Mackay considers calling time after Highland Amateur Cup success with Pentland United
Sam Mackay is considering calling time on his football career after helping Pentland United to win the Highland Amateur Cup for a record-extending ninth time.
The 35-year-old former Wick Academy midfielder indicated after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Avoch at Harmsworth Park that it might prove to be his last competitive outing as a player.
Mackay played a key role in a successful 2024 campaign for the Stabbies as they lifted the county league title for the second time in three years and also collected the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup.
“As soon as we got to the Highland Amateur Cup final and it was decided it was going to be at the Harmsworth it felt like it was written in the stars that we were going to win the game,” Mackay said as he proudly showed off his medal in the shadow of the main stand at Academy’s home ground.
“Obviously I spent most of my career here, and to win the treble – the league trophy, the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup and now the Highland Amateur Cup – has been really special this season. It wouldn’t be a bad way to go out.
“I’ll think things over. I enjoy playing the game, it’s just the days after that I struggle with. It catches up on the body a wee bit.
“The brain is still working well, I can see things and do things – or I think I can do things!”
Seven-times winners Avoch, the Inverness and District FA Premier Division champions, had gone into the match hoping to draw level with United who had won it on eight previous occasions.
“It wasn’t my best game today,” Mackay said. “Cup finals tend to be a battle more than finesse. It was always going to be a tight game.
“Avoch have got a great history in the cup as well, obviously, but we’re delighted to get it to nine and keep them on seven.”
Mackay left Academy in 2020 after 11 years, having started out in the Highland League at Brora Rangers before a spell with Deveronvale.
A former Scotland schoolboy international, he made 350 competitive appearances for the Scorries and scored 144 goals for them.
He works as a mechanical technician at Vulcan.
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Mackay praised veteran goalkeeper Michael Gray for his heroics in Saturday’s final. The 48-year-old co-manager, deputising for the injured Owen Gordon, pulled off a penalty save when the Stabbies were a goal down and produced a vital fingertip save in stoppage time.
“I’m absolutely delighted for Michael,” Mackay said. “He puts so much into the club.
“This club has been his life, basically, and he said himself before the game it has been the worst week of his footballing career, trying to get a goalkeeper,
“Michael is still quality. You saw that today. He just didn’t want to be in the net – he’d rather be on the sidelines.
“But we were confident in Michael and I’m delighted for him and everyone connected with the club as well.
“Our game management has been really good all season. We’ve found a way to win with a last-minute winner in the Colin Macleod final against Wick Groats and we won the league in Wick with the last kick of the ball.
“We just don’t know when we’re down and out, and it’s testament to the players. It has been a fantastic effort from everyone.”
