‘Look back and be proud’ says Annan chairman

May 8 2009 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

ANNAN chairman Henry McClelland is determined not to let the disappointment of missing out on a play-off place dampen the spirits at Galabank tomorrow.

The third division side will close their first season in the Scottish Football League with a match against Dumbarton who are set to be crowned champions at the end of the game.

But with league sponsors Irn-Bru set to flood Galabank with their fizzy golden liquid in a special end of season fun day, McCelland wants both fans and players to look back on what has been a successful season.

He said: “I think there was a bit of disappointment there among the fans and the players and there certainly was on the board that our season just seemed to peter out there when we got so close to finishing in the play-offs.

“But we need to look back on the season and look at what we have done.

“We said we would be happy with finishing in ninth place but when we got to 35 games, we were look at a play-off place.

“If we’d said that at the start of the season, people would have said we were off our rockers.

“I think we need to take a reality check tomorrow and just remember that we did really well and went on a great run.”

Depending on tomorrow’s result, Annan could finish as high as fifth but no lower than seventh.

The Third Division trophy will be at Galabank for their opponents to lift at the end of the game.

A custom-made Irn-Bru bus will arrive at Galabank Stadium at 1.30pm.

Young Annan and Dumbarton supporters will be able to demonstrate their scoring ability on the inflatable beat the goalie game before the match.

A draw will take place for a half time shoot-out on the pitch for 6 youngsters from both Annan and Dumbarton.

Fans will also be invited to broadcast their thoughts in the

Irn-Bru Match Box, footage of which will then be uploaded to Phenomenalfooty.com.

McClelland hopes everyone will enjoy the day and give the players a huge pat on the back for their efforts through the season.

“Hopefully people will stay around at the end of the game as I’m sure the players would like to thank the fans for their support and the fans will want to the thank the players,” he said.

“We will take this time now to recharge our batteries, celebrate the season we’ve just had and look at building for next year.”