Back FC is a football club who play in the Lewis and Harris League. Back FC were formed in 1933 and play beside the beach at Upper Coll in the Isle of Lewis. They are named after the district Back, Outer Hebrideshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back,_Outer_Hebrides and have a large pull from the internal villages which are Coll, Upper Coll, Vatisker, Gress, Tolsta and Tong. Others have played for the blues, including other from the island, people from neighbouring islands, incomers and they have signed a Pole this season. It is the youth that make up the side, this is down to a development club where children from as young as eight attend two training sessions a week.

Back FC have won many trophies since they began, including the highly sought after Eilean Fhraoich Cup on 17 occasions. Only those who live in the district or have close family are legibal to play in the cup, which gives the players a sense of pride.

Back won the 'big one' in 2004 when they won the Highland Amateur Cup. Club from all over the Highlands and Islands compete in this knock-out cup and it is what all the clubs in the region dream of winning.

Since winning the Highland Amateur Cup, the club has struggled at senior level to reach these heights again, but on the junior front they have dominated, with the under 18 side winning the treble in an undeafeated season.

This season start on Friday 6th April 2007, and the side beat the favourites 1-0 with a superb goal from Jason Macleod.

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Andy Gray

Andy Grayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Gray_ was not a Back legend in the same way as Bloxy Murray, Wee Willie Macdonald or Red Mackenzie but as the years go by the story of Andy Gray playing for Back FC has become a legend in itself.

Andyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Gray_ mother came from Lewis and his brother James was even born here. As a youngster Andy came up to Lewis on holiday and stayed in Back with his mothers grandparents.

In 1972 he was asked to turn out for Back as his brothers were known to be good footballers and it was hoped that Andy was as good as them. He was.

Andy found himself playing up front and his goals helped Back win the league and cup double that year to add to the double he won the previous year with the Back juniors.

He even had the honour to be flown up from Glasgow for the Eilean Fhraoich (Heather Isle) Cup Final that year. As the final was against our deadliest foes Point it was essential that we were at full strength. With Andy we were and we manged to lift the cup with our Andy grabbing 2 goals to justify his inclusion.

Andy Grayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Gray_ never took the medals and ran away. He kept in touch and more recently he returned to open the new Back Community Hall at Upper Coll. It had come a long way since the days when Andy had to get changed in the car before the match.

In his recent autobiography 'Gray Matters' Andy said he hopes to return some day with his own family. He knows he would be warmly welcomed and we look forward to seeing him again.

He went on to play for Dundee United F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Rangers F.C., Aston Villa F.C. and Everton F.C. to name a few. He won the Cup Winners Cup with Everton.



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Honors

Highland Amateur Cup
2004

League winners
1946, 1947, 1972, 1975, 2000

Eilean an Fhraoich Cup
1947, 1948, 1949, 1955, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1985, 2000, 2003

Acres Cup
1979, 1989, 2003

Jock Stein Cup
1979, 2003

Lewis Cup
1989, 1996, 1998, 1991

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External Links

Official website