GALA Fairydean Rovers will kick off their Lowland League campaign in East Lothian.

Steven Noble’s team face a trip to Pennypit Park to face last season’s second-bottom side Preston Athletic.

And they will follow up the Saturday, August 1 clash with a midweek home match against Stirling University.

Noble can’t wait for the season to start. He said: “I am already excited about the season although they are all going to be tough games.

“There is always a buzz when the fixtures come out and I’m the same as everyone else - I’ve been going through them game by game.” Noble has retained 10 of the squad which finished eighth last term - the highest of the three Borders clubs.

And he has also signed former Vale of Leithen keeper Mark Wilson.

Noble added: “We are busy talking to players at the moment and I expect to sign two or three this week.” The Fairydean Rovers travel to Warner Park on Saturday to start their build up with a friendly against Eyemouth United.

Selkirk begin their campaign with a home match against Edinburgh University.

Steve Forrest’s team travel to Vale of Leithen on the Wednesday before a trip to BSC Glasgow on August 8.

The manager told us: “The first five fixtures are all appealing and I’m looking forward to them.

“It’s always good to start with a home match and try to get some early momentum.” Selkirk have already built up a squad of 17 signed players with a further four or five expected to sign ahead of the season starting, including two from last season’s team - Jon McInally who is training with Livingston and French Under 20s star Florian Moulet from Marseille.

Former Scotland striker Garry O’Connor has extended his contract at Yarrow Park.

And it is hoped that former Ross County and Raith Rovers midfielder Dene Shields, who has most recently been playing in Malta, will add his name to the squad.

Forrest added: “Dene has been training with us through the summer and is enjoying being part of the squad - I’m hopeful he will put pen to paper.

“Garry has been training really hard over the summer and he has that glint in his eye again.

“The squad is looking good and I expect both Flo (Moulet) and Jon (McInally) to join us next month, as well as one or two others.” Selkirk begin their pre-season build up with a match against Heaton Stannington on Saturday.

Vale of Leithen will travel down to Dalbeattie Star for their opening match of the Lowland League before the midweek derby with Selkirk.

Ian Little already has a squad of 14 signed players with a further eight trialists involved with initial pre-season training.

General manager Mark Lamb said: “The squad is coming along nicely and Ian hopes to have at least