Butchers benefit from Wick Academy cup tie with Raith Rovers
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To make sure that the expected bumper crowd doesn’t go hungry, staff will be cooking 600 Scotch pies to go to the match for hungry fans to eat with their Bovril.
Harmsworth Park is expected to see one of its biggest crowds in years for the Ramsdens Scottish Challenge Cup match against Raith Rovers, and the build-up to the first round tie is having a positive knock-on effect for businesses in the town centre.
Manager Neil Harrold said that as the regular supplier to the Scorries, they will be preparing three times their usual order but was confident the final result would be a tasty winner.
“On a usual matchday we make 200 pies for each Highland League game but as it is the Challenge Cup, the club tripled its order,” he said.
“It will take from about 9am until 6pm on Friday to complete the delivery and I will have two staff who will be making and cooking the pies all day.
“It is a huge order to do and will take us some time but we will meet the deadline no problem.
“It has been a welcome boost of income for us and the draw has been good for the town as well.”
Wick Academy merchandise has also experienced a surge in sales with a special commemorative Wick Academy v Raith Rovers scarf selling well at J. Gunn’s and Co, who act as the official vendor for the club’s merchandise.
Store manager Stewart Gunn said the scarves have been a popular seller in his branches in Thurso and Wick.
“We have sold quite a lot of them already but there are still a few remaining and we are hoping to sell them at the ground on Saturday.
“The scarves have the colours of both Academy and Raith and have the date of when the game is being played.
“I don’t take a penny from the sale of any merchandise as all the profits go straight back into the club.”
A bumper crowd is expected at the stadium on Saturday when it is estimated that up to 300 Rovers fans are expected to make their way up from Fife for the match.
Wick Academy chairman Colin Stewart said that tickets have also been selling well in Caithness and hopes the club can deliver a memorable victory.
“Tickets sales were slow to begin with but during the past week the buzz has intensified and we have already sold quite a lot of tickets.
“We are also expecting a lot of fans to pay at the gate on Saturday and Raith Rovers have told us that they are bringing up a sizeable support.
“It will be a fantastic occasion and I think that the players have what it takes to pull off a famous victory but I think there will be only one goal in it.
“As long as it is an entertaining game and people enjoy themselves then we’ll be a winner no matter the result.”
