Annan Athletic joined the Scottish Football League in 2008, replacing Gretna, and are currently in fourth place in League 2.
In recent years, their Galabank ground has undergone a transformation, with new terracing, a new enclosure and a new artificial pitch.
Here are 10 facts about the League 2 club:
1 Annan were a Junior side until 1950/51 when the Dumfries and District Junior League had to be wound up due to lack of officials. The following season Annan could not play in any league and the year after they moved to join the Carlisle and District League and the Cumberland Football Association. They won every competition they entered bar one in their first season. Annan moved back to Scottish football in 1977 when they joined the South of Scotland Football League and this move, as well as work carried out to their ground, meant that Annan were allowed to compete for a place in the Scottish Cup via the Qualifying Cup (South).
2 The first Scottish Cup tie against a senior side came in December 1979 when Stranraer visited Galabank. James ‘Bishop’ Anderson scored the Black and Gold’s first ever knockout goal in a 3-1 defeat in front of 1,250 fans.
3 Annan won their first Scottish Cup tie in January 1998 when visitors Vale of Leithen were defeated 3-1. In the following round they made the long trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle and lost 8-1 after Norman Montgomery made the hosts angry by scoring the opening goal. Barry Wilson and Brian Thomson hit doubles, with Iain Stewart, Barry Robson, an own goal from Stanley Leslie and Duncan Shearer adding to Inverness’s tally.
4 In season 2000/01, manager Davie Irons lost two players from his East of Scotland Premier League squad to Newcastle United. Ryan McGuffie and Colin McMenamin were the players who left for St James’ Park before having long careers in Scottish football.
5 Annan remain the holders of the Qualifying Cup (South) after defeating Preston Athletic 3-1 in the final in November 2006. The tournament has never been played for again as new criteria were brought in for entry to the Scottish Cup.
6 Long-serving midfielder Chris Jardine once re-signed for the club after Chairman Henry McClelland came up with tickets for the Rangers v Zenit St Petersburg UEFA Cup Final in Manchester.
7 Annan’s first game as a senior club was a Challenge Cup tie against Clyde at Broadwood on July 26, 2008. The Bully Wee ran out 2-0 winners thanks to two goals from Alan Trouten.
8 Annan’s first league game was a Division Three encounter the following week at Cowdenbeath that kicked off early as there was a Stock Car meeting on the Saturday evening at Central Park. It was a joyous day as the new boys ran out 4-1 winners, with Mike Jack scoring their first ever senior goal. Jack grabbed a second goal, with Stephen Archibald and Darren Johnstone also scoring to create history
9 Current manager Jim Chapman’s first win in charge was a memorable one, as Annan beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox in the 2012/13 season.
10 Annan have qualified for the play-offs twice but have still to secure promotion. In 2011 they defeated Alloa in the semi-final but were edged out by Albion Rovers in the final on a 4-3 aggregate. In 2014 they lost out to Stirling Albion at the semi-final stage, going down 3-1 away and 5-3 at home.
Craig Stewart
.png){kind=logo}
