Annan fans are Ibrox bound!
More than 1000 fans will be making the trip to Glasgow to support the Black and Golds. The game is huge for the club, with a six-figure financial windfall expected no matter the result.
'It’s something where we can all work together and build on'
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Enquiries for away tickets and bus travel to Ibrox has been non-stop.
Athletic have just about sold out their 1100 allocation, and the Supporters Club has worked alongside other arms of the football club to make sure as many fans as possible are able to enjoy the cup tie.
Eight buses will depart Galabank later this afternoon, with hundreds more making the journey in cars.
Ross, who has been an Annan fan for 45 years, said: “Five of the buses have been organised by the supporters club, but we have sat down with other groups so we could coordinate numbers and, obviously, we’ve been liaising with the safety officer and the police to make sure everybody gets safely onto the correct bus.
“It has taken a heck of an organising. It’s been a full club effort.”
Ross added: “We’ve also ran an initiative where we’ve managed to get 13 people travel and tickets to the game who probably couldn’t afford to do that.
“We advertised it in the strictest of confidence. We’ve had donors, players, board members, supporters club board members and fans financing towards that to make sure everybody gets a chance at this opportunity.
“I would hate for people to miss out because of the time of the year or because they were just struggling a bit.”
Ross was a director at Galabank for four years before stepping away due to work commitments.
Three years ago, alongside former AAFC chairman Henry McClelland, he helped to establish the Supporters Club.
He said: “It’s done a heck of a lot of work for Annan Athletic and provided a lot of funding for various initiatives.”
Annan have played Rangers several times since entering the senior leagues in 2008.
Perhaps the most memorable meeting between the sides was in March 2013 when the Black and Golds won 2-1 at Ibrox in a Division Three clash.
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Ross said: “We’ve been there a couple of times, in the league and the old Betfred Cup.
“(The win) was some experience. What a day and night of celebrations that was!”
Ross watched the draw in an Edinburgh pub after attending the darts. And, by complete chance, he ended up watching it alongside darts player Nathan Aspinall.
Ross added: “We’d been at the darts in Edinburgh and he just happened to come into the pub for a pint.
“We got talking to him and he seen we were watching the draw and he wondered what it was.
“When Rangers vs Annan came out there were a few roars.”
Tonight’s game matters much more than the result, Ross explained: “(After the draw) my mind, straight away, thought pound signs for the club and what an opportunity for the team.
“The potential finances, we all know that the club has been going through some financial trouble – this is a great opportunity for it to get on a level platform. It’s something where we can all work together and build on.”
He added: “My first Annan game was away to Spartans in a League Cup tie in Edinburgh all those years ago.
“My uncle David used to take me when I was younger, he was an avid fan.
“(If something happened to the club) it would certainly be devastating. My son goes to every home and away game – that’s one of the reasons we set the supporters club up, because there was a need.
“For the whole town it would be devastating, let alone for the people who have actually run the place and set it up to where it is now.
“We’ve come from the South of Scotland League, to the East of Scotland, got into the senior leagues and sustained it.”
And on predictions for the game itself, Ross said: “I’m just looking forward to seeing who we get in the next round!
“No, I think when the draw was made we probably had a bit of hope with the way Rangers were playing. But they’ve come on to a wee bit of form and, obviously, they’re at home as well.
“As long as Annan put on a good performance for the fans that are going. I’d love to see us score and give the fans a chance to celebrate.”
Thanks are expressed to Houston’s Coaches, everyone involved at Annan Athletic and Annan Convenience store.
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