Years gone by 1984/85

The 1984 local football season finished with Halkirk winning the County League with Pentland Utd and Wick Groats coming 2nd and 3rd. It was interesting to see Wick Caley and Dunbeath playing in that years 1st Division.

Wick Academy's season then kicked off with a greatly anticipated friendly against Hearts. The match against one of Scotland's biggest teams will go down as one of the biggest nights in Academy's history and a crowd of over 2000 packed into the Harmsworth.

Whilst a tremendous shot by a young Titchie Hughes put Academy into the lead the class and experience of Hearts finally shone through and they ran out 7 - 1 winners.The visitors team included such notables as Willie Johnston, Alec MacDonald,Henry Smith and Donald Park.

The game will also be remembered by many people for the appearance of Alec Banks and his video camera (then very much new technology) and "Snag's" impromptu penalty competition at half time.

Line up on the above Photo

 Back Row - John Robertson,Dave Bowman,Jimmy Bone,Dodo MacLean, Henry Smith,David Rosie, Derek O'Connor,Richard Hughes,McLaren,D.Taylor,Craig Levein,Ian Campbell,Andy Mackay,Andy Cormack

Front Row-G.Cowie,Steve Cowie,Kenny Black,Jocky Mackay,Donald Park,Gavin Andrews,Walter Kidd,Willie Wydmuch,Brian Whittaker,Raymond Taylor,Eoin MacIntosh,Alec Macdonald,Pat Miller,Willie Johnston,Jocky Begg,Ian Munro

The game was also notable as being the first time a programme was produced for a Wick Academy home game(see below).

Following the excitement of the visit of Hearts it was back to the North Of Scotland 2nd eleven League for Academy although those star hunters could go to the Portland Arms in July 1984 to see the Jock Wallace roadshow being put on by Lybster F.C.

The 84/85 season ended with no honours but did include a visit from the then Highland League Champions Inverness Caley in the North cup who beat Wick 3 - 0 in front of 500 fans with Pat Miller being voted man of the match.

The Qualifying cup campaign that year ended in the 2nd Round with a 5 - 1 away defeat from Peterhead.