Brora benefactor envisages stronger links with Wick Academy if Cattachs go up
Brora benefactor Ben Mackay believes it would be “massive for football in the north” if the Cattachs make the step up to League Two.
And he envisages stronger links with Wick Academy if the Sutherland club build on their treble triumph by navigating their way through the play-offs to earn a place in the SPFL next season.
Brora Rangers completed a clean sweep at the weekend by beating Fraserburgh in the Highland League Cup final at Grant Street Park in Inverness, having already won the Highland League title and North of Scotland Cup.
Mackay believes Brora are better placed than ever to win promotion to League Two.
They head to Lowland League champions East Kilbride in the first leg of the pyramid semi-final on Saturday, with the second leg taking place at Dudgeon Park on May 3.
Mackay insists the Cattachs are ready to enter a new era.
“We have the business plan in place to go up to League Two,” he said.
“We are more comfortable as a football club and we are ready for stepping up. We have never gone into play-off matches in such good condition.
“In the past, people have accused Brora Rangers of not wanting to be promoted, but Brora Rangers have never played a game of football where they have not tried to win.
“All these boys who have come to Brora Rangers want to progress their careers and play at the highest level they can. This club won’t deny them that opportunity.”
Mackay maintains there is a market for another team from the Highlands to compete at SPFL level and strengthen the identity of the region.
He says promotion for Brora would give footballers new opportunities and improve the standard of the game in the north.
He is sure that football fans in Sutherland, as well as Caithness and other parts of the Highlands, would get behind the club – resulting in bigger crowds at Dudgeon Park.
“It would be massive for football in the north,” Mackay said.
“If you look at the more senior players that come out of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County, they tend to go to Elgin City or Montrose because they are SPFL clubs. A few of those players would become available to Brora Rangers in the SPFL.
“There are also good players based in Caithness. Before Wick Academy joined the Highland League, Brora Rangers were a team made up of Sutherland and Caithness players.
“If we do get promoted to League Two, I could see stronger links between Brora Rangers and Wick Academy developing and the crowds would increase because of that.
“Having that level of senior football here, you could predict the excitement not just at Brora but from across Sutherland and Caithness.
“This week, I have had Brora Rangers fans from Thurso asking me for tickets for the East Kilbride game on Saturday. There is a real interest in the north to have a higher level of football, so if that can be with Brora Rangers then that would be fantastic.”
Brora’s signings have included former Inverness Caledonian Thistle players Wallace Duffy, Cammy Mackay and Shane Sutherland as well as Craig Mackenzie from Forres Mechanics and Connor Bunce from Clachnacuddin.
“We brought in players who wanted to win things,” Mackay said. “It’s easy for people to speak about money, but these boys, first and foremost in their minds, said they wanted to come to Brora to win medals.
“There haven’t been conversations regarding lengths of contracts and wages. I am more focused on the culture of the person than I have ever been.
“We are big on the individuals, and if they have a point to prove and if they have a big heart. Those are the types of individuals we want to sign.”
Steven Mackay returned to Dudgeon Park in April 2024 for his second spell as manager, following a stint in charge of Nairn County.
Ben Mackay said: “The manager knows this club inside out.
“Steven is a disciplined and thoughtful individual in everything he does.”