Annan Athletic
Formed 1942
Elected to Scottish Division Three 2008
Kit History
2004-2008 a
Background
Annan Athletic was formed in 1942 and competed in the Dumfries & District Youth Welfare League until the end of the Second World War when this competition was replaced by the Dumfries & District Junior FA. The club continued to play at junior level until 1951 when the league was abandoned because of a lack of officials and it was decided to move up to senior grade. The secretary of the Scottish Junior FA, however, refused to release the club from membership and they did not compete in 1951-52.
In 1952 Annan were accepted as members of the Cumberland FA and joined the Carlisle & District League. A year later they moved out of their original ground, Mafeking Park and into Galabank Annan where they still play.
In 1977 the club committee decided to pursue their future career within Scotland and became members of the Scottish FA and joined the South of Scotland League. Over the next ten years Annan won every competition available to them and in 1987, they decided to enter their first team in the East of Scotland League, which offered a rather higher level of competition. Their reserves continued to play in the South Of Scotland League. After winning the First Division title and promotion to the Premier league at the first time of asking, Annan won the East of Scotland Premier League championship in 1990.
In 1999-2000, Annan made an unsuccessful application to joing the Scottish Football League when two vacancies were created, losing out to Elgin and Peterhead from the Highland League. They went on to win the East of Scotland Premier League and to retain the title the following season.
On 3 June 2008 Gretna FC resigned from the SFL creating a vacancy in the Third Division. Five clubs submitted applications and after three ballots, Annan Athletic were elected at the League AGM one month later. In order to comply with SFL regulations, Annan were required to install floodlights before their opening fixture.
Curiously, Annan's gold and black colours are shared with two other clubs from Dunfries & Galloway that have competed in the SFL, Mid-Annandale and Solway Star (who also played in Annan) as well as with Annan RFC.