Today we catch up with Ben Carmichael to talk about Annan Athletic.
How would you assess your club's 22/23 season so far?
So far, this season has been below average for us in the league after starting off brilliantly by finishing top of our League Cup group.
We beat St Johnstone and Ayr United on penalties as well as defeating Queen of the South.
Main Man: Favourite current player and why?
It has to be Tommy Goss. He’s a great striker who has scored a lot of goals for us and always poses a threat in the air due to his height.
Tommy has got 11 league goals so far this season and he’s been a brilliant signing since joining us from Queen of the South last summer.
What is your earliest memory supporting your club?
My first game was at home to Elgin City in the 2012/13 season. The game finished 2-2 with David Hopkirk getting both the goals for Annan.
There was a lot of focus on Division 3 that season and we managed to finish eighth in the table.
Explain the nickname
Our nickname "Galabankies" comes from our ground Galabank - our home since the 1950s.
Almost Famous – What is your club best known for?
I'd say we are best known for beating Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox in March 2013 to break their unbeaten home run in Division 3.
Greatest Gaffer: Your favourite/most loved boss watching your team.
It has to be current boss Peter Murphy who is one of the SPFL’s longest-serving managers.
He’s been in charge since the summer of 2017 and he’s created unforgettable memories in that time.
We reached the promotion play-offs in 2019 and 2022 and enjoyed some great cup ties against Premiership teams.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about your club which other fans may not know?
We were members of the Carlisle and District League and the Cumberland Football Association from season 1952/53 until 1976/77.
Who would make your ultimate all-time 5-a-side team?
- Alex Mitchell – Alex made over 160 appearances for Annan and was loved by the fans. So much so that he was included in the supporters’ team of the decade. He now plays for Blyth Spartans in the National League.
- Steven Swinglehurst – Steven has spent pretty much all of his senior career with Annan and he’s a fantastic defender. He’s played over 300 games for over 10 years with the club and was rightly rewarded with a testimonial game this summer.
- Peter Watson – Just like Steven, Peter spent his whole senior career at Annan and was a great servant to the club on and off the field.
- Owen Moxon – a very creative midfielder who could support the attack and help the defence. He scored eight goals last season as we pushed for promotion before joining Carlisle United in the summer.
- Peter Weatherson – A clinical finisher and scorer of great goals, he produced so many good memories during his time at Annan. My favourite was his goal to knock his former club Greenock Morton out of the Scottish Challenge Cup.
What is your all-time favourite match?
My all-time favourite match was Clydebank away last season in the Scottish Cup 4th round. In the 119th minute we were 3-2 down but then Rob McCartney and Iain Anderson scored a goal each to see us win the game 4-3 in the 123rd minute. Moments after the game finished, we got a dream tie against Rangers in the next round.
What makes your club special to YOU?
At Annan, you have the real connection with the players and supporters and that tight-knit feel makes creating and witnessing lots of memories feel very special to me.
You can follow Annan Athletic’s progress every week in our SPFL Lower League Round Up - watch the latest edition now!
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