Gala Fairydean Rovers captain Galbraith leaving to join Lowland League rivals

Gala Fairydean Rovers captain Danny Galbraith is leaving the Borderers to join Scottish Lowland Football League rivals Bo’ness United.
Gala Fairydean Rovers captain Danny Galbraith on the ball against Kelty Hearts in November (Photo: Bill McBurnie)Gala Fairydean Rovers captain Danny Galbraith on the ball against Kelty Hearts in November (Photo: Bill McBurnie)
Gala Fairydean Rovers captain Danny Galbraith on the ball against Kelty Hearts in November (Photo: Bill McBurnie)

The 30-year-old has signed a pre-contract deal with Bo’ness, ending a two-year stint at his home-town club much disrupted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The winger signed for Gala in June 2019 after six months at League Two’s Edinburgh City.

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His sporting career began as a youth player for Heart of Midlothian in 2004 before moving on to Manchester United at the age of 16 in 2006.

David Atkinson of Carlisle United being tackled by Danny Galbraith of York City during a Sky Bet League Two match in January 2016 (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)David Atkinson of Carlisle United being tackled by Danny Galbraith of York City during a Sky Bet League Two match in January 2016 (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
David Atkinson of Carlisle United being tackled by Danny Galbraith of York City during a Sky Bet League Two match in January 2016 (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

Galbraith spent three years at Old Trafford, and in his first season there he featured in an FA Youth Cup final won on penalties by Liverpool.

He was playing for the Red Devils’ by the end of his first season but his progress was hampered by a succession of injuries including ankle, knee and groin problems, denying him the chance to vie for a first-team place and leading to his exit on a free transfer to Hibernian.

After making 52 apperances for Hibs between 2009 and 2013, Galbraith moved on to Limerick, Gillingham, York City and Edinburgh City before arriving at Netherdale, saying at the time: “I am absolutely delighted to be coming back to where it all started.

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“It's great for me and my family to be coming home and for me personally to have the opportunity to give something back to the town that I grew up in.

“It's hopefully going to be an exciting time for the club and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it."

Bo’ness boss Max Christie is now equally pleased to have secured his services, saying: “Danny signed for Man United from Hearts as a kid, went to Hibs, got badly injured and is now back healthy again.

“Over the last couple of years, for me he’s been the best player in the Lowland League, so to have Danny on board, we’re delighted.”

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Bo’ness finished almost neck and neck with Gala after last season was halted and standings were decided on a points-per-game basis.

Gala ended up in sixth place with 22 points from 12 games and the BUs in seventh with 18 points from 10 games.

The two sides only met once before the season was halted as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in mid-January and eventually abandoned, the Borderers having beaten Galbraith’s new club 2-1 away in December.

No one was available for comment at Netherdale today.