the albion - august 2014

Albi nSTIRLING ALBION F.C. OFFICIAL MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2014

Albi nthe

ISSUE #29 I £3.00

#29

HERE WE COMELEAGUE ONE!

Club Executive TeamChair and Operations DirectorStuart Brown

Finance DirectorAlan Christie

Commercial DirectorJohn Hunter

DirectorDavid McFarlane

MembersGraham DouglasJim Thomson

Football ManagementManagerGreig McDonald

Assistant ManagerMarc McCulloch

PhysiotherapistJenna Orr

Goalkeeping CoachDavid Westwood

Club DoctorMichael Beyer

Heads of YouthStewart Taylor (Admin)Blair Cremin (Coaching)

Under 19 CoachesGraeme DonaldDavid Binnie

Community Engagement ManagerAndrew Todd

Modern ApprenticeSandy Cunningham

Club MascotBino the Bear

Club ChaplainDuncan Strathdee (0778 991 2259)

Editor’s Notes

CONTENTS REGULAR FEATURES:03. INSIDE THE BOX 04. ALBION NEWS05. FROM THE DUGOUT 10. THE LOCKER ROOM

12

2 / AUGUST 2014 / WWW.STIRLINGALBIONFC.CO.UK

Hello, and welcome back to The Albion magazine! We’re glad to be back, and we hope you are as well.

It’s been a busy few months for us at Albion HQ as Stuart Kenny, who edited the magazine for two years alongside myself, has graduated and moved onto the big city. Stuart has bagged himself a job with Action Sports website MPora, and it looks like great fun.

Stuart will be sorely missed, but we all have to move on, and in that regards I’ve managed to secure the help of a fellow University of Stirling classmate in Ben Ramage. Ben will be helping out with the magazine in a similar respect to the way Stuart did. As always we’ll do our best to bring you the best Albion content, be it features, reports, previews and interviews.

We’re a bit light on features this issue with a tight schedule following my own stint at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. I had a whale of a time working there and it was a great time to be in Glasgow. Of course Stirling had some success with Ross Murdoch gaining gold in the Mens

24

AUG. 2014 I #2904. INSIDE THE BOX 05. ALBION NEWS06. FROM THE DUGOUT07. MATCH REPORT VS. ELGIN CITY08. MATCH REPORT VS. ALLOA ATHLETIC09. MATCH REPORT VS. PETERHEAD10. THE LOCKER ROOM: GORDON SMITH12. HOME PREVIEW: AYR UNITED14. 2013/14 STATISTICS16. FJORD OF DREAMS24. HOME PREVIEW: ALLOA ATHLETIC28. AWAY PREVIEW: STENHOUSEMUIR30. AWAY PREVIEW: AIRDRIEONIANS32. COMMUNITY CORNER34. JUNIOR BINOS36. SQUAD AND SPONSOR PROFILES38. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

GORDONSMITHTHELOCKERROOM

THE ALBION MAGAZINE

50m Breastroke Final, so well done Ross.

The Binos have been busy over the summer too, recruiting a number of new players, and we’ll be hoping to talk to them all at one stage or another, if we can figure out one Smith from another that is!

This issue features an exclusive interview with returning striker Gordon Smith. Gordon of course spent some time at the club previously and has returned on a permanent deal after his spell at Raith Rovers last year. Alongside Steven Doris, Lewis Coult and others, we hope that the boys can score the goals that will be missing after Jordan White’s departure.

Sometime tannoy announcer Alban Dickson travelled to Norway during the summer to solidify club links with Bergen-based Brann, and I’m sure his feature will have you as hooked as I was.

Community Corner is back, and we’ve got our regular features ready and waiting. Please enjoy the match, and the magazine!

David ChalmersEditor & Head of Design

@[email protected]

FJORD OF DREAMSALBAN DICKSON TRAVELS TONORWAY


Editors:David Chalmers & Ben Ramage

Contributors:Alban Dickson, Andy Todd, Stuart Brown, Jim Thomson, Greig McDonald

Thanks to:Gordon Smith, Ayr United FC, Stuart Brown Greig McDonald, Andy Todd, Jim Thomson

Photography:Prudential, Daily Record, Jim Thompson, BBC, Andy Todd, SNS Group, The Scotsman, The Herald, David Sargent, Falkirk FC, Getty Images

Design:David Chalmers

Printing: Mailboxes Etc. Stirling

Contact:[email protected]

Interact:T| 01786 450399E| [email protected]| stirlingalbionfc.co.uk

CLUB HONOURS

C Division Champions 1946/47

B Division Champions1952/53

Second Division Champions1957/58, 1976/77, 1990/91, 1995/96, 2009/10

Division One Play-off Winners2006/07

League Two Play-off Winners2013/14

Stirlingshire Cup Winners1953/54, 54/55, 58/59, 71/72, 73/74, 76/77, 77/78, 83/84, 88/89, 91/92, 98/99, 2003/04, 04/05, 05/06

THE ALBION MAGAZINE

facebook.com/thealbionmagazinefacebook.com/stirlingalbionfc

twitter.com/StirAlbionMagtwitter.com/Stirling_Albion

FIXTURES


“

A warm welcome to Forthbank Stadium as we kick off our home programme in SPFL1 against Ayr United. This edition of “The Albion” also covers our Petrovac Training

Cup second round tie versus Alloa Athletic, as we seek to get revenge for our narrow defeat in the first round of the League Cup.

The way the fixtures fall we aren’t due to be at home again until mid-September, with the next three weeks providing two away league fixtures and a “free week” - unless we can see off Alloa Athletic and secure a home tie in the next round of the Petrofac Cup.

There was good news, not so good news and bad news at Peterhead last weekend - the good news was that we played well for the most part, the not so good was McAllister’s late equaliser and the bad news was the rugby tackle on Steven Doris. We are still waiting for confirmation as to the full extent of his injury but at best I expect him to be on the sidelines for a good number of weeks.

Turning to this season’s pricing for league and cup matches at Forthbank, I fully appreciate that, for many of our fans, cost is a determining factor in deciding whether to come along and we have tried hard to balance this against the need to generate revenue to ensure we can provide Greig with a playing budget that will allow us to be competitive in the higher league. Our season ticket and pay at the turnstile pricing compares favourably across the division and our “Under 12s Go Free” initiative is a first, but significant, step towards ensuring families can attend Forthbank without “breaking the bank”.

With regards to away cup matches, whilst we should be consulted, the reality is we have limited input or control, providing the opposition are adhering to SFA/SPFL guidelines.

Aside from the revenue derived through the turnstiles, our commercial activities continue to go from strength to strength - my thanks to everyone who has already taken out player sponsorship, magazine and ground advertising - and there’s still plenty of opportunity left in these areas, as well as match day hospitality packages throughout the season. Please contact the Club in the first instance.

The question I’m most asked is what is your target / expectation for the season. The honest answer is I don’t have a personal expectation with regards to our league position. I will be more than content if we are competitive week in, week out and if Greig, Marc and the players deliver on that, I’m confident our league position will take care of itself. In the first instance, our target has to be to remain in the division and only time will tell whether we should be revising that target upwards! Talk of the play offs (at either end of the league!) simply isn’t on the agenda at this early stage.

Finally, as has always been the case, if anyone wants to ask a question or provide (constructive) feedback, I’m more than willing to listen and wherever possible and appropriate, provide an answer - I can be contacted through the usual Club channels at any time.

Stuart BrownChairman SAFC

INSIDE THE BOX

“

I will be more than content if we are competitive week in, week out and if Greig, Marc and the players deliver on that, I’m confident our league position will take care of itself.

STUART BROWN

THE NEW BOYSEight new players have joined us since we won promotion via the play-offs at East Fife in May - welcome on board guys!

Goalkeeper Greg Paterson (24) arrives from East Fife, although he missed the play-off final against us after suffering an injury during their semi-final win over Clyde on penalties. Greg spent a number of years with Dunfermline then moved to Forfar, from where he switched to Linlithgow Rose.

Defender Craig Wedderburn (24) has left St Andrews United Juniors to return to senior football after previous spells with Raith Rovers, Arbroath and Clyde, who he left as he required an operation. He was on the radar of the Albion management team last summer but had signed for St Andrews.

Defender James Creaney (25) was with Alloa last season and can play at left-back or on the left of midfield. The former Stranraer and Dumbarton player also had a spell in Ireland earlier in his career.

Midfielder Darren Lee Smith (26) is a former Scotland U21 internationalist, who began his career at Motherwell before moving to Ross County in 2010. He spent the 2011/12 campaign with Stirling Albion and now returns after two years at Ochilview.

Midfielder Willie Robertson (21) has joined until January after leaving Alloa at the end of the season. He began his career at Dundee United and has also played on loan at Forfar.

Forward Lewis Coult (26) started out at Hamilton Accies and had brief stints at Alloa and Berwick before moving to the Junior ranks. He is probably best known from his time at Cowdenbeath and we will now forgive him for the hat-trick he scored against us in February 2012! He switched to Airdrie 12 months ago and scored six goals in 21 League 1 appearances for the Diamonds.

Forward Steven Doris (26) began his career at St Johnstone and had loan spells at Montrose and Arbroath before making a move to Gayfield in 2009. He had an excellent scoring record for the Red Lichties, averaging close to a goal every two games, and had a trial with Birmingham before signing for Dundee last summer. Steven made 15 appearances and also had a loan spell back at Arbroath.

Forward Gordon Smith (23) is well known to Albion fans after enjoying a successful loan spell at Forthbank during our 2010/11 campaign in Division One. The former Livingston and Hearts striker spent the 2013/14 season with Raith Rovers, helping them win the Ramsdens Cup and scoring five goals in 33 Championship appearances, around half of which were as a substitute.

SKIPPER SMITHDarren Smith has been appointed as club captain for season 2014/15. The 34-year-old former Berwick, Brechin, Raith, Alloa and East Fife player joined us from Arbroath in January. Binos boss Greig McDonald said: “Darren has performed this role at previous clubs and is a natural leader within the group. He provides a calming influence for the young players and organises those around him. I am sure he will prove to be an excellent captain for Stirling Albion.”

PETROFAC TRAINING CUPOur Petrofac Training Cup second-round tie against Alloa takes place at Forthbank on Tuesday August 19, kick-off 7.45pm. Admission prices are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions, with U12s free if accompanied by a paying adult. The quarter-finals are scheduled for Saturday September 6.

North SectionDunfermline Athletic v Falkirk (Tuesday)Brora Rangers v East Fife (Tuesday)Brechin City v Peterhead (Tuesday)STIRLING ALBION v Alloa Athletic (Tuesday)

South SectionLivingston v Heart of Midlothian (Wednesday)Rangers v Clyde (Monday, live on BBC ALBA)Morton v Berwick Rangers (Tuesday)Stranraer v Albion Rovers (Tuesday)

SOLID STARTERSThe 1-1 draw at Peterhead means we remain unbeaten on the opening day of the league season since losing 2-1 to Brechin in August 2008 - when a certain Darren Smith scored a spectacular late winner for the Glebe Park side!

YOUTH CUPStirling Albion have been drawn away to Falkirk in the first round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup. The tie is scheduled for Sunday August 31, with the winners at home to Airdrieonians in round two at the end of September.


ALBION NEWS

FIXTURES26 Jul PTC R1 Elgin City 3-02 Aug LC R1 Alloa 0-1 9 Aug L1 Peterhead 1-1 16 Aug L1 Ayr United19 Aug PTC R2 Alloa 23 Aug L1 Stenhousemuir30 Aug L1 Airdrieonians6 Sep PTC Quarter Final13 Sep L1 Brechin City20 Sep L1 Forfar Athletic27 Sep L1 Stranraer4 Oct L1 Dunfermline11 Oct L1 Morton18 Oct L1 Stenhousemuir

25 Oct L1 Airdrieonians8 Nov L1 Brechin City15 Nov L1 Stranraer22 Nov L1 Dunfermline29 Nov PTC R46 Dec L1 Peterhead13 Dec L1 Forfar Athletic20 Dec L1 Ayr United 27 Dec L1 Morton3 Jan L1 Stenhousemuir10 Jan L1 Dunfermline17 Jan L1 Peterhead24 Jan L1 Forfar Athletic31 Jan L1 Stranraer

7 Feb L1 Morton14 Feb L1 Ayr United21 Feb L1 Brechin City28 Feb L1 Airdrieonians7 Mar L1 Stranraer14 Mar L1 Dunfermline21 Mar L1 Peterhead28 Mar L1 Forfar Athletic4 Apr L1 Airdrieonians11 Apr L1 Brechin City 18 Apr L1 Morton25 Apr L1 Ayr United 2 May L1 Stenhousemuir

“

Welcome back to Forthbank after what has been one of the shortest summers I can recall during my time in football. I hope the memory of our playoff victory,

along with the World Cup, has meant that you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.

As this is my first magazine piece of the season I’d like to place on record my thanks to you the supporters for your backing during our successful journey through the playoffs. I’ve played at Bayview on many occasions and can honestly say the noise level, particularly when Sandy scored, was the loudest I’ve ever heard there. That day was the reward after two years of hard work and will live long in the memory.

We now return to League one, or the second division for the old school amongst us, where outside of Forthbank we are widely considered as resounding favourites for relegation. As we did last year we remain determined to prove the doubters wrong and continue to show that after a few tough years our club is making strong progress, both on and off the pitch.

The journey, quite literally, started last week with a trip to Peterhead. Thank you again to those who made the long trek north. We played some good football at times and over the piece I thought we stood up well to Peterhead’s direct style. Statistics tell us that opposition teams find Balmoor a difficult place to go therefore it has to be considered a solid start to life back in this division and one we must now try to build on.

Today we face an Ayr Utd team who are the top of the league after a great result against Morton last week. Ayr are an established League 1 team who will be looking to challenge this year so we know to expect a tough game. I’d like to wish Mark and his players all the best for the season.

As already communicated on the official website Darren Smith will take the armband for this season. Daz has performed this role at previous clubs and is well equipped to take on this responsibility. As an experienced pro and natural leader within the group he provides a calming influence for the young players and organises those around him. As a newly promoted team we go into the new season with our eyes wide open as to the increased strength of competition we will face vs the expectations of you as the supporters. There will undoubtedly be challenging times during the course of the season however if we can show the unity, on and off the park, that we displayed in achieving promotion then we can have another successful season. I have a couple of pictures in my office capturing the reaction of both the players and supporters after one of our goals against Annan in the playoff semi final, and of course Sandy’s winner in the final. Both of these are recent & strong reminders of what we can do when we all pull together as a club.

Enjoy the game today. Greig


VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

“

There will undoubtedly be challenging times during the course of the season however if we can show the unity, on and off the park, that we displayed in achieving promotion then we can have another successful season.

GREIG MCDONALD


MATCH REPORT

FraserBeveridge

Finlayson (66)Cooper

NicolsonMcLEan

GunnMacPhee

MacKenzie (73)Sutherland (66)

Moore

Subs:Black

MurrayWood

McHardyCooke (66)

Cameron (73)Bayne (66)

PatersonHamilton

Creaney (62)Comrie

WedderburnC Smith

Johnston (72)Fulton (66)

G SmithDoris

DL Smith

Subs:Reidford

McHeachieMunn

D SmithRobertson (66)

Cunningham (72)Coult (62)

BINOS PROGRESS IN PETROFAC CUP THANKS TO SMITH & SMITH

0 ELGIN CITY

3 STIRLING ALBIONDARREN LEE SMITH 48, GORDON SMITH PEN 58, 78

PETROFACCUP

SAT 26THJUL 2014

ATT: 470

LEFT:Midfielder Darren Lee Smith opened the scoring for the Binos

PHOTO: SNS Group

A stunning volley from Darren Lee Smith and a Gordon Smith double saw us progress to round two of the Petrofac Training Cup

thanks to an excellent second-half display at Borough Briggs.

Referee Nick Walsh deemed that our new white and red home kit was a clash with Elgin’s black and white stripes so we took to the field wearing City’s blue away jerseys as we recorded our first win in this competition since beating Deveronvale 3-1 in Banff three years ago.

Elgin were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when central defender Matthew Cooper was sent off for bringing down Darren Lee Smith for a penalty that was converted by Gordon Smith.

Binos boss Greig McDonald handed debuts to Greg Paterson, James Creaney, Craig Wedderburn and Steven Doris, with Lewis Coult making his bow from the bench and trialist Willie Robertson - a former Alloa and Dundee United midfielder - also introduced during the second half.

Injury ruled out Graham Weir and David McClune while Darren Smith and Ross McGeachie, rated doubtful before the match, were among the subs.

Elgin had slightly the better of the first half and posed a threat going forward, notably through Shane Sutherland. The former Inverness forward curled a shot just wide early on then saw another effort deflected on to the top of the bar while Craig Gunn had a goal disallowed for offside.

Albion also created openings, with Doris and Darren Lee Smith denied by keeper Michael Fraser, but we dominated the second half and ran out comfortable winners.

The opener came just three minutes after the restart. Wedderburn nodded a Craig Comrie free-kick into the danger area and Darren Lee Smith, in his first game back after two years at Stenhousemuir, lashed a volley high into the net from 18 yards.

Smith also played a big part in the second goal 10 minutes later, racing beyond Cooper who was red carded for a trip on the ex-Motherwell man. Gordon Smith swept the spot-kick confidently into the net and the tie was effectively over.

With 12 minutes left, the same player - in his second stint at Forthbank - sealed the victory with a close-range finish, after Doris had created the opening.

A first-half goal from Greig Spence sent Alloa into the second round of the League Cup as we fell at the first hurdle for the seventh year in a row.

The summer signing from Raith Rovers, who hit a hat-trick at Arbroath the week before, pounced on a loose ball and rounded Callum Reidford to score the only goal after 26 minutes of a lacklustre derby.

It was our sixth straight defeat to our local rivals but we have a chance to put that right in the second round of the Petrofac Training Cup at Forthbank on August 19.

Heavy rain and high admission prices limited the crowd to a disappointing 684 and they witnessed a 90 minutes short on goalmouth action.

Alloa were on top in the first half but there was little between the sides after the interval and we generally defended well against our Championship opponents.

We failed to create enough clear-cut chances to trouble Barry Smith’s team although Willie Robertson came close to an equaliser against his old club with a couple of minutes remaining when

he thumped a 25-yarder just over the top.Stirling showed one change from the side that

beat Elgin 3-0, with Reidford replacing Greg Paterson in goal. David McClune, Graham Weir, Ross McGeachie and Darren Smith were all ruled out through injury and there was a place on the bench for youngster Tommy McAllister.

David Weatherston, who moved from Forthbank to Recreation Park during the summer, was absent from a home line-up that included ex-Binos Michael Doyle, Ryan McCord and Mark Docherty.

We made a bright enough start on the plastic pitch but Alloa took a grip on the match and Spence and Docherty missed good chances before the deadlock was broken.

Stephen Simmons thundered a free-kick wide and sub Iain Flannigan saw his deflected 25-yarder diverted on to the bar by Reidford with 15 minutes left but we were in contention until the end.

Steven Doris curled an effort just over and Robertson came even closer as Alloa held on for a narrow but deserved victory.


MATCH REPORT

GibsonDoyle

GordonMegatt

DochertySimmonsHolmes

Cawley (70)Buchanan (84)

McCordSpence

Subs:McDowall

MarrAshgarTiffoney

Flannigan (70)Hetherington (84)

ReidfordHamiltonCreaney

Fulton (63)Wedderburn

C SmithJohnston (73)

ComrieG Smith (81)

DorisDL Smith

Subs:PatersonMcAllister

MunnForsyth

Robertson (63)Cunningham (81)

Coult (73)

BINOS FALL SHORT AS SPENCE SECURES ALLOA CUP WIN

1 ALLOA ATHLETICSPENCE 26

0 STIRLING ALBION

CHALLENGECUP

SAT 2NDAUG 2014

ATT: 684

LEFT:Alloa goal scorer Greig Spence scored the only goal

PHOTO: Richard Sellers/Getty Images


Rory McAllister grabbed a late equaliser to deny Albion a winning start on the opening day of the League 1 season.

Gordon Smith gave us the lead early in the second half with a fine finish but Scotland’s top scorer from last year earned the Blue Toon a point in a keenly-contested encounter at Balmoor.

It was an encouraging start to life in a higher division, although a nasty-looking injury to Steven Doris in the closing stages is a cause for concern.

Albion showed three changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Alloa in the League Cup, with Greg Paterson, Lewis Coult and Graham Weir replacing Callum Reidford, Darren Lee Smith and Dale Fulton.

Willie Robertson was suspended and the game came too soon for Ross McGeachie and David McClune. Peterhead were without banned duo Andy Rodgers and Graeme Sharp.

The Blue Toon were presented with the League 2 championship flag before kick-off, four months after receiving the trophy and being beaten 4-0 by the Binos.

Chances were few in the opening stages but we

almost took the lead in 31 minutes when Doris did well on the right flank and picked out Gordon Smith, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Graeme Smith.

At the other end, our defence offered McAllister little cheer but he had an effort diverted for a corner before we had a big penalty appeal turned down. Doris appeared to be bundled over in the box but referee George Salmond waved play on.

The deadlock was broken in 55 minutes when Coult played in Gordon Smith and he beat namesake Graeme with a composed finish for his third goal of the season.

With Peterhead struggling to create clear-cut chances, it looked as if one goal might be enough but we were pushed back as the game wore on and were undone with five minutes to go.

A long pass through the middle tempted Paterson to come off his line but McAllister got there first and guided the ball into the net.

We remain unbeaten on the opening day since losing 2-1 to Brechin in 2008 and this was a good start as we prepare to welcome Ayr United to Forthbank.

MATCH REPORT

G SmithDonaldson

NobleR Smith (71)

RossGilfillanCox (71)Redman

McAllisterStevensonStrachan

Subs:JarvieTait

RichardsonMcCann (71)Brown (71)

PatersonHamiltonCreaney

WedderburnC Smith

Johnston (72)Comrie

WeirG Smith (82)

DorisCoult (66)

Subs:ReidfordD SmithFulton

McAllisterForsyth (66)

DL Smith (72)Cunningham (82)

LATE MCALLISTER EQUALISER RULES OUT SMITH STRIKE

1 PETERHEADMCALLISTER 85

1 STIRLING ALBIONGORDON SMITH 55

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 9THAUG 2014

ATT: 539

LEFT:Defender Lee Hamilton battles in the air for a ball in pre-season

PHOTO: Falkirk FC

DC: You’ve rejoined the club in the summer; what brought you back to Stirling Albion, and how have you found pre-season?

GS: Greig McDonald was a player when I was here last time, and he had been trying to get me for a few years. When I left Raith Rovers I spoke to the gaffer over the phone and we had a good chat and I liked what he had to say and obviously I know what he is like - and he knows me well so it was a no brainer really.

Pre season has been good; we’ve had a couple of hard tests against teams in the higher divisions, which has got the boys in good shape for the new season.

You couldn’t have gotten off to a better start last Saturday, could you?

The game against Elgin City was a good win for the boys and to get two goals on my first start


THE LOCKER ROOM

NEW SIGNING GORDON SMITH CAUGHT UP WITH EDITOR DAVID CHALMERS ABOUT HIS MOVE AND THE SEASON AHEAD

has given me a huge lift; and hopefully there will be a lot more to come over the course of the season.

Obviously Peterhead got a late equaliser, was that a real kicker for the squad?

The boys were gutted because we all knew that we should have won that game because we were the better team. To concede so late was disappointing, but a point away from home to a team with a good home record is a decent start and it’s something to build upon.

You were at Raith Rovers last season, what did you think of your last season?

Personally it was a disappointing season as I only started 20 games out of 40, which for me wasnt good enough as I want to start every game I possibly can; but I still popped up with a few important goals and the team managed to win the Ramsdens Cup which was nice!

Of course before Raith you were at Hearts. They now play in the Championship - was it an easy decision to join Stirling considering the names in the SPFL Championship this year?

Obviously the Championship is going to be an exciting league this season, but for me I wanted to find a club where I felt wanted and felt I had the best chance of geting a good run of 30+ games.

Today’s opponents Ayr won their opening league match. What are you expecting from the fixture?

Ayr got off to a good start beating one of the few full-time teams in Morton, but we’re at home and will be looking to get our first league win. I don’t know too much much about their squad this season to be honest, but we expect a tough game. I was involved in a cup game against them when I was with Hearts a few seasons ago and they put us out on penalties.

The club managed to win promotion via the play-offs last year, what hopes do you have for the Binos this campaign?

I think staying in the division would be a successful season as the club has just been promoted, but we have 35 games to go and we will take every game as it comes and go out to win every game and see where it takes us.

“

“11 / AUGUST 2014 / WWW.STIRLINGALBIONFC.CO.UK

Pre season has been good, we’ve had a couple of hard tests against teams in the higher divisions, which has got the boys in good shape for the new season.

GORDON SMITH

BEN RAMAGE

Stirling Albion open their League 1 home campaign by welcoming Ayr United FC to the Forthbank Stadium, with a strong home

record potentially key to staying in the division. Ayr, who lost out in the play-offs to the Championship last time out, started their season well last weekend with a 1-0 win against Morton thanks to a goal from summer recruit Ryan Donnelly, and will prove a strong test as the Binos get accustomed to life in League 1. Ayr Manager Mark Roberts may still be smarting from their 5-2 Aggregate defeat to Cowdenbeath in last year’s play-offs, particularly given that the West Coast club have also lost their key forward Micheal Moffat, who bagged an impressive 27 goals last season, to League 1 rivals Dunfermline. Roberts was a prolific forward himself in his playing days and it remains to be seen whether replacement

Ryan Donnelly, signed from Albion Rovers, will be able to fill the departed goalscorers productive boots. Donnelly did make the best start possible, however, scoring the goal which gave Ayr their opening day victory over Morton, and Roberts will be hopeful that his first goal for the club will be the first of many this season. The Honest Men have strengthened at

the back over the summer with the signing of influential centre-back Peter Murphy. Roberts will be hoping that the experience of the ex-Ireland international, who played over 400 games for English

side Carlisle, will stand them in better stead should they find themselves in the play-offs once again this season. While perhaps not favourites for the League, Ayr will very much fancy themselves to repeat their performance of last season in reaching the play-offs again, hoping to make the most of the opportunity this time around and gain promotion to the Championship.


MATCH PREVIEW

STIRLING ALBION VS. AYR UNITED

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 16THAUGUST, 2014

3:00 KICK-OFF

FORTHBANK STADIUM

AYR UNITED FACTFILEFOUNDED: 1910 NICKNAME: THE HONEST MEN STADIUM: SOMERSET PARK CAPACITY: 10,185 CURRENT MANAGER: MARK ROBERTS

“

“

The Honest Men have strengthened at the back

over the summer with the signing of influential

centre-back Peter Murphy.


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:McLatchieNewmanHartHutton

Defenders:Campbell RossBallantyne McKinlay Devlin

McCreadie MurphyMuirLapham McArthur McCracken

Midfielders:McGovern Donald Faulds McGowan

LaveryMcGill McGuffie Keegan Forrest CrawfordFinlay GilmourCampbell WaiteWardrope McLaughlin

Forwards:DonnellyNisbetOrrMcKenzie ShanklandHollandRoberts

SQUAD LIST

STIRLING ALBION vs AYR UNITEDAUG 16th | LEAGUE ONE | FORTHBANK

AYR UNITED vs FORFARAUG 23rd | LEAGUE ONE | S’SET PARK

KILMARNOCK vs AYR UNITEDAUG 26TH | LEAGUE CUP | RUGBY PARK

Stirling’s last meeting with the West Coast club came five years ago, in a League Cup tie in August 2009. The game took place at Forthbank stadium and it was a feisty affair, with the Binos ending the encounter with a mere nine players after Andy Graham and Ross Forsyth, now back with the Binos after some time with Greenock Morton and Dumbarton, were sent off. The teams drew 1 - 1 in normal time, Stewart Devine scoring Stirling’s goal while Ayr’s William Easton notched theirs. Ayr took the tie eventually thanks to an extra time winner from Andy Aitken. Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson, and current Ayr manager Mark Roberts both started the cup tie - as did Bryan Prunty, who had a one-month spell with the Binos in the same season. However, a lot has changed in five years and Stirling will be keen to avenge the defeat as the teams meet in the recently-formed SPFL League 1.

1 STIRLING ALBIONDEVINE 16

2 AYR UNITEDEASTON 61, AITKEN 114’

LEAGUE CUP

SAT 1STAUG 2009

ATT: 802

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERPETER MURPHYPeter Murphy is a strong and composed centre-back, who can also play in midfield if required. The Dublin born defender played his early football at Blackburn Rovers before spending an impressive 12 years at Carlisle United, during which he became their most capped outfield player ever amassing over 400 appearances. His testimonial included Premier League players such as Grant Holt, Ian Harte and Danny Graham. Murphy also played for Ireland up to Under 21 level, before gaining his one cap at full international level in a friendly against Bolivia.

THE GAFFERMARK ROBERTSMark Roberts made his name in Scottish Football as a striker, coming through the youth ranks at Kilmarnock before spells at numerous clubs, including Falkirk and St Mirren. He had 3 productive seasons at Ayr, ending each as the club’s top scorer and scoring 42 league goals in total, before taking the reign’s from Brian Reid as player manager following their relegation to the second division in 2012. Roberts once scored a hat-trick of penalties in a game against East Fife before getting sent off celebrating the third, as well as a Scottish Cup winner against Hibernian.


2013/14 STATISTICS

Boy

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Ham

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Smith

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Com

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Gas

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Mun

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Cun

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Ash

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Cla

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Wea

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McC

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2013-14 Scottish League Division 2 F A Att

Scorers 10-Aug a League Montrose 2 1 486 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Fulton, Ferry 17-Aug H League Peterhead 2 0 573 1 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 12 2 Fulton, Johnston 24-Aug H League East Stirlingshire 1 3 735 1 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 12 2 5 14 White 31-Aug a League Queen's Park 2 0 527 1 3 5 6 12 9 10 8 4 14 7 2 11 13 Cunningham, Ferry 14-Sep H League Annan Athletic 0 2 608 1 3 5 6 12 8 9 7 4 13 10 2 11 14

21-Sep a League Berwick Rangers 1 1 491 1 3 5 6 7 4 9 8 10 2 11 12 Weatherston 28-Sep a League Elgin City 0 4 623 1 3 5 6 7 4 9 8 13 2 14 10 11 12 19-Oct H League Montrose 3 1 481 1 11 5 6 7 8 9 13 4 10 2 3 12 14 Smith, White, Cunningham 26-Oct a League Clyde 1 2 676 1 11 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 4 10 2 3 14 Coyne 29-Oct H League Albion Rovers 2 1 423 1 5 6 7 11 12 10 8 4 9 2 14 3 13 Johnston, Fulton 09-Nov a League East Stirlingshire 2 2 541 1 12 8 5 6 7 11 9 13 4 2 14 3 10 White, White 16-Nov H League Queen's Park 3 0 681 1 4 6 5 7 11 9 13 8 2 14 12 3 10 Fulton, Cunningham, Coyne

23-Nov a League Annan Athletic 4 4 384 1 4 6 5 7 11 9 13 8 2 14 12 3 10 McAnespie, Cunningham, White, Forsyth

03-Dec H League Berwick Rangers 3 1 378 1 4 6 5 7 9 10 8 2 12 11 13 3 14 White, Notman (og), Forsyth 07-Dec a League Albion Rovers 1 2 396 1 4 6 5 13 9 10 8 2 7 11 12 3 14 Bishop 21-Dec a League Peterhead 1 3 521 1 4 3 5 7 12 9 8 2 11 13 10 6 Forsyth 28-Dec H League Clyde 1 1 859 1 8 6 5 7 14 9 10 13 4 11 2 3 12 Weir 04-Jan H League East Stirlingshire 2 1 639 1 4 3 5 7 13 9 11 8 12 2 10 6 14 Comrie, Ferry 11-Jan a League Queen's Park 1 0 472 1 8 5 7 11 9 10 4 2 12 3 13 6 14 Ferry 18-Jan a League Berwick Rangers 0 4 464 1 8 6 5 13 11 9 10 4 7 2 3 12 25-Jan H League Annan Athletic 1 1 509 1 5 7 14 9 11 8 2 13 3 10 4 12 6 White 01-Feb a League Montrose 0 0 333 1 3 5 9 11 8 2 7 14 12 10 4 6 13 08-Feb H League Peterhead 1 2 498 1 3 5 12 9 10 8 11 13 2 14 7 6 4 White 15-Feb H League Albion Rovers 2 0 541 1 5 8 10 9 2 11 3 13 7 6 4 12 14 Weatherston, White 22-Feb a League Elgin City 3 2 576 1 14 8 10 12 9 5 11 3 13 7 6 4 2 White 2, McAnespie 01-Mar H League Queen's Park 2 2 656 1 14 5 13 8 9 10 2 12 3 11 6 4 7 Gibson (og), Comrie 08-Mar a League East Stirlingshire 0 1 584 1 3 5 14 9 11 10 2 13 8 6 4 7 11-Mar H League Elgin City 1 1 641 1 5 7 9 8 12 13 2 11 3 10 4 6 Cunningham 15-Mar a League Clyde 0 1 673 1 5 6 13 9 8 12 14 2 11 3 10 7 4 22-Mar H League Montrose 2 2 529 1 5 6 7 9 11 4 12 10 8 2 3 Comrie, McClune 29-Mar a League Annan Athletic 2 1 479 1 14 13 5 3 7 9 8 4 10 12 6 2 11 Weatherston 2 05-Apr H League Berwick Rangers 2 1 665 1 5 6 7 14 9 11 4 10 2 12 13 8 3 Weatherston, Cunningham 12-Apr a League Albion Rovers 2 0 480 1 3 6 7 14 9 11 4 10 5 12 8 13 2 White, Weatherston 19-Apr H League Elgin City 2 2 640 1 3 6 7 13 9 11 4 10 5 14 12 8 16 2 White, Comrie 26-Apr a League Peterhead 4 0 852 1 3 12 5 11 14 9 7 13 4 10 6 8 2 Comrie 2, Weatherston, Weir

03-May H League Clyde 4 1 1028 1 3 13 5 11 14 9 7 4 10 12 6 8 2 White 2, Forsyth, Johnston

07-May H Play-Off Annan Athletic 3 1 972 1 3 12 5 7 9 10 4 11 13 14 8 6 2 Weir, Weatherston 2

10-May a Play-Off Annan Athletic 5 3 912 1 3 5 7 14 9 10 13 4 11 12 8 6 2 McClune, White 3, Comrie

14-May H Play-Off East Fife 1 2 1501 1 3 5 7 14 9 10 4 11 12 13 8 6 2 Forsyth

19-May a Play-Off East Fife 2 0 1516 1 3 13 5 7 14 9 10 4 11 12 8 6 2 White, Cunningham

Games Played 38 2 1 29 14 28 23 29 17 39 31 18 26 4 25 19 1 8 19 10 0 1 3 19 11 11 14 0

Substitute Appearances 0 1 1 1 3 4 0 7 13 1 6 7 2 9 9 6 0 8 5 20 1 1 0 3 0 3 1 1 Goals 0 0 0 5 2 1 1 3 4 19 3 4 2 2 9 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0

JIM THOMPSON

Stirling started the league campaign with an away victory at Montrose, Dale Fulton scoring on his debut. This was followed up by a home

win over Peterhead. Despite these two victories the Binos dropped to 3rd in the table, below the Shire and Albion Rovers. Despite a home defeat to the Shire, Stirling retained 3rd place in the league. A run of indifferent form resulted in the club dropping to 7th place but only one point off 2nd spot.

The away fixture to Annan on 23rd November proved to be pivotal in the mid stages of the league. A win over the home side would have taken Stirling to top spot in the League. Calumn Reidfiord replaced the injured David Crawford in goals and found themselves a goal down in the 1st minute. Three times Annan were ahead only to be pegged back. Stirling took the lead in 74 minutes thanks to a Ross Forsyth goal, however four minutes into

injury time, Annan were awarded a controversial penalty and Ally Love converted to earn a 4-4 draw.

The next 18 games resulted in six wins, six defeats and six draws. Peterhead meanwhile were putting together a run of form that saw them 19 points ahead, Annan 11 points clear in 2nd place, Clyde six points ahead and Berwick only two points behind when the teams met on 5th April.

Stirling looked the better team until Berwick scored in the 38th minute. This was followed by a straight red card shown to Berwick’s Paul Currie for his over zealous celebration of the goal. Despite being a goal down, Berwick held on till the 89th minute with Weatherston equalising and deep into stoppage time Sandy Cunningham scoring the winner with a header. Clyde lost to Annan the same day, leaving Berwick five points adrift and Clyde within reach.

Three wins and a draw in the final run-in saw the albion overtake Clyde and the rest is history.

THE PROMOTION


2013/14 STATISTICS

2013-14 Scottish League Division 2 F A Att

10-Aug a League Montrose 2 1 486 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 17-Aug H League Peterhead 2 0 573 1 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 24-Aug H League East Stirlingshire 1 3 735 1 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 31-Aug a League Queen's Park 2 0 527 1 3 5 6 12 9 10

14-Sep H League Annan Athletic 0 2 608 1 3 5 6 12 8 9 7

21-Sep a League Berwick Rangers 1 1 491 1 3 5 6 7 4 9 8 28-Sep a League Elgin City 0 4 623 1 3 5 6 7 4 9 8 19-Oct H League Montrose 3 1 481 1 11 5 6 7 8 9 13 26-Oct a League Clyde 1 2 676 1 11 5 6 7 8 9 12 29-Oct H League Albion Rovers 2 1 423 1 5 6 7 11 12 10 09-Nov a League East Stirlingshire 2 2 541 1 12 8 5 6 7 11 9 13 16-Nov H League Queen's Park 3 0 681 1 4 6 5 7 11 9 13

23-Nov a League Annan Athletic 4 4 384 1 4 6 5 7 11 9 13

03-Dec H League Berwick Rangers 3 1 378 1 4 6 5 7 9 10 07-Dec a League Albion Rovers 1 2 396 1 4 6 5 13 9 10 21-Dec a League Peterhead 1 3 521 1 4 3 5 7 12 9 28-Dec H League Clyde 1 1 859 1 8 6 5 7 14 9 10 04-Jan H League East Stirlingshire 2 1 639 1 4 3 5 7 13 9 11 11-Jan a League Queen's Park 1 0 472 1 8 5 7 11 9 10 18-Jan a League Berwick Rangers 0 4 464 1 8 6 5 13 11 9 10 25-Jan H League Annan Athletic 1 1 509 1 5 7 14 9 11 01-Feb a League Montrose 0 0 333 1 3 5 9 11 08-Feb H League Peterhead 1 2 498 1 3 5 12 9 10 15-Feb H League Albion Rovers 2 0 541 1 5 8 10 22-Feb a League Elgin City 3 2 576 1 14 8 10 12 01-Mar H League Queen's Park 2 2 656 1 14 5 13 8 9 08-Mar a League East Stirlingshire 0 1 584 1 3 5 14 9 11 11-Mar H League Elgin City 1 1 641 1 5 7 9 8 15-Mar a League Clyde 0 1 673 1 5 6 13 9 8 22-Mar H League Montrose 2 2 529 1 5 6 7 9 11 29-Mar a League Annan Athletic 2 1 479 1 14 13 5 3 7 9 8 05-Apr H League Berwick Rangers 2 1 665 1 5 6 7 14 9 11 12-Apr a League Albion Rovers 2 0 480 1 3 6 7 14 9 11 19-Apr H League Elgin City 2 2 640 1 3 6 7 13 9 11 26-Apr a League Peterhead 4 0 852 1 3 12 5 11 14 9 7

03-May H League Clyde 4 1 1028 1 3 13 5 11 14 9 7

07-May H Play-Off Annan Athletic 3 1 972 1 3 12 5 7 9 10

10-May a Play-Off Annan Athletic 5 3 912 1 3 5 7 14 9 10

14-May H Play-Off East Fife 1 2 1501 1 3 5 7 14 9 10

19-May a Play-Off East Fife 2 0 1516 1 3 13 5 7 14 9 10

Games Played 38 2 1 29 14 28 23 29 17 39 31

Substitute Appearances 0 1 1 1 3 4 0 7 13 1 6 Goals 0 0 0 5 2 1 1 3 4 19 3

Wei

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Should you pop over the North Sea to carry out a flitting of your bairn’s braw house, you can probably leave the phrasebook at home.

Such are the similarities between Scots and Norwegian, many of these words sound interchangeable (Flytte, Barn, Bra, Hus). Were it not for a few unfamiliar vowels, excellent standards of English and an infamously high tax upon alcohol, then I’m sure I might have spent my recent trip speaking natively, nei problem efter alle.

Cast your mind back to Scotland’s World Cup effort in 1998 and you’ll recall that these similarities didn’t help us qualify despite our Nordic friends defeating Brazil. Tore Andre Flo’s 83rd minute goal may have helped us through, had we not crumbled to Morocco. Flo would go on to become a Scottish record transfer

fee (and gold dust for Scottish football satire) and here we can introduce our football connection.

Brattbakk, Berg, Stensaas, Riseth all joined Flo playing in the Scottish top flight. Meanwhile, East Stirling midfielder (and Stirling University graduate) Carl Thwyssen solitarily represented his entire country over here in 2004/05. Not forgetting Stenhousemuir’s “Norway Stand” (generously sponsored by their very own supporters’ club from our oil-yielding neighbours) perhaps it is no wonder Stirling Council offered free Norwegian language lessons in 2014?

The journey of Tony Fullerton and myself also begins closer to home. As coaches with Stirling City All Stars, our short trip began with aspirations to build a connection between disability football clubs, and took some unexpected turns once we realised we could take in a Tippelaegen West-coast derby between SK Brann and Viking Stavangar.

After some hopeful e-mails, with most of the hope resting upon Google translate, we made contact with Elling Sundberg, a coach with Fana IF. Elling did not hesitate to arrange us to a meeting at his office, on matchday, conveniently based at Brann’s 17,000 seater stadium. Yet with the disability football link ready to go, we didn’t depart Scotland without seeking an opportunity to meet personally with SK Brann and identify another connection - one for Stirling Albion.

Many will be familiar with the the facts shared by Liverpool and Stirling Albion in the early 1970s; playing at Annfield, red kits and managed by a Shankly. So I began to research what possible ties could bring our clubs together.

Players seemed an obvious choice but despite the legendary status held by Scots Charlie Miller and Robbie Winters, no coincidences existed between both clubs - and that is including our Icelandic influx in the mid-1990s. With no honours matching either, hope was lost. Until an unlikely nickname appeared.

Between 1979 and 1987, Brann attained a record for most consecutive promotions and relegations and the term “yo-yos” was quickly adopted by supporters.


FEATURE

FJORD OF DREAMSBinos fan Alban Dickson travelled to Bergen to form a link between Stirling Albion & Brann. This is his journey.

Below: Albion players Blair Munn and Lee Hamilton holding the Brann pennant

With our similar heritage previously making it onto our club crest this was the connection to pursue. However, as e-mails fell silent the journey to the airport concluded with a Stirling Albion pennant in my hand luggage with no expectation of furthering defining this link.

Once in Bergen, our meeting with Elling and his colleagues Stine and Knut went very well and we established a conversation to benefit both our respective clubs and regions in the future. It didn’t take us long to discover that much of the work and ethos applied in the Hordaland region was very similar to our own. The meeting e v e n t u a l l y concluded and we left the office to join supporters making their way into the ground.

Brann’s first half appeared to represent their season as despite a vocal home support of 8,792 they trailed 0-1 at half-time thanks to a stunning 30-yard strike from Icelandic midfielder Björn Sverrisson. Our half-time hot dog (bridies haven’t quite staked their claim yet) was brought to an abrupt end

“We have someone from Brann to meet you” as Elling ushered us from our seats.

We returned inside the stand to meet Jan-Pettar Bretland, venue manager of the stadium. “This way, we’ll take a shortcut” and we were quickly directed up a fire escape. The doors opened upon a clean and modern hospitality area lined with traditional, Gods styled, boxes overlooking the park. Our small party was shown into the central suite and Tony and I quickly became the centre of attention.

A member of the club’s board quickly equipped us with the Norwegian national drink, black coffee, as

another exceptionally well dressed lady was swiftly brought over to us. A glance of familiarity and it was quickly apparent that we were speaking with the Mayor of Bergen, Trude Drevland, who we had seen just the previous day projected upon huge screens around the harbour as the city hosted the Tall Ships Race 2014.

However, our time with the mayor was cut short - much to her disappointment - as we were introduced to two athletic looking guys in their casual gear. “So, are you two coaches with the club?” Tony was quick to assume, but our presence appeared more welcome

that we could have possibly anticipated. Per Markus Jonsson and Vadim Demidov had represented Sweden and Norway on multiple occasions, resigned to watching the day’s game due to injuries. We posed for pictures in front of the trophy cabinets feeling as though our new link was receiving its royal assent.

Brann battled through an exciting second half coming frustratingly close to an equaliser on many occasions, many chances coming from Erik Huseklepp (who scored against Scotland in a 4-0 battering in 2009) and returning club legend Azar Karadas, the Andy Gibson of Bergen, presently in his 3rd spell.

Our Norwegian trip came to an end with my trademark visit to the club shop, a red sea of merchandise filled with many of the players Elling and Stine coach. Within eight hours we had returned back to Scotland, proudly bringing our gifted Brann pennant with us.

An unfortunate home defeat for the guys in red, who look to return to their yo-yo period after years of stability - perhaps our clubs really aren’t that different after all?


FEATURE

“

“

It didn’t take us long to discover that much of the work and ethos applied in the Hordaland region was very similar to our own.

Above: (l-r) Tony Fullerton, Alban Dickson, Marcus Jonsson (Sweden, 4 caps), Vadim Demidov (Norway, 16 caps)

Above: (l-r) Knut Berge (Hordaland Fotballkrets) Trude Drevland (Mayor of Bergen), Alban Dickson, Tony Fullerton

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Alloa come to Forthbank Stadium just weeks after defeating Stirling Albion on their own patch in a League Cup encounter.

Greig Spence scored the only goal as the Wasps saw off the Binos at Recreation Park, and the Binos have now lost to their local rivals in six consecutive matches; but Greig McDonald’s side have an opportunity to put that record right.

Fixtures between the two sides can often be feisty and close-fought, and last season saw a match that can be described as both. Striker Jordan White opened the scoring for the visitors after heading home from Kieran McAnespie’s free-kick before a potential game-changing event played out on the pitch. Ex-Bino Michael Boyle and Sandy Cunningham were at each other in the early stages and a challenge from the latter saw referee Stevie O’Reilly raise the red card and usher the teenager off the Recreation Park surface.

David Crawford made a plethora of good saves to keep the Binos in front, but his hard work was undone when Kieran McAnespie brought down Jonathan Tiffoney, and Ryan McCord dutifully slotted home the resulting penalty to equalise for his side. Paul Hartley, now Dundee manager, would have been delighted when Graeme Holmes and Jason Marr scored late to seal the victory and progression in the Scottish Cup. Graham Weird bagged a fantastic late

consolation but it wasn’t enough for Greig McDonald and his side.

Barry Smith has of course taken over from Paul Hartley, and the Wasps struggled last year in the Championship. Managing to stay up, however, Smith can be content that this will be Alloa’s second consecutive season in the second-tier of Scottish football, and his experience with Dundee could prove vital to the Clackmannanshire side in a division that will entertain three of Scotland’s biggest footballing institutions.

The Championship is now home to Rangers, Hearts and Hibernian, after Rangers rise through the lower leagues following liquidation, and both Hearts and Hibs relegation from the top-tier last season. The Wasps opening fixture of the new season saw Queen of the South run out with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Derek Lyle and Gavin Reilly. The club are The Terrace Podcast’s tip to go down this year, as one of few part-time clubs in the division, giving advantage to those clubs that have squads who train most days as opposed to just once or twice a week.

It will be interesting to see how the game plays out; a cup run could be the best part about either side’s campaign and both managers will be eager to use this match to build some form for their league campaigns, but are likely to use it to test some youngsters also.


MATCH PREVIEW

STIRLING ALBION VS. ALLOA ATHLETIC

CHALLENGE CUP

TUES 19THAUGUST, 2014

19:45 KICK-OFF

FORTHBANK STADIUM

ALLOA ATHLETIC FACTFILEFOUNDED: 1878 NICKNAME: THE WASPS STADIUM: RECREATION PARK CAPACITY: 3,100 CURRENT MANAGER: BARRY SMITH


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:GibsonMcDowall Couser McKechnie

Defenders:DochertyGordonMeggattMarrDoyle

WardPatersonMcLellandSmithWilson

Midfielders:TiffoneySimmonsMcCordHolmesFerns

FlanniganHetheringtonAsgharMooreHardieForsythMeechanWelsh

Forwards:CawleySpence

WeatherstonBuchananHyndKinnairdAnderson

SQUAD LIST

ALLOA ATHLETIC vs RAITH ROVERSAUG 16th | CHAMPIONSHIP | REC’ PARK

STIRLING ALBION vs ALLOA ATHLETICAUG 19th | CHALLENGE CUP | FORTHBANK

COWDENBEATH vs ALLOA ATHLETICAUG 23rd | CHAMPIONSHIP | CENTRAL PARK

A first-half goal from Greig Spence sent Alloa into the second round of the League Cup as we fell at the first hurdle for the seventh year in a row.The summer signing from Raith Rovers pounced on a loose ball and rounded Callum Reidford to score the only goal after 26 minutes of a lacklustre derby.

Alloa were on top in the first half but there was little between the sides after the interval and we generally defended well against our Championship opponents. We failed to create enough clear-cut chances to trouble Barry Smith’s team although Willie Robertson came close to an equaliser against his old club with a couple of minutes remaining when he thumped a 25-yarder just over the top.

David Weatherston, who moved from Forthbank to Recreation Park during the summer, was absent from the home line-up.

We made a bright enough start on the plastic pitch but Alloa took a grip on the match and Spence and Docherty missed good chances before the deadlock was broken. Stephen Simmons thundered a free-kick wide and sub Iain Flannigan saw his deflected 25-yarder diverted on to the bar by Reidford with 15 minutes left but we were in contention until the end.

Steven Doris curled an effort just over and Robertson came even closer as Alloa held on for a narrow but deserved victory.

1 ALLOA ATHLETICSPENCE 26

0 STIRLING ALBION

LEAGUE CUP

SAT 2NDAUG 2014

ATT: 684

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERGREIG SPENCEStriker Spence joined the club during the summer transfer window, following Stirling Albion striker Gordon Smith out of the Raith Rovers back door. A former youth product, Spence scored 5 goals in 22 senior appearances between 2008-2009 at just 16-years-old. This caught the eye of Celtic FC and he spent three years there, ending his stint with a loan move to Hamilton.

With 42 goals in 136 senior appearances at just 22, Spence clearly has a lot of talent and is a dangerous prospect for any Scottish defence.

THE GAFFERBARRY SMITHAlloa employed Barry Smith in January of this year after Paul Hartley left the Wasps for Dundee. Funnily enough, it was almost like a managerial trade, as Smith left The Dees in 2013 after being appointed in 2010.

Smith’s record at Dundee was fairly impressive, but his win percentage has dropped since taking the helm at Recreation Park. A former player, and relatively young at 40-years-old, he is still early into his managerial career, but keeping Alloa up this year might be his toughest challenge he’ll ever face.

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Stirling will make the short trip down to Stenhousemuir on the 23rd to take on Scott Booth’s Warriors. Stenny will provide a stern

test of Albion’s League One resistance given their 5th placed finish last season, and they will be hoping to push on and make it into the play-offs this season. Manager Scott Booth will be hoping that his first pre-season was a success, and the signs are good as Stenny have made an impressive start to their season, progressing in the Scottish League Cup after beating Airdrieonians 3 - 1 away from home. They also opened their League campaign successfully, beating the same opposition 1 - 0 at home thanks to a late Grehan winner. Booth will undoubtedly be upset at losing his star forward and former Dundee, St Johnstone and Falkirk striker Sean Higgins, who had a solid campaign last season and has now joined Championship side Cowdenbeath this summer. Stenny have been active in bringing players in

during the current window though, and Booth has had a chance to add his own targets that he feels will help push the side on to the next level. One of these is Paul Sludden, a former Stirling University forward who he hopes will help fill the goal void left by Higgins departure following his tremendous season for the University

side. Booth has also made use of the loan system well, bringing back highly-rated Dundee midfielder Jamie Reid, 20, for his second loan spell at the club. Another great prospect has been brought in on loan in the form of Heart’s goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, who

is also completing his second loan spell at Stenny. Hamilton has progressed through all the Scotland international youth ranks up until the Under 19’s, for whom he currently has 9 caps, and the 20 year old may yet play a key part for the Warrior’s this season between the sticks. With a full pre-season and a productive summer of transfer activity, Scott Booth will be confident that he can improve on Stenhousemuir’s solid campaign last season by reaching the play-offs this time around.


MATCH PREVIEW

STENHOUSEMUIR VS. STIRLING ALBION

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 23RDAUGUST, 2014

3:00 KICK-OFF

OCHILVIEW

STENHOUSEMUIR FACTFILEFOUNDED: 1884 NICKNAME: THE WARRIORS STADIUM: OCHILVIEW CAPACITY: 3,746 CURRENT MANAGER: SCOTT BOOTH

“

“

Stenny will provide a stern test of Albion’s League One

resistance given their 5th placed finish last season, and they will

be hoping to push on and make it into the play-offs this season.


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:ShawHamiltonSmith

Defenders:StewartMaloneMcGuirePearsonSummersDuncan

LithgowDrydenDochertyNimmoMcMillanBuistLawsonGreacen

Midfielders:BanksThomson

WattAllanMeechanScottMcKinneyReidColemanFauldsHodgeMillarLynchPeddie

DicksonDoherty

Forwards:Kouider-AissaDaviesRobertsonMcMenaminChitemereP SluddenGrehan

MillarRedpath

SQUAD LIST

BRECHIN vs STENHOUSEMUIRAUG 16th | LEAGUE ONE | GLEBE PARK

STENHOUSEMUIR vs STIRLING ALBIONAUG 23rd | LEAGUE ONE | OCHILVIEW

STENHOUSEMUIR vs HEARTSAUG 26th | LEAGUE CUP | OCHILVIEW

A young Albion side went down 6-0 to Stenhousemuir in the first round of the Stirlingshire Cup at Ochilview in July.

Keeper Callum Reidford and Ross Forsyth provided some experience against a Warriors team that included Stewart Greacen and Colin McMenamin. William Robertson, who made his debut in our 3-0 win at Elgin, again featured as a trialist but was sent off in the closing stages after picking up a second yellow card.

Paul Sludden, signed from Stirling University during the summer, gave Stenhousemuir the lead in 11 minutes when he beat Reidford to the ball and found the net from outside the box. Greg Hurst and Tommy McAllister came close to scoring at the other end but Scott Booth’s men then seized control, with three goals in eight minutes before the break.

Alan Lawson forced the ball home after Reidford failed to gather a corner then Kyle Doherty netted after his initial effort had been saved. Sludden scored the fourth on the brink of half-time when he smashed a 30-yarder high into the net and the ex-Falkirk forward drilled a low shot past Reidford for 5-0 early in the second half.

We steadied the ship after that but conceded a sixth goal with two minutes left when ex-Morton central defender Greacen headed in a corner.

6 STENHOUSEMUIRWATSON 70, WOOD 90

0 STIRLING ALBION

STIRLINGSHIRE CUP

TUE 29THJUL 2014

ATT: 189

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERPAUL SLUDDENPaul Sludden has been brought in to bring the Warriors goals after his tremendous scoring exploits for Stirling University last season. Sludden joined the University after playing for Falkirk, gaining experience with the Bairns in the Europa League. He went to Australia before returning to Scotland and last season crowned his University spell with the winning goal in the BUCS Championship final. He has hit the ground running, netting for Stenny in their 3 -1 League Cup victory over Airdrieonians and former striker Booth has certainly seen some striking talent in the young attacker.

THE GAFFERSCOTT BOOTHScott Booth took over the club in January, - his first managerial job. Booth had a glittering playing career as a striker, with two spells at Aberdeen sandwiching an impressive European career playing for German giants Borussia Dortmund, as well as FC Twente and FC Utrecht. Booth also managed to gain 22 caps for Scotland, notching 6 goals in the process. He was a member of the squad for Euro 96, scoring 4 goals in the qualifiers, and also travelled with the team to the 1998 World Cup. He has worked for multiple media outlets as a pundit and also coached in the S.F.A before taking the reigns at Stenny.

Airdrieonians welcome the Binos to New Broomfield in a couple of weeks as Greig McDonald’s side continue to face new

challenges in a division above.While Stirling just gained promotion from League

Two last season, their opponents just avoided the drop. The sides could have met in the play-offs, but instead it was East Fife who represented League One against Clyde and then the Albion.

Garry Bollan’s side went on an astonishing eight-game losing streak last season, which makes their sixth-placed league position even more impressive than it already is. Jim Lister’s experience proved vital for The Diamonds as they put together a string of wins to keep their league status.

Their season hasn’t started so well, at the time of writing, with two defeats to Stenhousemuir and penalty-shoot-out defeat to Albion Rovers meaning they are out of the Petrofac Training Cup and the Scottish League Cup.

The Diamonds dominated their league opener, but Martin Grehan’s 87th minute goal sealed a smash-and-grab victory for hosts Stenhousemuir. The Lanarkshire men started brightly, a long-range O’Neil effort blocked before Watt brilliantly controlled his overhead kick and crossed to Lister, who headed straight at Stenny goalkeeper Jack Hamilton. Scott Stewart was keen to get forward from his central midfield berth, but his 14th minute volley was high

and wide. In Stenny’s rare attacking forays, former Stranraer hitman Martin Grehan was proving a handful, but Airdrie defended in numbers when necessary. Scott Gray looked lively for the visitors, linking well with Watt who screwed two low efforts wide as half-time approached.

For all of Airdrie’s productive passing play, their best chance of the match came from a long ball from defence eight minutes into the second half. Jim Lister won the footrace with Alan Lithgow only to see his low effort brilliantly saved by Hamilton. Scott Gray was forced off following a rough tackle, and his replacement Jack Haggerty combined well with O’Neil to send a tantalising ball across the six yard line, but it was missed by everyone.

With three minutes remaining, Sean Dickson fed fellow sub Ryan Millar on the right of the Airdrie penalty area. The young forward squared the ball to the onrushing Grehan, who slammed the ball past McNeil to secure win for the hosts.

Looking ahead to the match and their season, Airdrie will be depleted without the impressive Grant Adam, now plying his trade in the Scottish Premiership. They have also lost Lewis Coult to the Binos. The signing of David Proctor, however, is impressive and the 30-year-old former Inverness man should be an integral part of Bollan’s plans. These two sides will probably be fighting it out near the bottom, so three points is a must for both managers.


MATCH PREVIEW

AIRDRIEONIANS VS. STIRLING ALBION

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 30THAUGUST, 2014

3:00 KICK-OFF

NEW BROOMFIELD

AIRDRIEONIANS FACTFILEFOUNDED: 2002 NICKNAME: THE DIAMONDS STADIUM: NEW BROOMFIELD CAPACITY: 10,170 CURRENT MANAGER: GARY BOLLAN


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:McNeilBirnstingl

Defenders:DrummondFitzpatrickWilsonBainWardO’Neil

ProctorBoyle

Midfielders:CaddenWattStewartHamillGrayBlockleyHaggerty

Forwards:RichfordBoyleKirwan ParkerCoogansLister

SQUAD LIST

AIRDRIEONIANS vs PETERHEADAUG 16th | LEAGUE ONE | BROOMFIELD

DUNFERMLINE vs AIRDRIEONIANSAUG 23rd | LEAGUE ONE | EAST END PARK

AIRDRIEONIANS vs STIRLING ALBIONAUG 30th | LEAGUE ONE | BROOMFIELD

Stirling and Airdrie last met in 2012, when The Diamonds travelled to what was the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium and claimed a 2-0 victory.

Danger man Ryan Donnelly started the Airdrie attack with an attempted overhead kick, his effort landing on the roof of the net. Alan Cook tried from 20 yards but Grant Adam saved with ease. Donnelly was again a threat, and this time he made no mistake after a ball through the middle set the striker on his way to rounding goalkeeper Callum Reidford before slotting home the opener.

The Binos rose to the challenge and Graham Weir set up Kevin Kelbie, but his turn and shot was well-saved by Adam. Jamie Bain went over from a narrow angle at the other end as Charlie Adam’s brother set him up. Adam was busy throughout and he had to make ammends after flapping at an effort, saving well from Gary Thom’s header.

Willie McLaren and Sean Lynch combined down Albion’s right and Donnelly doubled the scoreline, nodding home from just yards out, ending any hope of a Binos comeback. The second half saw little action and the loss contributed to Stirling’s relegation that season.

0 STIRLING ALBION

2 AIRDRIEONIANSDONNELLY 20, 31

SECONDDIVISION

SAT 31STMAR 2012

ATT: 677

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERJIM LISTERJourneyman Jim Lister joined the Diamonds last campaign and was the catalyst for Gary Bollan as the side went on a great run of form, saving them from the grasp of relegation and putting them into mid-table.

Lister was voted Player of the Year for Airdrieonians last season and he won the same award for Dumbarton in the year prior to his move. That campaign, he scored 12 goals in 34 games for The Sons in the First Division. His haul of 9 goals failed to beat that last year, but his importance to the team cannot be understated.

THE GAFFERGARY BOLLANBollan joined Airdrieonians as manager in 2013 in his second managerial position, following on from a three-year stint as Livingston’s main man.

At Livingston, he performed remarkably, winning both the Third Division and the Second Division in successive years. The club relieved him of his duties, citing his failure to bring through the youth players, but he left with a 60% win ratio, something few managers can boast.

Bollan saved Airdrieonians season last year, taking them from bottom of the league to sixth place in a great end of season run of form.

Hello everyone and welcome back to another season and another year of community activity!! While the players all enjoyed a bit of a close season, there has been no such

thing on the community front as we have been busy finishing off our fantastic nursery programme before getting stuck in to our busy summer camps!

I am also absolutely delighted that we have been able to launch our under 12s go FREE initiative at our first home league game of the season against Ayr United. Hopefully this will encourage a lot more young fans and families to attend the games and enjoy the match day experience!

NURSERY PROGRAMME A GREAT SUCCESS!

As the last instalment of community corner went to print in April, our nursery programme was just getting underway. The community team visited a total of nine nurseries across eight weeks with over 400 children enjoying the fun sessions.

Children from nurseries including Dunblane (pictured) took part in warm ups, fun games and practiced skills such as dribbling and passing. These “mini-kicker” sessions also incorporate a lot of work on motor skills such as running and jumping as well as working with numbers, colours and shapes. During this particular programme, a number of tests were used to measure certain improvements in skills the children were practicing at the beginning and the end of the programme. Jumping and kicking were the two skills that were tested during the first session and the last session with the coaches focusing their

sessions around these skills in between the tests. The results are still being collated but initial findings show improvement in these skills that there have been improvements after only a few sessions.

The sessions were delivered to the nurseries over two four-week blocks with Dunblane, Newton, Riverside and Cowie nurseries taking part during the first block, followed by Borestone, Plean, Bridge of Allan, Cambusbarron and St Ninians in the second. The programme was funded through the SPFL Trust Scottish Communities League Cup Fund, supported by the Scottish Government.

The next block of our “Mini Kickers” classes, for children aged 3 and 4, run with Active Stirling are due to start this month! More information can be found at www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/community/class-details/ or www.activestirling.org.uk. Bookings can be made via Active Stirling on 01786 273 555 or 03000 280 101.

BOOK ON OUR WEEKLY CLASSES!!

You can now book onto our weekly football classes that we are running in various communities around the Stirling area with our partners Active Stirling. We are running “Play The Game” centres for children aged between 5 and 12, “Player Development Centres” for slightly more advanced players aged 9-12 and a goalkeeping class for children aged 8-14 as well as our “Mini Kickers” classes mentioned above.

The classes provide a fun and enjoyable environment for children to practice their football skills, play plenty


COMMUNITY CORNER

of games and meet new friends!

All the information on venues, days and times can be found at www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/community/class-details/. Again, bookings can be made via Active Stirling on 03000 280 101 or 01786 273 555.

JUNIOR BINOS ACTIVITY PAGE

Our Junior Binos page is returning for another season! You could be one of the lucky winners!! Pictured are last season’s winners from our first two competitions, Kirsty Emslie and Lewis O’Donnell. All you have to do is complete the page and follow the instructions on how to return the form. Good Luck!!

GIRLS FOOTBALL

We are still on the lookout for girls to join our expanding girls programme. The programme is being run in partnership with Central Girls and will see the girls training twice a week and playing matches on a Saturday morning. If you are a girl, or you know one who is interested in taking part in regular football with Stirling Albion, please contact myself for more information via the usual channels below.

Get following us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest!!Facebook - www.facebook.com/SAFCCommunityTwitter - @SAFCCommunityWebsite - www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/communityEmail - [email protected]

Andy33 / AUGUST 2014 / WWW.STIRLINGALBIONFC.CO.UK

COMMUNITY CORNER


----------------------------

JUNIOR BINOS----------------------------

B SB Z RE D H B IP S V JLP YH U QI Y Y V ET P J UAD QJ S NJ I J U WD N P BUZ MT A SZ B R Z IA L U MDO PE U OM E O S FK W C WBT RG R EZ F M A OH C D IEE HN U EY W I Y ML D L GCE OG I ER N A E DJ O R XIB YA J GU W G G NK E O IRL KA S TM E Y S QE O W LTI YG A LP W Y V ZD D J FIR RA F RX L G Q GR C L KWA AE Z MS K E P VC W O ZMG XY B LZ G E F RQ B C TBX YR J TK M R H KH T J NS

CROSSWORDCHALLENGE:WORDS TO BE FOUND:BRAZILNEYMARWORLD CUPGERMANYRIO DE JANEIROLIONEL MESSIVANISHING SPRAY

Look out for diagonal words and words written backwards!

WORLD CUP QUIZ1. WHO WON THE 2014 WORLD CUP?

2. WHICH PLAYER RECEIVED THE GOLDEN BOOT FOR SCORING THE MOST GOALS AT THE WORLD CUP 2014?

3. WHAT STADIUM WAS THE 2014 WORLD CUP FINAL PLAYED IN?

4. HOW MANY PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS WERE THERE IN THE 2014 WORLD CUP?

5. WHICH GOALKEEPER BROKE THE RECORD AMOUNT OF SAVES IN ONE GAME AT THE 2014 WORLD CUP?

NAME:

SCHOOL:

AGE:

PARENT’S NAME:

PARENT’S CONTACT NUMBER:


---------------------------

SPOT THE PLAYERS---------------------------

PICTURED IS STIRLING ALBION’S 2014/15 FIRST TEAM SQUAD! CAN YOU FIGURE OUT WHICH 3 PLAYERS HAVE BEEN COVERED UP? WRITE THEIR NAMES DOWN HERE:

PLAYER 1:

PLAYER 2:

PLAYER 3:

PLEASE RETURN ALL JUNIOR BINOS ANSWERS TO ANDY TODD AT FORTHBANK STADIUM NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2014. ANSWERS WILL BE CHECKED AND ALL FORMS WITH THE MOST CORRECT ANSWERS IN THE WORD SEARCH, QUIZ AND SPOT THE PLAYERS COMBINED WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAW. THE WINNER OF THE DRAW WILL WIN A SIGNED STIRLING ALBION BALL. ENTRANTS CAN BE 16 YEARS AND UNDER.

COACHING STAFF


STIRLING ALBION SQUAD LIST 2014/15

GREIG McDONALD MARC McCULLOCH DAVID WESTWOOD GREG PATERSON

CALLUM REIDFORD LEE HAMILTON JAMES CREANEY CHRIS SMITH

CRAIG WEDDERBURN ROSS FORSYTH ROSS MCGEACHIE PHIL JOHNSTON

GOALKEEPER

DEFENCEGOALKEEPER

DEFENCE MIDFIELD

VICTOR & DEBBIE NELSON

SAFC SUPPORTERS TRUST BOARD

BRAEHEAD TAXIS DRON & DICKSON LTD SAFC SUPPORTERSCLUB

IAIN GLEN PETER MCKENZIE MCKENZIE TRAILERS LTD ROY & SHEENA MCFARLANE


SQUAD LIST 2014/15 STIRLING ALBION

MIDFIELD

DARREN LEE SMITH DALE FULTON WILLIAM ROBERTSON

GRAHAM WEIR DAVID McCLUNE DARREN SMITH BLAIR MUNN

SANDY CUNNINGHAM STEVEN DORIS LEWIS COULT GORDON SMITH

CRAIG COMRIE

MIDFIELD

FORWARD

CRAIG SMITH GARRY CAIRNS JOINERY IAIN PATERSON

VICTOR & DEBBIE NELSON

IAN ALLARDICE DAVID & ALEX KNAPMAN W TURNBULL NEWSAGENTS-

JIM THOMSON

CRAIG STEWART BRIDGE OF ALLAN SUPPORTERS

ROBERT MCCRINDLE TYLAR ROWLEY

Other Stadium Advertisers:Allanwater Café, Bridge of Allan David Bennet & Son Butchers Braehead TaxisBurn Stewart Distillers Ltd Deanston Distillery Visitor Centre CAS Hire UK Ltd Ceramic Tile Distributors StirlingClark & Drummond CaterersAndrew Craig Roofind LtdDavidson Cruse Wealth Management Ltd Corrieri’s Café, CausewayheadDron & Dickson LtdR.S. Erskine & Co Ltd OpticiansFalkirk & Central Scotland SamaritansThe Golden Lion HotelHill & Robb SolicitorsKay Garage Doors_W. Kay LtdKilgannon Motors Ltd

Macfarlane Gray / French Duncan LlpMcKenzie Trailers LtdMorrisons Garage Ltd

Northgate Vehicle Hire LtdOgilvie Homes Ltd

Scott Direct / AA ComponentsThe Scottish Football Partnership

Scottish National PartyDr Richard Simpson MSP

Smart Fit StirlingSpringkerse Auto Centre

Strathallan PharmacySwim Easy LTd

Tilly Confectionery LtdTorwood Fencing Ltd

Trinity Mirror Plc Stirling Observer, Daily Record & Sunday Mail

Unison Stirling Council - Anti RacismWoodWinters Wines & Whiskies Ltd

MAIN SPONSOR

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If you would like to advertise in The Albion Magazine, please contact the

club through the usual streams.

Interact:T| 01786 450339

E| [email protected]| stirlingalbionfc.co.uk

VISIT US 8 MILES NORTH OF STIRLING ON A84 AT DOUNE& THE COFFEE BOTHYWHISKY TOURS, SHOP

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Stirling AlbionBest of luck for the 2014/15 season

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the albion - august 2014

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