There’s a famous football team…they wear the famous green and white…
Football fever has gripped Buckie and Jags midfielder, Marcus Goodall, went for a kick around with school pupils ahead of his club’s Scottish Cup game on Sunday (21 January) against Celtic.
The game's being heralded the biggest match in Buckie Thistle’s proud 139-year history, coming hot off the heels of a 3-2 victory over Huntly and a massive 8-1 finish against Forres Mechanics.
Marcus’ visit to Buckie’s Cluny and Milbank primary schools celebrated the upcoming Scottish Cup clash in partnership with Buckie Active Schools & Buckie Thistle Football Club.
The local loon, who established himself in the Jags midfield after converting from a striker last season, put on a number of football-based activities and spoke to pupils about his career.
Marcus said he had a “buzzing day”: “Our Scottish Cup Final match against Celtic is going to be like a dream come true, and while we all know we’re going against a bigger club, there’s nothing that can beat the support we get from the Buckie community, and it really going to spur us on. I hope my visit has fired the kids up to support us from all the way up here and we’ll hear them from Parkhead!”
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s Services and Leisure Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson said: “Given a lot of pupils and staff at the Buckie primary schools are Jags fans everyone is talking about the team’s big match at Celtic Park at the weekend.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to partner with Buckie Thistle FC and that Marcus spent so much time with the pupils during an extremely big week in his playing career. We wish the whole team the best against Celtic and look forward to seeing them in the next round."
Cluny Primary Acting Depute Head Teacher Diane Anderson said: "There's a real buzz about the place, the kids are really excited about Sunday and it was super to see Marcus back. He was one of our pupils so to get him back and see him developing our next group of kids who want to play football is just great."
Millbank Primary head teacher Kirsty Moneagle said: "It's fantastic for Marcus to come in and work for the children, they're so excited because it's such a big event for the club and for the town."
Moray Council’s Active Schools programme is a partnership organised by national sporting agency Sport Scotland to improve sporting opportunities for children and young people.
Visit www.sportinmoray.co.uk to see activities available through Moray Council’s Active Schools programme.