Gala Fairydean Rovers assistant manager Steven Craig quitting to join English club

The Lancashire-born 45-year-old had been helping out former Ross County teammate Martin Scott at Netherdale Stadium on and off since January 2022, taking time out to manage Edinburgh’s Hutchison Vale for the 2024-25 season, but is now off back south of the border to work with another ex-teammate, Gareth Ainsworth, appointed as manager of the Kent side in March.

Craig – a colleague of Ainsworth’s at Buckinghamshire’s Wycombe Wanderers from 2013 to 2015, a team the 53-year-old, born in Blackburn too, also managed from 2012 to 2023 – told his new club’s website: “I am delighted to get it done.

“It came out of the blue. I got the call two or three weeks ago asking if I would be interested and it sort of snowballed from there.

“I can’t wait to get started. The chance to go back full-time with the gaffer was too good to turn down.”

Wishing Craig all the best the other side of Hadrian’s Wall, Scott, 40, said: “After four fantastic years at Gala Fairydean Rovers, I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Stevie Craig for his incredible support, professionalism and contribution to the club throughout our journey together.

“Stevie has played a huge part in the progress and development of the football club both on and off the pitch, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working alongside him every single day.

“His standards, knowledge and passion for coaching have been outstanding and he fully deserves this opportunity.

“While we are naturally disappointed to lose someone of Stevie’s quality, we are absolutely delighted to see him progress into a full-time coaching role with Gillingham.

“On behalf of everyone at Gala Fairydean Rovers, I want to thank Stevie for everything he has given to the club over the past four years and wish him nothing but success in this next exciting chapter of his career.”

Craig’s other clubs during his playing days as a striker included Falkirk, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Livingston and Dumbarton.