Forres player gets a game in Nairn

A FORRES footballer has crossed the great Moray/Highland divide to play for a Nairn team.
Having already worked in Nairn for five years, and becoming romantically involved with a daughter from the Highland town; Derek Theman (30) of Ferry Road has gone even further and taken up vice-captaincy of a prominent welfare league football team from the ancient fishing port.
“The Nairn loons have welcomed me with open arms,” said Theman. “Jacko’s is a family club, open to all. I am Jacko’s through and through - this is my club now, I love the place and the fans.”
Theman has a Forres footballing pedigree, having starred for top Newmarket and Dallas welfare teams in the past. He signed for the Nairn Harbour Street pub team ‘Jacko’s Bar and Diner’ in 2011.
“The ex-manager of Jacko’s FC, Stuart Finnie, telt me to sign so I did,” said Theman. “Then he resigned. Three years ago they won the league. They signed me and finished second the following season. I’ve since played two seasons at slow centre-half position.”
Jacko’s have a proud record under the Forres and Nairn Welfare umbrella. They won the league in 2011 without dropping a point, the Ally Ross Memorial Rosebowl in 2010 and 2011, and the McIntosh Rosebowl in 2004 and 2011. All of their success was achieved before the arrival of their new, lumbering centre-half.
However, it was with great pride that Theman captained Jacko’s on the opening game of the season earlier this month.
“I am vice captain so that makes me captain when the boy can’t make it,” said Theman. “That happened on the first game of the season. It was a privilege and a very proud moment for me and my family. I had a tear in my eye leading the boys out to a very close game. We got beat 8-0 but I would say that at least eight of the goals were offside.”
The result against local rivals Nairn United has only made Theman more determined to prove himself infront of the fans at Riverside.
“I often get called a traitor but I will always be a Forresian and still support Forres Mechanics,” he said. “However I also follow Nairn St Ninian.”
Jacko's FC followed up their initial defeat with matches against other Nairn rivals. They drew 1-1 with Caley Wanderers and were beaten 3-2 by Uncle Bob's.

The Forres and Nairn Welfare League was formed in 1999, amalgamating the old Nairn and Forres Summer Leagues. It provides competitive football for players in the Forres, Nairn and Elgin areas who may not be of junior level, and players who want to make themselves known to junior teams. Teams compete for the League Shield, the Ally Ross Memorial Rosebowl and the McIntosh Rosebowl between April and September.
The recent withdrawal of FC Lusitan was countered by the addition of 39 Engineers Regiment from Kinloss.
Follow the league and cup progress every week this summer in your ‘Gazette'.