Farquhar looking ahead to big day with testimonial game against ex-SPL stars
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Wick Academy's Alan Farquhar sees himself concentrating more on coaching than on playing as he looks beyond his forthcoming testimonial game.
The 35-year-old club captain will lead out an Academy select against a team of Scottish Premier League Legends in the showpiece match at Harmsworth Park on Saturday, May 20.
It will be followed by a testimonial dinner in the Norseman Hotel with an auction and guest speakers.
Farquhar's squad will feature past and present Wick team-mates, while the ex-pros are likely to include Marvin Andrews, Bobby Petta, Grégory Vignal, Gordon Durie, Rudi Vata, Charlie Miller, Andy McLaren, Alan Thompson and Robbie Winters.
"I'm looking forward to it," Farquhar said. "There's a lot involved and the testimonial committee has been brilliant – they've done a lot of work, getting everything organised and setting things up for the big day.
"The day should be really enjoyable. It'll probably be one of those things that'll go in a blink."
The central defender, who comes from Castletown, has made 357 competitive appearances for the Scorries since signing in August 2009. He took over the captaincy in 2014 and the following year Academy won their first silverware as a Highland League club when they lifted the North of Scotland Cup.
Farquhar was sidelined for a long spell after injuring his right knee at Lossiemouth in August 2021. He missed almost the whole of that campaign and was used sparingly in the following one, making 10 appearances in 2022/23 including one from the bench.
Towards the end of last season he began helping manager Gary Manson as part of the backroom team. Although not hanging up his boots quite yet, Farquhar expects to have limited involvement as a player in the coming campaign.
Work commitments and family life are also factors for Farquhar, an assistant project manager at Dounreay.
“I'm thinking about maybe calling it a day," he said. "I've been involved with the management team now for the last while, so that's what I'm going to do – to help out. I'll try to concentrate more on that and will try to be involved where I can.
"I will still be part of the squad, the same as Gary will be himself probably. I'll see how it goes."
The testimonial match kicks off at 2pm on May 20, with admission prices of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
The match sponsor is Blargoans Ltd, while the shirt sponsors are John O'Groats Christmas Shop (Wick Academy) and Caithness Creels (SPL Legends).
Some tickets still available for the testimonial dinner, with details on the Alan Farquhar testimonial page on Facebook.
Farquhar said: "Anyone is welcome. I think there are still about 40 seats left."
Meanwhile, former team-mate and testimonial committee member Michael Gray has paid tribute to Farquhar's qualities.
Gray said: "To be involved at Highland League level for 14 seasons is a huge achievement. For it to be with a single club demonstrates an exceptional level of commitment.
"Alan is a classy defender, not blessed with blistering pace like say Grant Steven, not dominant in the air like Craig Shearer, not ferocious in the tackle like Michael Steven or with a range of passing like Stevie Cunningham. What he has that sets him apart, though, is impeccable timing and immaculate reading of the game.
"Alan is regularly in position to thwart an attack before it has even developed fully. I probably can’t pay him a bigger compliment than compare him to his father Jimmy, who played for Pentland United in the same position and in very much the same way.
"Even since taking on the captaincy he hasn’t become someone that feels he needs to shout and bawl. He leads by example in terms of performance on the field, the way he trains and how he interacts with his team-mates.
"Away from the field he is central to the dressing-room camaraderie, which is essential for achieving successful results. Alan isn’t just a good team-mate, though – he is much, much more. He is also a loyal and dependable friend who will help anyone out where he can.
"Although his career might not be over, it's fair to say there are now more games behind him than in front. Alan, Richard Macadie, Davie and Ross Allan are now all that remain of the ‘golden generation', which of course provides Gary Manson with a huge task in replacing these stalwarts.
"When Alan finally decides to call time on his career it may present Gary with his biggest challenge in attempting to identify a replacement for such a unique individual.
"However, before that is considered, we have his testimonial, which is a fitting recognition for Alan’s commitment to the club over the past 14 seasons. The match provides not just Wick Academy fans but Caithness football fans in general with an opportunity to show their gratitude – he most certainly deserves it."
