Alexander Sutherland (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Sutherland well known as Zander, is a Scottish professional footballer currently without a club following his release from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He grew up in the village of Helmsdale
on the East Coast of Sutherland
. He attended Golspie High School, where his then teacher, Dr Rod Houston recognised his gift to play football and gave him the final push towards going Pro.
He is a little winger who can play either right or left in midfield. He made his debut for Caley Thistle in 2006 in a home game against Falkirk
, a match where many thought he merited man of the match status.
The next season Sutherland's appearances were limited by then manager Charlie Christie
. His first game of the season saw him come on as a substitute against Dunfermline in September, his first touch being a goal on Souleymane Bamba
. However he did not play with the first team again until December in a game against Kilmarnock
. On this occasion his first touch was not so good as his first touch was a push on striker Steven Naismith
(a rather soft push) but nonetheless conceded a penalty which was the winning goal in a 4-3 win for Killie. Again Zander did not play again until April against Kilmarnock again and then Dunfermline again in May. This left many fans frustrated that one of our most promising young talents had been restricted to cameo appearances throughout the whole season.
He scored his first goal for the club in July 2007 in a pre-season victory over Clach
.
When Craig Brewster
was appointed manager in September 2007 Zander was sent on loan to Elgin City on loan for the season as Brewster felt he needed to "toughen up". This proved to be a good move for Zander as he was voted Elgin's player of the season, only missed a handful of games and was nominated for 3rd Division player of the year.
He returned to Caley Thistle in April and signed a new one-year contract in the same month.
With his commonly used first name beginning with a Z, Sutherland received legendary status in universities around the country as an answer in the drinking game Drink While You Think for a footballer whose name begins with Z.
Helmsdale
Helmsdale is a village on the east coast of Sutherland, in the Highland council area of Scotland. The modern village was planned in 1814 to resettle communities that had been removed from the surrounding straths as part of the Highland Clearances....
on the East Coast of Sutherland
Sutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
. He attended Golspie High School, where his then teacher, Dr Rod Houston recognised his gift to play football and gave him the final push towards going Pro.
He is a little winger who can play either right or left in midfield. He made his debut for Caley Thistle in 2006 in a home game against Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
, a match where many thought he merited man of the match status.
The next season Sutherland's appearances were limited by then manager Charlie Christie
Charlie Christie
Charlie Christie is a former professional footballer who managed Scottish Premier League club Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Christie resigned from the Highlands club in August 2007.-Early career:...
. His first game of the season saw him come on as a substitute against Dunfermline in September, his first touch being a goal on Souleymane Bamba
Souleymane Bamba
Souleymane "Sol" Bamba is a professional footballer who plays for Championship club Leicester City, as a defender.Bamba started his career in his native France with Paris Saint-Germain, but failed to establish himself in their first team and moved to Scotland to join Dunfermline Athletic in 2006...
. However he did not play with the first team again until December in a game against Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
. On this occasion his first touch was not so good as his first touch was a push on striker Steven Naismith
Steven Naismith
Steven John Naismith is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national team.Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock in 2004...
(a rather soft push) but nonetheless conceded a penalty which was the winning goal in a 4-3 win for Killie. Again Zander did not play again until April against Kilmarnock again and then Dunfermline again in May. This left many fans frustrated that one of our most promising young talents had been restricted to cameo appearances throughout the whole season.
He scored his first goal for the club in July 2007 in a pre-season victory over Clach
Clachnacuddin F.C.
Clachnacuddin F.C. are a semi-professional senior football club from the city of Inverness who currently play in Scotland's Highland Football League. They have won the most League championships in the competition's history a total of 18 times overall. Their home ground is Grant Street Park in the...
.
When Craig Brewster
Craig Brewster
Craig James Brewster is a Scottish football player and coach. He made his name in a long and successful career playing as a striker for numerous clubs in Scotland, particularly Forfar Athletic, Raith Rovers, Dundee United and Dunfermline Athletic...
was appointed manager in September 2007 Zander was sent on loan to Elgin City on loan for the season as Brewster felt he needed to "toughen up". This proved to be a good move for Zander as he was voted Elgin's player of the season, only missed a handful of games and was nominated for 3rd Division player of the year.
He returned to Caley Thistle in April and signed a new one-year contract in the same month.
With his commonly used first name beginning with a Z, Sutherland received legendary status in universities around the country as an answer in the drinking game Drink While You Think for a footballer whose name begins with Z.