SCOTLAND’S only A-listed football stand could be re-opened for the start of the new season following an encouraging structural report.

Officials at Gala Fairydean Rovers have welcomed the findings of an intrusion survey carried out on their world-famous main stand.

The Peter Womersley designed structure, which was built in 1964, had shown signs of deterioration during last season.

And following reports of crumbling masonry and cracking it was closed to football fans in November, 2018 for safety reasons.

A major structural survey was conducted during the summer and autumn with a finalised report being delivered just before Christmas.

Ross Buchan, who is a quantity surveyor by trade, is leading the project for Gala Fairydean Rovers.

The former player and committee member told us: “There was always the fear that the underlying problems would be significant, but thankfully the primary enforcement of the stand is okay.

“Work is required on the secondary enforcement, and while that is still a big job, it is achievable.

“A good number of the repairs are ones that we foresaw and if all goes well work could be completed by late summer.”

Womersley’s late modernist stand is considered so culturally important that Historic Environment Scotland upgraded its status from B- to A-Listed in 2013.

The unique 750-capacity stand continues to attract architectural enthusiasts as well as football fans from across the globe.

Although no firm timescale has yet been put on the estimated £300,000 repairs project, it is hoped to have a design team in place by March following a tendering process.

And the works themselves could begin around June or July.

Officials at the football club have already secured more than £200,000 in funding towards the project, and it is hoped once charitable status has been authorised further bids will be successful.

Mr Buchan added: “We believe that the entire project will cost around £300,000.

“We will continue to submit funding applications and if we are still short closer to when work is due to begin we will lodge a crowdfunding appeal to hopefully make up any shortfall.

“The next phase for us is to appoint a design team, consisting of an engineer, and architect and surveyor and a principal designer.”

Womersley’s stand was officially opened on November 11, 1964 with a match between Gala Fairydean and East Fife.

Officers from Scottish Borders Council, who conducted the investigation works, remain on the stand's working group.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “A comprehensive concrete investigation has now been completed and the findings have been reported back to Gala Fairydean Rovers Football Club.

"We will continue to provide advice to the club as it prepares the relevant tender documents for the restoration project in the new year."