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Gallacher is grateful to get his chance with Wick Academy





Lewis Gallacher during Wick Academy’s match against Buckie Thistle at the end of December. Picture: Mel Roger
Lewis Gallacher during Wick Academy’s match against Buckie Thistle at the end of December. Picture: Mel Roger

Goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher says he is grateful to have been handed the chance to play at Highland League level and is keen to help Wick Academy move up the table in the closing few months of the campaign.

The 21-year-old, who is studying to become a PE teacher, signed for the Harmsworth Park club in December just as it was announced that the Scorries’ established number one, Graeme Williamson, was leaving to take up a new job in the south.

Gallacher rated Williamson as one of the best keepers in the league and he is determined to repay the faith shown in him by manager Gary Manson.

“I had conversations with Gary at the start of the season,” Gallacher said. “We didn’t know Graeme was going to leave.

“That’s as good a goalie as you’re going to get at Highland League level and I am fortunate to have trained with him over the last few years.

“I’m grateful to Gary for the opportunity to play for Wick.”

Academy have lost their last seven games in all competitions, so the focus is on putting together an improved run of results once the action resumes.

“Of course you want to get results on the board, but the squad has been ravaged with injuries – and that’s not an excuse,” Gallacher said.

“But of course I’m looking forward to the next few months. We’ve got opportunities to pick up points and I hope I can play my part in that.

“It’s a team effort and we have a great bunch of boys going forward.”

Gallacher has just begun a work placement at Wick High School as part of his Edinburgh University course, MA Physical Education. He is aiming to graduate in July before starting his probationary year.

Born in Inverness, he lived in Newtonmore for about 10 years before moving to Caithness with his family in 2014.

“That’s when I became a goalie,” Gallacher pointed out. “I was a centre-back, would you believe!”

By the age of 15 he was part of the High Ormlie Hotspur team that would secure promotion to the top flight of Caithness summer football under manager Ewan McElroy.

Lewis Gallacher saving a penalty in the shoot-out to help High Ormlie Hotspur win the Highland Amateur Cup in 2022. Picture: James Gunn
Lewis Gallacher saving a penalty in the shoot-out to help High Ormlie Hotspur win the Highland Amateur Cup in 2022. Picture: James Gunn

He went on to play a key role as Hotspur famously lifted the Highland Amateur Cup in 2022, earning the man-of-the-match award in the final against Pentland United after saving two penalties in the shoot-out.

He also played for McElroy at Halkirk United in the North Caledonian League.

“I’m quite fortunate that I’ve been given the opportunity to play at these levels,” Gallacher said. “That season in the second division, High Ormlie had a group of boys that were at a level where they had to go up, and Ewan took a gamble on a 15-year-old goalie.

“Then he takes over at Halkirk United and puts in a 16 or 17-year-old goalkeeper there. I would attribute a good bit of thanks to Ewan.”

A former pupil of Thurso High School, Gallacher was part of the youth system with Caithness United and then Academy across the various age groups.

“I’ve known these boys for a long time,” he says of the majority of his Wick team-mates. “That makes it easier.”

Gallacher played for Edinburgh University in the Lowland League and Scottish Cup.

“It was a great experience in Lowland League football,” he said. “The physicality is similar to the Highland League.

“In terms of experience I’ve played a fair few games so far, and that’s down to a lot of the coaches that have put their faith in me.”

Gallacher was between the posts in the two games Academy played in December, a 4-1 defeat away to Deveronvale followed by a 3-0 loss at home to Buckie Thistle.

Last Saturday’s scheduled encounter with Clachnacuddin was among a full set of Highland League postponements and Manson’s side remain 15th in the table.

Gallacher signed for the Scorries at the same time as Euan Kennedy joined on loan from Ross County. Kennedy, another ex-Caithness United player, has been impressing in Ross County’s under-18 squad.

Gallacher describes the teenager as “a fantastic player”.

He said: “I can’t rate Euan Kennedy highly enough. I back him to make his mark on the league soon enough. Unfortunately he wasn’t there for the Buckie game, but he’ll do well.”


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