Football Season Guide

Annan Athletic head into the new season with a real sense of optimism under manager Peter Murphy. The Galabankies handed Murphy his first job in senior management 12 months ago and after a shaky start he soon got to grips with the job. It wasn’t an easy task to follow in the footsteps of predecessor Jim Chapman, who had taken the side to the play-off semi-finals and he had the task of completely rebuilding the squad. This summer has been a different and he was proactive in signing up several players on new deals for the forthcoming season back in May. He has been dealt a blow with striker and last season’s leading goalscorer Blair Henderson rejecting the offer of a new deal to sign with Edinburgh City. Winger Rabin Omar has also ended a four-year spell at Galabank to join Elgin City for an undisclosed fee. Murphy will be delighted to have re-signed goalkeeper Alex Mitchell, who enjoyed a breakthrough season between the sticks last time out. Striker Aidan Smith has also signed a new deal having played every single league games and scored 15 goals. The whole of last season’s defence have signed up again, including centre-back Steven Swinglehurst, who will begin his seventh season with the club. Murphy has signed in-demand striker Tommy Muir from Dalbeattie Star and will be hoping to form a partnership with Smith. He will still need to strengthen in attack and could be tempted to return the loan market which he used so effectively last season. He has also added to his midfield with a trio of signings in Chris Johnston and David Wilson, both from Dumbarton, and Tony Wallace from East Kilbride. There is plenty of encouragement for the Black and Golds and they will be eyeing up a place in the play-offs.