STORM CLOUDS CLEAR FOR FORT
metres in height. The venue itself has a decrepit covered stand on one side of the pitch but
this is now fenced off and condemned. There are now two identical modular Arena Seat-
ing units with around 70 seats each on the opposite side. The pitch is close to the River
Nevis and is prone to waterlogging. In an attempt to help the pitch recover from a shock-
ing winter the club turned the pitch ninety degrees in December 2017 which has left the
playing surface decidedly narrow and the stands now behind either goal. Claggan Park
could easily accommodate several thousand standing spectators but the record attendance
was set in January 1986 at 1,500 for a Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion. The match
was a goalless draw but true to form the Forts were battered 6-0 in the replay at Annfield.
One of the new 70-seat stands
Photos: Pete Miles
With the off field problems surrounding the
club it was no surprise that 2017/18 was yet
another tough season on the field for The
Fort. In the 34 League games the team con-
ceded a staggering 184 goals. This included a
2-12 loss at home to Cove Rangers and a 0-10
at home to Fraserburgh. However, the nadir
came when they visited reigning champions,
Brora Rangers, at Dudgeon Park. The 16-0
thumping was just one goal away from Fort’s
record defeat of 17-0 against Peterhead in
1998. This means Fort William have been
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Groundtastic - The Football Grounds Magazine