Author: Bobby Craigie

Floodlights Update: Can you chip in?

We are making significant progress with the floodlight project – a requirement to keep our SFA license. The planning and building warrant applications have been submitted, and a tender process has been undertaken. The preferred bidder will be able to start works after the government restrictions are lifted. 

We have secured financial assistance from Scottish Borders Council. However the club is still contributing financially and thus far has paid out £2,000 on planning and professional fees alone. This is before any works take place. 

Can you chip in?

We all know the financial restraints the current situation has had on football clubs – the Vale have lost five home matches with all the income that generates. 

So we launching a Floodlight Financial Appeal, firstly to help the club fund the fees, and second, to contribute to the works itself. 

We know things are difficult for all at the moment, but if anyone can contribute it would be greatly appreciated. No amount is too small (or large). Maybe you would have come to a home game and would like to donate what you would have paid at the gate? Maybe you didn’t get a chance to go the pub for a few pints: could you donate that fiver you would have spent on a few pints?

If everyone chipped in a small amount, it would soon add up.

Donation page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/vale-of-leithen-fc-floodlights-appeal?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

All I want is a performance

Manager Chris Anderson has given us an insight into tomorrow big game vs Dalbeattie Star, a team only three points ahead of the Vale.
“All I want is the same level of performance, effort and desire we showed last week. I thought we were excellent last week and as a manager when the full time whistle goes all you want is to look at the players eyes and to feel they’ve given you their absolute all. 
Everyone has written us off as relegated already but I’ve been in football a long time and football can turn in your favour at anytime. I believe in the players we have and on our day we can match anyone. 
It will be a tough game but we are at home. Hopefully with a good support it will push the players to perform. Win lose or draw i just want them to step up and leave nothing at the side. It’s a game to look forward to that’s for sure.” 

Like racing a Dacia against a Ferrari

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Manager Chris Anderson has challenged his players to defy the odds again and get a result away to big spending Kelty.

We have an excellent spirit in the camp and one of the best groups I’ve worked with in terms of commitment but we will need a bit of luck to go our way on sat.

I was approached by an agent during the week to sign a player – he wanted a big wage and I suspect an avenue to take my job so I said no. What happens is Kelty go and sign him as a squad player. The gulf in finances between the two teams is huge but it won’t stop us giving it our all.

We have Liam Ireland back from suspension and a few more who were unavailable last week. The Christmas period will decide our season for that there is no doubt.  Everyone is writing us off which is fine. Let’s just see where our effort takes us.

The Vale is an original member of the lowland league and one of the oldest clubs in Scottish football and it’s our job to make sure it stays where it belongs.

Home Comforts

Ahead of Saturday’s game against Spartans, Manager Chris Anderson issues a rallying cry to his players to start taking advantage of home turf.

“A lot of teams don’t like playing at Victoria Park, it’s a bit cold and windy and we play on this funny surface we call grass.  In order for us to stay up we have to win our home games against Gretna, Edinburgh Uni and Dalbeattie. We know that Spartans will be a tough game and anything we get will be a bonus as they have a superior team to us. It will be a bit of a shot to nothing for us.

This is by far and away the nicest group of players I have been involved with , young and willing to learn but nice doesn’t win football matches. If we are to stay up we will need to be ruthless and show guts when the chips are down.

Hopefully there will be a good support on sat as I know the locals are desperate for us to do well. They know how hard the players are working for the club and the players have the ability to start winning games.

Keep the faith.

Chris”