Netherdale
Netherdale is a sports complex in Galashiels, a town in the Scottish Borders. It is the home of Gala Rugby Club, Gala Fairydean Football Club and was used by the professional Border Reivers rugby union team. The complex consists of two stadiums, both referred to as ‘Netherdale’, which back onto each other.The rugby stadium has a large grandstand which overlooks the pitch and the nearby Eildon Hills. While the professional Border Reivers club played, a second fully seated stand was installed, increasing the capacity to around 4,000 from the previous 2,000. New pitch protection systems were installed, which the Scottish Rugby Union continued to pay the maintenance costs for even after the Border Reivers club was closed. The stadium hosted the 1999 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Uruguay and Spain.The football stadium has a capacity of around 2,000. The ground’s most striking feature is the main stand, which was opened in 1964. With a capacity of 500 it is the largest stand in the Scottish Borders. Designed by the renowned British architect Peter Wormsley, the concrete structure is sometimes sarcastically dubbed as “the San Siro of the Borders.†It was awarded a 'B listing' by Historic Scotland in December 2006, which means the "character and setting" of the building must be preserved for "future generations". Amateur club, Gala Rovers, who play in the Border Amateur Football League also play their home games at Netherdale.
