GALA Fairydean Rovers kick off their pre-season friendlies with a visit from League One outfit Cowdenbeath at Netherdale this Saturday.

It will be Colin Nish’s first game in charge of the Blue Brazil as player-manager after the resignation of Jimmy Nicholl following relegation from the Scottish Championship last season.

The ex-Hibs and Kilmarnock striker got to know Gala boss Steven Noble two years ago on their UEFA B-Licence course at Largs.

Noble said: “We met up again on the A-Licence course in the summer when he got the job and I was instantly at him for a friendly and he has agreed to bring his team down for Saturday.

“This is a good opportunity for us to get a competitive game behind us.

“It will be a real fitness test although it would have been ideal if we had got a friendly game under our belts last weekend.” Gala confirmed five new signings over the weekend - ex-Selkirk pair Daryl Burdett and Sean Guiney - along with Ryan Grant, Ryan Clapperton and Taylor Hope to join up with the nucleus of last season’s squad. But Noble is still looking to add to his squad before the Lowland League campaign gets under way for real on Saturday, August 1, with a trip to play Preston Athletic.

Fairydean Rovers’ were meant to be in action on Saturday against East of Scotland League Eyemouth United but a morning monsoon made Warner Park unplayable resulting in the friendly game being postponed.

So the visit of Cowdenbeath’s first team squad will be a tough baptism to the Fairydean Rovers’ pre-season build-up. Gala supporters of an older generation will never forget Cowdenbeath’s last visit to Netherdale 33 years ago.

Back on Wednesday, February 3, 1982, the Braw Lads triumphed 3-2 in a Scottish Cup second round replay thanks to goals from Ged Mather, Alan Notman and Fraser Lothian.

Meanwhile Selkirk, fresh from a 3-3 draw with Heaton Stannington on Saturday, face East of Scotland champions Lothian Thistle at Yarrow Park this weekend. Garry O’Connor found the net for Steve Forrest’s team with Ouzy See adding a double against the Northern Premier side.

Forrest, who now has 20 signed players, said: “We are starting to shape up well and everyone is getting plenty game time ahead of the season.” Kick off at the 3G Arena for the Gala FR v Cowdenbeath game and Selkirk’s match with Thistle at Yarrow Park both kick off at 3pm.