Alex Grant

DOB: 07/10/57

Briefly outline your football career prior to joining Deveronvale.

1975-1981 Royal Marines and Royal Navy Team 1981-82 Rothes Deveronvale Nairn County Islavale Rothes 1993-95 Forres Mechanics 1995 Deveronvale

Which year(s) did you play for Deveronvale? Who signed you for the club, and what attracted you to join ?

1st time Ken Tedcastle 2nd time Brian Stewart First time I knew Alan Duguid from Aberdeen who was involved with an insurance company. A lot of nice guys playing at the time, and there was a happy atmosphere. Alex & Ian Cormack, Alan Duguid, Ian Thain, David Clerihew, Chubber, James Pirie, Kevin Henderson.

What are your fondest memories of your time with the club?

Can't remember...must be Alzheimers !!! Had a lot of good times with Allan Forbes on his drinking sprees, and playing cards. Quite a character off and on the park ( Sorry Alex, can't print the rest of that story ! MTT )

What is the most memorable game(s) you played in for Vale, and why?

Aberdeenshire Cup Final v Huntly in April 1986. We lost the game 4-0 and I ended up in hospital overnight with concussion. Can't remember a lot about it, but they gave me a medal, and I did not know why due to the concussion !

Who were the characters at the club ?

Alex Cormack - Always moaning Ian Thain - never stopped speaking James Pirie - always up for a 'card school' on the bus home from games !!!

Who were the best players you played with at the Vale and why?

Ian Thain - great goalkeeper, and good organiser at the back. Trevor Beagrie - good centre-half Alan Duguid - good passer of the ball, and accurate over distance.

And who were the best players you played against, and why?

Lots - far too many to mention ! But if I had to name a few - Billy Urquhart of Caley, Ray o' Hara and Kevin Bremner of Keith were all great goalscorers. Roddy Davidson of Caley was a hard tackling defender. Gerry Davidson of Forres Mechanics was very skilful and a good header of the ball. Steve McKay of Forres Mechanics and Nairn County was a great centre-half.

What have you done in a football sense since you left the Vale ?

Went to Forres Mechanics for 2 years, then retired from the Highland League at the age of 39. Went back again to play for Vale under Brian Stewart for about 6 months.

What does a normal Saturday afternoon entail for you these days ?

Gardening Watching the odd local Junior football games at Islavale or Dufftown Drinking, Barbecues etc Going away at weekends on short holiday trips, visiting friends etc.