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PICTURES: Forres Mechanics testimonial for twin brothers and Burghead powerhouses Lee and Graham Fraser - one has scored a hat-trick against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium


By Craig Christie

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FORRES Mechanics’ fans will raise a glass to their club’s long-serving twin brothers tonight.

Twins Lee and Graham Fraser in their testimonial season..Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Twins Lee and Graham Fraser in their testimonial season..Picture: Becky Saunderson..

In the first testimonial event to honour Graham and Lee Fraser’s decade at the Cans, a whisky tasting event is being held at Mosset Park with whisky minister Vic Cameron, and is already a sell-out.

Further dates include a quiz night in January, a prosecco and gin day in February and a golf day in April, with the possibility of a testimonial match being played later in the year.

The Burghead brothers started their careers at Ross County and joined Forres in 2010 as 17-year-olds when they started trade apprenticeships and found the travel to and from Dingwall for training had become too much.

The twins after just signing for Mechanics in 2010.
The twins after just signing for Mechanics in 2010.

"We trained at Kinloss for a couple of weeks and we weren’t sure," said Graham.

"I played three games as a trialist for Burghead United in the welfare. After the third game my dad said 'you can’t play at this level'.

"Soon after, Forres were short of boys and asked us to play against Cove, I started and Lee came on.

"Ross County wanted us to go back but we didn't, and that was the start of our time at Forres."

In their first full season at Mosset Park, the Frasers were Highland League title winners as the side bossed by Charlie Rowley produced a stunning success.

“That was definitely the highlight, along with playing Rangers in the Scottish Cup the following year,” said Graham.

In the early days of his Forres career, Graham Fraser tackling Sam Urquhart, then of Clach. Pic by: Gary Anthony.
In the early days of his Forres career, Graham Fraser tackling Sam Urquhart, then of Clach. Pic by: Gary Anthony.

While Graham starred throughout the title season and played against his Ibrox heroes, Lee missed out due to one of two serious knee injuries he has sustained in his career.

“In that title-winning season I shattered my left knee cap and had to get an operation. I was out for 18 months,” he said.

“I still finished as top scorer in the title year and was given the clubman of the year award.”

Mechanics lost 1-0 to Rangers in the Scottish Cup in September, 2012, with Graham still cherishing the memories.

Graham (left) played against Rangers in 2012 while Lee missed out due to injury. Photo: Eric Cormack
Graham (left) played against Rangers in 2012 while Lee missed out due to injury. Photo: Eric Cormack

Graham said: "I remember working in Hopeman and on my dinner when the news of the draw came through that we were playing Rangers.

"Even though it was a home game we were picked up at the Carisbrooke in Forres, we met there and got on a bus and travelled down to the ground.

"It was a lot busier than a usual match day. I was really nervous in the changing room.

"I always remember walking out to do my warm-up and I’ve never seen the Mosset like that in my life.

"There were people standing in the gardens around the ground trying to get a view.

Lee Fraser in action for Forres at Huntly this season. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Lee Fraser in action for Forres at Huntly this season. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

"I was really nervous and I don't think I had that great a game. I had a chance at the end with a header but I put it just past the post.

"Kyle Scott had a great chance as well and Neil Alexander had a good save from him.

"I always remember that chance because if I had scored that I would have had the chance to play at Ibrox again, in the replay."

But the twins had played at the home of their heroes before in a youth match for Ross County that Lee in particular will never forget.

"I came on at half time and scored a hat-trick, Graham hit the post and we still got beat 4-3," Lee said.

Injuries have hit the brothers hard during their time at Forres.

Graham Fraser makes a tackle for Mechanics against Lossiemouth this year. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Graham Fraser makes a tackle for Mechanics against Lossiemouth this year. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

As well as his shattered knee cap in the title-winning campaign, Lee also tore the cruciate and miniscus ligaments in his right knee in 2018, putting him out for another 20 months.

Graham sustained the same injury in 2014 and endured a similar long wait for surgery, missing a year-and-a- half of action.

Despite their injury misfortunes, the twins have become Highland League stars for their performances, with Graham starting at right- back before making centre-half his position, while Lee has scored over a century of goals for the club as an old-fashioned centre-forward.

Both name past team-mates like Nathan Sharp, Graeme Grant and Kyle Scott as favourites they have played alongside over the years.

With fellow long-servers Ross MacPherson and Simon Allan leaving the club this year, only goalkeeper Stuart Knight has been at Mechanics for longer than the 28-year-old twins.

"Playing all the time makes you want to stay at the club," Lee added.

Lee Fraser scored in a 4-3 defeat against Caley Thistle in the North Cup final in 2011. Pic - Phil Downie.
Lee Fraser scored in a 4-3 defeat against Caley Thistle in the North Cup final in 2011. Pic - Phil Downie.

"We’ve never done badly in any season, we’ve always been mid-table at the very worst and usually further up."

Graham said: "It may not be happening this season but it is a newer squad. We are seeing a new team now and it’s not gelling as well as we would have hoped."

"But it all takes time. Having the year out because of Covid definitely didn’t help. But once you get back to it, it’s fine.

“The club has looked after us well over the years and we kept coming back.

“We’re the latest in a long line of players to get a testimonial, which says a lot for the club.”



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