The collapse into administration of Clachnacuddin Football Club with debts estimated by some at more than £200,000 could signal the end of an era in the football history of the area and mirrors the struggles of many small outfits in the sport up and down the country.

Meanwhile, local multiple sclerosis sufferers and their families fear the important treatment and support centre in Burnett Road could face closure unless around £35,000 is found to maintain its services next year. Job losses among the five staff, with volunteers filling the breach, as well as a severe curtailment of its transport service for users, are being considered.

The MS centre – which houses a hyperbaric chamber for therapy sessions – is seen by many as a lifeline service, not only for physical treatment but also a place where problems and stresses can be shared in dealing with what can often be a heartbreaking condition.

The crisis that puts its future in jeopardy owes much to severe restraints many charities are being hit by as a result of the recession, with benefactors and public agencies tightening their belts. It can only be hoped that a generous source can be found for an emergency injection of finance while a stable longer-term fundraising strategy is drawn up. With the current severe restraints on public spending, it would appear help from health and social work agencies is a non-starter.

The problems at Clach FC date back many years, and survival in the shadow of Scottish League big brothers Caley Thistle and Ross County has been an uphill struggle – and the recriminations over the latest actions of Highland Council in trying to recoup cash owed could be seen as merely arguing about the delay of the inevitable.

It may be that a fresh set of eyes on the club's problems might produce a rescue package. But these are difficult times in football and it may be that this is sadly the final whistle for Clach.

But the news that safeguards were in place to secure the future of its extensive youth programme, at least in the short term, is extremely welcome, and may ensure its name will live on through that important legacy.

It has been a traumatic few days for those close to both these hometown dramas – matters, we would argue, of far more importance than jetting for free to the other side of the world to try to flog more whisky in Taiwan or observe how parliaments work in Australia and New Zealand.

It appears rather ironic that the £40,000 set aside by the Scottish Parliament for a two-week trip Down Under by MSPs is what the MS centre needs to survive next year – or a half portion of the £88,000 Highland Council shells out on coffee breaks and lunches for its salaried councillors.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---