The Football Journals

This week we were joined by former Celtic, Montrose, Elgin, Keith and Vale winger Sean Keith. Lee was of course delighted to finally get someone who has been at Celtic at some point in their football career! From playing with a young Si Ferry in a talented Celtic youth team to playing alongside his brother in a fantastic Keith side. It was great to look back on seans storied career and chat throug...

In what is sadly our last world cup special episode ( Thanks Steve Clarke!) we discuss Scotland demise from the tournament, what could have Clarke done differently and whos next in line for the job next. In what has been a great tournament so far we also looked at the stars producing for the nations and who could potentially go on to be the best player in the tournament. Our usual guest episodes r...

In Part 2 of this episode—recorded live on Friday, June 19th—the team breaks down the massive, high-stakes matchup as Scotland prepares to go toe-to-toe with Morocco. Can the Tartan Army unlock the Atlas Lions, or will Morocco's tactical discipline prove too much? We dig deep into the tactical previews, predicted lineups, and exactly what Scotland needs to do to keep their World Cup dream aliv...

We're taking a break from our usual format for a couple of weeks as we look at the world cup 2026! Its been 28 years since Scotland were last in the competition so we looked at Scotland's chances of actually making it out of the group stages, some players to look out for during the tournament, potential top scorers and surprise dark horses for the competition. Another episode covering the...

Back in the studio this week for a brilliant chat with Keith FC stalwart Charlie Simpson, a true Kynoch Park legend and a man with an incredible depth of knowledge and passion for the club. We take a deep dive into the rich history of Keith FC, reflecting on some of the club’s most successful Highland League eras, iconic teams, and unforgettable characters from years gone by. Charlie shares fantas...

This week we were joined an official partner of the podcast, Moray and Banff referee association. We spoke to Harry, Stuart and Megan on all things refereeing, their own journeys behind the whistle. This episode is a great insight into just what life is like behind the whistle and the fantastic opportunities being a referee has brought them. We were also promoting the upcoming national referee cou...

In episode 67 of The Football Journals, I sit down to chat with former Buckie Thistle chairman Mark Duncan. I have been covering the Buckie Thistle back to back HL triumphs era on the podcast for a while now, with many names from that squad appearing on the show the last couple of years. Having read Mark's book recently, on the success of the club at the time, it was time to get a man who had...

Episode 66 of The Football Journals features long time Buckie Thistle legend Dezzy Strong, first as a player and now as a coach, coming up to twenty years of service with the club. Dezzy was in to chat to me about his early days at Elgin City, Wick Academy, and his tenure throughout the years at Buckie, including his experience of being involved in the back to back Highland league wins, amongst ma...

After months of negotiations we finally have our much requested (mostly by me!) guest in the form of former highland league midfielder Martin McMullan. In this episode we get the insight into his fantastic football career which is still going strong to this day. In our longest ever episode we delved into a career full of ups and downs including winning silverware early on in his career, being part...

Episode 64 features Highland League legendary goalkeeper Kev Main. With over two decades in the game and hundreds of appearances across the Highland League, Kev shares stories from his time at Buckie Thistle, Lossiemouth, Turriff United and Formartine United. We talk about winning league titles with Buckie Thistle, the mentality required to play goalkeeper at a high level for so long, and what it’...

This week we were joined by one of the nicest guys in football in former Lossiemouth captain Kev Stuart. From early days in Elgin youth through to captaining a Highland League team, we had a fantastic look back on Kevs career. The defender shared stories about winning silverware early in his career which gave him a push on to go and play at a higher level. With a goal as a young man to just simply...

This week on The Football Journals, Lee sits down with a man who is Lossiemouth born and bred: the one and only Kevin Flett. Kev’s story is a rare journey through every level of his hometown’s footballing identity. From cutting his teeth in the North Juniors with Lossiemouth United to his iconic years as the captain of Lossiemouth FC at Grant Park, Kev has lived and breathed the red and white. We...

In this episode, host Lee sits down with one of football journalism’s sharpest minds — Mark Critchley — to dive deep into the world behind the press passes, the headlines, and those unforgettable football moments. Mark, a respected reporter formerly with The Athletic, shares what it’s really like being in press conferences with José Mourinho, breaking major stories (including the time he revealed...

Where do I start to begin with this weeks episode, a man who has seen thousands of players develop from a young age in Moray for the past 40 years, many of whom have went on to have great careers. This week in studio I have legendary youth coach Tiger Porter! Elgin Boys club, Deveronside, New Elgin and Head of youth development are some of the many roles Tiger has held locally and we looked back o...

A very happy new year to you all! This weeks episode is with fellow local football content creator Matty Slinger who talked to us about his channel  @ScotchAndScarves  as well as the latest in his local football travels and what's happening with MMHFC since we last spoke. Matty happens to be the first ever returning guest on the show as he also featured in episode 20 alongside fellow Moray Men...

With over a 60 year association with the club close to his heart, we caught up Cecil Jack, a current director and groundsman for the black and whites who has seen it all over the years at the club! From early days selling raffles in the 1950s to his current role in the boardroom, Cecil gave us a great insight to the club! We also find out just how he keeps Borough Briggs looking so good ( he happe...

Continuing our theme of a Highland League winter of guests, we spoke to former Lossie, Vale and Rothes goalie Mini McConnachie! Over almost two hours we done a deep dive on Minis career from early days at Elgin to actually still playing in the Highland League at the age of 42! Some hilarious stories from the shot stopper and the truth behind why a number of ex Football Journals guests think he&#39...

This is an episode I've been wanting to do for a good while now and thankfully I managed to make it happen. The human encyclopaedia of the Highland league and long standing servant of Buckie Thistle football Easton agreed to talk to me on his knowledge of Buckie Thistle and the Highland League as a whole! Due to connection issue there is a small part of it the connection/sound is inaudible but...

No guest this episode as scheduling hasn't worked out this week but schedule shall resume as normal next episode with a big guest! This week in the meantime though we recorded a little episode fresh of the back of a controversial Glasgow Derby, we talked a lot about current events and football and we also decided to build the ultimate XI of guests we have had so far. In what was a great chance...

What an episode we have for you this week! Former Elgin, Leicester, Everton, Besiktas and Scotland midfielder Ian Wilson talked to us this week about his fantastic career in the game which culminated in playing for his country against the likes of Brazil and England. The former Leicester captain recalled some great memories from his time in the game which featured early days in Scotland and eventu...

What better man to speak about the black and whites than Elgin City's Supporters Liaison officer , social media whizz and all round superfan of the club Michael Allan. For the past 20 years he has followed the club through thick and thin and travelled the length of country in doing so! From the glory of the playoffs to the lows of a famous cup defeat this isn't an episode you want to miss!...

n this special episode, we sit down with former Fraserburgh goalkeeper Billy Gordon , whose time between the sticks earned him a reputation as one of the Highland League’s most dependable and passionate shot-stoppers. Billy opens up about: His early journey through grassroots football and how he found his calling in goal The Fraserburgh years : the club’s unique culture, memorable cup runs, and wh...

There is no better way to celebrate 2 years of the football journals than an episode very close to my heart , on the club I formed with a friend in 2024. From what started as an idea in a car journey on the way to a game , it turned into a labour of love for us all and helped the club build a great base and finish in a very respectable position in its first season in the league. 2 players and the...

In this episode of The Football Journals Podcast, I'm joined by none other than Scott Barbour; Fraserburgh FC's all-time top goalscorer, former Formartine United forward, and a true legend of the Highland League. With a career defined by blistering pace, clinical finishing, and unwavering loyalty to the Broch, Scott shares his journey from his early days at Fraserburgh to becoming a record...

Amazingly we have reached episode 50! What better way to take the milestone with Biscuits, a man who has been mentioned many times by previous guest, in the studio to tell his own story ! The former highland league player of the year had us in stitches for almost 2 hours with some hilarious stories from his own career. Thank for supporting us through the first 50 episodes! We look forward to bring...