Inverurie Loco Works F.C. facts for kids
Full name | Inverurie Loco Works Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Locos, The Railwaymen | ||
Founded | 1902 | ||
Ground | Harlaw Park, Inverurie | ||
Capacity | 2,500 (175 seated) | ||
Chairman | Mike Macaulay | ||
Manager | Dean Donaldson | ||
League | Highland League | ||
2015–16 | Highland League, 6th | ||
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Inverurie Loco Works Football Club are a senior semi-professional football club from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who currently play in the Scottish Highland Football League (SHFL).
Contents
History
The club was founded in 1902 by workmen from the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR) who had their Locomotive, and Carriage and Wagon Workshops in Inverurie, from where the football club got its name. On National Railway Company 'Grouping' in 1923, the GNSR became part of the London & North Eastern Railway, one of the UK's big four railway companies at that time, and the football club lived on.
In the 1945-46 Aberdeenshire & District Junior League, Inverurie Locos scored 146 goals in 22 games, averaging 6.64 goals per game. They won the league that season, remaining unbeaten throughout the entire league campaign.
The Locomotive Workshops themselves were formally closed in 1970 on the forming of British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Railways Board at that time. Despite the closure, Inverurie Loco Works F.C. continued to play in the Aberdeenshire and North East Junior Leagues for many years.
Rising up from successful years in junior football, in 2001 the Locos applied for membership of the Highland League and were successful. In the 2003–04 season, the Locos came second in the league, two further consecutive 2nd place finishes followed in the seasons to come. In 2005, they first got their hands on silverware by winning the Scottish Qualifying Cup, then repeated the feat the next year. They also won the Aberdeenshire Shield after being runners up three times before winning the trophy. Then they won the Fosters Cup (League Cup) twice in two years, in 2007–08 and 2008–09. They also won the SFA North Region Challenge Cup in 2008–09.
In the 2008–09 Scottish Cup, the club were paired with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell at home. They reached the fourth round of the competition that season. After four postponements, the match was finally played at the fifth time of asking. Despite a capacity crowd watching, the Highland League outfit could not prevent a 3–0 loss to their top-flight opponents.
Harlaw Park
Inverurie Loco Works have played at Harlaw Park for their entire history. Originally, it was an open field, but now it is a fully-enclosed football ground with a seated grandstand and a standing shelter.
It currently has an approximate overall capacity of 2,500; 175 seated, and the rest standing.
In March 1931, a pavilion and a grandstand was opened and in 1950 the installation of new dressing rooms was completed. Harlaw Park got new turnstiles in 1962.
In 1981, the Banchory Golf Club clubhouse was re-located to Harlaw Park as the Social Club.
Floodlights which were surplus to requirements at Aberdeen Airport, and new dugouts were installed in August 1983. New changing rooms were built in 1992.
In preparation for Inverurie Locos first Highland League season (2001/02) £75,000 was spent on upgrading Harlaw Park and a new enclosure was opened for the 2002/03 season.
The 2012/13 season saw the current grandstand erected, replacing the old one.
Harlaw Park hosted UEFA Women's U17 Championship matches at the start of the 2013/14 season.
Players
Current squad
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Out on loan
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Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Dean Donaldson
- Assistant Coach: Jamie Lennox
- Assistant Coach: Greg Moir
- Assistant Coach: Kenny Clubb
- Goalkeeping Coach: John Farquhar
Other Teams
On the 8th of July 2022, Inverurie Loco Works announced the formation of a Ladies team. Inverurie Loco Works Ladies play in the SWFL North. The 2023 season was their first and they finished in 2nd place.
Inverurie Locos also have a Men's U18s team who play in the SHFL U18 East, and a Men's U21s team who play in the Aberdeenshire League.
Committee
- Chairman: Mike Macaulay
- Vice Chairman: Graeme Hay
- Treasurer: Jim Porter
- Secretary: Billy Thomson
- Football Operations: Scott Buchan
- Youth Academy: Gary Jamieson
Honours
First Team
Senior
- Highland League Cup: 2007–08, 2008–09
- Aberdeenshire Shield: 2003–04, 2013–14, 2016–17
- Scottish Qualifying Cup (North): 2004–05, 2005–06
- SFA North Challenge Cup: 2008–09
Junior
- North East Junior League: 1992–93, 1995–96, 1997–98
- Aberdeen & District League: 1924–25, 1925–26, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1942–43, 1945–46, 1954–55, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62
- North East Regional Cup: 1995–96, 2000–01
- Aberdeen & District League Cup: 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1931–32, 1945–46
- North East League Cup: 1986–87, 1988–89, 1991–92
- McLeman Cup: 1928–29, 1951–52, 1968–69
- Archibald Cup: 1928–29, 1932–33, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1954–55, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1968–69, 1980–81, 1999–2000
- North Drybrough Cup: 1968–69
- Duthie Cup: 1928–29, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1939–40, 1960–61
- Aberdeen County Trophy: 1912–13, 1913–14, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1939–40, 1942–43, 1944–45, 1954–55, 1960–61, 1961–62
- Jimmy Gibb Memorial Trophy: 1995–96, 1997–98
Youth Teams
Under 21s
- Aberdeenshire League: 2018–19, 2019–20
Under 18s
- Highland League U18 East: 2022–23
- Highland League U18 Championship: 2022–23