowie.

Signing in 2002, he has settled well into Highland League football. A strong running confident player on the right side of midfield, with some important goals to his credit.

Has been plagued in the past with injury, but managed to stay relatively injury free for the last few seasons and hopefully that will continue for the foreseeable future.

A Helmsdale Lad. A very experienced former Ross County, and Brora Rangers No 1 who came back to Academy after suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Also had a spell with Caley Thistle.

Missed almost the whole of season 2007�8 due to injury, but now fighting his way back to full fitness.

Big news signing, Gary rejoined his home town club during the close season in 2005.

Starting his career with local side, Wick Rovers, he spent a couple of years with Dundee FC as a teenager before having spells at Brora Rangers, St Johnstone, Inverness Caledonian Thistle (from which he had a loan spell at the Harmsworth) before joining his last club, Nairn County.

A quality player who can win a game with his quality passing and from dead ball situations.

Obviously a quality addition to the side, broadening the manager's tactical options.

Gary has been the winner of the clubman award for WAFC for the last two seasons.

Consistent player who is now in his 9th season with the club. One of a select band of only 4 players who have over 200 starting appearances for the club. Operates on the left, often as an attacking wing back.

Played for Highland Amateur Cup winners Pentland Utd, and had a term at Ross County before he came through the Academy U18's to become a regular in the 1st team.

Plenty of pace and influential at set pieces. Previously selected for the Highland League North select.

'Chucky' is a raw never say die talent from Lybster with a keen eye for goal.

Made his debut at age 15 coming on as a substitute in a North of Scotland Cup tie away to Nairn in January 2003.

Coming into his seventh season with the Academy senior team, he has scored some vital goals for the Club.

Making big strides last season when he was the clubs top goal scorer with 13 league and 3 cup goals. His form made it difficult to leave him out of the starting eleven.

With the ball at his feet defenders find him a tricky customer to deal with.

     Greg Shearer

Greg is another one of the young batch of Academy players who has progressed through the Clubs youth set-up. He has played in the WAFC U19's, with Bunhillidh Thistle in the North Caledonian league, and summer football with Wick Groats.

A midfield player with bags of potential and yet another of the up and coming Academy youngsters that is challenging for a first team place.

Young custodian drafted in from our U19 squad to replace Don MacMillan during a suspension in season 2004/2005.

Had a brilliant match against local rivals Brora in 2005/2006.

Was the automatic first choice for almost all of seasons 2006/07 and 2007/08 and has grown in stature with every game he plays.

Club Captain with over 300 appearances for the club in total.

Talented midfield playmaker had a spell with Dundee Utd as a teenager before joining his local team to coincide with their joining the HFL in 1994.

Now entering his 14th season with Wick, "Shoe" as he is known, is one Academy player who would arguably get a game for any other HFL team.

A creative midfield playmaker, previously selected for the Highland League North Select, he gets his fair share of goals from both open play and set-pieces.

Played in all three matches for the Scottish Semi-Professional squad in the 2004/2005 Home International Competition in Northern Ireland, and featured again in the May 2006 tournament in Sussex.

Martin Sutherland

Idea position is right mid-field and he has tons of pace and ability.

Part of the Academy U19 squad and has also played for Bunillidh Thistle in the North Caledonian league.

Was a member of the Wick Groats county league division 2 winning side in 2007.

An attacking midfielder with plenty of pace.

In his fourth spell with Academy, having played for Thurso in the North Caledonian League in the interim.

Started with the club on loan from Ross County under Manager Alistair Budge. Made his league debut against Huntly on the 2nd of August 2003. Played with Academy for most of that season before returning to Ross County.

Was released from Ross County in season 2006/07 and was brought back to Wick Academy by the new manager at that time Peter Budge.

Talented young attacking midfielder with good pace and great close ball control.

Richard likes nothing better than getting forward and scoring goals which he has already shown as he bagged 4 league goals in Academy's 2006/07 season, and a further 10 in last seasons campaign.

Richard also scored the only goal of the game when we beat current holders Inverurie in the Qualifying Cup in August 2006.

Has been a valuable addition to the squad and is a player the fans have taken too with his drive and determination to be successful.

In season 2006/07 Richard was voted joint players' player, supporters' player and young player of the year. He also picked up last season's supporters player of the year award.

George Ross

Promising young right sided defender who is very composed when on the ball. Has had a spell with SFL Club Ross County.

A definite player to watch for the future, and in season 2006/07 pretty much established himself as first pick right back. Shaun is also effective on the over-lap with the ability to deliver dangerous crosses into the opposition box.

Stevie Cunningham

Released by Ross County in May 2008 and signed by managers Hughes and Munro for the start of the season. A midfielder full of pace and vision and early signs are that he will be a valuable addition to the Academy squad.

Made his Harmsworth Park debut against former club Ross County in a North of Scotland Cup tie in July 2008 and scored his first competitive goal in that game

Started with Academy in season 2000/01 after a period at Ross County.

Returned North after his term at College was over, where he studied with another former Academy player Gordon MacDonald.

Then went to University but continued to play for Academy when possible during that time.

Now home he has been playing for Wick Groats in the Caithness Summer League and this will be his eighth season with WAFC.

Stewart is a strong skilful right sided midfielder who likes to get forward and score goals.

Can also play in defence or up front.