Spartans fourth season in the SPFL gets underway on Saturday with an away day in Annan as the 2026-27 William Hill League 2 campaign kicks-off in earnest.
In what will be the 54th competitive game between Annan Athletic and Spartans, Douglas Samuel takes his men on the road looking to build on last weekend’s impressive win against League 1 side Montrose.
Whilst neither side were able to make progress in the recent Premier Sports Cup, both Gaffers will have had the opportunity to run the rule over the players at their collective disposal with the first points of the 10-month long season up for grabs.
Last season’s quartet of head to heads saw Spartans win both games at home whilst there was a 1-1 draw along with a mid-April 0-2 victory with Jordan Tapping and Marc McNulty grabbing the goals.
The first time the clubs locked horns was in September 1983 in the Scottish Qualifying Cup, with Spartans progressing with a 2-4 win at Galabank.
The sides have met on the opening day three times previously – all in the East of Scotland League. After a title-winning season the previous year, Colin Campbell’s solitary strike was enough to separate the sides at Galabank in September 1990.
It was déjà vu the following season, this time at City Park with Milan Govan scoring a double and Mark Thomson securing a 3-1 win. Neither side will look back on that campaign favourably, more so Annan who were relegated and Spartans finish just one place above the dreaded red line.
Finally, the third opening day encounter came in 2003, again at home, and it was a nine-goal thriller. Spartans winning 6-3, Robbie Mason and Phil Hobbins bagging braces with Donal Henretty and Iain Thomson adding to the tally.
Annan of course won the raffle to enter the SFL in 2008/09 at the expense of Spartans and others however that same season saw Spartans record a 2-1 win in the second round of the Scottish Cup. Gavin Malin and Ross Archibald doing the damage on the road.
It’s certainly a fixture with plenty history – over four decades worth – but as anyone will tell you, you’re only as good as your next game. And that gets underway at 3.00pm on Saturday.
Tale of the Tape: Wins 29, Draws 13, Losses 12. Goals For: 112, Goals Against: 80
Away Form at Galabank: Played 28, Won 12, Drawn 8 and Lost 8. For 49, Against 47.
Away Support Information 2026-2027
Visiting support are welcome to make use of the Clubhouse and bar facilities pre and post-match open from 12.00pm.
All entry will be via the HOME turnstiles adjacent to the Clubhouse
Turnstile 4 has been set aside for away supporters with digital tickets. Turnstile 2 will be in use as a limited cash gate. Please do not try and enter the ground via the Away turnstiles 5 and 6 as no access can be gained to the Ground from those turnstiles. Turnstiles will be open for spectator entry from 14:15 hrs.
Catering outlet and toilets will be available for use in the home concourse behind the covered terracing at the South end of the ground. Cash only.
Refreshments are available in the Clubhouse function room accessed via the home turnstile area before kick-off.
Tickets, location of sales & entry cost
Tickets are available online and on match day.
Please note that an electronic ticketing system will be in place. It is strongly recommended that all fans pre-purchase their tickets before the commencement of the match. This can be done at
A limited walk-up ticket turnstile will be open in the arena on matchday from 1430 hrs. No other ticket offices will be available.
