Breaking the 36-point barrier will be target for Wick Academy
Wick Academy have a “clear and obvious objective” in the 2025/26 Highland League campaign – to surpass the tally of 36 points they picked up in each of the previous two seasons.
The Scorries ended up 14th in the table last term, two places lower than the year before, despite collecting the same number of points.
The league’s most northerly club finished strongly in 2024/25, going on a seven-game unbeaten run at one point – their longest in more than six years.
Supporters are hoping that level of consistency can be replicated from the start of the new campaign.
Manager Gary Manson said: “You can’t affect what league position you have, to a certain degree. What you can affect is how many points you end up with at the end of the season, and that’s what we will be focusing on.
“Last year we finished with the same amount of points as we did the previous year but we were two places below.
“I’ve told the boys already – there’s a clear and obvious objective there to go and break that 36-point barrier and improve on the last two years.
“We’re in reasonable shape squad-wise. The boys have put a power of work in, so they should be fit and raring to go for the first game.”
Manson is very much aware that there are no easy matches at Highland League level these days.
“Over the years since I’ve been in the league, there have been a couple of teams most seasons that you would say were almost gimmes – you could almost bank on 12 points before the season started,” he said.
“But it’s not like that any more. Strathspey will be a lot stronger than last year. Rothes have a bit of stability now, and I would expect them to be a lot better. There are certainly no easy games.”
He expects Formartine United to mount a strong challenge for the title.
“Formartine have strengthened significantly, so I would fully expect them to be up there challenging,” Manson said.
“Then you’ve got the usual contenders – Brora, Brechin, and I’d imagine Fraserburgh will give it a good go this year as well. They’ve added a couple of good players. Banks O’ Dee have strengthened too.”
Eighteen-year-old forward Euan Kennedy spent the second half of last season on loan at Wick and has now signed a long-term deal after spending five years in the Ross County youth set-up.
Central defender Joe Anderson (20) is back with Academy after almost two years away from the club. James Boyd, a 16-year-old from Thurso, has come in on loan from Ross County.
Richard Macadie (38), the club’s record scorer with 204 goals, hung up his boots at the end of last season after more than 650 competitive appearances.
Ross Suttar is returning to the Wick coaching team.
The Scorries start their campaign with two away games. They take on Deveronvale at Princess Royal Park on Saturday, July 26, before going to Grant Street in Inverness the following Wednesday to play Clachnacuddin.