Trialists given chance at Vale match

Jul 3 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

ANNAN GAFFER Harry Cairney is on the hunt for more first team players this weekend.

The Galabankies have an away trip to Vale of Leithen in a pre-season friendly and the club is going to use it as a chance to try out new talent.

Four trialists training with the club are expected to feature in the game and it’s a chance for them to impress their potential new manager.

Cairney said: “We’ve got a couple of trialists at the club just now, and they’ve been working hard.

“I’ll be wanting to have a look at them this weekend.

“There should be three or four of them and they’re mainly offering attacking options.”

And the new players will have the chance to fill in some gaps made in the Annan squad – three players have left the club in the last week.

Shot-stopper Dougie Calder has joined junior side Bellshill Athletic leaving Cairney with the headache of finding a replacement.

Tom Short has also left the club after being released from the last of his two year contract by mutual consent.

And Darren Johnstone has done the same. The tall striker has made a switch to Crichton FC

Cairney added: “These things happen in football. Players aren’t being paid a lot, so you can’t expect them to stay around forever.

“We’re looking to strengthen the squad and hopefully the new trialists will help with that.”

Annan have completed the signing of winger and East League Player of the Year, Lewis Sloan, in a two-year deal.

The finer details of the contract held up the move.