After three seasons which have witnessed Carloway ascend from village team, simply making up the numbers, to serious contenders for honours, 2011 has been blessed with continued league success, but gnawing disappointment in various cups. 2009 had set the bar high, with the Blues achieving a close third in the League for the second year running, on a record points total, and tasting the ashes of defeat in two cup finals. 2010 continued this form with a creditable fourth place in the League, featuring a healthy home record of a single defeat in eight outings; a final spot in the Coop Cup; and a Round 3 appearance in the Highland Amateur Cup. No mystery has surrounded this rise: successful teams at any level depend on solid goalkeeping, defending, wing-men, and, hopefully, holding/ attacking midfielders. Our first-choice goalminder, Gordon Craigie, has developed into the best on the island, while game after game, our adamantine rocks in defence – Calum “Tom” Moody, Andrew “Tago” Maciver, and Domhnall Mackay – have delivered solid, faultless displays. Experience distinguishes this eleven: midfield grafter and dead-ball specialist, Murdo “Sqweg” Macleod, has become 2011 captain, while established wing-men have returned in Kenny “Dokus” Macdonald, whose speciality is incredible strikes, and Gordon “Tago” Macdonald, who continues as ace scorer and deadly corner-kick merchant. Donnie Macphail is our Xavi, while the pace and presence of Kevin “Gochan” Macleod continues to terrify defences. Kevin Anderson and Graeme “Windy” Miller have adopted a 4-4-2 system, with the iconic Calum “Tom” Moody moving left to become joint main stopper alongside Domhnall Mackay, while Andrew “Tago” Maciver has replaced him at right-back, allowing Darren Mackinnon (thankfully returned from Ireland) to move forward as a wide wing-back on the right, free to support “Dokus”, and deliver his trademark de Boer killer diagonals. The future is also promising, with “D.I.” Maclennan now established at left-back; Archie “Uibhisteach” Macdonald a young Lou Macari in attack; and Seumas Macleod forceful and creative in right midfield and attack. Dan Crossley must now be considered the best young attacking midfielder on the island, deceptively strong on the ball and winning it, and with Usain Bolt-like bursts of speed; unfortunately, work and injury have reduced the appearances of the last piece in the jigsaw, Kenny “Beag” Maclennan. However, there have been welcome additions in David Beaton (from Harris), Billy Anderson (back from Col Uarach), and Kevin “Barra” Macneill, the last, clearly, a devastating new talent to rival young left-winger, Calum Macleod.

The Gazette had installed Carloway as second favourites for League success and this proved no burden but, instead, fuelled an astonishing League charge by the Blues which saw them surge to the top of the League by 30th May, after winning their opening five games: at home versus United (2-0); the champions, Lochs (4-1!); and Harris (4-0); and away to West Side (4-3); and Athletic (3-2). There was an unfortunate hiccup at Back (2-7), but recovery later at home to Ness (5-1). Cup results continue to be mixed, with elimination from the ABC Cup in Round 1 at Athletic (1-4); the Jock Stein at Barvas (1-2), and their only home reverse so far, 2-3 to West Side in a first round, first leg of the Eilean an Fhraoich; there is still the chance of second leg redemption, of course. However, an astonishing run to the Highland Amateur Cup Quarter-Finals has seen them defeat Lochs 2-1 at Leurbost, thanks to an incredible winner from Andrew “Tago” from almost 30 metres; then travel to Fortrose to demolish Caithness side, Castletown, 4-0, the same team who eliminated them from this Cup in their first ever Highland Amateur Quarter-Final, in 2008, at the same ground. Glory awaits the Blues on 9th July, versus Kirkwall Rovers, HAC winners in 1997, at Maryburgh. Be there on the supporters’ bus! The boys want to hear your support. Also, the 9-0 mauling of North Uist United at Cnoc a’ Choilich in the Coop Cup has set up a first-ever confrontation against South Uist side, Iochdar Saints, on July 16th in the Quarter-Final. Another date to pencil into your diary.

This team photograph was taken on the evening of April 8th, 2011, at Cnoc a’ Choilich, before the kick-off in Carloway’s first game of the season, a 2-0 League victory over United. The goalscorers were Billy Anderson and Archie Macdonald.

BACK ROW:  Seumas Macleod; Andrew “Tago” Maciver; Murdo “Squeg” Macleod (captain); Gordon Craigie; Kenny “Dokus” Macdonald; Calum “Tom” Moody; Billy Anderson; Dan Crossley; Gordon “Gordie” Mackenzie (now with United); Kenny “Tolsta” Maclean;  Andrew “V.P.” Macleod.

FRONT ROW:  Gordon “Tago” Macdonald; Archie Macdonald; Domhnall Mackay; Darren Mackinnon; Donald “D.I.” Maclennan;  Kenny “Beag” Maclennan; Donnie Macphail.

MISSING FROM PHOTO:  David Beaton; Kevin “Barra” Macneill; Kevin “Gochan” Macleod; Donald “Tocan” Chisholm; Calum Macleod; Calum Mackay;  Calum Fraser; Kevin Anderson (Manager and midfielder); Graeme “Windy” Miller (Assistant Manager).