The Valley Spy Visits

'Vale made the trip to face their Banffshire rivals in a vital Highland League fixture as the quest for Highland League glory reaches the final stages. A healthy 'Vale support made the short journey to Victoria Park buoyed by the fact that the 'Burgh had lost the previous Saturday and that one point would see 'Vale top the league.
Buckie Thistle boast a proud history, having endured much cleaning of silverware over the years. This included an elusive treble in the 1950's. In recent years they have not seen as much success, but the management duo of Scott and Anderson have performed minor miracles in the past three seasons at Buckie. It is now known that the former 'Vale managers have resigned from Buckie. The Spy at the time of writing this report recognises that Alan Scott may be sailing up the Deveron to take charge of Huntly. Whether his partner joins him has still to be confirmed, but whatever let's hope they find Huntly. A recent traveller to the area stopped to enquire how to get to the Strathbogie town. The response from North-East man was that it's someway between Foggieloan and Aberchirder!
Now the Spy has a soft spot for Buckie having resided for a time in the West end of Findochty, a time that much to the delight of the Spy saw the picturesque fishing village obtain a local hostelry for the first time in their history. The Spy was a recent visitor to the local High School to see his daughter compete in the musician of the year competition. The performances were musical treats to make you greet. Now genealogist can find no trace of the his daughter's musical talent coming for himself, but the Spy is convinced that her musical ability has came from year's of her father singing 'Where hast thou been since I saw thee' on the terraces of Highland League grounds.
The love of Deveronvale means that the Spy is back in his beloved Banff now following the fortunes of Deveronvale. This season has provided many with moments that 'Vale supporters thought they would never witness. There have been staunch 'Vale supporters who sadly have passed and been denied the joy of this remarkable season. There are many others who if the 'Vale do win the league this season have openly said that they will die happy. Deveronvale means so much to so many connected with the Banff and Macduff area.
But up there in the 'Vale supporters club in heaven they too will be watching over the next fortnight. Nobody can deny that during the season there have been elements of fortune - let's hope this continues over the next three games.
There is a story about Dod and Sandy two staunch 'Vale supporters who went to 'Vale matches together. Sandy suffered an illness and after a period of time in Banff Hospital, full-time blew on his time as a 'Vale supporter. Dod comforted Sandy's widow as they made their way back from the hospital. She stated that although he had died that he looked very peaceful. Dod agreed an added ' that last two weeks at Chalmers had done him the world o'good'. The report on the game itself is found elsewhere on this website, however the Valley Spy was in Buckie to check out what following Deveronvale is all about.

Pre-Match Refreshments
A sizable travelling support arrived in Buckie to sample the Social Club. The club is on the main street in Buckie and benefits from a bar with regalia of football teams throughout the UK and a large function area where Buckwegians can enjoy their drink at much-subsidized prices and debate who their next manager will be.

Valley Spy Rating 4/5

Catering Facilities
The pie-shop at Buckie is conveniently situated beside the turnstiles. The Spy is indebted to a colleague from Buckie for advising him of the following stories. Regulars to Victoria Park will know that the pie-shop is housed at a lower level than the terracing. During one game a Buckie supporter had purchased a number of pies and was making his way back to the terrace when the stand side linesman gave an offside decision against Buckie. The supporter without thought to his hunger, started running and was gesticulating at the poor match official - the pies left his hand and guess where they landed - on the linesman.
The second even more 'serious' incident can only be described as 'pie -gate'. The story goes that at the end of every match it was the policy at Buckie to store the unsold pies in the freezer. Out came the pies for the next game, and again at the end of the match the unsold pies would go back to the freezer. Now it is not known if there is any science to this practice in that first pie out the freezer was the first sold. Furthermore the policy may be long discontinued, but hungry as he was the Spy decided against sampling a Buckie pie at the match. That being said the goods on offer were all reasonably priced and served by hard working personnel.

Valley Spy Rating 3/5

Ground Conditions
The ground at Buckie has seen improvements over the years. The enclosure was refurbished during the 1989 centenary year .The stand has been reclad recently and overall the ground is neatly maintained. However, it always seems to be windy at Victoria, which probably is responsible for the cliché - a game of two halves.

Valley Spy Rating 4/5

Banter
The website provides a forum for fans to provide their comments and views on issues about Deveronvale. Some Buckie supporters have expressed concern about the language used by some of the Valley Crew. The Spy has always taken the view that supporters should concentrate on supporting their team, but there must always be a place for good-natured banter between the supporters. It is part of the friendly rivalry in the Highland League. The Spy believes the comments of the Valley Skinhead that Valley Crew do not swear is perhaps stretching the truth.
At a time when chemists in Banff and Macduff are reporting no sales in laxative, perhaps the supporter can be forgiven for the odd outburst the game. There was definitely a terrific atmosphere at the game and the roar was heard inside the hooses o' Buckie when the ' Vale scored.

Valley Spy Rating 4/5

The Match
An exciting scoring draw - we are nearing the final showdown!

Valley Spy Rating 4/5

Final Score 19/25