Put Dundee down.
Hopefully Eckersley doesn't fall apart too much during the season as he looks solid otherwise! I'm sure McAloone won't have too much trouble against Dundee
Annan Complete Kerr Capture
Annan Athletic have completed a deal to sign veteran midfielder Mark Kerr on a one-year-deal following his release from Ayr United.
Annan Athletic have bolstered their ranks once again with the addition of Mark Kerr ahead of Saturday's opening-day clash with Dundee.
The 39-year-old midfielder was released earlier this summer by Scottish Championship side Ayr United after three-and-a-half years of service after joining from Falkirk. Kerr helped Ayr to promotion from League One before The Honest Men began to establish themselves as a Championship outfit.
Kerr made sixty appearances for Ayr adding to an impressive tally of appearances across a twenty-three year playing-career with most of those having come at Premiership and Championship level.
Having played for the likes of Falkirk, Dundee United and Aberdeen, Kerr left Pittodrie in 2010 to pursue a move to Greece. Kerr went on to spend two seasons playing for Greek Super League side Asteras Tripolis before returning to Scotland with Dunfermline Athletic after making just eleven appearances.
It is strongly believed that Kerr will be hanging his boots up at the end of the season having penned a one-year-deal with Annan that will take him through to his 40th birthday.
Earlier this week, Annan confirmed the signings of Matthew Shiels and Carlo Pignatiello that subsequently - along with Kerr's arrival - bring the tally of additions to twelve.
Shiels was released by Rangers in the summer having spent the past few seasons out on loan at Edinburgh City, Dumbarton, Orange County and last season, Clyde.
The left-back featured in all twenty-seven league games last season for Clyde as they finished sixth in League One, scoring once in a 2-1 loss against Falkirk.
Versatile option Carlo Pignatiello penned a three-year-deal at Galabank having signed from Scottish Premiership side Livingston.
The 21-year-old is keen to pursue regular first-team football having made two appearances off the bench last season for Livi after a couple of loan spells out with BSC Glasgow and Stranraer, respectively.
Annan manager Ross McAloone was pleased to get the deal over the line.
"I'm delighted to bring somebody of Mark's experience to the club. He has amassed a fantastic playing-career that I'm sure many are extremely envious of. I can only dream of playing as many games as he has at the very top levels of the Scottish game.
We're in a position whereby it's imperative we find a suitable balance between youth and experience and I believe introducing somebody like Mark, who make no odds about it still has the ability to play week-in week-out, will really benefit the squad. He's going to be an excellent mentor and experienced head to rely on."
Comments
Justice: That's the aim but they certainly won't be pushovers. They are the favourites for an immediate return to the Championship for a reason!Shep: Fingers crossed. He is an experienced player with plenty of ability but we do have to be mindful that he could decline over the course of the season. The same can be said for Kerr!
Mark Kerr is still playing 
I remember signing him on FM12 or FM13! Shiels and Pignatiello are two solid signings, and should become key members of your XI over the course of the season.
I remember signing him on FM12 or FM13! Shiels and Pignatiello are two solid signings, and should become key members of your XI over the course of the season.
Squad Overview: Annan Athletic 2020/21
Goalkeepers
1. Joshua Bradley-Hurst | 19 y/o (10/01/2002) | GK |
Scottish | 
/ 
Wage: £80 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £1,400
13. Fraser Currid | 20 y/o (27/02/2001) | GK |
Scottish | 
/ On loan from Alloa Athletic
Wage: £0 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £5,250
Defenders
19. Ryan Hall | 16 y/o (02/10/2004) | D(R) | Scottish | / Wage: £30 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £1,200
2. Andy Geggan | 34 y/o (08/05/1987) | D(R) |
Scottish | / Wage: £230 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £625
16. Tyler Fulton | 25 y/o (31/01/1996) | D(R) |
Scottish | / 
Wage: £60 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £3,100
12. Lee Hamilton | 25 y/o (15/09/1995) | D(RC) |
Scottish | / 
Wage: £140 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £4,200
4. Steven Swinglehurst | 28 y/o (23/10/1992) | D(C) |
English | / Wage: £160 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £2,200
5. Daniel Higgins | 23 y/o (08/04/1998) | D(C) |
Scottish | / Wage: £180 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £5,000
18. Tom Wilson | 19 y/o (08/12/2001) | D(C) |
English | 
/ On loan from Carlisle United
Wage: £0 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £5,000
24. Adam Eckersley | 35 y/o (07/09/1985) | D(L) |
English | / Wage: £150 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £300
3. Matthew Shiels | 20 y/o (13/09/2000) | D(L) |
Scottish | / Wage: £85 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2024 | Value: £4,500
15. Cammy Clark | 20 y/o (24/10/2000) | D(L) |
Scottish | / Wage: £35 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £1,300
Midfielders
8. Aaron Splaine | 24 y/o (13/10/1996) | M(R) | Scottish | / 
Wage: £95 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £2,500
21. Aidan MacFarlane | 19 y/o (22/02/2002) | M(R) |
Scottish | / On loan from St. Johnstone
Wage: £0 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £3,400
14. Carlo Pignatiello | 21 y/o (16/01/2000) | M(RC) |
Scottish | / Wage: £65 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2024 | Value: £2,600
6. Mark Kerr | 39 y/o (02/03/1982) | M(C) |
Scottish | / Wage: £15 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £0
23. Ryan Thomson | 30 y/o (13/04/1991) | M(C) |
Scottish | / Wage: £110 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £4,800
20. Connor Allan | 17 y/o (10/01/2004) | M(C) |
Scottish | / On loan from Rangers
Wage: £0 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £6,500
22. Dominic Lavelle | 20 y/o (05/08/2001) | M(C) |
Scottish | / Wage: £50 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £2,100
17. Nicky Buchan | 17 y/o (09/07/2004) | M(C) |
Scottish | / Wage: £45 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £2,600
7. Aidan Smith | 24 y/o (11/05/1997) | AM(L) |
Scottish | / Wage: £100 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £5,000
Attackers
9. Shaun Struthers | 21 y/o (10/01/2000) | ST(C) | Scottish | / Wage: £100 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2023 | Value: £3,900
10. Matt Yates | 19 y/o (14/06/2002) | ST(C) |
Scottish | / Wage: £170 p/w | Expiry Date: 31/05/2022 | Value: £3,800
Comments
James: Yep! He's retired in real life I believe. He had a brief stint in charge at Ayr but in-game he's still playing albeit this is likely to be his final year. He appears to still have the ability though. As for Matt and Carlo, they're bright young talents that I'm hoping will shine this year.
Some seriously talented players in that squad, particularly Buchanan and Hall! Nurture them well and you'll have an incredible spine to your team soon!
It'll be interesting to see how Struthers and Yates handle the jump tbh, I personally think that Yates will still score a lot of goals for you this season: provided he gets service. Justice is right when he says that you've got a strong spine if the players you have develop, and there's also some very handy players in the wider areas too. I do think that you need a better goalkeeper, but it's a tricky position to strengthen when you're in the lower leagues, so I can understand that it might not be possible at this moment.
Looking forward to seeing any final signings, and the pre-season results!
Looking forward to seeing any final signings, and the pre-season results!
A nicely balanced squad I think Ross has here. Some exciting youngsters who can be bought through and developed but still play some key minuets through the season, whilst there is some solid experienced players within too. Some great work in the window!
You are reading "Ross McAloone: A Tale of Redemption".
