Annan Athletic journey into the SFL

Jul 18 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

ANNAN Athletic’s maiden voyage into the SFL has been given a major boost by a famous former player-manager.

The Standard can reveal that the Galabank side have been in talks with Morton boss Davie Irons who has offered to help out his former team as much as he can.

And that could result in several players from Irons’ First Division side coming to Annan on loan.

Irons was player-boss at Galabank for five years from 1997 to 2002 before joining Gretna.

And according to the current Annan boss, Harry Cairney, any help from Irons would be a major coup for the team.

He told the Standard: “Davie was down at the testimonial for Andy Aitken at Galabank last week and he said to our chairman that he would be willing to help us out.

“That could mean getting a couple of players from Morton on loan which would be a great help to us.

“Hopefully something can happen there as these would be full time players who have a bit of experience in the league.”

Cairney says there have been no similar discussions with Queen of the South but believes having those close SFL neighbours may benefit Annan in the future.

He said: “We have not had any discussions with Queen of the South but I think being an SFL club now puts us in a better position if Queens are releasing any players.

“They might be happy to come to Annan as we are another local club.”

The SFL new boys host the Annan Tournament this weekend when they are visited by Stranraer, Workington Reds and Spartans which will prove to be another tough test for Cairney’s side.

The gaffer was on holiday when Annan were admitted to the league but returned this week to a club anticipating a bright future in the Third Division.

He admits it will be a massive challenge – but one he is relishing.

“I was delighted for guys like Henry McClelland (chairman) and Alan Irving (secretary) that the club got into the league,” he said.

“These guys have built this club and do two or three jobs during a match whereas we just come and train twice a week.

“But it is an enormous challenge for us and I’m not going to kid anyone on and say we are going to race up the league.

“I’m really looking forward to the season starting and have spent most of my time going round signing up players.

“We signed a lot of our current squad on East of Scotland league contracts before we got into the SFL so we have a commitment to these players to give them a chance and see what they can do.”