And 32-year-old keeper John Dodds is amongst the first of the current Netherdale crop to sign on for another season.

Teenagers Craig McBride and David Bonnar both agreed new contracts last month.

And now Dodds has also added his name to the 2014/15 squad list.

John told us: “It is a forward thinking club and they focus on nothing other than the football.

“I wouldn’t have stayed if I didn’t have faith in Steve and the rest of the boys here at Gala.

“You do think about the future when you are on the wrong end of a beating but we have turned things around recently and we’re getting some good results.” Dodds, who reached Scottish Cup and League Cup finals with Ayr United, also enjoyed seasons at Queen of the South and East Fife before moving to his hometown team of Selkirk.

He was amongst Noble’s first signings during a frantic few weeks before the start of this season’s Lowland League.

John added: “We were always going to be up against it as Steve had to pull a squad together really quickly.

“Having promotion and relegation next season will make things really interesting. It means we have to strengthen and the other teams will also be trying to strengthen.

“We don’t have competition for places at the moment and that is why we are down at the bottom end of the league. We need more competition for places and I think Steve will be bringing in players to do that.” Utility defender Jason Inglis and striker Stuart Noble have also signed new contracts.

Manager Noble told us: “We’ve retained the nucleus of the squad we want to build around with John, Stuart, Jason, Craig and David. We’ll be talking to a few more.

“I want to add to the squad. I’m looking all over the Borders and Edinburgh. We’ve spoken to quite a few and hopefully get them signed in the next week or two.”