Stannergill Cup sponsor: ‘For there not to be a final at Castletown would be a crying shame’
Stannergill Cup sponsor Martin Murray said it was “the right time” for Dunnet Bay Distillers to back one of the Caithness AFA competitions.
The company, set up by Martin and his wife Claire, will produce its own Stannergill whisky from the renovated Castletown Mill on the outskirts of the village.
The trophy was introduced this season to replace the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, which was discontinued after the 2024 final.
The Colin Macleod Memorial Cup final was played at Back Park every year after being inaugurated in 2011 and the Stannergill Cup will carry on that tradition.
Fittingly, host club Castletown reached the first Stannergill Cup final only to lose 2-1 to Staxigoe United at the weekend.
Martin (44) is a former Castletown player who is still turning out for Thurso-based club Top Joe’s in the second division.
Speaking in the Back Park pavilion prior to kick-off on Saturday, Martin said: “It’s a cracking set-up they’ve got. It’s easily the best pitch in the county, so for there not to be a final on it would be a crying shame.
“I’ve played county football for something like 30 years, so it’s nice to be able to give something back to the sport.
“It’s the right time for us. The mill should be finished this year, we’re hoping September or October time. It’s in the final stages, so it’s nice to do the cup this year.
“The club has been good to me, even at youth level, taking the kids, and they put on a great day.”