Inverness footballer is named Highland League player of the season

JAMES Anderson says it was a proud moment in his football career being named Highland League player of the season. The 24-year-old Brora Rangers striker received the top honour at the Highland League Awards Dinner which took place in Inverness on Friday night. The Inverness footballer, who moved to Brora Rangers from Clachnacuddin in February, scored 30 goals during the 2025/26 Highland League campaign. He also claimed a league champions winning medal for the first time in his career as Brora Rangers successfully retained the Highland League for a second successive season.

Speaking about being named Highland League player of the year, Anderson said he did not expect to be given the accolade, but is incredibly proud to receive the honour. He said: “I didn’t expect to receive the award. “But obviously I am buzzing about it. There is a lot of quality in the league with a lot of good players. To be voted by other players to be named the top player in the league means a lot.” Anderson scored 22 goals with Clachnacuddin this season before moving to Brora Rangers at the end of February where he found the net eight more times.

He said that he felt he could have scored even more this season, but was still delighted to reach the thirties. He said: “I had 22 by the end of November and I was looking to get into the 30’s. Then I did go through a bit of a dry spell, but I am happy to get 30 goals. “It is the most that I have ever got in a season, so I am happy to get 30. “If you told me at the start of the season that I would have went to Brora, won the league and be named player of the year, I wouldn’t have believed you. “Winning the league was an unbelievable feeling and receiving the player of the year award was a good finish to the season.” But Anderson says the whole club are determined to win the Highland League again next season and give themselves another crack of promotion. He said: “It is still sore to take to be honest.

We didn’t play as well as we could in the play-offs. But we have to go and win the league and give it another crack.” Anderson is also looking forward to Brora Rangers taking part in the League Cup group stages with the draw taking place on Wednesday at 1pm. Brechin City, who finished as runners up in the Highland League, but will be playing in the Lowland League East next season, will also be in the League Cup. The group stages will include all SPFL teams who are not in European competition next season, including seven Premiership clubs.

Anderson said: “It will be the first time he will have played in the competition and he is looking forward to testing himself against a higher level. “I am looking forward to taking on higher level opposition and it will be good to test ourselves. “I think every group gets a Premiership club, so I am looking forward to seeing who we get and giving it a go. Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.