The Albion - September 2014

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

Albi nthe

ISSUE #30 I £3.00

#30

INSIDE:LEWIS COULT INTERVIEW

TOP 5 LEAGUE ONE SIGNINGSFIND OUT WHICH BINOS HAVE

REPRESENTED THEIR COUNTRY

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 ApprenticeStephen Al-Sayed

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

30

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

Hello and welcome to the Septemberissue of The Albion Magazine - whichalso happens to be the 30th magazinepublished under the The Albion banner and something we’re very proud of.

Following the August edition we’velined up a number of features foryou to enjoy. Jim Thomson has donehis homework on the players whohave represented Stirling Albionand who have gained internationalcaps, featuring the likes of RobertSnodgrass, Jay Rodgriguez and JohnColquhoun.

Also tickling on International fever isBen Ramage with a spread on his tripto Germany with the Tartan Army asGordon Strachan’s infectious talentsbrought joy and hope back into fans ofthe Scottish national side.

Ben also takes a look at some playerswho left the club last season and givesus an update on how the likes of Jordan White, Stephen Day and Danny Ashe are getting on with their new clubs.

12

SEP. 2014 I #3004. INSIDE THE BOX 05. ALBION NEWS06. FROM THE DUGOUT07. BINOS WHO FLEW THE NEST08. MATCH REPORT VS. AYR09. MATCH REPORT VS. ALLOA10. MATCH REPORT VS. STENHOUSEMUIR11. MATCH REPORT VS. AIRDRIEONIANS12. THE LOCKER ROOM: LEWIS COULT14. HOME PREVIEW: BRECHIN CITY16. INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION20. SCOTLAND EURO 201624. HOME PREVIEW: FORFAR28. AWAY PREVIEW: STANRAER30. LEAGUE ONE: TOP FIVE SIGNINGS32. COMMUNITY CORNER34. JUNIOR BINOS36. SQUAD AND SPONSOR PROFILES

LEWISCOULTTHELOCKERROOM

I’ve written up a spread on what I thinkare five of the top signings in this year’s SPFL League One, which I’ve put in no particular order - well, except for theStirling Albion player in there, who isof course number one!

Our main interview this month is withstriker Lewis Coult who joined theclub in the summer. Our thanks go toLewis who agreed to do the interviewon short notice.

As well as these features we’ve alsogot your regular features for you toenjoy with Stuart Brown contributinghis Inside The Box column, GreigMcDonald the same with View fromthe Dugout and you’ve also got AlbionNews, match reports from Ayr, Alloa,Stenhousemuir, Airdrionians andpreviews for Brechin City, ForfarAthletic and Stranraer.

I hope you enjoy today’s encounter andlet’s hope the boys can get three morepoints on the board!

‘Mon the Binos!

David ChalmersEditor & Head of Design

@[email protected]

LEAGUE ONETOP FIVE SIGNINGS


Editors:David Chalmers & Ben Ramage

Contributors:Ben Ramage, Andy Todd, Stuart Brown, Jim Thomson, Greig McDonald, Ethan Rathore

Thanks to:Lewis Coult, Stuart Brown, Greig McDonald, Andy Todd, Jim Thomson, Alan Christie

Photography:Prudential, Daily Record, Derek Watt, Jim Thomson, BBC, Andy Todd, SNS Group, The Scotsman, The Herald, David Sargent, Falkirk FC, Getty Images, Forfar Athletic, Stranraer FC, Brechin City FC, Airdrieonians FC, Robert Dalzell

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


“

It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached the middle of September and only played one home game in the league. The blank weekend to allow for the

Petrofac Training Cup quarter finals was perhaps understandable but I fail to comprehend why the SPFL cannot ensure that after only four league games, every club has played 50% of those at home!

The positive outcome of the blank weekend is that a few players with “knocks” have had the opportunity to rest up and I expect Greig to have something approaching a full squad to select from, for the Angus double-header of home fixtures against Brechin City and Forfar Athletic. As ever, a warm welcome is extended to the directors, management, players and supporters of both clubs.

We round off September with a visit to Stranraer which ticks a long outstanding box for me – Stair Park is the only senior ground in Scotland that I’ve not been to.

We go into September in 7th place but only two points off 2nd on the back of two bizarre games – winning by the odd goal in nine versus Stenhousemuir and somehow coming away from Airdrie with a scoreless draw, in a game that could easily have had as many goals as the week before. Hopefully, we can take the positives from those two games into the encounters ahead.

Unfortunately, I need to touch on the behaviour of a few of our so-called young “fans” at Stenhousemuir. Whatever the rights and wrongs of what happened inside the stadium that resulted in them being ejected, their actions outside the ground were entirely unacceptable. I exited the ground during the match to speak with them and they have been left in no

doubt that if that is they way they intend to conduct themselves they will be refused entry to Forthbank. Whilst no one wants to see more new fans (of any age!) in attendance at our home games than me, there will be no relaxation in our code of conduct to achieve this.

Turning to more positive matters, our community engagement continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to the dedication and tireless efforts of Andy Todd and our partnership working with Active Stirling to deliver community programmes. Andy has, in no small measure been ably assisted, throughout the past year, by our very own Sandy Cunningham in his “weekday” role of Modern Apprentice. Sandy’s 12 month stint has now ended and at the same time as thanking him for his contribution, I am delighted to announce that he has a successor! Stephen Al Sayed, a member of our Under 20s squad, has just started and I’m sure everyone associated with SAFC will join me in welcoming him on board.

On the commercial front, our hospitality bookings continue to rise but there’s always room for more – please contact the Club through the usual channels – and our player sponsorships are at an all time high with the home shirts sold out – again there’s always room for more with the away shirts up for grabs!

My thanks to everyone on the commercial team and those contributing! I cannot over-emphasise just how important this revenue is to meeting our budgetary targets.

Stuart BrownChairman SAFC

INSIDE THE BOX

“

We go into September in 7th place but only two points off 2nd on the back of two bizarre games – winning by the odd goal in nine versus Stenhousemuir and somehow coming away from Airdrie with a scoreless draw.

STUART BROWN

EARLY START AT CAPPIELOWOur League 1 game with Morton at Cappielow on Saturday October 11 will now kick off at 1.00pm. This was agreed between the clubs due to Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia at Ibrox, which has a 5.00pm kick-off. We are aware that a number of our fans are also avid Scotland supporters and hopefully this switch will allow them to attend both matches.

OFFICIALS FOR BRECHIN GAMENick Walsh is the referee for our League 1 game against Brechin City at Forthbank on Saturday September 13. He took charge of our 3-0 win at Elgin in the Petrofac Training Cup at the end of July and will be assisted by Anthony Cooper and Alex Shepherd.

YOUTH CUP DEFEATStirling Albion were beaten 1-0 by Falkirk in the first round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup on Sunday August 31. Graeme Donald and David Binnie’s side can be proud of their performance but went down to a fine finish from Scott Shepherd after 72 minutes at The Falkirk Stadium.

NINE-GOAL THRILLEROur incredible 5-4 win against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview recently was our first such result since we lost to Dumbarton in a midweek match in September 2001.

WINNING START FOR U20sOur SPFL Development League East campaign got off to a winning start on Tuesday September 9 when we beat Cowdenbeath 4-1 on the Forthbank Astro. Sam Davidson scored twice, with Conor McKenzie and Keiron Magennis also on target.

BIRTHDAY BINOSHappy birthday to Dale Fulton (22 on September 11), Lee Hamilton (19 on September 15), Greg Paterson (26 on September 16) and Phil Johnston (24 on September 19).

TOP SCORERS6 Gordon Smith3 Darren Lee Smith

1 Sandy Cunningham1 Craig Wedderburn

LEAGUE ONE TABLE (10/09/2014)

P Pts1 Ayr 4 10 2 Dunfermline 4 7 3 Forfar 4 7 4 Morton 4 6 5 Brechin 4 6 6 Peterhead 4 5 7 Stirling Albion 4 5 8 Stenhousemuir 4 4 9 Stranraer 4 2 10 Airdrieonians 4 1

CANADA CALLINGAttending our match against Forfar on September 20 will be one of the most loyal but distant fans of the visitors. Jim Moore stays on Vancouver Island in Canada but follows the fortunes of the Loons closely and always makes a point of seeing them in the flesh when he is in Scotland. We extend a warm Forthbank welcome to Jim – we hope you enjoy your afternoon but not too much obviously!

SCOTTISH CUP FIRST ROUNDLossiemouth v Turriff UnitedDeveronvale v Nairn County Selkirk v Bo’ness UnitedGretna 2008 v Gala Fairydean RoversCulter v Strathspey ThistleClachnacuddin v Hurlford UnitedRothes vs Banks O’DeePreston Athletic v Threave RoversForres Mechanics v Civil Service Strollers Huntly v Wick AcademyCove Rangers v Hawick Royal Albert Keith v Formartine UnitedEdinburgh City v Coldstream Fraserburgh v Linlithgow RoseLothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v East Kilbride Golspie Sutherland v Dalbeattie StarAuchinleck Talbot v Buckie Thistle Whitehill Welfare v Girvan

Ties to be played September 13


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 United 1-319 Aug PTC R2 Alloa 1-223 Aug L1 Stenhousemuir 5-4 30 Aug L1 Airdrieonians 0-06 Sep PTC Quarter Final N/A13 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 to the September edition of The Albion magazine.

It’s good to be back after the international break but I wasn’t unhappy to have no game last weekend – a few of the guys were nursing knocks after the Airdrie match a fortnight ago and the rest will not have done them any harm after a busy August.

Looking at the four games we have played in League One so far, we have to be happy with how we have done overall. The Ayr game here was a major disappointment and there is no doubt that Mark Roberts’ side deserved their 3-1 win, but other than that I’ve been very pleased with our start.

We were only a few minutes away from winning at Peterhead on the opening day and I felt we were the better team against Airdrie, although I accept that it could have gone either way given that both sides hit the woodwork twice.

Our other match was the remarkable 5-4 win against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview. The guys showed great character to come back from being 2-1 down at half-time and we showed the attacking threat that we carry. Gordon Smith has already weighed in with six goals this season and we have several others capable of hurting teams as well.

Our two home games this month are against Brechin and Forfar, before we end the month with a trip to Stranraer. Brechin come to Forthbank still unbeaten – a run that includes a 0-0 draw at title favourites Dunfermline – and Ray McKinnon has a good squad at his disposal. They will be very tough opponents but we will be doing our utmost to get the three points.

Forfar have made a great start, beating Dunfermline and Morton at Station Park, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dick Campbell. He is the longest-serving manager in the SPFL and there is also plenty of experience in the Forfar squad but it is a challenge we will relish.

There is very little between the teams in this league so it is important that we keep picking up points, even on days when we are not at our best.

Your support is very important and the backing we have had this season is very much appreciated by myself, Marc McCulloch and the players.

Enjoy the game today. Greig


VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

“

There is very little between the teams in this league so it is important that we keep picking up points, even on days when we are not at our best.

GREIG MCDONALD

Keeping White at Forthbank was always going to be difficult after his prolific return of 23 goals last season, and it was disappointing but perhaps not surprising to see him make the step up to the Championship this season. He has certainly hit the ground running at Livi, notching two in his first four games at the West Lothian club. They sit mid-table at this early stage of what is set to be a very competitive division this year, with Hearts, Rangers and Hibernian all involved in a scrap for promotion.

The former St. Johnstone and Falkirk forward also made the move up to the Championship at the end of last season, after his solid contribution to our promotion-winning campaign. However, the 28 year old has yet to make his debut for the Wasp’s this season as he has been hampered with an injury. He will be hoping to make a good impression from the off when he regains his fitness and work his way into the Clackmannanshire side’s front line.

Promising youngster Alistair Roy was snapped up by Robbie Neilson of Hearts at the end of last season, and has already made his senior debut for the Championship leading side. Roy will have every chance of playing in Hearts youthful side if he performs well, and the 17 year old came on as a substitute in their Challenge Cup defeat to Livingston. He then bagged his first Championship

appearance for the Jambos, starting in a four-goal routing of Raith Rovers. Youth has proved no barrier for Hearts players this season, and hopefully Roy will continue to be involved in their exciting season despite his young age.

Stopper Crawford made a summer switch to recently relegated League Two side Arbroath and has played all four games for the current League leaders, who are yet to drop a point. However, the 29 year old was forced off in the first half of their most recent game, a 3 - 1 victory over Montrose, with an injury. Hopefully the Glaswegian won’t be out for too long for what should be strong season for the Red Lichties.

The young midfielder also made the step down to League Two, joining Montrose. Stephen has played in every league game so far, making one start and a further 2 from the bench. The pacey 20 year old winger will be hoping to cement a place in the first team line-up for the Angus-based side as their season progresses.

22 year old Ashe made the switch to Sauchie Juniors this summer, and the versatile midfielder notched an excellent strike on his debut against Linlithgow Rose. His new side sit mid-table after five games of the East Superleague.


FEATURE

JORDANWHITE

DAVIDWEATHERSTON

ALISTAIRROY

DAVIDCRAWFORD

STEPHENDAY

DANNYASHE

BINOS WHO FLEW THE NESTBen Ramage takes a look at how the Albion players who moved on at the end of last season are settling in to life at their new clubs.

A yr ran out worthy winners at Forthbank to end the day two points clear at the top of the early League

One table.It was a disappointing afternoon for Greig

McDonald’s side, who were unable to build on an encouraging 1-1 draw at Peterhead and were well beaten by the Honest Men.

Teenager Alan Forrest scored twice for the visitors and Brian Gilmour sealed their win midway through the second half - just two minutes after Gordon Smith had given us hope with his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

We showed two changes from the team that drew at Balmoor, with Steven Doris out injured and Phil Johnston dropping to the bench. Willie Robertson was handed his first start and Darren Lee Smith also came into the line-up against an Ayr side who had started with a 1-0 win against Morton.

This was the first meeting between the teams since the Somerset side won 2-1 here in a League Cup tie five years ago and

they again enjoyed their visit to Forthbank.Greg Paterson had already denied Forrest

before the 17-year-old broke the deadlock in just five minutes, steering the ball into the net after some poor defending.

The younger brother of Celtic forward James forced a decent save from Paterson as Ayr continued to look the more likely side but we had a penalty appeal waved away when Gordon Smith went down in the box.

Forrest doubled Ayr’s advantage 10 minutes after the break with a fine left-foot finish into the corner after he was cleverly teed up by Gilmour.

The introduction of skipper Darren Smith and Sandy Cunningham provided a lift and we were thrown a lifeline when Martyn Campbell handled at a corner kick.

Gordon Smith made a perfect job of the penalty but two minutes later Gilmour pounced from six yards when we failed to deal with a corner.


MATCH REPORT

PatersonHamilton

Creaney (61)Robertson

WedderburnC. Smith

D.L. SmithComrie (57)

G. SmithCoult (57)

Weir

Subs:ReidfordForsyth

McGeachieD. Smith (57)Johnston (61)

FultonCunningham (57)

HuttonDevlinDonald

McKinlayCampbellGilmourForrest

McLaughlinDonnelly

McGovernMcGill (85)

Subs:NewmanRoberts

MuirMcArthurMcKenzie

Shirkie (85)

FORREST ON FIRE AS AYR UTD ARE VICTORIOUS AT FORTHBANK

1 STIRLING ALBIONG SMITH PEN 66

3 AYR UNITEDFORREST 5, 55, GILMOUR 68

LEAGUEONE

SAT 16THAUG 2014

ATT: 823

LEFT:Kevin McKinlay heads the ball dangerously inside the Binos box

PHOTO: David Sargent/Ayr United


A Greig Spence double sent Alloa into Thursday afternoon’s Petrofac Training Cup quarter-final draw.

Darren Lee Smith pulled one back, on a night when we were twice denied by the woodwork, but the Wasps held on to record a seventh straight derby win.

Our performance was much improved from the Saturday and there was little between the teams but, just as in the League Cup tie at Recreation Park earlier this month, Barry Smith’s men prevailed.

Binos boss Greig McDonald made three changes to the team that lost 3-1 to Ayr, with Callum Reidford replacing Greg Paterson in goal and Sandy Cunningham and Ross Forsyth making their first starts of the season as James Creaney and Lewis Coult dropped out.

David McClune was set for his first appearance of 2014/15 but an injury in the warm-up saw him replaced by Willie Robertson against his former club, who were still without David Weatherston.

We almost took the lead inside 90 seconds when

Gordon Smith tried his luck from 35 yards but the ball crashed back off the bar. Darren Lee Smith and Lee Hamilton also had chances as we more than matched our higher-ranked opponents in the first half.

We restricted Alloa to very few opportunities but the visitors went ahead early in the second period when Liam Buchanan whipped the ball in from the right and Spence drilled a shot past Reidford.

Spence, who netted the winner when the sides last met, doubled Alloa’s advantage when he steered the ball into the net after a shot had been deflected into his path.

Craig Comrie was unlucky not to pull one back when he rattled the crossbar from 25 yards but Darren Lee Smith beat John Gibson with a terrific finish from the corner of the box with eight minutes remaining to give us hope.

Substitute Dale Fulton was inches away from forcing extra time when he flashed a free-kick wide but Alloa held on in the first meeting between the teams in this competition since the 1999/00 semi-final, which we lost by the same score.

MATCH REPORT

ReidfordHamiltonForsyth

Robertson (76)Wedderburn

C. SmithD.L. Smith

ComrieG. Smith (70)

Cunningham (77)Weir

Subs:Paterson

McGeachieMcAllister

D. Smith (76)Fulton (77)Coult (70)

GibsonMarr (43)GordonMeggatt

DoyleHetherington

HolmesMcCord (85)

Buchanan (71)CawleySpence

Subs:McDowallTiffoneyAshgar

FlanniganDocherty (43)Simmons (85)

Ferns (71)

SPENCE DOUBLE DUMPS BINOS OUT OF PETROFAC TRAINING CUP

1 STIRLING ALBIOND.L. SMITH 82

2 ALLOA ATHLETICSPENCE 49, 69

PETROFACTRAINING CUP

TUE 19THAUG 2014

ATT: 537

LEFT:Greig Spence was once again breaking Binos hearts

PHOTO: Richard Sellers / Getty Images


Albion edged a nine-goal thriller at Ochilview as we recovered from a 2-1 half-time deficit to claim our first win in League 1 in dramatic

fashion.Bryan Hodge and Sean Dickson scored either side

of a Craig Wedderburn header but top scorer Gordon Smith equalised and Sandy Cunningham gave us the lead two minutes later.

Darren Lee Smith made it 4-2 and Gordon Smith got the fifth after Hodge pulled one back. Martin Grehan’s last-minute strike gave Stenny hope but we held on for a memorable victory.

Goalkeeper Greg Paterson returned to the side and there was a first start of the season for skipper Darren Smith as Callum Reidford and Willie Robertson dropped to the bench.

This was the first league meeting between the sides since 2011/12, when we suffered a pair of 4-0 defeats on the plastic pitch, but it was a different story this time.

Scott Booth’s side were the better team in the first half but four Stirling goals in an incredible 15-minute spell after the break turned the game around.

Hodge opened the scoring in 16 minutes when we failed to clear our lines and he found the net with a

low shot but Wedderburn headed the equaliser from a Craig Comrie corner.

The Warriors were back in front when Dickson lashed a 30-yarder up and over Paterson and Josh Watt should have added a third goal but fired wide.

Within 10 minutes of the restart we were in front. Gordon Smith made it 2-2 when he steered the ball into the net after Greg Fleming had been forced to rush from his goal to challenge Cunningham.

Then the teenage striker got on the mark himself, turning the ball home from close range after Darren Lee Smith had driven it across goal.

It was soon 4-2. Graham Weir forced a good stop from Fleming and Darren Lee Smith latched on to the rebound, with the stand-side assistant ruling it had crossed the line before being cleared.

Hodge pulled one back when he coolly converted after his initial effort came back off the post but Darren Smith then sent Gordon Smith clear and he rounded the keeper to net his sixth goal of the season.

Grehan’s last-minute effort was helped into the net by Comrie as he attempted to clear but we survived the three minutes of stoppage time to come out on top in a goal-laden game and headed to Airdrie on a high.

MATCH REPORT

FlemingMeechanLithgow

McMillanSummers

HodgeReid (66)FauldsGrehan

Dickson (78)Watt (66)

Subs:Shaw

K. MillarDuncanGreacen

R. Millar (66)McMenamim (66)

Sludden (78)

PatersonHamiltonForsythD. Smith

WedderburnC. Smith

D.L. SmithComrie

G. Smith (85)Cunningham (80)

Weir (72)

Subs:Reidford

McGeachieMcClune (72)Creaney (80)Robertson

FultonCoult (85)

BINOS VICTORIOUS IN NINE-GOAL THRILLER AT OCHILVIEW

4 STENHOUSEMUIRHODGE 16, 65, DICKSON 37, GREHAN 90

5 STIRLING ALBION WEDDERBURN 31, G.SMITH 53, 69, CUNNINGHAM 55, D.L SMITH 61

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 23RDAUG 2014

ATT: 613

LEFT:Binos Captain Darren Smith in action at Ochilview

PHOTO: Robert Dalzell /Airdrieonians


Albion extended their unbeaten away league run to eight matches in a hard-fought encounter at the Excelsior Stadium.

Both sides hit the woodwork twice as Airdrie picked up their first point of the season. We shaded the match, and certainly didn’t deserve to lose, but a point apiece was probably a fair result overall.

It meant we headed into the international break with just one defeat in four League 1 matches and with back-to-back home games against Brechin and Forfar coming up.

Binos boss Greig McDonald made two changes to the team that beat Stenhousemuir 5-4 at Ochilview. Keeper Callum Reidford replaced Greg Paterson and Dale Fulton got the nod with skipper Darren Smith confined to the bench after being ill.

Airdrie welcomed back Keigan Parker from a ban, although he only came on as a substitute, and on Saturday night signed former Albion forward Bryan Prunty from Dumbarton as they bid to end their goal drought.

It was a keenly-contested 90 minutes that ended with our first 0-0 draw since the trip to Montrose on February 1. Chris Smith, who celebrated his 26th

birthday on the Sunday after, and Craig Wedderburn were solid in the centre of defence and we also carried a threat going forward.

Airdrie came close to the opener in 13 minutes when Nathan Blockley played in Jim Lister and the former Dumbarton striker fired in a shot that rebounded from the inside of the box.

Our nearest thing in the first half saw Andy McNeil make a superb save to keep out a Chris Smith header following a corner and Ross Forsyth nodded the rebound against the post from close range.

Gary Bollan’s side were next to be denied by the woodwork just before half-time when left-back Paddy Boyle curled a free-kick up and over the wall then Fulton was thwarted by the crossbar early in the second period and Darren Lee Smith was unable to convert the follow-up.

The former Motherwell man fired just wide after being sent clear on the angle by Sandy Cunningham while at the other end Reidford earlier came to the rescue when Lister got in behind the defence as it ended all square on our first visit to this ground since a 4-1 defeat in January 2012.

MATCH REPORT

McNeilO’Neil

P. BoyleStewart (69)Fitzpatrick

Richards-EvertonBain

BlockleyLister

Kirwan (78)Watt

Subs:BullockCadden

HaggertyWilsonHamill

Parker (69)Gray (78)

ReidfordHamiltonForsyth

McCluneWedderburn

C. SmithD.L. SmithComrie (76)

G. SmithCunningham

Fulton

Subs:PatersonD. Smith

McGeachieCreaney (76)Roberston

Coult

AWAY DRAW CONTINUES BINOS EARLY SEASON FORM

0 AIRDRIEONIANS

0 STIRLING ALBION

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 30THAUG 2014

ATT: 825

LEFT:David McClune losing a tug of war in the match against Airdrie

PHOTO: Robert Dalzell /Airdrieonians


DC: You joined the club in the summer - what convinced you that Stirling Albion was the right choice for you?

LC: You just need to look around the club and realise what a well run club Stirling is. It’s filled with great people working for the club and it was a no brainer in the end. I’m delighted to be here.

What did the manager say to you about your part in his squad for the season?

I spoke to Greg for around 15 minutes during the summer and after the conversation I had my heart set on joining the club. He believes in me and that’s all I wanted from him. I believe I will be a big part of the squad this season.

THE LOCKER ROOM

NEW SIGNING LEWIS COULT CAUGHT UP WITH EDITOR DAVID CHALMERS ABOUT HIS MOVE AND THE SEASON AHEAD


There’s a lot of competition for places up top. Do you relish that?

Yes, certainly. There should be competition at every club and it brings the best out of your players, with forwards like Gogs (Gordon Smith), Steven and Sandy I’ll need to be at my best to play. We all know we only have to look at the bench everyweek to keep us on our toes.

What do you make of the start to the season?

It’s been a real positive start minus the Ayr United game where eight or nine of us didn’t really turn up on the day with me being the biggest culprit; but apart from that five points and being undefeated away from home is a fantastic start for any club that’s just been promoted and something we look to build on.

You’ve yet to get off the mark for the club, but your goal record is good over the past few seasons. Just a matter of time?

I’m not really stressed out about not scoring yet as there’s a lot more to my game than just scoring goals. If I score a goal it’s a bonus for me but my aim this season is to help Steven,

Gordon and especially Sandy with their game. I’m a player who can fill in at a number of positions. Don’t get me wrong though, if the ball falls to me in the box I won’t hesitate in trying to break the net!

Today’s opponents Brechin are undefeated in the league so far with a win and three draws - can Stirling be the team to end that record?

I have every confidence in us getting the three points if we turn up; Brechin are off to a fantastic start and will be a hard team to break down this season, but we will play our own game and the gaffer will have us ready by the time 3 o’clock comes and hopefully by 5 o’clock we will have another three points on the board.

It’s two games at home, do you think that the home form is key to the club’s aims this campaign?

I think you need to at least take something at home most weeks, definitely. You’re also hoping to nick a point or three away from home. We believe we can win every game and with the fans right behind us it will give us massive confidence in believing that we can go and win any game at home.

“

“

THE LOCKER ROOM

I’ll need to be at my best to play. We all know we only have to look at the bench everyweek to keep us on our toes.

LEWIS COULT


DAVID CHALMERS

Brechin City travel to Forthbank sitting just a point ahead of Stirling Albion after just four games.

The SPFL League One table looks tight with only two points separating Dunfermline in 2nd place and the Binos in 7th. The International break has cut into the season already and both teams will surely be chomping at the bit to get back into regular domestic action.

The City are currently undefeated after winning one and drawing three in their opening fixtures, and can join Stirling in saying that they have picked up three points over Stenhousemuir as Alan Trouten scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory during August. Their three draws have come against Dunfermline, Stranraer and Peterhead.

The draws against Peterhead and Stranraer paint a picture of last-minute agony, and with two last-gasp

equalisers being scored against them in the opening fixtures, Greig McDonald will surely be telling his team to capitalise on any lapses in concentration towards the end of the ninety minutes.

Brechin, like Stirling, have brought in a few new faces during the summer transfer window and to use an old footballing cliche, it will take a bit of time for everything

to click together for Ray McKinnon’s side. Finishing 8th in last year’s table, it would be easy to tip them as one of the favourites to go down, as many have done with The Albion. This encounter between

the two is too early on in the season to really make an impact on the overall campaign, but you can never understate just how important it is to get points on the board in such a competitive league. If Gordon Smith can continue his impressive form and the defence can continue to grow from strength to strength then the Binos stand a good chance of appeasing the home support with a victory.

MATCH PREVIEW

STIRLING ALBION VS. BRECHIN CITY

LEAGUE ONE

SAT 13THSEPTEMBER, 2014

15:00 KO

FORTHBANK STADIUM

BRECHIN CITY FACTFILEFOUNDED: 1906 NICKNAME: THE CITY STADIUM: GLEBE PARK CAPACITY: 3,960 CURRENT MANAGER: RAY MCKINNON

“

“

Greig McDonald will surely be telling his team to

capitalise on any lapses in concentration towards the end of the ninety minutes.


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:O’NeilSmithTough

Defenders:HamiltonS. JacksonD. McCormack

J. McCormackMcLauchlanMcLean

Midfielders:BarrCameronFergusonFusco

MassonMolloyTappingTrouten

Forwards:A. JacksonThomson

SQUAD LIST

STIRLING ALBION vs BRECHIN CITYSEP 13th | LEAGUE ONE | FORTHBANK

BRECHIN CITY vs AYR UNITEDSEP 20th | LEAGUE ONE | GLEBE PARK

FORFAR ATHLETIC vs BRECHIN CITYSEP 27TH | LEAGUE ONE | STATION PARK

Stirling took a crucial step to avoiding relegation from the Scottish Second Division with a valuable 2-1 away win at Brechin.

The Binos were without a victory in their five previous league games but took the lead after 33 minutes at Glebe Park when Mark Ferry applied the finish to Graham Weir’s assist.

Greig McDonald’s side were then gifted the opportunity to double their advantage after 67 minutes when David Crawford fouled Alan Cook inside the area. Cook stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort flew well wide of the left-hand post.

But the teenager made up for his penalty miss eight minutes from time when he swept home Weir’s through ball.

Defender Scott Buist’s right-footed strike four minutes from full-time gave the visitors food for thought, but The City were able to secure a victory which moved them just two points from safety.

1 BRECHIN CITYBUIST 86

2 STIRLING ALBIONFERRY 33, COOK 82

DIVISION TWO

SAT 7THAPR 2012

ATT: 468

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERGRAEME SMITHBrechin’s man between the sticks is an integral part of Ray McKinnon’s squad after joining the club in 2013.

A talented goalkeeper, Smith was called up to the Scotland side while he was number one at Motherwell in a team that qualified for the UEFA Cup. Having come through the youth ranks at Rangers, he also went on to play for Brighton and Hove Albion, Partick Thistle, Ayr United, Hibernian and an intriguing spell abroad at Azerbaijan side Gabala under former Arsenal stalwart Tony Adams’ tutelage. There could be up to five Smith’s on the pitch.

THE GAFFERRAY MCKINNONRay McKinnon took over Brechin in the summer of 2012 and has been in charge of The City ever since. The 44-year-old had been in charge of Juniors side Lochee United before that and also operated in a technical role for the Scottish Football Association.

A former player, McKinnon represented the Binos in 2000 while on trial. Unlike many young managers who return to a club they played for, he has never played for Brechin. 33 wins in 79 games as the boss is a decent record and he’ll be wanting to make that 34 in today’s match.

JIM THOMSON

International football and Stirling Albion are not often heard in the same sentence. It’s a sad fact that no Albion player ever pulled on a full

International jersey, while still playing for the Albion. The nearest were in the late 50’s when John Pierson and Ian Spence were both selected to play for the Scottish League XI. Billy Steele and George Young have played at “B” International level and Gordon Arthur and John Kennedy represented Scotland in the 1980 four-Nations Semi-Professional Tournament, which they won and John Philliben represented Scotland Youths at U18 level.

In recent years a number of players have joined the Albion on loan and later and now have active International careers. The most recent is Rangers Luca Gasparotto who last season had to cut short his loan spell at Forthbank to join Canada in a pre season get together. He is yet to make his full debut and is currently on loan with Airdrieonians

Jay Enrique Rodriguez made his full England debut last year and only injury kept him out of the World Cup squad that travelled to Brazil in the summer. Jay joined the Albion on loan from Burnley in January 2008. Jay continued to train with the Clarets under the leadership of Owen Coyle. He made his debut for Albion

in the 3-0 defeat to Celtic in the fourth round tie of the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park. He remained with the Albion until the end of the season, returning to Burnley in April 2008. Following a spell on loan with Barnsley, he moved to Southampton. In his career to date, he has scored 71 goals from 222 appearances.

Robert Snodgrass, currently with Hull City, joined the Binos on loan from Livingston in January 2007. On the lookout for a centre, Allan Moore was made aware of Snodgrass’s position at Livingston. Just back from injury, he wasnt able to get back into the side and was desparate for 1st team football. It

was Robert’s 2 goals at Airdrie in the play offs that secured promotion to Division One.

Returning to Livi as an Albion hero, he had one further season with

Livingston, followed by spells at Leeds and Norwich City. Rober

has played 15 games for Scotland, scoring 3 times.

A number of players went on to have International careers after leaving the Albion,

most notably and most recent being John Colquhoun. John

made his Albion debut against Buckie Thistle in a Scottish Cup tie on 24

January 1981. He joined from Grangemouth International and scored 51 goals in his 4 year spell at Annfield.

John signed for Celtic in November 1983 for a fee of


FEATURE

INTERNATIONALRECOGNITIONEuropean countries kicked off their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying campaign recently, and Jim Thomson dug deep in the Stirling Albion archives to find out about the Binos players who have gained international caps for their country.

£60,000, moving to Hearts in 1985, then spells at Millwall, Sunderland and St Johnstone. He earned 2 international caps for Scotland, against Saudi Arabia and Malta, in 1988.

Another was Erich Schaedler. Colin Leslie has a book out covering the career of Erich, entitled “Shades: The Short Life and Tragic Death of Erich Schaedler”. It’s well worth a read. Erich played a couple of trial games in early 1969 and was formally signed at the start of season 69-70. Within months both he and manager Willie McFarlane had moved to Hibernian. Erich established himself as a first team player with over 250 games played for the Easter Road side. He was awarded his only Scotland cap during his spell with Hibs, against West Germany. He was part of the squad for the 1974 World Cup finals but did not play in the tournament. Sadly Erich died young, aged 36.

Billy Simpson was a Northern Ireland Internationalist who joined the Albion in March of 1959. He joined Rangers from Linfield in 1950 for a fee of £11,500. At Ibrox Simpson scored 163 goals in 239 appearances and collected 12 caps for Northern Ireland. He went to the 1958 World Cup Finals, but an injury picked up in training a ruled him out of the tournament. he didn’t make the impact expected of him and was transferred to Partick Thistle after playing only 7 games, scoring once. In

his international career Billy played on 12 occasions, scoring 5 goals.

Perhaps the most intriguing Internationalist to have played for the Albion is goalkeeper William Alexander N Fraser. He trained with the Albion during the early months of the Albion forming in 1945 and played one trial game. The Craigs Athletic player was posted away from Stirling on National Service and on his return joined Third Lanark. Albion tried

to sign him in June of 1950 following a free transfer from the Glasgow side, instead he accepted an offer to join Airdrie for whom he played four seasons before moving to Sunderland. Won 2 Scotland caps in 1954.

Players to have emigrated and played

for their adopted countries after leaving the Albion - Cliff Almond (Australia), Alan Westwater (Australia) and Charles McCully (USA).

Many other players had International careers, prior to joining the Albion; player-manager Sammy Baird represented his country on seven occasions, Eric Caldow, a Rangers stalwart in the 50s and early 60s who had one season with the Albion, played 40 times for his country and Ray Stewart, who both played for and managed the Club, appeared 10 times for Scotland.

Perhaps one day in the not too distant future an Albion player will also feature for his country of birth, lets hope.


FEATURE

““

In recent years a number of players have joined the

Albion on loan and now have active

International careers.

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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Strachan couldn’t have faced a harder assignment for his blossoming Scotland side’s opening group game. Germany’s

first competitive game since lifting the iconic World Cup was marked in some style, with the famous Dortmund South Stand revealing their fourth Golden Star and a huge crowd marking their triumphant return.

The draw didn’t come as a surprise given that Scotland have a habit of drawing the World Champions. After the last three World Cups, they have drawn Italy, Spain and now Germany. And while any top seed is going to be difficult, the world champion surely is the one you would rather wish to avoid.

Not that there was any pessimism from the manager. He couldn’t wait to test his carefully and intelligently crafted side against the world’s best national side. The first manager to

unify the Tartan Army fans since Alex McLeish back in 2007 received the full backing of the travelling support as he always does. There was no fear high up in Borussia Dortmund’s impressive stadium, only hope.

After the first 20 minutes, the fans could have been for forgiven for getting a little nervous. Germany started well, and the world class talents of Reus, Goetze and Muller were starting to dominate against a nervous looking Scotland side.

The Scotland players weren’t fearful but they were certainly too respectful of the World Champions, especially given the amount of key players they were missing through injury and retirements. It was their talismanic forward Muller who put the World Champions ahead after 18 minutes, his sublime header looping over the helpless Cardiff keeper David Marshall.

But far from retreating into their shell and fearing a demolition, the goal shocked Strachan’s troops into action. The midfield started to gain control of possession, which resulted in two good chances for Ikechi Anya and one for Barry Bannan which was well blocked.

Gordon must have given one of his most inspirational speeches at half-time, as the team came out looking like they fully believed they were going to get something out of this game.

An atypically brilliant Alan Hutton run at the start of the second half ended up feeding Naismith on the edge of the box, whose clever feet beat two defenders before his shot beat Manuel Neuer but hit the outside of the post.

Steven Fletcher’s introduction immediately


FEATURE

SCOTLAND FULL OF HOPEFOR NEW CAMPAIGN AFTERIMPRESSIVE GERMAN EFFORT

added to Scotland’s attacking threat, and he almost opened up the scoring but his header was well blocked. His link up play was excellent as always, and his pass led the way for a well-deserved equaliser.

Having received the ball from defence, Fletcher played a phenomenal through ball to release the lung bursting Ikechi Anya. His pace left the German defence in his wake, and he kept his cool to slot past the advancing Bayern Munich stopper. No mean feat for the Watford winger, given the fact Neuer’s performances recently earned him a nomination for European Player of the Year.

Unfortunately for Scotland, the goal awakened he Germans and their equaliser was far too soon in coming. A poor clearance from McArthur after a corner saw Muller smash home into the roof of the net from close range.

The Scot’s rallied again though, and never stopped playing the progressive, attacking football that Strachan demands of his sides and that has won over almost every Scottish fan since his appointment.

Chances came and went for Naismith, McArthur and Mulgrew but they weren’t taken, and amidst some shocking refereeing and cynical German challenges, of which at least one merited a red card, the Scot’s couldn’t grab what was at first an unlikely but ended up being a much deserved point.

And yet, far from leaving the stadium with a sense of pessimism and disappointment, the Tartan Army left the ground applauding

the team and continuing to out-sing the German fans. Indeed the whole game the Scot’s were louder than the Germans, even making more noise when clapping along to the German National anthem.

Such is the belief, passion and hope that Strachan has given his players, and subsequently the fans. Far from a gubbing, Scotland left feeling like they should have got at least a point away from home against the World Champions.

And unlike the legendary Paris night,

when McFadden’s wonder goal was the only shot on target, Scotland’s new style of play saw the side muster 10 shots on target.

The fact that this team of players, with this manager, can manage such a performance against Germany only fuels the hope that this could be the campaign which brings Scotland back to a major international tournament.

If they manage to maintain the same level of play, they are capable of winning every single remaining game of their group, including when Germany make the journey over to Hampden Park.

The last time Scotland qualified for a major tournament was France 1998. With Strachan at the helm and the players and fans full of belief, a return to the same country in 2016 is definitely possible.


FEATURE

“

“

Far from a gubbing, Scotland

left feeling like they should have

got at least a point away from home

against the World Champions.

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DAVID CHALMERS

Forfar Athletic currently sit in 3rd place in the table after four matches and have amassed an impressive seven points.

The Loons were dumped out of the Petrofac Training Cup in the first round by Raith Rovers and therefore have enjoyed a full week in between each game, allowing them to earn wins against Dunfermline and and Morton.

Morton, their most recent fixture at the time of writing, saw five goals. Gavin Swankie put the hosts ahead, but Declan McManus levelled the score for Morton.

Former University of Stirling player Danny Denholm made it 2-1 to the Loons and they looked to have the game wrapped up when Swankie fired in for the third with just 20 minutes to go.

However, Morton set up a nervy last few minutes when substitute Reece Hands pulled one back from close range, but the hosts held on for a vital three points.

The club’s home record is clearly impressive with two wins out of two thus far, but on the

road they have went down to Ayr United and drawn with Stranraer.

A positive to Forfar’s bow is that with no real leading goalscorer, it’s clear that the goals are coming from different

areas of the team and you have to be aware of all the potential threats that the likes of Andy Jackson, Danny Denholm and Gavin Swankie might throw at you.

If the fixture ends up in the kind of goal-fest that the two featured in last time, then the paying punters will have gotten more than their money’s worth at Forthbank.


MATCH PREVIEW

STIRLING ALBION VS. FORFAR ATHLETIC

LEAGUE ONE


15:00 KO

FORTHBANK STADIUM

FORFAR ATHLETIC FACTFILEFOUNDED: 1885 NICKNAME: THE LOONS STADIUM: STATION PARK CAPACITY: 6,777 CURRENT MANAGER: DICK CAMPBELL

“

“

If the fixture ends up in the kind of goal-fest that the two featured in last time,

then the paying punters will have gotten more than their money’s worth at Forthbank.


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:Rab DouglasRoss Salmon

Defenders:Mark BaxterDarren DodsMichael DunlopAaron JamesStuart Malcolm

Jim PatersonAndrew Steeves

Midfielders:James DaleDanny DenholmMartyn FotheringhamStephen HusbandOmar KaderLiam Keiller

Gavin MalinCraig SmithDerek Young

Forwards:Dale HilsonPaul McLellanGavin SwankieChris Templeman

SQUAD LIST

FORFAR ATHLETIC vs PETERHEADSEP 13th | LEAGUE ONE | STATION PARK

STIRLING ALBION vs FORFAR ATHLETICSEP 20th | LEAGUE ONE | FORTHBANK

FORFAR ATHLETIC vs BRECHIN CITYSEP 27th | LEAGUE ONE | STATION PARK

The last time the two clubs met was in the 2011/2012 season when Kevin Byers netted a 90th-minute screamer to earn Forfar a stunning 4-3 win against the Binos and moved Dick Campbell’s team four points away from the Scottish Second Division relegation zone.

Martyn Fotheringham’s powerful header gave Forfar a 12th-minute lead and within three minutes former Forfar and Stirling Bradley Coyne had doubled the deficit with a sweetly-struck volley from the edge of the box.

Kevin Kelbie pulled a goal back for the visitors, the midfielder’s effort finding the net in impressive fashion from distance after Graham Weir had teed him up.

Forfar’s two-goal advantage was restored 50 seconds later when Christopher Templeman marked his return from injury by slotting in from a matter of yards.

Darren Smith produced a cool finish midway through the second half to give bottom-of-the-table Stirling hope and Mark Ferry thought he had earned a precious point a minute from time with a superb header from 12 yards.

But just over a minute later substitute Byers smashed past Callum Reidford in the Stirling goal to steal all three points for Forfar.

4 FORFAR ATHLETICFOTHERINGHAM 12, COYNE 15, TEMPLEMAN 23, BYERS 90

3 STIRLING ALBIONKELBIE 22, SMITH 63, FERRY 89

DIVISION TWO

SAT 24THMAR 2012

ATT: 462

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERDARREN DODSTypically a side’s most dangerous threat would come from the striker, but while Forfar posses some impressive forwards it is defender Dods who is our one to watch.Despite being 39-years-old, Dods is still capable of stopping most strikers in the Scottish league with a wealth of experience in the SPL and a little International recognition with Scotland’s ‘B’ side and the Under 21s. 14 goals in 61 games for Falkirk between 2011-2013 shows that Dods threat from corners needs combatting - and getting past him just as important.

THE GAFFERDICK CAMPBELL60-year-old manager Dick Campbell has been in charge of The Loons since 2008, a statistic which is very impressive in today’s managerial climate.

That he’s still in charge is testament to a relatively impressive 41.33% win ratio with 112 wins in 271 games in charge. Last season Campbell oversaw arguably the club’s greatest achievment in defeating Rangers 2-1 in the Scottish Cup. A win over Rangers is something both Campbell and Greig McDonald can share, despite the Binos’ gaffer being officially on his honeymoon at the time.

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DAVID CHALMERS

The Binos end the month with a long trip to the far away lands of Stranraer and will hopefully be doing so on the back of two good results at home.

At the time of writing Stirling Albion are currently unbeaten away from home while Stranraer have exhausted themselves in eight fixtures since the start of August. Seven of those eight fixtures have come at home and the club must almost be sick of the sight of Stair Park, but the stadium remains the host for the fixture on September 27th.

The club’s fixtures have been divided between league duty and progression in both the League Cup and the Challenge Cup. Yet to win a game in the league, Stranraer have posted two draws - one against Forfar Athletic and the other against Brechin City. Stephen

Aitken’s troops took a battering off of Greenock Morton away going 4-0 down inside an hour and having two men sent off, and it would be difficult to get any worse than that. Indeed The Blues have went from strength to strenght since and pushed Dunfermline all the way with

the title-favourites having to earn their 2-1 victory thanks to the impressive strike partnership of Michael Moffat and Chigozie Ugwu. Craig Malcolm saw red in that fixture and three red cards so early in the season is something Aitken will need to

address as disciplinary problems can certainly affect his side’s ability to stay and do well in the division.

A shock win over Championship side Falkirk will have given the squad a major boost going back into league duty and they’ll be looking to overturn their -5 goal difference against Ayr and Airdrieonians before welcoming Greig McDonald and his side to Stair Park late September.


MATCH PREVIEW

STRANRAER VS. STIRLING ALBION

LEAGUE ONE


15:00 KO

STAIR PARK

STRANRAER FACTFILEFOUNDED: 1870 NICKNAME: THE BLUES STADIUM: STAIR PARK CAPACITY: 2,988 CURRENT MANAGER: STEPHEN AITKEN

“

“

A shock win over Championship side Falkirk will have given the

squad a major boost going back into league duty and they’ll be looking

to overturn their -5 goal difference against Ayr and Airdrieonians before welcoming the Binos.


FIXTURESGoalkeepers:David MitchellDaniel Tobin

Defenders:Barry RussellJackson LongridgeScott RumsbyCraig PettigrewFrank McKeownScott Robertson

Midfielders:Grant GallagherChris AitkenSean WinterAnthony MarenghiSteven BellStephen StirlingSam McCloskeyWillie Gibson

Forwards:Danny StoneyAdam FordeJamie LongworthCraig Malcolm

SQUAD LIST

AYR UNITED vs STRANRAERSEP 13th | LEAGUE ONE | S’SET PARK

AIRDRIEONIANS vs STRANRAERSEP 20th | LEAGUE ONE | THE EXCELSIOR

STRANRAER vs STIRLING ALBIONSEP 27th | LEAGUE ONE | STAIR PARK

You have to go back five years before you can find the last time Stranraer and Stirling Albion faced off. Both clubs were enjoying life in the old SPFL Division Two and Stranraer travelled to Forthbank having already been resigned to relegation. However, the Binos were at the time chasing the play-offs and the result all-but ended any hopes of making the cut-off ended up finishing just three points off Peterhead.The hosts took the lead after 16 minutes when Martin Grehan played in David McKenna, who sent the ball past Stranraer goalkeeper Duncan Crossthwaite.

Stranraer equalised against the run of play after 34 minutes when Stuart McColm hammered in from 16 yards.

Albion were kept at bay by an inspired Crossthwaite before substitute Michael Moore pounced to give The Blues all three points and put the final nail in the play-off coffin.

Ross Forsyth played for Stirling Albion on the day, and has since returned to the club.

1 STIRLING ALIONMCKENNA 16

2 STRANRAERMCCOLM 34, MOORE 90

DIVISION TWO

SAT 11THAPR 2009

ATT: 459

LAST TIME

KEY PLAYERCRAIG MALCOLM27-year-old Malcolm has returned to the club after a year at Ayr United, where he bagged eight goals in 33 appearances.

The current league leaders let the forward move back to The Blues however, where he spent three successful season between 2010-2013.

According to Stranraer, Malcolm has scored 62 goals in 133 appearances, with two goals in nine this campaign. Whether he can be as prolific as his last spell remains to be seen, but he’s a player who certainly knows where the back of the net is.

THE GAFFERSTEPHEN AITKENAitken, like Binos boss Greig McDonald, has taken the route into management early into his 30s after becoming Stranraer’s assistant manager at the age of 33 and taking over the managerial position by himself at the age of 35.

Without reinventing the wheel Aitken has steadied the ship at Stranraer following their promotion to the old Division Two after Rangers’ liquidation in 2012, when Stenhousemuir were promoted as a result of finishing runners-up in Division Three. Aitken will be hoping for better than his side’s early form when the two clubs meet.


FEATURE

MARTIN GREHANSTRANRAER TO STENHOUSEMUIR

MICHAEL MOFFATAYR UNITED TO DUNFERMLINE

29-year-old Grehan joined Stenhousemuir this season, making it seven clubs in just six years. Impressing in Junior football led Motherwell to gamble on the striker but he ended up in the lower leagues instead and played for the Binos during 2008-2010 scoring 19 goals in 49 games. Since then he scored low goal tallies at Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Alloa Athletic; however, last sea-son at Stranraer he scored 13 and has two to his name already. The competition up front at Stenny is sure to keep Grehan on his goal-scoring toes.

The experienced striker made the switch to the Pars last summer after a number of goal-scoring years at

Ayr United. Whether Moffat fell out of favour or fell out with the club we don’t know, but Dunfermline

must be laughing after securing a player that is as close to guaranteeing goals as you’ll get.

After entering the professional footballing pyramid the Kilmarnock-born striker has scored 56 goals

in 122 league appearances and alongside Chigozie Ugwu has fired Dunfermline to 2nd in the table after

the opening four fixtures.

LEAGUE ONE:TOP FIVE SIGNINGSEditor David Chalmers takes a look at five of the best signings that SPFL League One sides have made during the summer transfer window.


FEATURE

DECLAN MCMANUSABERDEEN TO GREENOCK MORTON (LOAN)

CHIGOZIE UGWUREADING FC TO DUNFERMLINE

Aberdeen loanee McManus is young forward with a lot to gain from this campaign with an impressive start already leading to a call-up for the Scotland Under-21 side. 12 appearances for the Dons already tell the tale of a prospect the club want to progress into a regular squad-member. He has yet to score for his parent club however and registered a solitary effort at Alloa Athletic last season. Ironically his first senior goal came against Morton, but three goals in four games thus far is a promising start and he’ll have all but made their fans forget that moment in a Wasps shirt.

‘Gozie’ Ugwu might only be 21, but the striker is already at his SIXTH professional football club after

joining the Pars on a free transfer this summer. A series of loan spells in the English leagues failed to impress Reading, but his move north has been fruitful

thus far with three goals to his name after scoring two against Airdrieonians in a 3-0 win and another

against Stranraer before the International break. At 6’1 and with young legs, Dunfermline have got a young

forward with great pedrigree.

GORDON SMITHRAITH ROVERS TO STIRLING ALBION

Smith got his Albion career off to a brilliant start with a brace over Elgin in the Challenge Cup in July and has continued to go strength to strength in what is his second spell at Forthbank. The 23-year-old scored in the season-opener at Peterhead before bagging the consolation against league-leaders Ayr United. Another brace in the nine-goal thriller at Ochilview brought the former Hearts man up to six in seven and fully cementing his place as the number one striker, and looks to be the man to replace Jordan White’s efforts last campaign.

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 “Mini Kickers” classes for 3-4 year olds, “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.

The classes provide a fun and enjoyable environment for children to practice their football skills, play plenty of games and meet new friends! The classes are currently midway through the first 7 week block and the next 7 week block begins after the October holidays.

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

OCTOBER HOLIDAY CAMPS

Bookings are also now being taken for the October holiday camps. The schools are off week beginning 13th October and we are running football for boys and girls Monday to Friday that week at Forthbank.

There are hour long classes for 3-4 year olds, 3 hour sessions for 5-6 year olds and 7-14 year olds can attend for a full day 9am-4pm!! As with all our holiday camps there will be Stirling Albion prizes to be won throughout the week!

Visit www.activestirling.org.uk/activekids for more information and how to book.

TESCO BANK PROGRAMME

The Tesco Bank Programme 2014 is about to kick off in mid-September. Active Stirling have been delivering the programme for the last few years in partnership with the Scottish FA and we joined last year to run an additional block in an extra 4 schools. We will be doing so again this year so look out for all the latest news on this fantastic programme which aims to get more young children interested in and playing regular football.


COMMUNITY CORNER

SEPT.2014

JUNIOR BINOS ACTIVITY PAGE

Our Junior Binos page has returned for another season! Congratulations to Heather Emslie who has won a signed ball for getting the most correct answers in our August edition. This month we have a fantastic prize of a Family 2 Game Bowling Package courtesy of our friends at AMF Bowling Stirling! Be sure to complete and return the form to be in with a chance of winning!

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 / SEPTEMBER 2014 / WWW.STIRLINGALBIONFC.CO.UK

COMMUNITY CORNER


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

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

CROSSWORDCHALLENGE:WORDS TO BE FOUND:IKECHI ANYADARREN FLETCHERGORDON STRACHANHAMPDENFLOWER OF SCOTLANDTARTANSTEVEN NAISMITH

Look out for diagonal words and words written backwards!

WORLD CUP QUIZ1. WHAT WAS THE SCOTLAND V GERMANY SCORE IN THE FIRST EURO 2016 QUALIFYING GAME?

2. WHICH PLAYER SCORED SCOTLAND’S GOAL?

3. CAN YOU NAME ALL THE COUNTRIES IN SCOTLAND’S GROUP FOR THE EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS?

4. WHICH REGULAR SCOTTISH INTERNATIONALIST USED TO PLAY FOR STIRLING ALBION?

5. WHICH CLUBS DO IKECHI ANYA, STEVEN NAISMITH AND ALAN HUTTON CURRENTLY PLAY FOR?

G NF H YK N Q C VM L H HYL AL A AA F L A PW G R FTR OZ H NV M Q I KX I R GJC TP P CW E P R MK J K ZZT HZ E QB A E S ND A R ATJ UT M RY C R E QI R X VLR PO T HY O A D NT H F QVN BJ I VE N F S MA O T IUK NM K NA X W A NS F N SRJ NS E ZF R U C VI O H KBY LZ F BV B O S OZ O Y NDT EA W QV O M Y KA T R YOT OO C FU V M J MT M F OLT TS I SG B B Y MY A A PUE HR T EC L F E RN R D NA

YKAPTWMBOLKCQGD

UF Y I N T R O QS X J HY F D


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

SPOT THE BALL---------------------------

NAME:

SCHOOL:

AGE:

PARENT’S NAME:

PARENT’S CONTACT NUMBER:

Pictured is Stirling Albion’s Ross Forsyth. The position of the ball has been blanked out with 3 possible options. Put a cross in the box where you think the ball is.

Please return all Junior Binos answers to Andy Todd at Forthbank Stadium no later than Friday 26th September 2014. Answers will be checked and all forms with the most correct answers in the word search, quiz and spot the ball combined will be entered into a draw. The winner of the draw will win a FAMILY 2 GAME BOWLING PACKAGE courtesy of our friends at AMF Bowling Stirling!! 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

INA SHAW MBE DRON & DICKSON LTD 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 ALASDAIR DUNN

VICTOR & DEBBIE NELSON

IAN ALLARDICE DAVID & ALEX KNAPMAN W TURNBULL NEWSAGENTS-

JIM THOMSON

CRAIG STEWART BRIDGE OF ALLAN SUPPORTERS

ROBERT MCCRINDLE TYLAR ROWLEY

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 Roofing 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 Llp

McKenzie Trailers LtdMorrisons Garage Ltd

Ogilvie Homes LtdScott Direct / AA Components

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 MailUnison Stirling Council - Anti

RacismWoodWinters Wines & Whiskie

MAIN SPONSORHUNTER’S EXECUTIVE

COACHES

TRAVEL SPONSOR

STADIUM ADVERTISERS

SPONSOR

THE ALBION AdvertisingIf 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

STADIUM ADVERTISERS

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

DISTILLERYVISITOR CENTREVISIT THE HOME OF DEANSTON HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT WHISKY

A DISTILLERY LIKE NO OTHER

w: deanstonmalt.com Open 7 days | 10am to 5pm

t: 01786 843 010

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Stirling AlbionBest of luck for the 2014/15 season

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The Albion - September 2014

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Transcript of The Albion - September 2014