Party still in full swing as Annan get to grips with new-found SFL status

IT WASN'T so much the morning after the night before in Annan yesterday, more a brief pause to celebrations that promise to continue well into the weekend.

Today marks the Dumfriesshire town's annual Riding of the Marches when a cavalcade of horses performs a ceremonial inspection of the town's boundaries. As well as a chance to observe proud traditions it is also a convenient excuse for a raucous day-long party.

However, the townsfolk don't need much of an excuse this weekend following Annan Athletic's election to the Scottish Football League on Thursday.

That achievement added a tangible extra buzz to pre-festival anticipation in the bustling market town yesterday. With the High Street festooned in bunting and a brilliant summer sun beating down on what locals drolly refer to on such days as the "Costa Del Solway", the feelgood factor was palpable.

In the newsagents people were pointing and chuckling at the sight of weel-kent club chairman Henry 'Chunky' McClelland adorning not only the front page of local weekly the Annandale Observer but also much of the national press. For the moment at least, McClelland has usurped the actress Ashley Jensen to assume the hardly hotly contested mantle of Most High-Profile Annanite.

The iconic image of Annan's victory is of McClelland holding up a bottle of Irn-Bru – the SFL sponsors – and roaring his delight as a 30-year dream is finally fulfilled. It is fair to say, however, on Thursday night drink of a stronger nature was taken at the social club as club stalwarts celebrated into the night, with a free bar in effect for some time courtesy of the chairman.

A quick scan of internet messageboards and forums on Annan's election will reveal a significant amount of schadenfreude in certain quarters that bookies favourites Spartans' slick media-friendly campaign ultimately foundered badly, but there was none of that at Galabank on Thursday night. The Black and Golds enjoy good relations with their now former East of Scotland rivals – in fact Spartans are due to take part in Annan's pre-season tournament in a fortnight – and there was genuine sympathy for the ambitious Edinburgh outfit and a hope that they too will be able to achieve their objectives in the future.

One man who was there to toast the historic moment was long-time Annan supporter David Smith, whose son Allan came through the youth ranks at Galabank and has played for the club for a decade and a half, and he summed up the prevailing mood. "It's absolutely tremendous, a terrific boost for the club and the town," he said. "It's just rewards for all the effort that has gone in over the years. I just hope now the town really gets behind the club and gives good support. I'm sure it will."

Asked if he will be travelling to Cowdenbeath for Annan's historic first league match, Smith answers swiftly in the affirmative, although after years when away days meant a well-worn road to Edinburgh and the Borders, it is clear this SFL lark has its complications. "Now Cowdenbeath, that's Fife isn't it?" asks Smith.

As for supporters coming the other way, Annan should be a popular new destination for the Third Division's intrepid band of travelling fans. The tidy little Galabank ground, with social club attached, is a 15-minute walk, via several welcoming hostelries, from the town's train station.

Annan is not a place that would ever lay claim to being a hotbed of cosmopolitan delights but it has its attractions and there is a real sense of community that augurs well for a spirited dint at making a mark on the big leagues.

SFL committee member and Airdrie chairman, Jim Ballantyne said of his site visit to Annan: "When I got there my first thought was, 'This is a real football club and a proper football town'."

Both club and town now have the chance to prove that hunch correct. After a little bit more celebrating, naturally.