AN historic sports pavilion in Galashiels, which was partly funded by the Old Firm, is in line for emergency repairs.

Celtic, Hearts and Rangers all sent down teams to help raise funds for the building of the Public Park changing rooms in 1906.

The pavilion has been in use ever since, most recently as home to amateur football team Gala Hotspur.

But, despite efforts to repair wear and tear as well as vandalism, the building is in need of emergency work to prevent it becoming unusable.

A spokesman for Gala Hotspur said: "Over the years the external facade has deteriorated and despite our efforts to undertake repairs and redecoration, some of the external timber work is now rotten and the building has been subjected to vandalism due to its failing state.

"If the pavilion falls into further disrepair it runs the risk of becoming inhabitable and an eyesore."

Crowds of around 2,000 watched the three fundraising matches in 1906 against a Borders FA select, which were played on consecutive Wednesday evenings.

Rangers beat the Borders select 6-1, Celtic won 4-2 and Hearts triumphed 3-1, with each game raising between £38 and £47 for the building of the pavilion.

Gala Hotspur have applied to Galashiels Common Good Fund for £3250 to help with the much-needed repairs.

And an application for £5,000 has been made to the Community Grant Scheme.

As well as replacing entrance walls and ornate timber moulds, they want to repair the roof and guttering, repaint the exterior and fit vandal proof doors.

They also want to strip and repaint the interior of the 111-year-old building.

The spokesman added: "There is an initiative to improve the facility at the Public Park by removing old unused portacabins which are also subject to vandalism.

"We have undertaken to utilise one of these portacabins for additional storage and improve its appearance.

"Improving the facade of the the pavilion and the portacabin will help improve the environmental attractiveness of the park for all undertaking sporting or recreational activities."