Wick Groats targeting more silverware as new county football season kicks off
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Picking up where they left off will be Wick Groats' aim ahead of the new County League season which gets under way next week.
Indeed, this is a mantra that has become an annual pep talk for Kevin Anderson's men as they have won the title for the past seven years and few would bet against them doing it again.
While Pentland United and others might have something to say about that, Wick Groats have no intention of surrendering their status as the top dogs in Caithness summer football.
It has been said that the pressure of being on top for so long eventually mounts up, causing the crown to slip – but Anderson insists pressure is something his players can take in their stride.
"We are well used to pressure so we will be ready for any challenges that will come our way this year," he said.
"The boys in fairness put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform and they usually do so.
"The title decider at Pentland United last year was a pressure fixture but we handled it superbly. As everyone knows, we played well and won the game that led us to the title.
"While the title is our main priority, we will be looking to do better in the cups – the two we were were knocked out of last year were down to penalty shoot-outs.
"We've lost Jack Henry and Alan Hughes to Wick Academy but we've signed Jack McKechnie from Castletown and Lewis Harrold from Wick Thistle."
Pentland United will be looking to go one better this year.
Boss Michael Gray said: "We won the Highland Amateur Cup last season but the title is unfinished business.
"Every season you want to prove yourself and we want to get over the final hurdle this year."
Caithness AFA fixtures
Tuesday, April 16 (kick-offs 6.30pm) – Division One: Castletown v Acks; Pentland United v Staxigoe United. Division Two: Top Joes v Wick Thistle; Watten v High Ormlie Hotspur.
Wednesday, April 17 – Division One: Swifts v JOG. Division Two: Keiss v Thurso Pentland.
Thursday, April 18 – Division One: Wick Groats v Lybster.
