UPPER Annandale FC have brought a ten year stint in the South of Scotland League to an end this week after withdrawing from the division.
The club, which enters its 60th year in 2026, have stressed that this is not the end of the road. One day they hope to return to the senior ranks, but, in the meantime, they have applied to join an amateur league, with further details expected to emerge soon.
A number of factors have been blamed for the decision which the committee have stressed was not taken lightly.
It was met with sadness by residents of Moffat as well as members of the wider football community in the region.
A club spokesperson said: “This week Upper Annandale Football club notified the South of Scotland Football League of its resignation to leave the league.
“This is due to a number of factors from ground facilities needed for the league, player recruitment and rising costs for hiring pitches, to name just a few.
“It was a difficult decision to make but it’s been getting tougher every year to keep running Uppers in the senior leagues without a permanent place we can call home.
“Please be assured that this decision has not been taken lightly but with the best interests of the club at heart.
“The committee have worked tirelessly to try and keep the senior side running in the Scottish football pyramid but factors previously mentioned have now made it incredibly hard to keep going as a club.
“We would like to thank our sponsors, players who wore the jersey from 2015-2025, management teams, volunteers, supporters and local community for their support over the last ten years since the club made the step up to senior football.
“We have had many highlights since we joined the senior leagues from two cup finals, various semi finals, top half league finishes, to a league cup win at home here in Moffat.
“The club will make a further statement on Friday afternoon regarding the next move to hopefully keep football being played here in Moffat for the future years to come.
“Please note, it is in the club’s plan to return to senior football in the future.
“With a thriving youth system continually growing and a CAT transfer in progress where we will have a place we can call home, these foundations will hopefully see the club back where it belongs, playing in the Scottish Football pyramid system.
“Thank you all for your support.”
Under the guidance of Bryan Gilfillan, Uppers finished eighth in the league last season. They also reached the Alba Cup final back in November where they suffered defeat to Lochar Thistle.
Last week the club’s senior and junior sections released a joint statement about the challenges being faced. This included the difficulty of moving forward with plans to develop the Annanside.
