Gala Fairydean
Wikipedia - Gala Fairydean Rovers F.C.
Gala Fairydean Rovers Football Club are a Scottish association football club based in the town of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. The club competes in the Lowland League, after joining from the East of Scotland Football League in 2013. At the same time the club changed its name to Gala Fairydean Rovers, following a merger between Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers. The club plays its home matches at Netherdale in Galashiels.
Gala Fairydean won the East of Scotland Football League eight times and finished runners-up on seven occasions. The club reached 15 Scottish Qualifying Cup South finals, winning it 11 times, before the competition was abolished in 2007. Gala Fairydean Rovers qualify automatically for the Scottish Cup as a member of the Scottish Football Association (SFA). The best performance by the club was reaching the third round, done on five occasions. Gala Rovers won the Border Amateur Football League 13 times.
History
Gala Fairydean Rovers was first formed in 1894. In 1907 the club was separated into two teams, known as Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers. The first Gala Rovers was the reserve team of Gala Fairydean. Both clubs ceased operations in 1914 due to the outbreak of the First World War and the consequent loss of male population in Galashiels. Gala Fairydean resumed in 1919, after the war had ended, and was a founder member of the East of Scotland Football League in 1923.
Gala Rovers were only reformed in 1947 and joined the Border Amateur League. Although the two clubs were separate, they were closely linked through operations such as a joint lottery. Although Gala Fairydean were a semi-professional club and needed funds to pay players, Gala Rovers were amateur and could save some of the funds generated. This helped to fund construction of the 1960s main stand at Netherdale. Gala Fairydean applied to join the Scottish Football League in 1966, 1994, 2000 and 2002, but were unsuccessful on each occasion.
The two clubs merged to form Gala Fairydean Rovers in 2013. The club was admitted into the new Lowland Football League in 2013.
Gala Fairydean Rovers is known for its commitment to developing local talent and fostering a strong community spirit. The team's colors are typically a striking combination of blue and white, reflecting the club's identity and pride in its heritage. The players are recognized for their hard work, determination, and skill on the pitch, making them a formidable opponent in their league.
The club has a rich history of participation in various competitions, including the Scottish Cup and the Lowland League, where they strive to achieve success and promote the sport within the region. With a focus on youth development and community engagement, Gala Fairydean Rovers continues to inspire the next generation of footballers while aiming for greater heights in Scottish football.