Wallace is the joker in Annan gaffer’s pack
JOKER Tony Wallace is deadly serious about proving doubters wrong – and believes Annan boss Peter Murphy is the man to help him do so.
He checked back in at Galabank last month after frustrating stints at Clyde and West of Scotland League outfit Gartcairn in the near two years since he checked out.
Despite a year without a game, the 30-year-old forward has played every minute of normal time in Annan’s five games since football resumed.
Wallace knows his return will cue some cynics to crank up but he’s just been waiting to prove a total of 14 goals in his last season here was no one-off.
He said: “People look at that and say, ‘Oh yeah, he’s back at Annan…’
“But I’ve had a year out and I’ve come back and played 90 minutes every game – I played 105 in the Scottish Cup. I’m feeling good and I’m ready to prove people wrong and keep scoring goals. That’s what has kept me going.
“The gaffer has just allowed me to be myself. I’ve found myself at clubs where, not that you’re not allowed to enjoy yourself but you can’t have a laugh and a joke. If you’re laughing and joking, they think you’re not listening.
“The gaffer allows me to, not necessarily do what I want but have a laugh and a joke. Even in the team talks I’ll say little comments and he’ll just laugh it off because he knows that it breaks the ice, it helps boys relax.
“Anywhere else you’re kind of looked at as if it is disrespectful. I’ve got nothing but respect for every manager I’ve had for signing and playing me.
“But I think with Peter Murphy, because he’s played at a very good level, he gets it. He understands we’re going to travel for an hour-anda-half before we train so want to enjoy the hourand-a-half we train for.”
A penalty at Edinburgh on Tuesday was his first goal since returning, with today’s clash against Stirling a chance to grab a first home league win.
Relishing the freedom he has on the pitch, he added: “I’ve got a gaffer who finally trusts me to do the dirty work without him having to say it.”
Left-back Jordan Allan is back at Stirling as part of a Darvel loan party.
But this isn’t just about minutes ahead of going back to his parent club.
Allan, part of a Binos side who finished one spot outside the play-offs in 2019, said: “The club deserves a chance at League One and the Championship.
“For even the people who were there when I was there, that’s deserved for the time and effort they’ve put into the game and players. They have a real chance here and we need to give everything we’ve got.”