Stuart McKenzie Testimonial Match
v Dunfermline Balmoral Stadium
25.06.22 — 1pm KO
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Stuart McKenzie Testimonial Match Cove Rangers v Dunfermline Balmoral Stadium
25.06.22 — 1pm KO
Contents Introduction
04
Words from the Chairman
06
Manager’s Message
08
Captain’s View
10
Derek Soutar Interview
12
Tributes to Stuart McKenzie
16
Current Team-mate Tributes
18
Former Team-mate Tributes
24
McKenzie Q&A
26
John Sheran Feature
34
Paul Hartley Tribute
38
Kevin Tindal Tribute
39
Introduction
“ Stuart McKenzie is a genuine Cove Rangers legend.” Not only is he among the group who have made most appearances for the club, he is also now the jointly most-decorated player in Cove’s history, alongside another great, Eric Watson, the pair having each amassed fourteen winners’ medals. Having started his career as a teenager at Inverness Caley Thistle, then Montrose, Stuart first joined the club in 2008, signed by current director of football, John Sheran. He established himself in the side and caught the eye of new Montrose manager, Stuart Garden, himself a former goalkeeper. He returned to Links Park in the summer of 2013 and was an everpresent in their League Two campaign. He started 2014-15 as first choice, but a couple of red cards saw him suspended and on the sidelines until early December. After regaining his place, Stuart kept the gloves for the remainder of the season. The following summer saw a surprise return to Cove and the next four seasons would be trophy-laden as Sheran’s side dominated the Highland League and cup competitions, culminating in the play-off victory in 2019 which clinched the step-up to the SPFL. It was a return to that stage for Stuart and he was up for the challenge, starting every one of the twentyeight league matches the club played before being declared League Two champions when the season was called because of COVID.
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The following campaign had a delayed kick-off, but Stuart was again first choice, and he emulated his feat of starting every game played in the League One adventure, only to suffer heartbreak in the play-offs. With Kyle Gourlay brought in to offer competition, Stuart was benched as 2020-21 began, but he soon forced his way back into the side, and never missed another league game as Cove secured the title. He even scored during their march to the League One crown, a late winner at Balmoor to secure a 1-0 victory over Peterhead. Since Stuart McKenzie returned to the club, he has been one of the leading lights in the Cove Rangers success story, a fact underlined by the list of teammates and managers, past and present, who have lined up to offer their congratulations on him reaching this milestone. Despite being one of the quiet men in the dressing room, he has undoubtedly been hugely influential, and no-one who knows him underestimates the contribution he has made. All at Cove Rangers recognise the part Stuart McKenzie has played; his testimonial is richly deserved, and we look forward to him adding to his successes in the years ahead. Have a brilliant day Stuart!
Words from the Chairman
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Words from the chairman He’s a man of few words, our Stuart, but what a brilliant servant he has been for our club. No-one would have a bad word to say about him. He is just a good all round lad. Of course, he did have that short spell away when he joined Montrose, and I remember just how difficult we found it to replace him at that time. Getting him back that summer of 2015 was a priority, and I’m so glad he agreed to return. He’s shown great loyalty over the years. Bigger clubs must have been looking at him and he certainly would have been capable of performing at a full-time level, but when others moved on, he stuck with us. His record speaks for him, which is just as well, as you’d be hard pushed to get Stuart to do it. I know that his team-mates think the world of him. He is understated, and I think probably underestimated outwith Balmoral Stadium, but certainly not by anyone here.
I always think we’re a really good fit. Cove Rangers suits Stuart, and he suits us. He goes about his business in the same way we do. He worked with me away from football in the past, spent some time with ATR Group, and he was just as popular there. He showed the same attitude, the same application as he does to training and during games. Stuart has been part of that core group of players who have come up through the divisions with us, and that has given us the stability, the foundation to build from. He has played a massive part of that. Others will be due testimonials in the coming seasons, but Stuart is the first to reach that milestone, and he thoroughly deserves all the recognition he is getting. He is a great guy on and off the park, and I hope he thoroughly enjoys his special day. Keith Moorhouse
Manager’s Message
I am absolutely delighted to welcome you all to Balmoral Stadium for my first game in charge of Cove Rangers, a match which is also a richly deserved testimonial for long-time servant Stuart McKenzie. Up until now, I have never had the opportunity to work with Stuart, but I have obviously been aware of him, and know him to be a top class goalkeeper. The comments from his team-mates and others who know him, tell me he is just as impressive a guy off the pitch. I look forward to building a relationship with him, and I wish Stuart all the very best as he gets the recognition he deserves this afternoon. I have started to get to know the players, we’ve had a couple of training sessions, and already I can see why the group has been so successful in recent seasons. Paul Hartley and Gordon Young deserve great credit for that, they did a brilliant job, and the boys had an unbelievable few years under the old management team. The game is a lot simpler if you have the right players, the right people, and we certainly have that at Cove. It is going to be a step-up for them, but from what I have seen they are more than capable of meeting that challenge. Part of my job is to get the recruitment correct, to bring in guys who can add to the squad, to supplement the quality we already undoubtedly have.
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Stepping into part-time football for the first time will be a bit of a learning curve for me, and I need to be mindful the players also have jobs outwith the game, but I won’t be asking them to do anything they haven’t already been doing. As far as training is concerned, I’ve always thought Tuesdays and Thursdays are the most important days even at fulltime clubs – that’s when you do most of the work – so nothing will change for me in that respect. My approach to the game is similar to Paul’s. I like my teams to play on the front foot, to attack the opposition, and when you have the excellent goalscorers we do, and the threat we have from midfield, it is important to create chances for them. That will be the mindset in the season ahead, and I hope you all enjoy the exciting brand of football the team will be attempting to play. I must pay tribute to the chairman, Keith Moorhouse, and director of football, John Sheran. Throughout the conversations we have had, they have been straightforward, open and honest, and I can see the club is clearly in good hands at the top. They will provide the backing, it’s up to me and the team to get it right on the pitch, and once we get the squad up to the required number – and that’s something I can promise you I’m working tirelessly towards – we will be well placed to adapt to life in the Championship. Jim McIntyre
Captain’s View
Captain’s View It is an honour to get this opportunity to pay tribute to Stuart McKenzie, who is without doubt one of the greatest players in the 100 year history of Cove Rangers. You could argue he is THE greatest ever! The fact he is now the club’s joint most decorated player - alongside the equally legendary Eric Watson - underlines that. I’m happy to risk the wrath of Eric by claiming Stuart edges him out as Cove’s most successful player ever, because his last two medals were claimed at SPFL level, when he helped us win the League Two and League One titles. He is also among the leaders when it comes to the most appearances; his record at Cove Rangers is unrivalled. Stuart’s roll of honour at Highland League level, which includes five title triumphs, was impressive enough. But backing that up by playing a key part in two championship wins inside three years in the SPFL highlights just how talented a goalkeeper he is. He has kept the most clean sheets in each of the three seasons played since we were promoted from the Highland League. Before I proceed, I would like to claim a wee bit of the credit for that. Ahead of every season, Stuart and I have a private competition to see if I can score more league goals than he gets clean sheets. He ran me pretty close last season with 17 shut-outs, while I finished up with 18 league goals. But I happily conceded defeat to Stuart because he also scored that vital winning goal, away to Peterhead, at the turn of the year.
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Stuart is no stranger to finding the net, he has also scored a few penalties during my time at Cove. One game that sticks out was when he saved two penalties and then scored the winner when we came out on top in a shoot-out away to Brora Rangers in a cup tie! But it’s Stuart’s ability between the sticks that has made him a club legend. Unlike some of the goalkeepers I have played with, Stuart isn’t one for shouting and screaming at team-mates to get things done. He is very much the quiet man of our squad, but Stuart’s actions speak louder than his words. His stature ensures he is a commanding presence in our defence, and it would be impossible to count how many times he has pulled off amazing - and what have ended up being crucial - saves in games. Another asset of Stuart’s is his kick-outs. As the Peterhead keeper found out to his cost in January, his clearances up the park are massive and cause all sorts of problems for opponents. While we are proud to be recognised as a passing team, it’s good we have Stuart’s kick-outs to use a more direct weapon when the opportunity arises. It’s fantastic that Stuart’s contribution to Cove’s success over the last decade has been recognised with today’s testimonial match against Dunfermline Athletic. Hopefully we can make it day to remember for Stuart and his family. Mitch Megginson
Derek Soutar Interview
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Has it surprised you to see Stuart remain the first choice keeper after we made the step up from the Highland League to the SPFL? Not in any way. It could be argued Stuart was playing beneath the level he should have been at when Cove were in the Highland League. The club has since progressed up to a grade Stuart is perfectly suited to. Cove had the best defensive record in the league last season and it was the same in the two other campaigns since they stepped up to the SPFL. I know we go on about it being a team effort, but Stuart has played a huge part. He went on a run of nine clean sheets in 10 games last season, which is absolutely outstanding at any level. To have also been part of a team that clinched the League One title on the back of a 26 game unbeaten run emphasises just how talented a goalkeeper Stuart is. You could look across Europe and struggle to pick out other keepers who have come close to recording those sort of statistics. To have done that after making the step up from the Highland League is amazing and shows why everyone at the club is glad Stuart is in our squad. Stuart has also had to deal with strong competition from other goalkeepers during that time. That is a good thing because there is a danger you could become too comfortable if you have been the first choice at a club for a long time. Things like seeing Kyle Gourlay start last season as first choice have only inspired Stuart to work even harder to win the jersey back.
You have worked alongside many top keepers throughout your career, how does Stuart compare to them? As far as the lower divisions in the SPFL go, you have to say Stuart is among the best I have seen over the last decade or so. I’m basing that on the consistency he has shown in the three seasons Cove Rangers have played at that level. He is also a lot different to many of the goalkeepers I have worked with over the years. Most of them have been a bit loud - or daft as some people might prefer to say. I was certainly known for being a bit mad, but Stuart is nothing like that at all. He is a very calm, laid back, character… he can come across as pretty shy. I have to confess that was something that took a bit of getting used to.
But I could see from the respect Stuart was shown by everyone in the dressing room - and by how much he is loved by everyone at the club - that it wasn’t a problem for them, so it has never been a problem for me either. Stuart prefers to go out about his business in a quiet manner - but he gets the job done and that’s all that matters in the end. There were many occasions last season when he was pulling off amazing saves when it was maybe still 1-0 or 0-0. Because we went on to win them those saves tend to be forgotten by a lot of people, but not by those of us who know how determined Stuart is to go out there every week to do his best for Cove Rangers.
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So is Stuart a grafter out on the training pitch? I’m hardly going to say no to that one am I! He’s at the age now, at the latter stages of his career, when he knows the more you put into training the more it helps you in the actual games. Stuart pushes himself very hard in every session and it shows in his performances. I appreciate the fact he has been happy to go along with my methods, which may differ a little from some of the goalkeeping coaches Stuart has worked with in the past. Most of what we do is short, sharp and intense and can be very taxing at times. Stuart - and Kyle - never complain though because they know everything is aimed at helping them play better. Stuart has never played at Championship level, are you confident he will cope with that in the coming season? You need have no worries on that front. The step up to the Championship couldn’t have been better timed for Stuart. He was a top keeper in the Highland League and has now benefited from the experiences of playing for three seasons in the lower divisions in the SPFL.
Cove will be up against mainly full-time opposition next season, but that won’t phase Stuart, I doubt if anything ever does. He is also going in there with a club that is on the crest of a wave right now. The guys around him on the pitch will also be fired up for the challenge of seeing if they can compete in the Championship and you can be sure Stuart will feed off that. I would love to be in his boots right now marking my testimonial year by playing for Cove Rangers in the Championship for the first time in the club’s 100 year history. Unfortunately, my body would say no to that! I had to retire around the age Stuart is now because I ruptured one of my shoulders. If he avoids any serious injuries I would expect to see Stuart still out there competing to play at this sort of level for the next six years or so. I was fortunate to be in Scotland squads years ago, along with Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor, and they are still playing at Premiership level. Stuart is certainly capable of continuing for as long as those two have and that can only be good for Cove Rangers.
Tributes to Stuart McKenzie
Former Scotland and Aberdeen goalkeeping legend Jim Leighton: “He’s one of the best goalies going about in Scotland, never mind just in the lower divisions. Stuart was by far the best in the Highland League before going to Montrose for a couple of seasons.
Jim Leighton
I was a little surprised Cove Rangers managed to get him back, but it was no shock to see Stuart then show he was still the best at Highland level. I’ve always felt Stuart is a keeper who could have played at the very highest levels if he had been given the opportunity. Cove are fortunate to have him, especially with Stuart now at the age when you tend to see keepers reaching their peak. He doesn’t make loads of flashy saves, Stuart doesn’t need to because he uses his experience well to make sure his positioning is spot on. I also like the way he commands from the back and his distribution is among the best I’ve seen from any goalkeeper. Another big attribute is his concentration levels, which you need when you are playing for Cove and don’t get a lot to do because they tend to dominate games, particularly at home. It’s important for Cove to have strength at the back now that they are playing at the higher level. They certainly have that with Stuart, it’s an old cliche but he will guarantee them a few more points over the course of the campaign because they can trust him to do what’s required when it’s needed most.”
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Former Cove Rangers keeper and goalkeeping coach Raymond Charles: “I’ve known Stuart for many years now, I was on the coaching staff when he first joined Cove Rangers and he has done a brilliant job.
Ray Charles
People might find it hard to believe now, but he was actually a wee bit too quiet for his own good when he came to the club. That meant Lee Windrum, our Irish keeper who was totally the opposite, tended to be chosen before Stuart at that time. He never complained though, Stuart continued to work hard at training to make sure he was ready to step in when the chance arose. I really enjoyed the time coaching him and I’m delighted he has gone on to enjoy so much success in his career. He helped Cove win a host of honours at Highland League level and has also played a huge part in their climb up the SPFL. Stuart has looked after himself really well too, so , I can see him carrying on for a good few years. His sheer presence is one of his most important assets. Stuart is a big lad, he has bulked up from the time when we signed him as a youngster, so he commands his area, especially at set pieces. His kicking, whether from hand or on the deck, is incredible too. It is a real asset when you want to be more direct with attacks.”
Current Team-mate Tributes
Current Team-Mates
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“Stuart McKenzie is without doubt the best goalkeeper I have ever played with. He was always good, but I think he came back from his spell at Montrose as a more confident keeper, and after he got into the Cove team, he never really lost his place. I’m sure everyone has talked about his kicking – and back in the Allan Park days he had to rein that in otherwise he’d have overshot the other goal.
Connor Scully
Even then, he would come off his line, he was commanding, and he’s got better and better over the years. He could definitely have played at a higher level earlier in his career. He has all the attributes, and I don’t really know why he wasn’t picked up. I guess that can be down to luck, being in the right place at the right time, but he enjoys playing for Cove, and we’ve certainly benefitted from having him all this time. You could say we’re a team like no other. We’re a tight knit group, so many of us have been together for years – the likes of Fraser, Mitch, Blair and myself go all the way back to being with Aberdeen when we were eight or nine – and Stuart has been such a big part of that. All of us, we’re really good friends outside of football, we go on nights out, we play golf, although I’m not sure Stuart has much time for that now that he has a young family who mean the world to him. He’s a brilliant keeper, but even more important than that, he’s a really nice guy. He’s a quiet lad, not at all loud, and he just gets on with things and is always there for you. Stuart’s a painter and decorator by trade, and he’s helped out a few of the lads, probably me more than most. He’s just a really good friend and I’m so happy he’s getting his big day. No-one deserves it more than Stu does.”
Current Team-mate Tributes
Unlike most of his other team-mates, Scott Ross has experience of playing against, as well as with, Stuart McKenzie. During Stuart’s two seasons with Montrose, the big defender was plying his trade with Peterhead, and he laughs as he recalls those occasions.
Scott Ross
“Big Stu won’t have many happy memories of those games as we generally thumped them every time, and Rory McAllister still winds him up about all the goals he scored back then.” The sides met four times in League Two in 2013-14 with Peterhead coming out on top in three of them. McAllister scored twice in each of those victories, and even got the consolation in their only defeat, 2-1 at Links Park. He also netted past Stuart in the League Cup the following campaign, in another convincing win. “Stuart doesn’t like being reminded about that as he’s such a committed professional and hates conceding goals, but it’s all done in the right spirit. He really is a top guy on and off the park.”
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For Scott, Stuart is a defender’s dream, someone who is there to help when the pressure is on. “He’ll take the ball in any situation. You can play it back to him left or right and he zings these diagonals across the pitch. He has unbelievable feet; his distribution is by far the best of any keeper I’ve played with. Scott says Stuart has all the attributes, but points to his concentration levels as being particularly outstanding. “He can be quiet for sixty or seventy minutes, and then he pulls off an unbelievable save and you’re thinking ‘how has he done that?’ You watch him in training and he’s outstanding, what a shot stopper.” While Scott and his team-mates have a high regard for everything Stuart does on the pitch, he believes it is what he brings to the group off it which is just as important. “He’s a big friendly giant, and he’s always there for you, always ready to lend a helping hand. If there’s one guy who deserves this recognition, it’s Stuart, and I hope this is a really special and memorable day for him.”
Current Team-mate Tributes
“I’ve known Stu since I was fifteen, he was always there in the background. We were at Albion Boys Club, then Elgin and then Inverness, and he hasn’t changed a bit! He’s maybe a bit more vocal now, but not much. He’s always been the quiet assassin, just sitting there soaking it all in, then he picks the right moment to take you down.
Iain Vigurs
Our paths hadn’t crossed for years, not even in pre-season I don’t think, so it was brilliant to see him when I signed for Cove Rangers last summer. I’d kept across his career and heard how he was doing, and I know he’s become a real club legend. The only thing that’s changed is that, like me, he’s become bigger and slower! It’s funny how everything swings around. After all that time, we were back together again, and now we’re looking forward to life in the Championship. That will mean so much to him, probably even more to be doing it with Cove rather than if he’d moved on to another club. I’ve always felt he could have done that, he definitely had the ability, and he’s a real credit to his family the way he conducts himself on and off the park. One thing that has always impressed me about Stu is his distribution. He’s like Ederson at Manchester City, so comfortable with the ball at his feet. Way back from when he was a teenager, he could play outfield – not in midfield obviously, because he’s not a runner! – but we could stick him up front and he’d certainly do a job for us, I have no doubt about that. He’s a real, true professional and he deserves the chance he’ll now get to play at a higher level, and the recognition he’s getting with this testimonial.”
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“We have been together a long time, and Stuart is definitely one of my best friends in the game. We just can’t get rid of each other and speak virtually every day.
Blaire Yule
Plenty people will have told you how quiet Stu is, and he is quite a private person, but he definitely has a cheeky, mischievous side to him. We’re always trying to catch each other out, have a bit of a wind-up, and he’s chased me round the training ground a few times after I’ve pinged a ball and hit him while he was warming up with the other keepers. But don’t let that make you think he’s anything other than professional when it comes to his football. When it’s time to get down to business, he’s serious and focused, and he has worked so hard over the years to become the top class keeper he is today. Like me, he did have a brief time away from Cove Rangers, and I think that was all about proving to himself that he could play at a higher level. He did that then, he has done it throughout his career, and the fact he was named in the League One team of the year for the past couple of seasons highlights that. Stuart is part of the group of players who have grown up at the club, been together for years, and he has been a major part of everything we have achieved. He’s always the same, so reliable, so consistent, and he will relish playing in the Championship next season. Family has been a big thing for him. I’m sure that’s been a driving force, he adores his family, and wants to do everything he can for them, and to make them proud. I know they are, and they should be, he’s a brilliant team-mate and friend. I am delighted he’s been recognised with a testimonial, and he deserves all the accolades and praise he’ll been getting.”
Former Team-mate Tributes
Former Team-Mates Alan Redford Alan Redford, former Cove Rangers team-mate: “Stuart is by far the best goalkeeper I played alongside in my career. He was also the most important player in the Cove Rangers squad throughout my time at the club. Stuart’s outstanding ability helped us win countless games and I’m delighted his services to the club have been recognised with a testimonial game against Dunfermline Athletic. As well as being a very accomplished goalkeeper, Stuart is really good guy and I wish him all the best on what is going to be a great day for him and his family.”
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Eric Watson Eric Watson, former Cove Rangers captain and team-mate: “What more can be said in tribute to Stuart McKenzie? He’s simply a great player and a great bloke too. Stuart is without doubt the best goalkeeper I ever played with and I would argue he was one of the best - if not the best - to play at Highland League level. Shot stopping, kicking and distribution, stature, reading of the game, he has it all. Everyone goes on about him being a quiet man too, but I can assure you he will grump and moan as much as anyone if he feels someone isn’t doing their job out on the pitch. He is also a born winner and I’m proud he has backed up the success we enjoyed together by equalling my record medal haul at Cove Rangers. We both have 14 now, although I will concede second place to Stuart because his latest two were League One and League Two winners’ medals. I’m fully expecting to see Stuart overtake me before he finally hangs up those golden gloves of his. That’s because the older he gets, the better he seems to play.”
McKenzie Q&A
THE Man of the moment We turn the spotlight on man-of-themoment Stuart McKenzie for an exclusive look back over his career in football. What has been the biggest highlight? How did he feel when we lost to that infamous goal down at Cowdenbeath? Who has been the favourite of all of his Cove Rangers team-mates? What is the secret behind his amazing kick-outs? Stuart reveals all in a wide ranging interview with our media officer Charlie Allan.
Had you always dreamed about playing as a goalkeeper at the top level? Not at all, when I started playing for Cornhill Primary School and Cornhill Boys Club, I was a centre-half. Our keeper was unavailable one week, so I volunteered to take over and discovered I loved it. By the time I joined Albion Boys Club my heart was set on playing at the highest level as I possibly could as a goalkeeper.
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Is it true you were once on the radar of Aberdeen?
Who was it that eventually gave you the chance to play at the top level?
I was invited to train with them when I was aged about thirteen. I’m a Dons fan, so it was a thrill to get some coaching from club legend Jim Leighton.
Elgin City were the first to show a proper interest, via a skills seeker programme that was run by them, when Kenny Black was involved at the club. Kenny then left Elgin and they didn’t follow things up, so I was delighted to get the offer of a trial with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Myself, Iain Vigurs, Gary Wood and Jamie Ralph were all invited up north at the same time. I was with Inverness for about eighteen months, but it was clear I wasn’t going to get the chance to play as often as I would like, so I jumped at the opportunity to then sign for Montrose.
Ryan Eason, who was in the first team at that time, also took some sessions. Unfortunately, the Dons never actually made an offer to sign me, which was disappointing.
McKenzie Q&A
What was the highlight of that first spell at Allan Park?
How did things go during that second spell at Links Park?
That’s easy, winning the Highland League in my first season. There was a lot of talk about it being almost impossible for Cove Rangers to win back-to-back titles, but we had a great team and clinched it with a 1-0 victory up at Wick.
I was delighted to finally get a fairer crack at it. I played in every game the first season, when we just missed out on reaching the promotion play-offs. I also played in the majority the next season, in which we struggled, and only stayed up in League Two by beating Brora Rangers in a play-off.
I’ve been fortunate to win a few things with Cove, but that title win will always be special because it was the first time I had been a league champion.
John Sheran then asked if I would like to link up with him again at Cove Rangers and I just knew it was the right move for me.
Why did you choose to return to Montrose in 2013?
What was it that made you so keen to come back to Cove?
I just felt I had a point to prove. It wasn’t that I was unhappy at Cove Rangers. We had just won the league again by beating Formartine United out at Pitmedden on the final day. That was another huge highlight from my career.
The fact John had also gone back was a huge part of it. He is a great manager who always got the best out of me. Cove making it clear their ambition was to eventually step up into the SPFL was also a factor.
We had only just managed to beat Rothes the week before, but when we heard Formartine had lost to leave us with a chance of pipping them to the title we were determined to take it.
As I have already said, my ambition since I was a child was to play at the highest level I possibly could, but stepping back down into the Highland League was never a problem because, like everyone else at the club seven years ago, I knew that would only be temporary.
Our performance that day was excellent, we were so focussed there was no chance of us not ending the day as champions. I enjoyed playing for Kevin Tindal, who was the manager by then, but when Montrose made their offer, I just felt I had some unfinished business, so accepted it.
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There were disappointments along the way… how did you feel after losing to Cowdenbeath in the promotion playoffs in 2018, to a goal that was given after you had clearly been fouled? It still hurts today to think about what happened to us down there. I’ve never been one to criticise match officials or opponents, so the most I’m willing to say is that what unfolded at Central Park was a total shambles.
We were all very upset at the time, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise because we probably weren’t quite ready for the challenge of playing at SPFL level. It also made us even more determined to win the Highland League again the next season and earn another crack at the promotion play-offs.
Stuart McKenzie and team after winning title v Formartine
McKenzie Q&A
How did you feel when we finally won promotion the following season? Absolutely ecstatic. The bond between the players that season was unique, the best I have ever experienced in football. That close camaraderie helped us win the Highland League comfortably and also sail through both of our play-offs, against East Kilbride and Berwick Rangers. We showed lessons had been learned from the previous year in the final. We absolutely battered Cowdenbeath in the first leg out at Inverurie and couldn’t believe that one ended 0-0. It gave them the chance to go on and win, which they did. There was never any hope of the same happening against Berwick. We won the first game at Balmoral Stadium 4-0; we were brilliant that day! That meant we could go to their place a bit more relaxed, but we also remained fully focussed, and won that one 3-0 as well. It was amazing knowing we had made history with Cove and finally taken the club to where they had been dreaming of for a number of years. You have since won two more league titles to emerge as our joint most decorated player - with Eric Watson. How do you feel about that? I’m very proud because Eric was a fantastic captain and is a close friend. It’s an honour to have won as many medals as him, but the bad news for Eric is I now have my sights set on picking up medal number fifteen! It won’t be easy because we are playing at the highest level Cove Rangers have ever been at. But there is no point in playing if you don’t set tough targets for yourself.
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Do you have a favourite save from your career? There have been a few, but one that stands out was when it was still only 1-0 in the play-off against East Kilbride. Their striker was through on goal, and I managed to get a toe to his shot to knock it wide. It was a big moment. You also scored the winner at Peterhead last season, were you delighted with that? Not too much at first because I believed Rory McAllister when he told he had actually touched the ball on the way in. It was clear when we watched the video later that never happened, and I had actually scored. I’ve managed to get a few over the years, mainly from penalties. But the fact that one won us three vital points in what was a very intense battle for the title, along with Airdrie, made that goal very special to me. That goal came from one of your characteristic long kick-outs. Are they something you practice? It’s something I have always been pretty good at, although I must give Mark Brown, who was the keeper at Inverness when I was there, some credit too. He asked if I wanted to stay back after training to practice kicking the ball, which also involved working on my weaker left foot. Thanks to those sessions, I now feel comfortable kicking the ball with either foot, which is important for goalkeepers nowadays. Distribution from the back, from foot or hand, is a big part of the game now. It’s particularly crucial at Cove because we are a side who play possession football from the back, although it’s good that we have the ability to mix it up by going long too, when the opportunity arises.
McKenzie Q&A
Is it possible for you to pick out a favourite team-mate from all of those you have played with during your career?
Jim McIntyre will be your manager in the season ahead, what are your thoughts on that?
It would be too difficult to choose just one, I have played alongside some really fantastic players.
The opportunity to play for Jim is something we are all excited about. He will be the fourth manager I’ve had at Cove Rangers. I worked under John Sheran twice, either side of a spell when Kevin Tindal was boss.
I’m happy to give Eric another mention, he really was a brilliant defender and captain, and played a key role in the success I enjoyed at Highland League level. The same goes for Alan Redford; what a defender and competitor he was! Connor Scully and Blair Yule are the other two I would pick out. The three of us have been on the journey with Cove Rangers for a lot of years and I admire how hard they have worked to keep improving as players, and how well they have performed since we made the step up to the SPFL.
Paul Hartley, of course, was the man in charge for the last three seasons. I loved working with all of them and appreciated the faith they showed in me, and the huge parts they played in ensuring there have been so many highlights in my career. I obviously know about Jim’s successful time as a manager. He will have his own ideas and I’m looking forward to learning about those, and to the challenge of proving I’m good enough to play for him.
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Tell us a little about your life away from football. I’m a full-time painter and decorator and my wife, Kimberley, and I have two children - Belle and Ben - who we absolutely adore. Kimberley is an amazing woman and I’ve really appreciated the sacrifices she has made to allow me to spend so much time away from my family playing for Cove Rangers.
Stuart McKenzie’s testimonial events, which included a gala dinner and golf day, have been organised by Peterhead player-coach Jordon Brown - also a former team-mate at Cove Rangers - and Robbie Majury, his friend since childhood. Jordon said: “We have appreciated the support given to us by sponsors, fans, and everyone else who has helped us celebrate Stuart’s career. I would also like to say thank you to Cove Rangers and Dunfermline Athletic for agreeing to take part in today’s testimonial match.” The celebrations of Stuart’s career conclude with a Testimonial Race Night, which will take place in the Fan Zone at Balmoral Stadium, immediately after this afternoon’s game.
John Sheran Feature
JOHN SHERAN
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John Sheran rates Stuart McKenzie so highly as a goalkeeper he signed him not once, but twice, for Cove Rangers. Former manager - and now Director of Football - John is the man who first brought a then teenage Stuart to Cove way back in 2008, when we were still based at Allan Park, and playing in the Highland League. John then left the club but when he returned in 2014 one of the first moves he made was to bring Stuart, who was by then playing at SPFL level with Montrose, back to Cove. “I did that because Stuart is without doubt the best goalkeeper I worked with at Cove,” said John, who remained as team manager before being succeeded by Paul Hartley in 2019. That’s not something I say lightly because I was fortunate to work with some very high calibre keepers during my two spells as manager. Raymond Charles, to give you just one example, was also a fantastic goalkeeper - and underlined that by then becoming the coach who helped to develop Stuart when he first came to us. But Stuart’s record of success - and commendable loyalty to the club - makes him the clear number one in my eyes. It’s why everyone at the club is delighted to see Stuart’s contribution over the years rewarded with the testimonial match against Dunfermline Athletic. It’s a deserved reward for all that Stuart has given - and is continuing to give - to our club.” Stuart trained with Aberdeen as a youngster before heading north to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He then moved to Montrose and actually spent a brief spell on loan to Cove Rangers before John swooped, after learning Stuart had decided to leave Links Park.
John Sheran Feature
John added: “Graham Park (the former Cove Rangers midfielder who also became assistant manager to John) is the one who deserves the credit for unearthing Stuart. His son, Daniel (who also played for Cove Rangers), had been at Inverness with Stuart, so Graham was well aware of him, and suggested we should have a look. Lee Windrum was our first choice at that time, and we were keen to take in a younger keeper to act as his understudy. One look at Stuart was enough to convince us he was the right man for the job. He was really impressive from the off and within about two months he had taken the top spot off Lee and was never out of the team after that. That was despite the fact Stuart was a lot quieter than I preferred my goalkeepers to be. I gave him a bit of leeway because he was so young at the time, but he has never really changed; it’s just the way Stuart prefers to go about his business. He was even quieter back then than he is now, we had to constantly remind him of the need to speak a bit more to the players around him. It was never a huge problem though, because the strengths Stuart has totally overshadowed everything else. He commands through his physical attributes rather than his voice, and has so many other outstanding qualities that
made him stand out from all the other keepers I worked with. Stuart was always a big lad, but worked hard to bulk up, and has the stature any manager would love to see his goalkeeper have. His kicking is also something else - there are keepers at the top level who don’t come close to matching him when it comes to distance and accuracy. He also has safe hands, an obvious asset if you want to be successful as a goalkeeper. Another strength is the fact you will never see Stuart getting in a flap. There could be bedlam in the penalty area, but time and time again you see Stuart calming things down by grabbing the ball and standing as if he was out for a wee stroll. That is an important thing for a goalkeeper because how they deal with difficult situations can inspire confidence in the players around them. I’ve said all of that before even mentioning Stuart’s shot stopping - from the first game he has been pulling off astonishing saves, more often than not at crucial stages. That was often overlooked because, particularly when we were in the Highland League, we won a lot of games pretty comfortably. There were countless occasions when Stuart ensured we were able to go on to do that by pulling off unbelievable saves when it was still 0-0.”
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Stuart helped Cove Rangers win five Highland League titles and a host of cup competitions before the club made the step up to the SPFL in 2019. The League One and League Two champions medals he has since collected brought his trophy haul to an astonishing fourteen, and helped Stuart join former captain Eric Watson as the joint most decorated player in the history of Cove Rangers. John said: “There was never any doubt in my mind that Stuart would continue his run of success after we left the Highland League. By the time we brought him back all of our minds were already focussed on building a squad that would be capable of making it up to the SPFL if the opportunity arose. He had Scottish League experience by then, so was the obvious choice. I actually tried to bring Stuart back the year before, but he was still contracted to Montrose, and they wouldn’t let him leave. We had to wait until his contract ran out, but were happy to do that because we knew he was the right man to help the club achieve what it wanted to achieve.” As well as claiming two titles in three seasons, Stuart has also recorded the most clean sheets in the three SPFL league campaigns to date, and he was named in the SPFL League One team of the year in 2021 and 22, accolades John feels are richly deserved.
“Stuart has done that because he has been able to up his standards every year. He has worked with different coaches, which will have added layers to what he is able to do. Stuart is also gaining experience with each passing season, and I actually believe the best has still to come from him. The fact we now have Kyle Gourlay, a keeper with Premiership experience, competing for the top spot is also good for Stuart. His record shows he has always maintained very high standards, but knowing Kyle is there desperate to play as well, will help keep him focused. Playing in the Championship for the first time in the season ahead is also a massive positive for Stuart. It will be tough, we all accept that, but as I’ve said before it won’t faze Stuart because he has faced huge challenges before and taken them in his stride. The good thing about goalkeepers is the older they get, they better they seem to get. Even at the age of 34, Stuart will be thinking he could still be the main man for another four of five years, maybe even longer. I would never rule that out because he really looks after himself. Stuart simply doesn’t have a wild side, he is a good, and quiet, family man, who works hard to take care of his wife and children, and also puts the same effort into the other thing he loves doing, which is playing for Cove Rangers.”
Paul Hartley Tribute
PAUL HARTLEY Tribute Former manager Paul Hartley knows the value of having a top class goalkeeper in any successful side. As a player, he counted Craig Gordon and Artur Boruc as team-mates and also had Allan McGregor and David Marshall behind him while turning out for Scotland. He inherited Stuart when taking over at Balmoral Stadium, but quickly recognised his importance to the side. During Paul’s time in charge, Cove Rangers played 86 league matches; Stuart started 81 of them. “He’s a really consistent keeper, and he did a brilliant job for me over the three years I was there. He hardly ever made any mistakes, kept so many clean sheets. He was someone you could trust between the sticks.” Last summer, Paul brought Kyle Gourlay to the club as he felt McKenzie needed more competition, but it wasn’t long before Stuart had reclaimed his place.
“I just felt it would be better for the team and for Stuart, I wanted to see how he would respond, and he didn’t let me down. Kyle started the season for me, but Stuart just kept his head down, worked hard and waited for his opportunity. When he got it, he took it with both hands.” Kyle played in the first five League One games of the season. Stuart was recalled for the 1-1 draw with Montrose last September, and kept his place for the remainder of the campaign. Paul was impressed by Stuart’s attitude and says he’s not a typical goalkeeper. “You know what goalies are usually like, they’re normally loud, extrovert, but Stuart’s not like that at all. He’s very quiet, he just goes about his business, and he makes saves. He’s also very good with the ball at his feet, which suited the way we wanted to play. He’s a dedicated professional, he was as good as gold for me, never gave me a moment’s bother and I’m delighted he’s being rewarded with a testimonial.”
Kevin Tindal Tribute
KEvin tindal Kevin Tindal, former Cove Rangers team-mate and manager: “Today’s testimonial match is a well deserved event for Big Stu to celebrate his 10 years with the club. Stu is a superb goalkeeper, who’s dealt with every challenge put in front of him when progressing through the leagues. I’m sure he’ll thrive in the Championship next season as well. Not only a great teammate, but a real genuine lad off the park. Enjoy your day Stu, all the best.”
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