Background

When I started this journey a couple of years ago, there were a few clubs I had on a mental bucket list. There are so many unbelievable football venues around the country and a huge number of clubs with immense stories to tell. The superb amphitheatre of Pollok’s Newlandsfield was up there. Ayr United’s home was unbelievable to visit. Gayfield Park was a pleasure.

This weekend, I’ll be visiting a club that have been pretty high up the bucket list. I first became properly away of today’s hosts through the BBC documentary ‘The Fort’. It told the tale of Fort William’s 69-game winless run, something that just seemed unprecedented when watching. The scenery of Claggan Park caught my eye, as well as the incredible narrative of the club’s struggles on the pitch.

However, Fort William have a lot more history than their recent troubles. Founded in 1974, the club began their footballing adventures by mostly playing friendlies and local (ish) cup competitions. They joined the North Caledonian League 1984, having some success in their first few years in the cups. They did win the division outright in 1985, making it their only league competition win to date. After this success, the club were finally admitted into the Highland League after over 10 years of trying. Life started okay for The Fort in the division, finishing mid to lower-table in the first decade. The story starts to take a downturn from here though. The club finished bottom of the league 17 out of 26 times since the 96/97 season, with their highest position in that time being 13^th out of 17 teams. This even involved Lochaber local and TV producer Paul McDonald unveiling a vision for the club in 2008. He planned to create a reality TV show surrounding the fortunes of the club – with ambitions to build the ultimate underdog story. This did not come to fruition.

Since then, Fort William’s time in the Highland League have come to an end. After another bottom-placed finish, the club were relegated back to the North Caledonian League after forfeiting their play-off against Banks O’Dee.

Since relegation though, Fort William’s win percentage has certainly gone up. Currently, the club sit in 3^rd place behind Loch Ness and Invergordon. This weekend, they take on mid-table Inverness Athletic, a match The Fort are sure to be favourites for. I’m excited to take it all in for the very first time.

Facilities

Claggan Park is a hidden gem close to Fort William’s town centre. There’s not much bar a few houses and an industrial estate around it, but once you’ve parked up and entered the outdoor concourse, there is genuine beauty awaiting. The pitch lies at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest point in Great Britain. The view is incredibly picturesque, particularly with the settled snow in the surrounding mountains. I’ve never experienced anything like it at a sporting arena, and it is crazy to me that this is a Fort William supporter’s view every other week. I can’t imagine there being many other grounds with this environment. Photos don’t do it justice.

The ground itself is humble in terms of actual facilities. There are two small but useful stands to take in the game, as well as a wooden fence behind the goal which serves its purpose even if it is a little far away from the action. On the far side lies another standing area – which looks a bit worse for wear. It is condemned and fenced off but is a unique reminder of the history that the club have at Claggan Park.

Overall, I had been looking forward to visiting Fort William’s home and it certainly did not disappoint. It is a genuinely beautiful place to watch football and somewhere I think every football fan has to come visit. The easiest 5/5 I think I’ll ever give for facilities.

Atmosphere

It was heartening to see a decent number of supporters at today’s encounter, ranging in ages and experience. Fort William itself is a little isolated, and so it makes a lot of sense for locals to come out and support the town’s club. With Fort William becoming more and more stable on the park, hopefully these numbers rise as time goes on. Overall, it was a friendly atmosphere with plenty of laughs and old pals catching up. 2/5.

Quality of the Match

After an impeccably observed minutes silence, the game began with hurried expectation from the home support. Both sides started well, trying to gain the upper hand in midfield but it was the hosts who carved the first chance of the match. After some pressure, a corner to the back post was met by Lerlah Hay. His strike goalward was powerful but was met well by Inverness ‘keeper Aidan Colligan.

Inverness Athletic gained some momentum of their own and probably should have gone a goal ahead on 15 minutes. A Fraser Russell corner into the centre of the box found an unmarked Luke Mackay, whose unopposed glancing header went just wide of the post. A golden opportunity.

The Fort’s Juan Cardona looked dangerous and came close with longer range left footed efforts, but with each one going just wide of the post, it looked to be a frustrating afternoon for the hosts thus far.

Inverness went close once more. Fort William’s inability to pick up at corners almost hurt them. Another ball into the box found Sam Ross. Unmarked on the penalty spot, he really should have done better with his headed effort.

Fort William did put any nerves at bay 3 minutes before the half-time whistle. It was their turn to cause chaos from a corner, with a swung in effort nodded home by the majestically named Farquar Macrae. It took the hosts into the break feeling much better about themselves.

Half Time: Fort William 1-0 Inverness Athletic

Inverness came out of the blocks quickly in the second period. Yet another dangerous corner resulted in a header goalward. The slightest but most incredibly important touch from ‘keeper Kit Fletcher deflected the ball onto the bar, with the rebound falling into the stopper’s arms. A scare for the hosts.

From there though, Fort William pushed themselves into top gear and doubled their lead. Some excellent play down Fort’s right-hand side resulted in a cross toward the back post. Ross Peters met the ball well, playing it across goal to teammate Finlay MacDonald. The midfielder dove forward to head the ball into the corner to give the hosts a two-goal lead.

It should have been 3 soon after. Some good play down the left saw the ball cut back, with the strike being well saved by Colligan. The resulting rebound was a whirlwind, the two shots being blocked on the line in quick succession. Inverness breathed a sigh of relief.

Colligan was once again called into action again though. A free-kick fired into his near post was well saved.

Having been my player of the match, Lerlah Hay had two wonderful opportunities to cap his impressive performance with a goal. The winger was sent clean through on goal, but with just the ‘keeper to beat, he could only blast his effort over the bar. Then, with the ball falling to him inside the box, his effort was dragged well wide of the goal. It would have surely been the icing on the cake for Fort William.

Full-Time: Fort William 2-0 Inverness Athletic.

Overall, I feel this was a fairly entertaining spectacle. Both times went for it in battling fashion, and eventually I feel the better team won. Fort William ultimately had the better quality going forward, and bar some poor finishing should perhaps have won by a larger margin. I was particularly impressed with Lerlah Hay, who caused problems for the Inverness back-line all afternoon. It was a shame he couldn’t cap off his performance with his name on the score sheet.

I felt Inverness played their part in this encounter and will be disappointed not to have at least scored. They had a few clear chances from set-pieces and will be hoping to make better of them in future fixtures. I hope to head up to the city once more to see them play at home.

I feel this fixture’s battling intensity and decent quality deserves a good 2.5/5.

Pricing

Like all games in Tier 6, the pricing is unbelievably good. Entry to one of the most iconic grounds in the country costs a measly fiver, with food and drink priced just as well. This sort of cost cannot be beaten and it deserves the full 5/5.

Final Score

Fort William end the weekend with two goals, three points and a score of 14.5/20 from me. I genuinely loved my time at Claggan Park. It felt good to tick off one of my bucket list grounds, take in the scenery and be entertained by a team who look to be heading back up the Scottish football pyramid. I sincerely hope the club manage to continue their upward momentum to bring back a superb away day to the Highland League. Football fans, get yourself along. You won’t regret it.

– Connor