Lamb switches from Peebles to Gala

David Knox 1607 - 1607 • Last updated 12 Jun 2008 15:37 0 Comments

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GALA FAIRYDEAN have added former Peebles manager Mark Lamb to their coaching staff for next season.

The 40-year-old UEFA licence holder will join the dugout team at Netherdale from this week.

And he hopes to bring several of his players that took Peebles to promotion last season.

Lamb met with the Dean management team of Derek Hancock and Bryan Templeton last night (Tuesday) and also members of the club"s committee.

Lamb told the Border Telegraph: 'Gala Fairydean are the sleeping giants of Borders football and I"m extremely proud to be joining such a club.

'I did have one or two offers from other clubs but the temptation to move to Gala Fairydean and work with a good management team in Bryan and Derek left me in no doubt.

'I have been impressed with what I have seen of Gala over the past couple of seasons - I like their football ethics and hope that I will only add to what is already being done at the club.'

Steady progress has been made at Netherdale since the dark days of 2005/06 season when they were almost bankrupt and finished second bottom of the First Division.

Despite lacking the funds to attract some of the region"s top players, the managers have gathered a strong squad of locals and have fallen just short of promotion over the past two seasons.

But the arrival of Lamb may bring an added few names to the promotion-chasing squad.

Lamb added: 'I know the managers already have some outstanding players and have made one or two approaches for other good players.

'I have spoken with four or five of the boys that won promotion to the Premier League with me at Peebles last year and I feel they want to be part of Gala Fairydean next season. It will be a case of sitting down with Bryan and Derek, and seeing exactly which areas of the squad need strengthened.

'I think Gala Fairydean will be a force in the First Division this season and I can"t wait for the season to start.'

Several former Peebles players such as Michael Osbourne, Gavin Tainsh, Andy Martin, Paul Lee and Chris Grahame are believed to be interested in moving to the Dean.

Templeton and Hancock are hoping to secure around 20 names for their 2008/09 squad.

And they are delighted with their first signing of the season.

Templeton told us: 'Mark did extremely well with Peebles and brings a lot of experience with him to the Fairydean.

'I"m sure he will fit in well and become a big part of what we are hoping to achieve this season.'

Gala"s first opponents of 2008/09 will be a guest side from Dublin at Netherdale around the start of July with an away match in Ireland planned a week later.

It is expected that a new fixture schedule will be announced for the season later in the summer.

This article appeared in Border Telegraph 12 Jun 08

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