Border Telegraph | Sport | 'Surely an extended interruption to a lively league programme must be avoided'

Wednesday, 20th August, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 28th May, 2008 12:00

'Surely an extended interruption to a lively league programme must be avoided'

By Laing Spears

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Gloomy memories of the drop to Division 3 of the Premiership twelve months ago are fading fast at Netherdale, as Gala moved back up at the first time of asking.

The arrival of coaches Gary Parker and Richie Gray set the tone for the new season, each with a record of both playing and coaching success.

High scoring games saw Gala chalk up nine wins in as many games with only the draw at Kirkcaldy spoiling the party.

But as the league programme moved into the second half the reality of Division 3 being a bit harder than it had originally looked came home to the team.

Losses to Peebles and Perthshire had to be set against the easy wins over the likes of Murrayfield Wanderers and Berwick, but the coaches had already warned that teams playing Gala for the second time had learned a bit from the games first time around.

It all built up to the dramatic final couple of matches, the only problem being the seven week long interval before the deciders.

Surely some way must be found to avoid such an extended interruption to a lively league programme. There are a few good ideas already in the air, and the clubs who don’t like the present setup can take the initiative for change.

With Gala’s double over Irvine and Ellon there were two weekends of celebration to mark the end of the Premiership season.

Several milestones were reached in a memorable year.

Former skipper Andy McLean reached the impressive figure of 1000 points for the club, only the third man ever to do so. Alan Johnston retired as senior player after starting 227 games, and the team scored 984 points in all matches to the end of March, the highest total for 34 years.

The Scottish Cup, last won in 1999, when Messrs Parker and Gray were again the motivators, looked promising, and it took a side from the top half of Division 1 to see Gala make a sixth round exit, only one score behind.

The Border League took on an unreal air with Duns withdrawing and only four teams left in Gala’s pool.

And the season ended with Selkirk winning the Border League for the first time in 56 years.

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