Wick Academy ‘definitely capable of getting into top half’, says new signing Euan Kennedy
Euan Kennedy is confident that Wick Academy can achieve a top-half finish in the Highland League if they continue where they left off at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The highly rated young forward spent the second half of the season on loan with the Scorries and has now signed a long-term deal with the club after spending five years in the Ross County youth set-up.
Highland League champions Brora Rangers made a late approach but Kennedy kept his commitment to Wick.
Kennedy scored 18 goals in all competitions for the Staggies’ under-18s last season, helping the Dingwall outfit to win the Club Academy Scotland (CAS) Cup for that age group. He found the net three more times at Highland League level after his loan move to Academy in December.
Kennedy, a former Thurso High School pupil who turned 18 in April, will start an electrical engineering apprenticeship at Vulcan in August.
After joining Ross County as a 13-year-old, it was inevitable that he would have to get used to long journeys from the family home near Halkirk to attend training and games. His dad, Alan, has calculated the overall distance covered as more than 70,000 miles across those five years.
County wanted Kennedy to be part of their new under-19 side, although that wouldn’t have been on a pro contract.
Reflecting on his final year at the Global Energy Stadium, he said: “Probably the biggest highlight was winning the CAS Cup.
“Other highlights would be scoring four goals against Inverness Caley Thistle in the derby, and in the Scottish Youth Cup we had a good run. We beat Hibs away from home – they actually won the Elite league this year, so they could be said to be the best team in Scotland.”
Together with fellow Wick Academy teenagers George Ewing and Owen Bain, Kennedy was part of the North of Scotland Schools’ Football Association senior boys’ select that won the Scottish National Trophy.
Academy had a strong finish to the season, going on a seven-game unbeaten run at one point, with six wins and an away draw, although ultimately they had to settle for 14th place in the table.
Kennedy is impressed with the spirit in the Wick squad as they look ahead to the 2025/26 season, starting with a visit to Deveronvale on July 26 after a series of summer friendlies.
“It’s a good bunch of lads,” he said. “You’ve just got to aim to have a positive impact and move forward into this season.
“We’re definitely capable of getting into the top half. There are loads of talented footballers, so really it’s just trying to get the best out of everyone.
“You can tell by the run that we had at the end of last season – we got a bit of form and kept riding it.
“There was a real confidence going into every game, with no fear, trying to come away with the best result possible.
“I’d like us to start where we left off last season, keep performing to a high level and not go through dry patches of no wins or not getting good performances.
“Hopefully I can score some goals and help the team as much as possible.”
Kennedy has demonstrated his versatility by featuring in most outfield roles. As for his favoured position, he said: “I get asked that quite a lot and there is no real answer! I would put myself as an attacking player... I kind of play wherever.
“For County, I played near enough every position except centre-back. Maybe defensive midfielder as well, I didn’t really play there – but everywhere else, I at least had some minutes played.”
As well as targeting a higher position in the league, Kennedy is hoping the Scorries can have a decent run in the Scottish Cup.
“It would be good to relive playing against a team like Falkirk [in the third round in 2022]. It would be great to do something like that again, get a big team at home, get a big crowd along and hopefully go as far as possible.”
Kennedy’s progression through the youth ranks at a professional club is a clear illustration of the potential pathway offered by Caithness United. He was with Caithness United from age of 10, playing for the under-13s.
Before putting pen to paper for Academy on a three-year deal, Kennedy politely turned down a late expression of interest from Brora.
“They came in as a last-minute kind of thing,” he said. “I had a long conversation with their manager [Steven Mackay] and it did turn my head.
“But after having a good think, definitely Wick was my priority and I’m just delighted to sign for them.”
Manager Gary Manson said: “I’m delighted Euan is with us permanently now. He is exactly the type of person and player that I like to work with, someone who gives his all to everything and has the ability to go along with it.
“He’s another top young player to add to the group.
“He showed last season he can perform at Highland League level and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses this season.”