Loan deals for four Reserves
Four local members of the Berwick Rangers Reserves squad have secured season-long loan deals with a number of nearby clubs.
Gary Windram and Buster Briggs, both from Berwick, have joined ex-Ger Jonny Fairbairn at Coldstream. Windram enjoyed a successful season with the Streamers last year, scoring 14 goals and recording several assists. Briggs also makes the move along the Tweed, having spent 2017/18 with Eyemouth United and Tweedmouth Rangers. The latter has made an excellent start to the new season, scoring a hat-trick in the Scottish Cup.
Jonny Fairbairn, who joined Coldstream as manager following a five-year spell with Berwick, is happy to secure some youngsters from the club: “I’m delighted to have Gary and Buster with me at Coldstream, to be part of our squad here and also to help their development as young football players. I’ve known and coached them both for a while now and would like to thank Derek and Daniel McKenzie, who I’m in regular contact with, for their cooperation with the two deals.”
Evan Smith, who spent last term with hometown club Eyemouth United, returns there for a second spell whilst new recruit Rhys Bloomfield remains at Shielfield as he joins neighbours Tweedmouth Rangers.
The four players will be playing for their respective clubs in the recently restructured East of Scotland League. A number of clubs from across Scotland have recently joined the league from the Juniors, as they aim to rise through the pyramid and into the SPFL.
Reserve Coach Daniel McKenzie is delighted to have secured loan deals for the players: “Evan, Gary and Buster all enjoyed successful loan spells in EOS last season and I’m sure they will all, along with Rhys, continue to develop with their loan clubs throughout 2018/19. The league restructuring has added a real quality and competitiveness to the three conferences and we’re sure this will help prepare the younger players for the standard they have to reach in order to progress into the first team and the SPFL”
All four players will begin their season with Berwick Reserves next week as the youngsters host Albion Rovers in the new Reserve League.
