Winning In The Rain: First Visit From The Vale

Saturday 18th July 2015

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC v Vale of Leven FC

Glencruitten 1, Glencruitten Drive, Oban PA34 4EB

Kick off 1.30pm

Referee Mr John Scott

Saints welcome Vale of Leven Juniors to Oban for the very first time this Saturday afternoon for what should be a good pre-season workout for both sets of players. Saints got their pre-season fixtures schedule off to a flying start last Saturday with their best showing in the D&K Lafferty Cup tournament for many a year and will be keen to build on that against Saturday's visitors. The Vale have yet to play so far this pre-season but have been working hard in training for the past three weeks. Vale currently ply their trade in the Scottish Junior Football Association West Region Central District Second Division where they finished last season in ninth place with 24 points from 20 games played. This third from bottom finish represented Vale's lowest final league position for 50 years and is one which the club are desperate to improve upon. The Vale received a major boost in June of this year when it was announced that former captain and club legend Alex Lacy would be returning to the club to join the coaching set-up. The club also hoped to bring in a number of new faces to the playing staff to assist in their quest to climb the league ladder.

Notwithstanding their current lowly league position the Vale have a long and illustrious history in the game and to secure this pre-season friendly match between the clubs is a major coup for Saints. Originally founded in 1872 Vale of Leven won three successive Scottish Cups (1877 - 79) and became unofficial British champions in 1878 beating English F.A. Cup holders The Wanderers at Kennington Oval. In 1890 they were founder members of the Scottish Football League where, excluding brief flirtations with the Scottish Alliance, the Scottish Football Combination and the Western League, they remained until 1939 when they club disbanded due to the suspension of league football for World War Two. The club immediately re-emerged as Vale of Leven Football and Athletic Club becoming members of the Scottish Junior Football Association. Over the years many league and cup successes followed the biggest of which being the Scottish Junior Cup win in 1953.

Saints still have a few regulars missing due to injury and holidays but will have a strong squad available for selection for Saturday's match where Manager Alex Craik will be keen to give as many players as possible some valuable game time against experienced opposition. It is anticipated that the Vale will bring their full squad to Oban for the first of their five friendlies before their season kicks off in earnest with a Sectional League Cup tie away at Port Glasgow on Saturday 8th August.

Alex Lacy

Millburn Park, Alexandria Home of Vale of Leven F.C.

Thousands lined the streets of Alexandria, Bonhill and Renton to cheer the Vale's victory parade

The Oban Saints squad for last Saturday's D&K Cup tournament

In Other News

Saints midfield anchor man Paul Kerr and his partner Kerry Forbes this week became proud parents to a new arrival. Congratulations to both and a warm welcome to the Oban Saints family to Finlay.