FROM the region’s Westminster MP to the Assistant Manager of Celtic.

From the organiser of the Tartan Army in Cyprus to the Campaign Director of the Charity Nil by Mouth, the number of new Gala Fairydean Rovers Patrons continues to grow and grow.

The Fairydean Rovers have been inviting individuals and businesses to support and be part of their local football team by becoming a Patron for the year 2016.

The Lowland League club launched their latest community initiative the week before Christmas and already over 50 individuals have signed up to be part of the team at Netherdale.

And the numbers so far include Calum Kerr, the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk as well as former Scotland captain John Collins, who was the first Patron to sign on the dotted line.

The Galashiels based club who were formed in 2013 with the merger of Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers were recently voted “Club of the Year” at the Club Sport Ettrick and Lauderdale Awards and have an award winning Community Engagement Programme that has seen the club establish a number of community partnerships with local charities and organisations.

Club Chairman Kevin Temple explained to the Border Telegraph the theory behind the new scheme which the club believes in the first of its kind in Border Football. He said: “The club have launched the scheme in order to assist us in continuing to grow and develop as a community club.

"The Patrons scheme is for individuals or businesses who want to feel part of our local football club and help make a real difference to what we are trying to achieve here at Netherdale. As well as assisting the club there are a wide range of benefits available for Patrons and for businesses who sign up to the scheme.

"We want to connect with more people in Galashiels and the Borders and this scheme offers us that opportunity.”

Benefits of the scheme include entry into a monthly draw to win hospitality at a first team home game for the patron and a guest, a souvenir certificate, the patrons name on a board in the clubrooms, a listing on the new club website, their name in the award winning match-day programme, exposure for businesses through the club’s social media along with regular email updates from the club.

Patron’s fees start at only £10 for individuals and £50 for businesses, however both are welcome to contribute as much as they wish on an annual basis.

Already one Glasgow based Fairydean Rovers supporter has pledged £250 to become a Patron and many others have paid more than the minimum fee to join the scheme and support the club.

So far the youngest member of the scheme is Bobby Fairburn.

The First Year pupil at Galashiels Academy joined the scheme on the day it was launched at the club’s pop-up shop in the Border Sport and Leisure Trust (BSLT) premises on Douglas Bridge in the town on the Saturday before Christmas.

The furthest travelled Patron is undoubtedly the organiser of the Cyprus Branch of the Tartan Army.

Davy Provan who lives in Skarinou on the Mediterranean Island lived in Galashiels and Selkirk as a youngster. The former soldier with the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery rarely misses a Scotland away game and joined as soon as he found out about the scheme. His travels around the globe supporting the National team have taken him to places as diverse as Japan, Armenia, Luxemburg, Serbia, Norway and Macedonia.

Davy who runs an Air Conditioning and Swimming Pool Maintenance Business on the Island went to school with John Collins and attended his first Scotland away game in 1985 along with current Secretary of the Fairydean Rovers Graeme McIver. Davy told us: “I love travelling abroad to support the national team where ever they play but it’s nice to be able to support grass-roots football in Scotland by becoming a Patron of Gala Fairydean Rovers.”

Others who have become a Patron include Nil By Mouth Campaign Director Dave Scott, former Gala Fairydean player and boss Gary Fraser, Coach of Gala Hotspur Fred Blackie and a “well-kent face” of Borders football Ellis McGregor.

Club Secretary Graeme McIver said: “We are delighted with the response we have received in the three weeks that the scheme has been running and we hope that the numbers will continue to grow as the word gets out about the initiative.

"We believe that our future success both on and off the field is dependent on us developing and deepening our existing roots in the local community by working with all the people of Galashiels, local charities, businesses and partner organisations.”

Anyone who would like to become a Patron of Gala Fairydean Rovers can send a cheque for the required amount to Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Patrons Scheme, The 3G Arena, Nether Road, Galashiels, TD1 3HE or contact Club Secretary Graeme McIver on 07738 615 562 or email graememciver@btinternet.com