THE repairs to the iconic Netherdale stand in Galashiels are nearing completion.

And representatives of Gala Fairydean Rovers football club's community trust and Live Borders saw the progress for themselves last week during a site visit.

The Peter Womersley designed stand has been closed since winter 2018 due to significant public health and safety concerns.

A range of improvements to the category A-listed building have since taken place, including concrete repairs to the stand and turnstiles, drainage improvements and aesthetic enhancements around the stand to restore some of its original features.

Border Telegraph: GFR Community Trust secretary Graeme Mciver having the roof waterproof system explained by Project Manager Greig Gibson of SBCGFR Community Trust secretary Graeme Mciver having the roof waterproof system explained by Project Manager Greig Gibson of SBC

The cost of the repairs have been funded by Scottish Borders Council along with a contribution from the Gala Fairydean Rovers Football Community Trust.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “Along with the contractors, Concrete Repairs Limited, we were delighted to welcome a small group of key local stakeholders on a site visit last week.

“This provided an opportunity to highlight the care and effort that is going in to repairing this iconic Category A listed structure and also allowed the project team to provide an update on the latest works and next steps.

“We anticipate that the project will be complete this autumn and along with all the partners we look forward to providing a more definite date to the community in the near future.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers are playing their first eight league matches away from home while the work on the stand and pitch is taking place.

It is hoped fans will back under the cover by the end of September.

Robert Fairburn, the secretary of Gala Fairydean Rovers FC, said: "Let's be honest, match days have just not been the same at Netherdale since the closure of the Stand almost four years ago.

Border Telegraph: Gala Fairydean Rovers secretary Rob Fairbairn on the roof of the standGala Fairydean Rovers secretary Rob Fairbairn on the roof of the stand

"There were a lot of dark days when the future of the stand was in doubt.

"But thanks to a lot of hard work by a lot of people behind the scenes, we are almost at the end of the tunnel and the Stand should be open once again for home matches by the end of next month.

"Understandably there has been quite a bit of disruption to the club's activities with all the building work going on. We don't even have a television aerial at the moment as there wasn't one on the Stand in 1964 and it has to be restored to its original condition.

Border Telegraph: Project manager Greig Gibson together with GFR Community Trust Chairman Ross Buchan and secretary Graeme McIverProject manager Greig Gibson together with GFR Community Trust Chairman Ross Buchan and secretary Graeme McIver

"We apologise to our members but I am sure that once the restoration is finally complete they will regard the long wait as worthwhile.

"With the pitch being re-laid and the new floodlights installed, everything has come together all at once and the stadium is going to look fantastic.

"The first team even went top of the Lowland League last week so these are indeed happy days for everyone connected at the club."