Forres Mechanics Football Club are a senior Scottish association football club from the town of Forres, Moray, currently playing in the Highland Football League.[1] They play at the town's Mosset Park. Forres Mechanics are the oldest association football club in the North of Scotland and are one of only two original teams to play in the Highland League since its first season in 1893,[2] the other being Clachnacuddin.

Forres Mechanics
Full nameForres Mechanics Football Club
Nickname(s)The Can Cans
Founded1884; 140 years ago (1884)
GroundMosset Park, Forres
Capacity2,700 (502 seated)
ChairmanDavid MacDonald
ManagerSteven MacDonald
LeagueHighland League
2023–24Highland League, 14th of 18

History

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Their unusual name is variously stated to come from the town's Mechanics Institute or most likely when a group of craftsmen or mechanics split from an earlier Forres team to form their own club.[3] Forres Mechanics have won the Highland league twice: in the 1985–86 season and in the 2011–12 season.[4]

On 26 November 2016, Forres Mechanics played their most high-profile match in recent years when they held League One side Stenhousemuir to a 2–2 draw in 2016–17 Scottish Cup, however they lost 3–1 in the replay. During the 2020–21 season, which was greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Forres withdrew from the Highland League before returning the following season. [5]

Honours

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  • Highland Football League: 1985–86, 2011–12
  • League Cup: 1946–47, 1954–55, 1984–85, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2009–10
  • North of Scotland Cup: 1907–08, 1926–27, 1935–35, 1957–58, 1966–67, 1986–87, 2004–05, 2010–11
  • Inverness Cup: 1985–86, 1989–90, 2005–06
  • Scottish Qualifying Cup (North): 1963–64
  • Scottish Supplementary Cup (North): 1954–55
  • Elgin District Cup: 1892–93, 1893–94, 1894–95, 1899–1900, 1900–01, 1904–05, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1926–27, 1932–33, 1933–34
  • Elginshire Charity Cup: 1901–02, 1902–03, 1907–08, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1912–13

Management

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  • Manager: Steven MacDonald
  • Assistant Manager: Steven MacLean
  • Coach: Fraser Bremner

References

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  1. ^ Highland Football League. "Forres Mechanics F.C." Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Home". highlandfootballleague.com.
  3. ^ Watson, Colin (1985). Forres Mechanics: the First Hundred Years. Forres Mechanics F.C.
  4. ^ Christie, Craig (8 May 2012). "Emotional Rowley acclaims Forres title success". The Northern Scot. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  5. ^ Pollock, Donald (28 November 2020). "Covid in Scotland: Forres Mechanics take break from league". BBC News. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
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57°36′45.47″N 3°36′54.49″W / 57.6126306°N 3.6151361°W / 57.6126306; -3.6151361