Marc’s Amazing Record Ends

Our opening competitive fixture of the campaign in the Premier Sports Cup at Annan on Saturday saw 17 year old Neil Stafford make his debut in goal for the ‘Loons.’

Nothing remarkable about that one would say at first glance about that statement, although undoubtedly a moment to savour for the young custodian whose loan signing from parent club Hamilton Accies was only completed two hours before kick-off.

In fact Neil who had saved a spot kick in the friendly seven days before against St. Johnstone was to go on to be a hero with the travelling support making two saves this time round to seal a 4-2 penalty shoot-out success for his side and with it the bonus point on offer.

However what was remarkable was the fact that it brought to an end undoubtedly the most consistent record in the club’s history and one Marc McCallum sidelined with a slight niggle he had been carrying throughout pre-season should be rightly proud of.

It was on Saturday February 26th, 2022 that Forfar Athletic last took to the field in a league fixture or cup tie in any of the three national competitions without Marc between the sticks.
That afternoon at Ochilview Marc was sidelined by covid and his place taken by Lewis Sanderson and the ‘Loons’ losing out 2-0 to the ‘Warriors’.

The next weekend Marc was back in action against Elgin City and was to go on to make an astounding 141 consecutive appearances for his hometown club, including naturally three successive seasons culminating in the Stirling Albion fixture in early May of this year as an ever present.

It is certainly yet another record to savour for Marc who made his 300th appearance last term for the club and also became the goalkeeper in the club’s history with the most appearances to his name.

In April of this year Marc also moved into tenth spot in the all time appearance records for the club and in fact is one appearance away from edging above Billy Gallacher into ninth spot in those illustrious rankings.

Whether that appearance comes in Tuesday night’s clash with St. Mirren will no doubt be subject to a late fitness test?

A footnote to Neil Stafford’s debut at Annan and all credit to Chairman/Secretary Alan Shepherd for getting the temporary transfer over the line after a morning of frantic phone calls and emails on the coach journey to Dumfriesshire. Forfar Athletic are also indebted to Hamilton Accies officials for their assistance in getting the paper work completed within the stipulated timescale.