Club History
03 Mar 2009

Halliburton Football Club was formed in 1976 as a works team playing in the oil related "Energy League". The team originally consisted of Halliburton Staff only and was played on a friendly basis. The football Club was started in an official capacity in 1977 when membership was applied for and achieved in the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association.

1977 had seen an increase in offshore work, which ultimately meant many staff members being unavailable and so the door was opened to non staff members. For the first 12 seasons within the AAFA the club was managed by George Sang with Richard Murray acting as Secretary. During the early years much credit was due to Mr. Charlie Jacks the Halliburton Divisional Manager for his company backed financial support.

During the 12 years George managed the club he was later assisted by Frank Gardiner who tragically died at a very early age in 1991. George took the side to the Semi final of the Barclay Cook Cup in 1982 which was narrowly lost at Linksfield Two, now the all weather pitch at the Chris Anderson Stadium. He also set up insurance cover and introduced training, which was held at the now demolished Hilton Academy. Charlie Grant, then Doug Stephen took charge of the training nights.

In 1989 George was transferred abroad and Halliburton were fortunate to have an able replacement already within the club. Veteran player Dave Strath had been on the books since 1983 and was keen to explore management, as his long playing career was coming to an end. Unfortunately after only one season, Dave was Head Hunted by Newcomers Echt who had applied to join the Amateur Ranks and Dave moved there as Secretary.

The club once again promoted from within when Raymond Cruickshank became Manager for season 90-91, an indifferent season followed with mixed results and Raymond retired from football at the end of the campaign. Stuart Marlow took control, initially only on a temporary basis, but continued and lead the club to its first triumph at the end of his first season in charge, the Stephen Shield was won in May 1992. Stuart along with Gary Longmuir had been at the club since 1977 and so following two managers in quick succession after 1 in 12 years, a bit of stability was regained.

He is still Manger today and is now assisted by Jim Ritchie. Following reasonable league spots from 91/92-93/94, a runner up slot in 94/95 and a mid table finish from season 95/96, season 96/97 bombed. The club reached desperation point with low morale and confidence, culminating in a rock bottom 0-11 defeat prior to Christmas. Stuart felt that with Halliburton now in their 20th season as amateurs something had to be done to revive a previously proud club. He approached Jim who had spent many years in the first division as a player then coach and his added qualification, a graduation from teachers training as PE teacher made him an ideal candidate to breath life back into Halliburton FC.

Jim agreed to join and this proved to be a turning point. Team spirit improved and slowly results turned in the clubs favor. A low league finish from 96/97 was followed up in 97/98 with a mid table slot and a league cup semi final appearance. Neill Milne also won the divisional player of the year for 97/98. 98/99 saw Halliburton slip back a little and relegation to the AAFA Div. 5 was the unfortunate result. Despite this the club spirit remained buoyant and during 99/2000 surpassed all expectations, winning 3 AAFA competitions, the division 5 Championship, the Castle Rovers Cup and the Divisional Fair Play Trophy.

The club was dealt a massive blow in March 2003 when Gary Longmuir died suddenly. Gary had joined Halliburton along with Stuart Marlow in 1977, he had a short spell in junior football before returning to the club in the 80's. Garys untimely death had a big effect on all the players particularly the longer serving members and without doubt we shall never again see a player of his class in a Halliburton jersey. In December of 2003 our former manager and founder George Sang also passed away after battling cancer. George was a larger than life character and a fantastic player.

We found ourselves in our second play off situation at the end of season 06/07 when we played in a winner takes all, one off match, for the right to remain in Division 2. Halli coming out victorious against Portlethen United. In the middle of that same season, our 30th campaign, Stuart Marlow played his 1000th match for the club in a 2-3 league win out at Portlethen.

07/08 saw Halliburton enjoy a good season finishing in the top 5 of AAFA D2 North and in the same season we competed  the final of the Castle Rovers Cup losing narrowly to Stonehaven 0-1. 08/09 was another decent campaign with another top 6 finish meaning yet again we just missed out on promotion. 09/10 saw Halliburtons continued rise and resulted in a runners up position meaning automatic promotion which would see the club play in the second top division for the first time. 10/11 and Halli proved they were more than capable of holding their own in the first division reaching 5^th place for many weeks slipping to a final 6^th   placing after we had completed our season as one club passed us when they completed all their games in hand. 10/11 season also saw Halli progress well in the National cup competition ending with a disappointing close loss against Blantyre Celtic down in Glasgow.

Season 11/12 will be Halliburtons 35^th in the Aberdeenshire amateur leagues and we shall be hoping to continue our slow progress up the through the divisions. As has always been the case the financing of the club proves difficult and our now annual fund raising dinner provides the basis of our funding. Our thanks have to go out to those companies who have sponsored us over the years in terms of providing kit, funding bus trips ect. Jack Scot (Now Scotia), Doug Stephen Flowers, Stephen Taylor, BDM Ironing, Hallin Marine , Enship & more recently The Red Star Inn.