Peeblesshire News | Sport | No joy for soccer duo as Annan win crucial vote

Saturday, 11th October, 2008

Published: Friday, 4th July, 2008 12:00

No joy for soccer duo as Annan win crucial vote

By David Knox

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Former Peebles boss Mark Lamb and his assistant Stuart Robertson have joined Spartans.

But the Tweeddale duo will face life in the amateur league’s after Annan were voted into the Scottish Football League yesterday afternoon.

Lamb accepted the job at the end of last week to manage the club’s second team.

And it depended on yesterday’s vote at Hampden to see if he would still be an East of Scotland manager or running a team in the amateur leagues.

Spartans had planned to take their first team into the Third Division with the second string, under Lamb, to continue in the East of Scotland.

Following yesterday’s announcement Lamb said: “It is very disappointing for the club after all of the hard work that has went in to achieving SFL status.

“Stuart and I will just work away with the seconds team and try to bring players through for the first team.”

Spartans were amongst a five-way race for the Third Division slot with Annan, Cove Rangers, Edinburgh City and Preston Athletic.

Representations were made on behalf of each club during a morning session at Hampden yesterday before the current 29 member clubs of the Scottish Football League voted.

Both Lamb and his assistant Stuart Robertson had moved to Gala Fairydean at the end of last season.

But the lure of one of East of Scotland’s top teams was enough to take them out of the Borders.

Stuart Robertson, who coached under Lamb at Peebles following his departure from the manager’s seat at Vale of Leithen, said: “You can’t turn down a club like Spartans.

“We were planning on coaching at Gala Fairydean for the season but this offer came in and we went for it.

“Spartans have a great set up and it will be a pleasure to work in such great facilities as those at Ainslie Park.”

Spartans chairman Craig Graham welcomed Lamb and Robertson’s appointment. On the club’s website he said: “This is a really positive move for the club, irrespective of which league we will play in this season.”

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