In the second of a series of articles from each of the five applicants, Annan Athletic chairman Henry McClelland puts forward the case for his club winning the vacant spot in Scotland's Division Three.
Since our initial application in 1999, we have improved our facility in readiness for another opportunity.
It has been suggested that we are too far away, but travelling distance should not be the deciding factor.
If a club chooses to vote for a local side rather than the best proposition then that is a reflection on such a club and that, of course, is their prerogative.
What did we have to do prior to the inspection team arriving? The answer is nothing - everything is already in place except the floodlights.
These are due to be delivered on the 24 July, which leaves two weeks for installation and commissioning prior to the CIS Insurance Cup.
If the project is slightly delayed, the SFL have already received confirmation from Queen of the South that we can use Palmerston Park, if we get a first round draw.
During our inspection it was made clear that there were no security or safety issues associated with hosting a game against any SFL side and such a game could go ahead now with a 3,500 limit.
As a club we have guaranteed income every week of the year. We built our own Social Club over 20 years ago, which can accommodate just under 300 fans on matchdays. Bar turnover alone is £200,000 per annum.
We are the best supported team in the East of Scotland League and most away games find Annan fans outnumbering followers of the home side.
With Gretna's demise, the area does not want to lose a team from the SFL and we are receiving tremendous local support. Our population is 12,000, more than enough to ensure longevity in the SFL and we will also get significant support from surrounding towns.
In a 20-mile radius there is a population of over 160,000.
With the nearest league clubs almost 80 miles away, a real opportunity exists to introduce the best players from the region to SFL football.
We have a strong youth development programme and our soccer school for primary children is 12 seasons old.
Our Galabank stadium is an hour down M74 from the outskirts of Glasgow and we are also served by a railway station, not more than 10 minutes walk from the ground.
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There should only be one choice. From BBC sources it seems that the recommendation from the SFL Inspection Committee is that Annan Athletic FC should be the club that gains entry to the SFL.
Which club would you like to see gain SFL status?
The 29 SFL clubs will meet on 3 July to vote on a replacement for Gretna, who went out of business following their relegation from the Scottish Premier League.
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