Murray mania inspires Borders footballers

Ally McGilvray • Published 13 Apr 2010 12:40 0 Comments

A NEW generation of football stars have emerged from the Borders this season.

And Dougie Anderson, the Scottish Football Association's Senior Football Development Officer for the region, is hoping it will encourage more youngsters in the area to tackle the sport.

His comments followed the exploits of Murray Davidson, from Innerleithen, and Liam Craig, from Chirnside, who scored in St Johnstone's famous 4-1 win over Rangers in the Scottish Premier League last week.

It was the club's first victory over the champions, who included former Peebles pupil Kevin Thomson in their line-up, in almost a decade and the first time they had ever scored four goals against them.

And, earlier this season, Hibs winger Danny Galbraith, from Galashiels, and Aberdeen striker Steven MacLean, from Peebles, also scored dramatic goals in the SPL against Celtic - the other half of the Old Firm.

However, a number of local players are also impressing in the lower leagues. Last month, former Gala Fairydean striker Stuart Noble was crowned Scottish Football League Division Two Player of the Month following his performances for Alloa Athletic. He lines up against Andrew Cook, from Jedburgh, who has recently returned from a trip abroad and signed with East Fife.

And, in the SFL Third Division, Steven Notman and Andrew McLean have both signed extensions to contracts at Berwick Rangers.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph this week, Dougie said: "It's fantastic to see all these players doing well in senior football. I think previously we have only really had John Collins (Hibs, Celtic, Monaco, Everton, Fulham) playing professional football in one era then Andy Lawrie (Falkirk, St Johnstone, Stirling Albion) and John Dodds (Ayr United, Queen of the South, East Fife) in another."

But he added: "I think it shows how the game has moved on in the Borders over the last 10 years and we are now reaping the rewards of the foundations created during that timescale."

Davidson, whose mum hails from Galashiels, admitted it was sometimes more difficult for young footballers to get noticed in the Borders where rugby is still classed as the number one sport.

However, with better coaching networks now in place, he hopes his goal, which virtually secures St Johnstone's SPL status this season, will inspire a new generation of football stars in the area.

Davidson, who turned 22 last month, said: "It was a great feeling to score my first goal against the Old Firm. This is my first season in the SPL and I am enjoying every minute of it.

"We said before the game that nobody would expect us to get a result from the game as Rangers have been so consistent this season but we knew we were capable of giving them a good game and we were fortunate enough to get a few breaks." But he added: "I will never forget my roots and always return home when I get a day off."

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