Football Season Guide

League 2

Scotland

League 2

2019/2020

Annan Athletic

In

Aaron Taylor (Goalkeeper, AFC Workington), Lyle Avci (Goalkeeper, Stranraer), James Ballantyne (Defender, Benburb), Matty Douglas (Defender, Workington AFC), Euan Griffiths (Midfielder, Partick Thistle), Jordan Holt (Midfielder, Workington AFC), Kyle Wilkie (Midfielder, Airdrie), Lewis McLear (Midfielder, Stirling Albion), Niyah Joseph (Attacker, Hamilton Academical, Loan), Russell Currie (Attacker, Queen of the South), Scott McLean (Attacker, Queen’s Park)

Out

Aidan McAdams (sp) (Goalkeeper, Rangers, Loan ended), Alex Mitchell (r) (Goalkeeper, AFC Workington), James Creaney (r) (Defender, Stirling Albion), Lewis Strapp (sp) (Defender, Morton, Loan ended), Scott Hooper (r) (Defender, Peterhead), Chris Johnston (k) (Midfielder, Clyde), David Wilson (r) (Midfielder, Stirling Albion), Tony Wallace (r) (Midfielder, Clyde)

It has been a tough summer so far for Annan Athletic; with their fantastic side having been broken up after failing to win promotion via the play-offs. The Galabankies sensational form in the second half of last season saw them comfortably seal a play-off spot but a single goal lead in the home first leg wasn’t enough to see off Clyde, who won 2-0 in the second leg. To add insult to injury they then lost their player-of-the-season Chris Johnston and winger Tony Wallace to the Bully Wee. Full-back James Creaney and midfielder David Wilson have both joined Stirling Albion whilst full-back Scott Hooper has signed for Champions Peterhead. Peter Murphy, who is likely to stick solely to his managerial duties this season, remains a positive figure despite the disappointment of seeing so many of his best players leave Galabank. He will be pleased to have retained the services of defender Steven Swinglehurst and striker Tommy Muir whilst striker Aidan Smith was also signed up for another year. Winger Kyle Wilkie and striker Scott McLean have the task of replacing Johnston and Wallace, who both had outstanding seasons, whilst Aaron Taylor is set to claim the number one jersey after signing from Workington AFC.

Target

Play-offs. Murphy showed last season that he has what it takes to build a squad capable of challenging at the top of the table and will be looking to repeat their top-four finish.