Lewis Allan joins the ‘Gers – with the help of Longford International College
Berwick Rangers Football Club are delighted to confirm the addition of striker Lewis Allan. The former Hibernian and Raith Rovers hitman today put pen to paper on an innovative and unique two-year deal that will also see Berwick Rangers support the player in helping him attain an MBA.
During his stay at the club, Lewis, who has also spent time on loan with Dunfermline Athletic, Forfar Athletic, Livingston and Edinburgh City during his career will combine playing at Shielfield Park while studying with club partners Longford International College.
Having burst onto the scene at 17 with Hibernian’s East of Scotland youth side, Lewis’ impressive performances not only earned him a rapid promotion to Hibs’ SPFL Under 20s, but were also good enough to see him awarded the East of Scotland Player of the Year award in spite of only featuring for half the season resultant of his call-up.
Lewis followed that campaign up by immediately netting for Hibs first-team at Shielfield Park in pre-season action. Between then and 2019, he spent much of his career picking up loan experience with numerous SPFL sides before permanently leaving the Hibees following 13 years with the club to join Raith Rovers at the start of 2019/2020.
The 23 year-old now joins the Wee ‘Gers, adding much-needed competition to the team’s frontline; and is an exciting arrival having netted 6 goals in 22 during The Rovers’ title-winning campaign last year.
It is hoped that the stability of a two-year deal along with the club’s support in personal, educational and professional capacities will help to provide Lewis with a platform that can unlock and fulfil his potential – factors that he hasn’t perhaps been able to enjoy simultaneously during his career so far.
Lewis said: “I’m delighted to get the opportunity to sign for Berwick, get back on the pitch and hopefully start finding the net again. Being based in the Borders, I know all about the club’s history, and signing here offers me a great chance to continue my development.
“I know a lot of the players at the club already, the directors have worked hard for me and you can see the club is going in the right direction again. I’m looking forward to the new season and hopefully we can hit the ground running.”
All at the club would like to wish a very warm welcome to Lewis, and look forward to seeing sporting the Black and Gold soon!
About the signing
News of Lewis’ arrival follows the opportunity that was presented to the club back in May after Associate Director Graeme Gurney saw that Longford International College were offering free diplomas in Sports Management and Psychology, and subsequently agreed for the club to work in partnership with the college.
Graeme, alongside Director Dave Buglass, Assistant Manager Kevin Haynes and players Calum Smith, Lewis Barr, Kevin Waugh, Dan Purves and Jo Purves, subsequently registered for the Diploma in Leadership in Sports, which is now entering its final stages – with one player already having signed up for a psychology diploma as their next short course.
In recent weeks, Graeme once again approached the President of Longford International College, Vincent English, to see how the club could develop its relationship further, when he very graciously offered to donate the two MBAs to the club.
“Since I joined Berwick Rangers, I have been passionate about offering support to the players both on and off the park and education was one of the methods of support I was keen to explore as football is a short career and we need to look after our players,” explained Graeme.
“Personally, I am unaware of any other club in the Scottish professional leagues offering this level of education to players. Looking south of the border, I know Leeds United work closely with the college – as do several other English Premier League teams, so it is something unique which can both benefit us at the club and potentially help us attract talent too.
“I have been in close contact with Vincent and we have discussed a few other ideas, too, so I am hoping this is the beginning of a long-standing and robust relationship between Berwick Rangers Football Club and Longford International College which helps us towards achieving our goals both on and off the park.”
What is an MBA?
Costing anywhere from £15,000 to £40,000 depending on the institution, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a prestigious postgraduate qualification that provides an overview of key business practices and is highly valued by top employers.
While MBAs are at the same level of education as other Masters courses, they are usually studied once the person has gained a few years of professional experience rather than carrying straight on from their undergraduate degree.
Successfully completing an MBA can lead to a better salary, improved professional reputation and a massively expanded network of business contacts.
Berwick Rangers Football Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Longford International College for their incredibly kind donation to the club.
Player sponsorship
Lewis’ kit is sponsored by long-time ‘Gers supporters Robert Hay and Irene Hogarth, who can regularly be seen both home and away following the ‘Gers. The club would like to thank the pair for their continue incredible support.
The club’s only kit sponsorship still available to purchase is that of Goalkeeping Coach, Mark Beveridge, which can be bought for £150 via our online store.
Benefits of becoming a kit sponsor include:
– Your name or brand listed in all match programmes during 20/21
– Your name or brand listed in official website player profiles
– Your name or brand featuring in relevant official website items
– Your name or brand featuring in relevant social media graphics
– A signed Berwick Rangers replica shirt
