Gala Fairy Dean
from a town, (Dingwall) with a population considerably below
that of Gala. The re-opening of the Waverley Railway Line in
2015 means that extra homes are being built in the area and
the business that will be attracted means that the club are well
placed to mount a challenge for a league place in the years
ahead. However, central to the club’s ethos is the belief that
any progression will have to be achieved sustainably.
The club’s strategy of sustainability is boosted by three
important developments. The first is the healthier bank balance
thanks to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing revenue
such as a weekly lottery, a newly launched patrons scheme
and increased commercial activities.
The second is a determination to ensure that Gala
Fairydean Rovers is seen as an integral part of the fabric of the
town through a growing community engagement programme
that includes the Walking, Disability and Ladies teams and
the third is the player-pathway created for junior and youth
footballers involved with the club. A clear pathway from
children starting football in Primary 1 right the way through
to youth level and then into the club’s Amateur and Lowland
teams.
Between the club’s own youth and junior section and
another local junior club, Tweedbank Thistle, over 300
youngsters are playing football at Netherdale on a weekly
basis. Very few clubs outwith the professional leagues have
anything like that level of participation. Gala Fairydean Rovers
recognise that to become sustainable then it is necessary to
produce local talent rather than continually spending money
on bringing in players from Edinburgh and beyond.
Local footballing legend, former Celtic, Everton, Monaco
and Scotland star John Collins is also involved in the new
set up as Gala Fairydean Rovers Ambassador of Football. At
the time John was developing as a young player, football in
the Borders was very much a minority sport. Any youngster
who wanted to improve had to travel to the Central Belt for
training and matches. The club has worked hard to create an
infrastructure and opportunity for young players to remain in
Galashiels whilst competing against some of the best in the
country. For the first time the club has youth teams at each
age-group competing in the Edinburgh Leagues.
The local rugby fraternity has managed to consistently
produce some of the best players in the country over a century
or more. It is now the hope of the football community that
the town of Gala and the name of Netherdale will become
synonymous with the round ball as well as the oval.
Borders Buses
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