New Galabank pitch means away friendlies for Annan Athletic

Annan boss Peter Murphy is lining up away day pre-season friendlies as the Galabank pitch is to be ripped up and relaid.

He revealed earlier that plans for next term are already under way for signing new players and fixing up friendlies.

Murphy told of his bitter disappointment at losing out on promotion to League One for the first time after losing the play-off final 3-2 to Edinburgh City.

Now he wants to go one better and said: “We had been lucky for most of the season with injuries then when it came to the play -offs we had four players at the back getting injured.

“There was Steven Swinglehurst, Scott Hooper, Cameron Clark and also Matty Douglas getting injured.

“It had been excellent all season and then we lose four defenders when it came to the play-offs.”

The Galabankies boss was forced to list himself and assistant manager Colin McMenamin on the bench for the play-off ties just to cover for any emergencies in defence.

Murphy revealed that the play-offs had even cost the club the chance of luring a new player to Annan.

He said: “Because of the position we were in the player ended up going elsewhere and signing for another club. We were in the play-offs and it meant an extra two weeks added to the season so we are a little bit behind other clubs.

“We are now looking at playing away friendlies because our pitch is to be ripped up and a new one put in its place for the new season.”