Mechanics have the tools to put spanner in works

Sports Writer

Saturday 29 September 2012

THERE is a slightly disappointing lack of bona fide auto mechanics in the Forres team that will take on Rangers in the William Hill Scottish Cup second round today, but there are no shortage of people to go to if you need a quote.

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Stewart Fisher

Not least of these is chairman James 'Doc' Anderson, so called because the retired local GP spent the last 25 years moonlighting as the club's doctor.

As he prepares to throw open the doors of the club's modest Mosset Park ground to the fallen Scottish giants, Anderson gave a quick run-down of the employment history of the group of local part-timers assembled by manager Charlie Rowley which went on to win the Highland League last season.

"There is a postie, at least two roofers, a plumber, four or five are either bricklayers or electricians, one gym teacher and the others are either distillery workers or tradesmen," Anderson told Herald Sport. "Our goalkeeper, Stuart Knight, is an electrical engineer. At least they are all employed."The club has been around since 1884 but it has seen few days like this in its existence. Although the exact origin of its name is a source of some debate – some suggest it is linked to the town hall building which was originally named the Mechanics Institute or from the engineers who came from the south to construct a new railway line – the truth seems closest to the fact it was founded by a breakaway group of players from an existing club in the area, all of whom loosely conformed to the archaic meaning of the term 'mechanic' as defined as manual labourer or craftsman. Celtic, Falkirk, Dundee and Dundee United have all visited in the past but throwing a spanner in the works of Rangers really would be something. Anderson is clearly relishing the occasion, and not just because the 50-50 split of gate money after expenses for the 2700 sell out should keep the club going for a while. With assistance from Ross County's health and safety officer David Patience, they have expanded the ground's capacity."Clearly from a financial point of view, earning a replay and then winning at Ibrox will do," joked Anderson. "We will take Celtic in the fifth round and play them home and away as well. Seriously, though it is a great opportunity and not outwith the realms of possibility that we could get a good result. "We are clearly not favourites – having watched Rangers on the telly against Motherwell they are formidable – but that doesn't mean we won't be approaching this match with guarded optimism. We won't be making any foolhardy predictions but we certainly won't be just waiting to pat them on the back say 'we knew you would beat us' because that isn't the case. We are looking to get a draw or a win out of this."Anderson would rather dwell on the achievements of the last five years than the club's dim and distant past. Last season's Highland League triumph was only the second he had witnessed in his years in Forres. Although the club currently sit no higher than 10th, they are thriving and would be cautious about throwing their weight behind the SFA's plans for a pyramid structure."I have been a GP in Forres since 1974 and I have always been interested in sport in general," said Anderson. "I became the club doctor about 25 years ago, and when I retired from general practice six years ago, the club asked me to become chairman. My first reaction was that I was looking for a rest, not a major challenge. But from my point of view it couldn't have been better. I really enjoy it and it keeps me involved with the community in a very different way from the professional relationship I have had with the town."It is a match-up which might have happened three years ago – Forres lost out to Forfar Athletic when a tie with Rangers was on offer in the next round – but for Anderson it can't come quickly enough. "It is not for me to be sympathetic to Rangers in any way but, if this is a way for them to make new friends and influence people, it occurs to me that if they play the next few seasons correctly, their status in Scotland could be greater even than it was," Anderson said. "All the contact we have had with Rangers about this game has been extremely pleasant, positive and helpful. Clearly there will be an hour-and-a-half where hostilities are in everyone's mind, then hopefully, after that, new bridges will be built." For a match against the Mechanics, that would be as appropriate an outcome as any.

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Mechanics have the tools to put spanner in works

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