Martin Gunn bows out for Academy
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AN eager 18-year-old watched from the sidelines as Wick Academy made their Highland League debut in 1994 with a 3-0 defeat against Cove Rangers in front of a crowd of 1055 spectators.
That youngster, who became a Scorries stalwart, was Martin Gunn and tomorrow he will be running on to Harmsworth Park for the final time – the last survivor of that original squad.
The 36-year-old, known as "Shoeshine", due to the family shoe retail business, will bring down the curtain on his 18-year career as a player at the club after making 416 appearances.
During his time at Harmsworth Park, Gunn has watched the club grow into a respected side within the league and has enjoyed every minute of being part of the set-up.
"If I look back at my time at Harmsworth Park, there is not one thing that I would have changed," he said. "You don’t really take into account how long you are going to spend at one club as when you are young you are only ever thinking about the next game.
"The time for me has passed really quickly – I was the youngest man in the team, I suddenly became the oldest!
"Stepping on to the pitch for the last time on Saturday will be a surreal experience because it has been a big part of my life."
As a teenager, his natural ability was spotted by Dundee United who signed him on a youth contract, but he decided to return to Caithness and join the Scorries in their debut year in the Highland League.
A creative midfield playmaker, he was previously selected for the Highland League North Select and during his time with Academy scored 84 goals, making him the club’s third highest goalscorer behind Richard Macadie and Gary Weir.
He also played in all three matches for the Scottish semi-professional squad in the 2004/2005 Home International Competition in Northern Ireland, and featured again in the May 2006 tournament in Sussex, describing it as the highest point in his career.
His only regret during his time at Harmsworth Park is that he never managed to lift any silverware.
"Playing in the North of Scotland Cup final against Forres Mechanics in 2010 was one of my most memorable moments as a player," he said. "But losing the game and it also being our first cup final was one of my lowest points as it would have been nice to have won a medal.
"But I have been privileged to be captain of the club for the past few years and it was a role that I have really enjoyed. I hope that I can play against Rothes on Saturday, but we’re still chasing a Challenge Cup spot and Davie Kirkwood will want to put out the best team possible to reach that aim."
Gunn is planning to take some time out of football and spend his weekends with his wife, Jill, and two children, Joanna (5) and Liam (1).
As well as getting on to the golf course more often, he hopes to eventually get back into football and is already in discussions with Wick Academy about a possible coaching role in the future.
