Jamieson names football squad for Åland

Shetland’s football manager John Jamieson has named his 20-man squad for next month’s island games competition in Åland.

In a pool to be assisted by coach Russell Gair and Deveronvale FC physio Albert Cran, eight of the 10 G&S Flooring Premier League teams will represented by at least one player when Shetland come to take on group opponents Menorca, Greenland and hosts Åland.

Only Yell and Scalloway do not contribute, while Jamieson’s club side and seven-in-a-row champions Delting form the backbone of the squad, represented by seven players including player-coach Peter Peterson.

Spurs’ growing stature in the local game sees a trio of their players – brothers Josie and Lewis Kay along with pivotal figure James Johnston – included, while last year’s runners-up Whalsay also contribute three names.

As expected, 2005 island games final goalscorer Duncan Bray – who now lives in France – has been drafted in, as has Delting midfielder Alan Duncan, another no longer permanently based in the isles.

The unlucky sextet to have missed the cut from the provisional 26-strong squad are Scalloway forward Gary Burns, Celtic pair Paul Grant and Dominic Mann, Thistle winger Scott Morrison, Ness midfielder Tomas Smith and Yell goalkeeper Matthew Saunders.

Goalkeepers: Craig Dinwoodie (Delting) and Eric Peterson (Ness). Defenders: Leighton Flaws, Merv Jamieson (captain) and Peter Peterson (all Delting), Richard Arthur and Gary Jamieson (both Whalsay), Ross Moncrieff (Celtic), Lewis Kay (Spurs). Midfielders: Karl Williamson (Whalsay), James Johnston and Josie Kay (both Spurs), Eric Thomson (Unst), Duncan Anderson (Whitedale), Alan Duncan (Delting). Forwards: Craig Gerty (Thistle), Ross MacDougal and Fraser Hall (both Delting), Joe Leask (Celtic), Duncan Bray (Ness).