30/07/2017
Season 2017 – 2018 preview
Upper Annandale entering their 5th Year as a south of Scotland football team will be hoping for a better campaign than last year.
There have been many changes at the club over the pre-season with ex manager Mark Turner taking over as chairman and his number 2 ex Northern Ireland U21 international Bryan Gilfillan taking over as manager. Darren Ferbie will come into assist Bryan in first team duties. Alan Johnstone another ex manager at the club will take on the role as Vice Chairman, Darren Ferbie will continue as Secretary / treasurer and Neil Alston was also appointed Honorary president of the club for the new season. Darren Mcculloch and Kevin Alston will stay on the committee and joining them will be Tim Leighfield, Kevin Steele and Michelle Pagan.
On the playing front Adam Uphill, Bailey White, Euan Gourlay & Callum Williams all went back to their parent club Queen Of The South at the end of last season. Darren Dunbar went back to his home town team Mid Annandale while Sam Henderson, Dion Irving, Luke Proudfoot, Logan Dixon and Robbie Matthews all decided to pursue other interests. Our long serving players Grant Watson and Scott Porteous have decided to hang up there boots or in Scott’s case his gloves and we thank both players for their many years of loyalty to the club.
The club were delighted to keep a hold of our core Moffat players from last year Michael Swan, Ryan Johnstone, Marc Leighfield, Peter Pagan, Darren Ferbie, Arron Bell & Richard Swan. Joining them is ex player Niki Frame and four players from our youth set up have made the step up. They are Logan Turner, Mitchell McGregor , Braden Bruce & Bradley Mathieson.
Ex Carlisle United youth Josh Usher has also signed on again for the 2017 / 2018 season.
To complement the exciting young talent from Moffat the manager has brought in the following players.
Dean Richardson (ex Celtic youth, Peterhead & East Stirling)
Kevin Nielson ( Ex Annan Athletic & Hurlford United)
Josh Farrell (Ex BSC Glasgow)
Darren Malley (Rosevale Juniors)
Searus Ainsley (Ex Carlisle United youth)
Tony Low (Ex Inverness Caley, Peterhead)
Mark Turner Chairman commented:
On and off the park the club are driving forward to improve all aspects of the club. My self and the committee are delighted to have Bryan on board as his experience will be invaluable to us all. I have worked closely with Bryan before and this appointment was a no brainer if we want to progress. He has the contacts as you can see from his signings and these players will not only lift the profile of the club but will help our younger players develop. It is also pleasing that we still have a core of Moffat based players who are all fantastic players and we hope along with the new signings they will all complement each other. Bryan is a fantastic young coach and has good ideas so we as a club are delighted to support him in what is his first job manager’s in senior football.
Bryan Gilfilan Manager Commented:
I’m really excited for the forthcoming season. There have been big changes at the club in the last few months especially on the playing side as we have added more quality to add to what we already have which gives us a good blend of experience and youth. There is room for a couple of more faces before our first league game this coming Saturday V St. Cuthbert Wanderers. Bryan added that its exciting times as a lot is happening off the pitch for the club so it’s imperative his team get it right on the pitch. The club has big ambitions which is why I’m here and I very much look forward to the season ahead.
On the youth front this season again we will have teams running at U15’s & U17’s along with our teams at 9 – a – side, 7 – a – side and 4 – a – side. We also have a vibrant girls section with over 30 girls participating weekly so it is exciting times for the club ahead. Again all our youth coaches do a magnificent job so we thank them for the time they give up.
Finally to all the volunteers who support the club on match days or training nights, whether that is first team or youth team we thank you all. Without your dedication and continued support we would not be able to achieve what we are striving towards. We wish everyone connected to the club a successful 2017 / 2018 season.
The club would like to thank also the following for their support in the coming season. It is very much appreciated from everyone connected to the club.
The Famous Star Hotel Moffat (Main Sponsor)
Grange Quarry
Andrew James Windows & Conservatories Ltd
Grant Watson Joinery
Norman Furnishings
R Matchett & Son
Audio Visual
Balmoral Hotel
