Gala FC News.. SFA Quality Mark  2007

John Collins was back in his hometown of Galashiels to officially open the club’s refurbished changing rooms and facilities .And he was joined by the SFA’s regional manager for South-East Scotland, Michael Sharp, who was on hand to present the SFA Quality Mark to the club. As well over 100 youngsters played games out on the park, Collins spoke of his admiration of the efforts made at Gala – a club with ambitions for higher status. The ex Hibs manager has always time for Galashiels and now Gala FC.

He said: “It is marvellous how things have turned around and they now have a great structure in place and a great community spirit".“The community effort here has been tremendous and getting the Quality Mark is a fantastic achievement.”

The ‘Mark’ has been reached in less than two years, Sharp paid credit to the work done for the club to reach its goal, and he spoke enthusiastically about the potential of the open spaces across the whole spectrum of Netherdale.

“Look at that,” he said as we talked at the centre of the pitch. “Gala has worked really hard to get this Mark, and they are only one of a few clubs in the South-East of Scotland to achieve it.“It is not just about football on the pitch, but organisation off it – training, facilities coaching, etc.

“It is about building up a community spirit in the club.” Sharp went on to praise the ‘huge contribution’ made by the development officers, Dougie Anderson and Drew Kelly.“They have been tremendous in driving it forward,” he said.

The Mark is also awarded for health and safety issues, having qualified coaches, and proof that the club is run properly – and Gala passed on every count.But this is just the first stage with the club now aiming for even higher quality in the future.

Coaches Fred Blackie, Steve McLaren and Gary Fraser share the training between Tweedbank and Gala. Importantly, they come under one banner as Gala FC. “The Mark demonstrates to the community what we offer here is properly run,” said McLaren.

Dougie Anderson added: “This has been a major success. “The guys have worked realty hard in a short time to make it happen. There is still a lot of work to be done, but what has been achieved so far is a credit to everyone. And the people we have on board are here for the long haul.”

The evening was opened to local councillors, and Sandy Aitchison, Jim Hume and John Mitchell were on hand to see the transformation.

“It is good to see what the club has achieved here,” said Councillor Aitchison. The changing rooms will rival the best in the East of Scotland League – if they are not THE best – while the clubrooms’ walls depict a history of great club, which, officials and fans, hope will rise again to be the envy of non-league football clubs.The days of Bobby Kirk, Alfie Conn, Alan Notman and the Frizzel brothers remain a distant memory.

The present and the future are in new hands in which Quality remains top of the agenda, and with John Collins giving it his backing.

“It is putting local football into the community,” he added