Blogger and Scottish football enthusiast Dave A Burin took in the sights and sounds (and pints) of Annan before watching the Galabankies defeat The Shire in a five-goal thriller.
Even Steven Swinglehurst looks confused. Unchallenged in the box, the young centre-back hasn’t even had to jump. Aiming his head at a second ball from an ineffective free-kick clearance, his touch has drifted past Shire ‘keeper Richard Barnard, and rustled the back of the net. The Galabank faithful stare at one another, slightly amused, before warm applause starts. But Annan have been here before. After a dominant start at New Bayview a few weeks back, things fell apart. In the club’s Black and Gold magazine, manager Jim Chapman bemoaned how his side “forgot about the fundamentals of football”, losing 2-1 late on, at the hands of controversial veteran Derek Riordan. There are plenty of twists and turns ahead, in a riveting 90 minutes in this picturesque corner of Dumfries and Galloway.
Arriving at lunchtime, into a sunny Annan which contrasts the frozen Cheshire I’ve travelled up from, my spirits are high, as I take a wander into the town. A quiet, charming and scenic town of around 8,000 souls, just east of Gretna Green, Annan is one of the most endearing places to host Scottish League football. But it hasn’t done so for long. Gretna F.C.’s dissolution in 2008, was the moment that paved the way for SPFL entry just along the road at Galabank – and the four-times East of Scotland Premier League Champions adapted to live in the big time* (*sort of) quickly.
For a small town, Annan boasts an array of pubs and eateries, and my first stop is the impressive-looking Queensberry Arms Hotel. Once a rest-stop for Victorian coaches, its café & bar now serve up hearty fare for locals, and on Saturdays, the global fanbase of Annan Athletic. I settle down for the undeniable food porn that is a Bacon & Haggis baguette with Chips, and a pint of Belhaven Best – a drink whose absence back home is frankly criminal.
From there, I head onto The Shed – which puntastically bills itself as ‘Annan’s Inn Place’. It’s the meeting place for a large proportion of the home support, who sup beers whilst keeping an eye on the Six Nations rugby, and Aberdeen’s draw at Dens Park. There’s also a few of the hardy Shire faithful here – unbeaten in five, before kick-off, and in high spirits, treating the lively bar to a chorus of “you’re not very good…”, amidst the Shed’s array of signed Annan kits of yesteryear.
The walk up to Galabank is a scenic one. A ten minute stroll from the High Street, it leads past pastel-coloured houses and daffodil-lined fields. For anyone who’s been to their fair share of football grounds, this is a setting unusual enough to feel mildly surreal. Galabank itself, home to the club since 1953, combines the new and old.
The players’ dressing rooms, and the main club building, are inside old, converted granite houses. The pitch, however, is 3G, and Galabank’s main stand has a modern style and feel to it. To the left, lies the open terrace on which the largely topless Shire support celebrated McKenna’s sweet strike and Townsley’s headed goal, and behind the other goal, the rest of the Annan faithful, stood under a roof which takes some serious battering from a number of enthusiastic defensive clearances, and overhit shots.
I’m there for the warm-up. Shire’s substitute ‘keeper slices a ball into the stand, and I throw it back to him – but not before noticing the words ‘Elgin City’ distinctly written on both sides of it. If anyone at Borough Briggs is missing their ball, I think I can help you. Soon after, tracksuits off, the sides emerge to David Bowie’s Heroes. Swinglehurst nods home, and Annan continue to push forwards, looking lively on set pieces. But Shire give as good as they get, and in a lively first-half, talented Annan keeper Jordan Hart is kept busy, with the pick of the saves coming from defender Donnelly’s close effort.
Shortly before half-time, David McKenna hits a rasping shot into the Annan net, to send the Shire fans wild. Whilst the half-time is uplifting – £1 for a cup of tea. Bargain – the start of the second period sees Annan’s defensive frailties highlighted. Chris Townsley’s low header gives Shire a rather scrappy second, in the 54th minute. But, unlike at New Bayview, Annan have time to reverse their fortunes.
The row of youngsters sit in front of me marvelling over BBC Sport’s relaying of Harry Kane’s decisive hat-trick against Leicester, and discussing local school gossip – a heads-up to John. Apparently Connie fancies you! However, a matter of yards away, a goalscoring hero is beginning to turn the tide for the home side. First, Rangers loanee Junior Ogen smashes a shot against the bar, and racing in for the rebound, Peter Weatherson capitalises with a slow-motion header, which drifts past a helpless defender on the line.
Chances follow at both ends. Balls are lumped into the air. Slick and slack passes abound. Then, with just three minutes left, a ball from Martin McNiff sails crisply through the air. The whole of Galabank turns, with baited breath, to watch it glide sumptuously towards the far post. Jubilation. Peter Weatherson calmly flicks the inch-perfect ball into the net, with his prolific forehead, and the Black & Gold faithful erupt into rapturous applause.
Wandering out of Galabank to the sounds of the delighted tannoy announcer, it’s not just the bright sunshine or the late winner which has me feeling cheery. Too often maligned by media and fans of the top clubs, Scottish lower league football is not just alive and well, but fun, friendly and welcoming. Far from the massive crowds, there’s still plenty of enjoyment to be had…
Travel & Ticket info:
Tickets: Adults £10 / Adult & Child (u-12) £10 / Concessions (Adults over 65 & Juniors u-16) £5
Travel: Annan is on the Carlisle-Dumfries train line. The times vary slightly, but they run around once an hour.
Ground Location: Located on North Street, Annan, the ground is located 15 minutes walk from Annan Train Station. Head straight from Station Rd., across the High St., and onto Lady St.. Then continue up the hill until you reach Galabank.
Dave Burin is a Freelance Writer from Manchester. He likes pale ale, bad puns and Dundee United, and writes for numerous Football Blogs. You can find Dave’s own blog, ‘He Would Have Laughed’, on WordPress.
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