The Challenge Cup first-round match represents Annan's first as an official Scottish Football League member and McClelland, who has been involved with the Dumfriesshire side for nearly 30 years, can't believe the day has finally arrived.

He said: "The boys took hold of their new gear at training on Thursday and you could see how excited they all were. It's a massive moment for the club.

"Whatever we do – win, lose or draw – we have to savour it. Because in 25 years' time, we will be able to tell people that we were there when Annan played for the first time as an SFL member.

"We have nothing to organise as the game is at Broadwood. We just need to get the bus up there and enjoy the occasion. It's fantastic.

"I would like also to pay tribute to Clyde. They have invited the management committee and the wives for lunch before the game and they are recognising the occasion. It is a tremendous gesture from them."

Chris Jardine, a former Rangers youth player, is now in his 11th year at the club and will enjoy a testimonial later this season. He has been at the club when previous bids to enter the league have failed and admits today's match holds extra significance for him. The Dumfries-born player said: "I never saw this day coming.

"It's just really pleasing for Henry and all the people working behind the scenes. We're all really excited about the game. We're a bit behind in terms of preparation because before we got into the league our season was due to start on August 9. It will be tough today but it should be a great occasion."

Annan have managed to get several pre-season games under their belt, losing 5-0 to Scottish Cup finalists Queen of the South a fortnight ago and hosting their own annual tournament last weekend, in which they defeated Workington on penalties after a 2-2 draw then lost 3-0 to Stranraer in the final.

Today marks a series of milestones for the former East of Scotland side in the coming weeks. Tomorrow they will play a Rangers XI to officially open the new stand and next week sees their first official SFL match when they travel to play Cowdenbeath at Central Park. Then, on 9 August, they have their first home league match when Stenhousemuir will first foot at Galabank. Annan manager Harry Cairney has been working away frantically behind the scenes to add to his squad in preparation for the step up in terms of quality and has added former Queen of the South, Hibs and Gretna defender Derek Townsley as his player/assistant manager.

Last week Cairney announced further signings, strikers Grant Parker and Steve Archibald and defender Gary Brown all making returns to Galabank. Parker, 24, has signed from Dalbeattie Star, while 25-year-olds Archibald and Brown have been with Carlisle amateurs Harraby Catholics. And 18-year-old right winger Ryan Adamson will return to spend a year with Annan before heading to America on a college football scholarship.

Since the announcement that Annan would replace neighbours Gretna in the SFL work has been taking place to get the ground fully up to league standards. Volunteers have been helping install new turnstiles and raise the perimeter wall, while floodlights are due to be installed next week.

Meanwhile, Clyde manager John Brown hopes his side can rise to the occasion after the high of playing Rangers in midweek. He said: "It was great that they got the chance to play against Rangers but now they've got to turn out against Annan in front of 1,000 fans and make sure they get a result.

"We know the Annan players will get a tremendous boost from playing their first fixture as an SFL side so there is no way we will be taking them lightly.

"The Challenge Cup is the first competition to be won in the new season and we want to go as far as we can. I have tried to install a winner's attitude into the payers and that is exactly how we will approach this tie."