Category: CLUB NEWS

Vale sign-up future talent

Vale are committed to developing local players – Manager Chris Anderson is looking to the future with the signing of 16 year old defender Stan Swain.

Manager Chris Anderson said: “Stan is only 16 and is a player with lots of potential. He’s someone that myself and club captain Ger Rossi have known for a while having come through Peebles Youth and attended sessions with CG Elite Coaching as a youngster. We have to give local players a pathway to play at the highest level they can and I expect Stan to use the example of another local player Michael Robertson in developing into an established Lowland League player.” Welcome to the Vale Stan.

Ando adds 3 signings to squad

We are less than 48 hours before our opening game against Berwick Rangers kicks off, but Manager Chris Anderson continues to add to his squad.

Nick Weir (defender), Robbie Neave (midfielder) and Arran Laidlaw (forward) have signed on season long loans from Bonnyrigg Rose.

All three go into the squad for Saturday.

Lewis Hall: Vale ready for new campaign

After eight months without competitive football, the Vale get the new Lowland League campaign under way on Saturday (10 October) with the opening day match away to Berwick Rangers.

Lewis Hall, the club’s newly appointed Vice Captain, looks ahead to the new season: “It’s been a long period without a competitive game so I’m sure the whole team along with me are really excited to finally get back at it. 

I believe we will definitely improve on the results and the position we ended up last year. Personally I want to start contributing more in the sense of setting up and scoring goals myself, last season was my first ever season where I’ve not managed to get on the score sheet. So that’s something I can improve on. 

Last year was my first in the lowland league, so it was a difficult start. I think coming up from a successful Spartans 20s team maybe made me underestimate the pace and quality of the league and the amount of hard work you have to put in. This pre season I’ve put in the extra running and workouts on top of training to ensure I’m fit and ready to start the season as best I can. Especially because I’ve learnt from last year how important it is to get a good start to the season, so we want to get points on the board as soon as we can. 

I think we will compete much better this season and won’t suffer any big defeats like last year. We’ve got a fairly new squad but I think the players who have come in have brought a fresh mentality and style of play into the squad. We’ve shown in pre season that we can score goals and get big results when we work hard. So I’m excited to see how we fair in the upcoming campaign.”

Berwick Rangers v Vale of Leithen kicks off at 3pm and is a behind closed doors march due to current restrictions. You can get updates on the match by following the Vale’s twitter account @ValeLeithen

Vale beat Peebles in local pre season friendly

The Vale continued their pre season preparations with a 3-2 victory over Peebles Rovers at Whitestone Park.

Vale dominated possession from the start and eventually broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when trialist Aaron Laidlaw crossed from the left hand side and Donny Ndweni drove into the net.

Defender Martin Brogan grabbed his first goal for the club in his first game. Brogan had already missed a great chance when he headed the ball just wide of the right post, when a similar ball from a Donny Ndweni corner saw Brogan head home after 32 minutes to make it 2-0 to the Vale at half time.

Peebles came out determined in the second half and pulled a goal back after 46 minutes after the Vale were caught at the back. The Vale got their third on 66mins when a through ball saw new boy Reece Wyllie one on one with the keeper. His initial shot was saved but Wyllie slotted home at the second attempt. Peebles grabbed a consolation goal just before the final whistle.

Full Time: Peebles Rovers 2 Vale of Leithen 3

Vale continued their pre season campaign with upcoming fixtures this week against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale (Wed 23 Sept, 8.15KO, Saughton Enclosure) and Upper Annandale (Sat 26, 2pm KO, Victoria Park). All games are behind closed doors.

League Fixtures Released

Competitive football will begin on Saturday 10 October when we open the Lowland League season away at Berwick Rangers.

Our first home game will be on Tuesday 13 October against newly promoted Bo’ness United.

There will be a New Year’s Border Derby on 4th January, when we host Gala Fairydean at Victoria Park.

Vice Chairman John Anderson “Everyone is delighted that football is getting under way again. Initially the games will be behind closed doors but we hope spectators will be allowed back into grounds.”

Manager Chris Anderson said: “All the boys are eager to get started. We all want to get off to a good start and build momentum. Everyone is looking forward to 10th October.”

A full list of fixtures are on the club website – valeofleithen.co.uk