Annan Athletic face long-distance start to season

Jun 19 2009 by Kieran West Brook, Dumfries Standard Friday

ANNAN face a host of long-distance trips around Scotland in the opening month of next season’s campaign.

After returning from their League Cup tie at Inverness, they face a trip to Berwick Rangers.

Then comes their only home game of August – taking on East Stirlingshire.

But that’s as much action as Galabank will be seeing in the opening month, with trips to Stranraer and then Elgin for Annan to contend with.

And Annan boss Harry Cairney told the Standard it’s not the start he had hoped for.

Cairney said: “That’s a lot of travelling for the start of the season.

“I’d have rather a few more home games after the trip to Inverness, but we’ll just have to live with it. The lads will be spending a lot of time together early on and hopefully it’ll create a bond and team spirit between the lads.”

And Dalbeattie Star winger Lewis Sloan looks set to be making the trips with Annan, as the East League player of the year has agreed terms with the club. Sloan was on trial for a move to Partick Thistle earlier this season, and Cairney admitted it would be a great if the club could get him back to Galabank.