The Albion - November 2014 by The Albion Magazine

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STIRLING ALBION F.C. OFFICIAL MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2014

ISSUE #32 I £3.00

WE MARCH ON BINOS MOVE PAST HURLFORD UNITED AFTER RECORD PENALTY SHOOT-OUT IN STUART MCLAREN’S DEBUT

#32

Editor’s Notes It has been one hell of a month to be following Stirling Albion this past October. With Halloween comes the frights, and Callum Reidford’s error against Stenhousemuir must surely still be giving him nightmares. It was a day of reckoning as a series of events led to Greig McDonald and Marc McCulloch resigning from their roles at the club after almost three years in charge. I’d personally like to thank them for their contributions to the magazine and wish them well in their future endeavours. When one manager goes, another must come in and the club appointed Stuart McLaren after a process which saw a series of candidates apply. Stuart of course played for the club and brings his experience from Australia and his time at Loughborough University and I can’t wait to see how he

stamps his authority on the side. Speaking of the new gaffer, we’ve got an exclusive in-depth chat with him in this month’s edition, and you can read this on pages 28-31. It was a pleasure to meet ’Skippy’ and I look forward to reading his thoughts in next month’s edition when he takes over ’View From The Dugout’. This month’s Locker Room features Blair Munn, who has yet to make a start this season. Blair speaks about his ambitions to impress the new boss and what it was like to witness the long penalty-shoot-out from the bench against Hurlford. (Very cold, apparently!) Thanks to everyone for their support, this season’s been tough on the pitch and for me personally the magazine has been a challenge without Stuart Kenny. I hope you enjoy the game.

David Chalmers Editor & Head of Design @DavidJChalmers magazine@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk

CONTENTS MEET THE NEW GAFFER

REGULAR FEATURES: 03. INSIDE THE BOX 04. ALBION NEWS 14. THE LOCKER ROOM

14 THE LOCKER ROOM BLAIR MUNN

Club Executive Team Chair and Operations Director Stuart Brown Finance Director Alan Christie Commercial Director John Hunter Director David McFarlane Members Graham Douglas Jim Thomson Club Office Neil Mackay Football Management Manager Stuart McLaren Assistant Manager Martyn Corrigan Physiotherapist Jenna Orr Goalkeeping Coach David Westwood Club Doctor Michael Beyer Heads of Youth Stewart Taylor (Admin) Blair Cremin (Coaching) Under 19 Coaches Graeme Donald David Binnie Community Engagement Manager Andrew Todd Modern Apprentice Stephen Al-Sayed Club Mascot Bino the Bear Club Chaplain Duncan Strathdee (0778 991 2259)

NOV. 2014 I #32 04. INSIDE THE BOX 05. ALBION NEWS 06. DAVIDSON CRUSE FEATURE 07. MATCH REPORT VS. DUNFERMLINE 08. MATCH REPORT VS. MORTON 09. MATCH REPORT VS. STENHOUSEMUIR 10. MATCH REPORT VS. AIRDRIEONIANS 11. MATCH REPORT VS. HURLFORD 12. MATCH REPORT VS. HURLFORD (REPLAY) 13. MATCH REPORT VS. BRECHIN 14. THE LOCKER ROOM: BLAIR MUNN 16. HOME PREVIEW: STRANRAER 24. AWAY PREVIEW: DUNFERMLINE 26. HOME PREVIEW: RAITH ROVERS 28. STUART MCLAREN INTERVIEW 32. COMMUNITY CORNER 34. JUNIOR BINOS 36. SQUAD AND SPONSOR PROFILES

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THE ALBION MAGAZINE Editors: David Chalmers & Ben Ramage Contributors: Ben Ramage, Andy Todd, Stuart Brown, Niels Bootsma, Greig McDonald Thanks to: Blair Munn, Stuart McLaren, Stuart Brown, Andy Todd, Jim Thomson, Alan Christie, David Brown, Neil Mackay Photography: Niels Bootsma, Colin Poultney, Tony Fimister, Raith Rovers FC, Prudential, Daily Record, BBC, Andy Todd, SNS Group, The Scotsman, The Herald, David Sargent, Stranraer FC, Getty Images, Dunfermline Athletic, Brechin City FC, Airdrieonians FC, Robert Dalzell Design: David Chalmers Printing: Mailboxes Etc. Stirling Contact: magazine@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk Interact: T| 01786 450399 E| office@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk W| stirlingalbionfc.co.uk CLUB HONOURS C Division Champions 1946/47 B Division Champions 1952/53 Second Division Champions 1957/58, 1976/77, 1990/91, 1995/96, 2009/10 Division One Play-off Winners 2006/07 League Two Play-off Winners 2013/14 Stirlingshire Cup Winners 1953/54, 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 facebook.com/thealbionmagazine facebook.com/stirlingalbionfc twitter.com/StirAlbionMag twitter.com/Stirling_Albion

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INSIDE THE BOX

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The Executive Board aren’t expecting overnight fixes and I would ask fans to be patient as well. Based on the evidence so far, we are heading in the right direction.

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o do it justice, I doubt everything that’s happened in the last four weeks could be fitted into the entire Magazine, let alone Inside the Box, so apologies for this abbreviated resume. We’ve already had a home fixture this month - the Scottish Cup 3rd Round Replay versus Hurlford United - and what an occasion and baptism of fire for our new Management Team that turned out to be! A truly remarkable game that, as I’ve already put on record, we were extremely fortunate to be staging based on the first game the previous week at Blair Park. Every credit must go to Hurlford who gave it everything but ultimately came up just short when Callum Reidford tipped their 14th spot kick around the post and Steven Doris did the necessary from 12 yards (after being the only culprit for us, first time around). Saturday’s replay means we have gone from having only one home fixture in November to three, as we look forward to entertaining Raith Rovers in the 4th Round on the 29th to add to our SPFL1 fixture against Stranraer. The usual SAFC welcome is extended to everyone associated with both Clubs but

STUART BROWN hopefully that will be the extent of our hospitality as we set about trying to get our first home league win and a place in the Scottish Cup 5th Round draw. Tuesday evening’s away fixture versus Brechin City proved to be a tale of what might have been - if Gordon Smith had scored from the spot but the history books will show we came away with nothing, aside from plenty of positives in respect of a much improved performance. It’s early days but I’ve no doubt we’ve made the right choice in Stuart McLaren as our new Manager and in turn, he’s picked the right man in Martyn Corrigan, as his Assistant. I know I can rely on our faithful band of Bino diehards to get right behind them, as they set about the challenge of getting us to a position of safety in the League, with progression in the Scottish Cup being a welcome bonus. The Executive Board aren’t expecting overnight fixes and I would ask fans to be patient as well. Based on the evidence so far, we are heading in the right direction.

Stuart Brown Chairman SAFC 4 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

ALBION NEWS NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM New Binos boss Stuart McLaren and his assistant Martyn Corrigan were formally unveiled on Sunday November 2 and took charge for the first time in the dramatic Scottish Cup tie with Hurlford United. Both are former Albion players and we are delighted to welcome them back to the club. Stuart was head coach at Loughborough University for a three-year spell and has also coached and managed in Australia while Martyn, who played for Falkirk and Motherwell among others, was in charge of Stenhousemuir for an 18-month spell before leaving in January of this year. Stuart is our fourth manager since the long-serving Allan Moore moved to Morton in the summer of 2010 - John O’Neill, Jocky Scott and Greig McDonald have all had spells in charge.

SHOOT-OUT DRAMA The epic penalty decider against Hurlford United in the Scottish Cup third round replay was our 12th shoot-out across the three major cup competitions. We eventually won 1312, with a total of 28 kicks taken, but it is not the first marathon we have been involved in. At East Fife in the League Cup in 1999/00, we lost 8-7 after keeper Garry Gow sliced the 22nd spotkick wide of the post. Stirling Albion’s first penalty shoot-out saw us triumph against Dumbarton in the 1985/86 League Cup at Annfield. We have won eight of the 12 overall - Scottish Cup W1 L0, League Cup W2 L3, Challenge Cup W5 L1.

SCOTTISH CUP ROUND FOUR The draw for the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup paired the top 14 clubs in the country in direct opposition while we can look forward to a meeting with Grant Murray’s Raith Rovers. We caused an upset back in 2000/01, beating the Kirkcaldy club 2-0 before losing 3-2 to Hibernian at a fogbound Forthbank.

1991/92 - Challenge Cup R2 3-3 v Queen of the South (A) - LOST 5-4 on penalties

WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP FOURTH-ROUND DRAW St Johnstone v Ross County St Mirren v Inverness CT Stirling Albion v Raith Rovers Rangers v Kilmarnock (Sun, Sky Sports) Hearts v Celtic (Sun, Sky Sports) Queen of the South v Brora Rangers Stranraer v Dunfermline Athletic Bo’ness United v Arbroath Falkirk v Cowdenbeath Spartans v Morton or Airdrieonians Berwick Rangers v Albion Rovers Dundee v Aberdeen (BBC Scotland) Annan Athletic v Brechin City Ayr United or Alloa Athletic v Hibernian Motherwell v Dundee United Partick Thistle v Hamilton Accies Ties to be played on November 29/30

1985/86 - League Cup R2 1-1 v Dumbarton (H) - WON 4-2 on penalties

1995/96 - Challenge Cup QF 1-1 v Livingston (A) - WON 4-2 on penalties 1996/97 - Challenge Cup R1 0-0 v Brechin City (A) - WON 3-0 on penalties 1998/99 - League Cup R2 2-2 v Dundee United (A) - LOST 3-0 on penalties 1999/00 - League Cup R1 2-2 v East Fife (A) - LOST 8-7 on penalties 1999/00 - Challenge Cup R1 2-2 v Stenhousemuir (H) - WON 6-5 on penalties 1999/00 - Challenge Cup R2 1-1 v Arbroath (H) - WON 4-3 on penalties 2002/03 - League Cup R1 3-3 v Stenhousemuir (H) - WON 4-2 on penalties 2010/11 - Challenge Cup R1

0-0 v Falkirk (H) - WON 3-1 on penalties 2012/13 - League Cup R1 1-1 v Arbroath (A) - LOST 3-2 on penalties 2014/15 - Scottish Cup R3 replay 2-2 v Hurlford United (H) - WON 13-12 on penalties SQUAD UPDATE Winger Phil Johnston returned to the team at the end of October after more than two months on the sidelines but striker Lewis Coult hasn’t played since the 2-0 defeat at Morton on October 11 because of an ankle injury. Midfielder Craig Comrie, absent with a groin problem since the end of August, is edging closer to a return while Darren Lee Smith missed the Scottish Cup ties with Hurlford and the Brechin match due to a knee injury. NEXT MONTH We begin December with a home game against Peterhead then travel to Forfar on December 13 and Ayr United on December 20. We are back at Forthbank to face Morton on December 27 and we begin 2015 with a local derby against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on January 3. TOP SCORERS 7 Gordon Smith 3 Sandy Cunningham 3 Darren Lee Smith 2 Steven Doris 1 Dale Fulton 1 Chris Smith 1 Craig Wedderburn LEAGUE ONE TABLE (12/11/2014) P Pts 1 Forfar 12 22 2 Dunfermline 12 21 3 Morton 12 21 4 Stranraer 12 20 5 Brechin City 12 18 6 Ayr United 12 16 7 Peterhead 12 15 8 Airdrieonians 12 13 9 Stenhousemuir 12 11 10 Stirling Albion 12 7

FIXTURES 26 Jul 2 Aug 9 Aug 16 Aug 19 Aug 23 Aug 30 Aug 13 Sep 20 Sep 27 Sep 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Oct 1 Nov

PTC R1 Elgin City LC R1 Alloa L1 Peterhead L1 Ayr United PTC R2 Alloa L1 Stenhousemuir L1 Airdrieonians L1 Brechin City L1 Forfar Athletic L1 Stranraer L1 Dunfermline L1 Morton L1 Stenhousemuir L1 Airdrieonians SC Hurlford United

3-0 0-1 1-1 1-3 1-2 5-4 0-0 0-5 2-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-4 2-2 1-1

8 Nov SC Hurlford United 2-2 (AET: Stirling win 13-12 on penalties) 11 Nov L1 Brechin City 1-2 15 Nov L1 Stranraer 22 Nov L1 Dunfermline 29 Nov SC Raith Rovers 6 Dec L1 Peterhead 13 Dec L1 Forfar Athletic 20 Dec L1 Ayr United 27 Dec L1 Morton 3 Jan L1 Stenhousemuir 10 Jan L1 Dunfermline 17 Jan L1 Peterhead 24 Jan L1 Forfar Athletic 31 Jan L1 Stranraer

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7 Feb L1 14 Feb L1 21 Feb L1 28 Feb L1 7 Mar L1 14 Mar L1 21 Mar L1 28 Mar L1 4 Apr L1 11 Apr L1 18 Apr L1 25 Apr L1 2 May L1

Morton Ayr United Brechin City Airdrieonians Stranraer Dunfermline Peterhead Forfar Athletic Airdrieonians Brechin City Morton Ayr United Stenhousemuir

FEATURE INTERVIEW

avidson Cruse Wealth Management was founded in 2010 by Gregor Davidson and Andy Cruse who between them have over 45 years experience in the Financial Services Industry. They are a partner practice of St James’s Place who was founded in 1991, listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1997 and is now a FTSE 100 company with over £42bn funds under management. At Davidson Cruse they specialise in providing high quality face to face advice to individuals, trustees and businesses. Their services are designed to suit client’s individuals requirements based on their needs and circumstances. Their relationship-based approach places their clients at the centre of everything they do do. They advise on all types of investments specialising in Retirement and Inheritance Tax Planning. Davidson Cruse Wealth Management originally became involved with Stirling Albion four years ago when they decided to sponsor the youth team as a result of Greg’s nephew coming through the ranks of the football club. Coming from Stirling the company feel strongly about playing

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a part in the local community and tend to deal with Forth Valley Companies where ever possible. A large percentage of their client’s have FK postcodes and their offices are located right in the heart of Stirling at Pitt Terrace. T h e company have sponsored and used Stirling A l b i o n ’ s hospitality for over three years now. Justine Waddell, from the company said: “Each and every time we have been delighted by the superb day out and by the way both us, and most importantly, our guests have been looked after. We see no reason why this relationship should not continue for many years to come.“ The company’s vision is for Davidson Cruse to be the leading Wealth Management Company in Central Scotland. Justine said “I am pleased to say we are well on track to achieve this goal. “Both Andy and Greg played amateur football “back in the day” . Andy played right back and Greg left sided midfielder.”

Both Andy and Greg played amateur football “back in the day”. Andy played right back and Greg left sided midfielder.

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MATCH REPORT

BINOS UNDONE BY LATE GOALS FROM PARS PAIR LEFT: Sandy Cunningham chasing a loose ball

PHOTO: Niels Bootsma

0 STIRLING ALBION 2 DUNFERMLINE BYRNE 80, EL BAKHTAOUI 90

ate goals from Shaun Byrne and substitute Faissal El Bakhtaoui gave Dunfermline victory in the first meeting between the teams since March 2011. We ended the game with 10 men after central defender Craig Wedderburn saw red for picking up his second booking with six minutes left. The result kept the Pars second in the table behind League 1 leaders Forfar while we stayed in ninth place, just ahead of Airdrieonians Greig McDonald’s men took heart from a solid performance against the full-time Pars. The visitors had more of the ball and created the better chances, and ultimately deserved their win, but we made life difficult for the odds-on title favourites. McDonald made three changes to the team beaten 2-0 at Stranraer - Darren Smith, Darren Lee Smith and Gordon Smith made way for Lewis Coult, Sandy Cunningham and Graham Weir.

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LEAGUE ONE SAT 4TH OCT 2014

Reidford Hamilton (46) Creaney McClune Wedderburn C. Smith Doris Robertson (78) Coult (62) Cunningham Weir

Scully Williamson Millen Urquhart Buchanan Forbes (81) Stirling (71) Byrne Moffat Falkingham Ugwu (64)

Subs: Paterson Forsyth McGeachie (46) Fulton D.L. Smith (78) G. Smith (62)

Subs: Goodfellow Whittle Chemin (81) Drummond Spence (71) Graham El Bakhtaoui (64)

ATT: 1,623

Gozie Ugwu and Andy Stirling missed good chances for the Pars before former Ayr striker Michael Moffat blazed wide with just Callum Reidford to beat after a fine move. We had a better spell as half-time approached and a penalty appeal for handball was turned down before Chris Smith sent a header into the side netting. Dunfermline enjoyed lots of the ball after the break and Ugwu should have scored with a header but we posted a warning when Weir forced a good save from Ryan Scully. The Pars responded and Josh Falkingham rattled a shot against the inside of the post before the deadlock was broken in 80 minutes when Byrne took a pass and swept the ball into the corner. Wedderburn was dismissed after bringing down El Bakhtaoui and the French-Moroccan sealed the win in stoppage time, scoring from close range after the ball had been diverted into his path.

Greig McDonald’s men took heart from a solid performance against the full-time Pars.

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MATCH REPORT

DEFEAT TO MORTON SEES STIRLING BOTTOM OF LEAGUE 1 LEFT: Lee Hamilton playing at Forthbank in another game

PHOTO: Niels Bootsma

2 GREENOCK MORTON BARROWMAN 33, MCNEIL 85

0 STIRLING ALBION

orton maintained their 100% home record as we ended the first quarter at the bottom of League 1. A third straight 2-0 defeat, and Airdrie’s 4-0 thrashing of Brechin, saw us slip to 10th place as we prepared for a vital home double header against Stenhousemuir and the Diamonds. Goals from Andy Barrowman and substitute David McNeil earned Jim Duffy’s side a deserved win as they bounced back from successive away defeats to Stenhousemuir and Brechin to move up to third in the table. It was a poor game, short on incident, and Greig McDonald’s men again struggled to create clear-cut openings as we failed to score for the fifth time in six matches. The Binos boss made two changes to the team beaten by Dunfermline at Forthbank the previous week. Ross McGeachie replaced the suspended Craig Wedderburn in the centre of defence as he made his first start of the season and Darren Lee Smith was restored to the side as Sandy Cunningham dropped to the bench. Perhaps it was the early start - it was a 1.00pm

LEAGUE ONE SAT 11TH OCT 2014 ATT: 1,225

Gaston Kilday Russell O’Ware Milojevic Hands McKee Pepper Barrowman (79) McManus S. McCluskey (67)

Reidford Hamilton Creaney McClune (84) McGeachie C. Smith D.L. Smith Robertson Coult (67) Doris Weir (71)

Subs: Subs: Caraux Paterson Knight McCulloch Lamie Forsyth Crawford D. Smith McNeil (79) Fulton (84) Scullion Cunningham (71) J. McCluskey (67) G. Smith (67)

kick-off due to Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualifier at Ibrox later in the day - but there was a flat feel to the opening exchanges. Morton upped the pace after half an hour and a flurry of activity was rewarded with the opening goal in 33 minutes. Callum Reidford pushed out a low drive from Joe McKee and former Livingston striker Barrowman swept the ball home from close range as we appealed in vain for offside. Lee Hamilton, who during the week signed a new contract until 2016, prevented a second goal for the hosts early in the second period when he managed to head a net-bound Stefan McCluskey effort off the line before we had our brightest spell of the game. Substitute Gordon Smith had keeper Derek Gaston scrambling to clutch a shot at the base of the post then Graham Weir fizzed a drive into the side netting after breaking down the left. However, Morton sealed the points with five minutes left when our defence failed to deal with a long ball and McNeil nipped in apply the finish under Reidford. 8 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T I R L IN G A LBI ONF C. CO. UK

MATCH REPORT

STENNY GIVE BINOS A BEATING AS MCDONALD RESIGNS LEFT: Darren Lee Smith of Stirling in action

PHOTO: Niels Bootsma

0 STIRLING ALBION 4 STENHOUSEMUIR BYRNE 80, EL BAKHTAOUI 90

tirling Albion manager Greig McDonald resigned after almost three years in charge following a heavy defeat by our local rivals at Forthbank. He took over from Jocky Scott in December 2011 but parted company with the club on Saturday evening after a run of just two points from a possible 21 since beating Stenhousemuir 5-4 on August 23. The Warriors gained revenge for that result with an emphatic victory as we ended with 10 men. Stenny hadn’t picked up a point, or even scored a goal, on their travels until now and the result left us three points adrift of Airdrie and five behind the Warriors at the foot of League 1. McDonald made three changes from the team beaten 2-0 at Morton, with Craig Wedderburn, Darren Smith and Gordon Smith replacing Darren Lee Smith,

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LEAGUE ONE SAT 18TH OCT 2014 ATT: 689

Reidford McGeachie Creaney McClune (56) Wedderburn C. Smith Robertson D. Smith (56) G. Smith (72) Doris Hamilton

Subs: Subs: Paterson Shaw Al-Sayed Watt Forsyth Lawson Weir Meechan Fulton (72) Fotheringham (67) D.L. Smith (56) Eddington (74) Cunningham (56) Sludden

Lewis Coult and Graham Weir in a 3-5-2 formation while there was a place in the squad for the first time for U20 full-back Stephen Al-Sayed. Kris Faulds fired Scott Booth’s men in front with a low drive from the edge of the box after 17 minutes and the game completely unravelled in the second half. Gary Oliver added the second when he was given time and space to finish with a shot that sneaked under Callum Reidford and the onloan Hearts striker scored the third when he stole the ball from the Albion keeper and was able to walk it into the net. Midfielder Willie Robertson saw red with 20 minutes left for what looked like a head-butt on Colin McMenamin and Tom Walsh, on loan from Rangers, steered home the fourth goal at the back post to complete a dreadful afternoon for Stirling.

Stirling Albion manager Greig McDonald resigned after almost three years in charge following a heavy defeat by our local rivals at Forthbank.

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Fleming Duncan Greacen McMillan Lithgow K. Millar Reid (67) Faulds McMenamin (74) Oliver Walsh

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MATCH REPORT

FITZPATRICK EQUALISER DENIES STIRLING A VALUABLE HOME WIN LEFT: Stirling players carrying out a minutes silence

PHOTO: Colin Poultney

2 STIRLING ALBION FULTON 20, G. SMITH 85

2 AIRDRIEONIANS FRASER 57, FITZPATRICK 87

nterim managers Darren Smith and Ross Forsyth guided us to a vital point as we ended a four-game losing streak to stay within three points of Airdrie. A spectacular strike from Dale Fulton and Gordon Smith’s seventh goal of the season were cancelled out by Scott Fraser and Marc Fitzpatrick as Gary Bollan’s men twice hit back to earn a deserved draw. The Albion team showed four changes in the wake of the 4-0 defeat to Stenhousemuir that ended Greig McDonald’s reign as manager Forsyth, Fulton, Graham Weir and Sandy Cunningham replaced Willie Robertson (suspended), Ross McGeachie, David McClune and Darren Smith. Craig Comrie and Lewis Coult were ruled out but there was a place on the bench for Phil Johnston, who was introduced as a substitute following two months on the sidelines through injury. Chances were scarce in the opening stages but we took the lead in 20 minutes when Fulton smashed home a superb 25-yard shot via the

LEAGUE ONE SAT 25TH OCT 2014 ATT: 847

Reidford Hamilton Wedderburn C. Smith Forsyth (70) Cunningham Fulton Weir Creaney G. Smith Doris

McNeil O’Neil Gasparotto Richards-Everton Boyle Gray Fitzpatrick Fraser Waa (75) Parker Lister (83)

Subs: Paterson Al-Sayed McGeachie Munn D. Smith D.L. Smith Johnston (70)

Subs: Bain Prunty (83) Stewart Blockley Ferguson Boyle Cadden (75)

underside of the bar after good work by Steven Doris. It was only our second first-half goal of the season and we led at the interval for the first time thanks to a couple of good stops by Callum Reidford as Airdrie rallied. Doris cracked an 18-yarder off the top of the bar at the start of the second half before the Diamonds equalised in 57 minutes. On-loan Dundee United midfielder Fraser swung in a free-kick from wide on the left and the ball eluded everyone and ended up in the net. Reidford made a crucial stop to deny Scott Gray as Airdrie enjoyed a good spell but we were back in front with five minutes left when Gordon Smith did well to turn a Fulton corner past Andy McNeil. The visitors were not to be denied, though, and extended their good run to just one defeat in six games when Marc Fitzpatrick lashed the ball home from close range after Reidford had made a superb save to keep out a header from a corner. 10 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

MATCH REPORT

CHRIS SMITH SAVES BINOS BLUSHES TO EARN CUP REPLAY LEFT: Ross McGeachie in action against Hurlford United

PHOTO: Colin Poultney

1 HURLFORD UNITED KEAN 10

1 STIRLING ALBION C. SMITH 78

efender Chris Smith headed a late equaliser after Craig Wedderburn had been sent off to set up a Scottish Cup third-round replay at Forthbank . Stewart Kean gave the Junior Cup holders an early lead and we endured a difficult afternoon at Blair Park but Smith levelled from a Dale Fulton corner with 12 minutes remaining. Darren Smith and Ross Forsyth again took charge of the team following the recent departure of Greig McDonald and there was only one change to the side that drew 2-2 with Airdrie, with David McClune replacing the suspended Sandy Cunningham. Willie Robertson was also banned, with Darren Lee Smith, Craig Comrie and Lewis Coult ruled out through injury against Darren Henderson’s side. Hurlford had already knocked Edinburgh University, Clachnacuddin and Inverurie Locos out of the Scottish Cup and came into this tie on the back of a 3-1 win at Rosyth in the Junior Cup. In truth, the Ayrshire club were the better team and we can count ourselves fortunate to have a second chance next weekend, which means the League 1 trip to Brechin will be rearranged.

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SCOTTISH CUP SAT 1ST NOV 2014 ATT: 551

A. Brown Cameron Byrne (73) McGregor (46) Mitchell Masterton (68) McKenzie Cochrane Kean C. Robertson Chisholm

Reidford Hamilton (62) Forsyth McClune Wedderburn C. Smith Weir Fulton G. Smith Doris Creaney (53)

Subs: O’Neil Dempster McHarrie M. Brown (73) R. Robertson (46) Watt Wilson (68)

Subs: Paterson Al-Sayed Munn D. Smith McGeachie (62) Johnston (53)

Hurlford included ex-Dundee defender Neil McGregor and former Clyde midfielder Stevie Masterton and it was another ex-senior who fired them in front after 10 minutes of the 2.00pm kick-off. A shot from outside the box was blocked by Wedderburn and Kean, previously with Stenhousemuir and St Mirren, lashed the ball high into the net. Steven Doris came close to an equaliser soon after but we generally struggled to create openings and had Callum Reidford to thank for making some vital saves to keep us in touch. Kean squandered a couple of clear-cut chances for Hurlford but it looked as if one goal would be enough, particularly when Wedderburn, one of five Albion players booked, saw red for a second yellow card with 14 minutes remaining. Stirling dug out an unlikely equaliser two minutes later when Fulton’s deep corner was met by Chris Smith at the far post and he did well to guide a header into the net. Hurlford pressed hard for a winner in the closing stages but we survived four minutes of injury time and a flurry of late corners to force a replay.

MATCH REPORT

RECORD PENALTY SHOOT-OUT SEES BINOS PAST HURLFORD LEFT: The Stirling squad cleary enjoyed their shootout victory

PHOTO: Colin Poultney

2 STIRLING ALBION (13)

SCOTTISH CUP

DORIS 77, 117

2 HURLFORD UNITED (12) R. ROBERTSON 15, KEAN 111

teven Doris converted the decisive kick as we won an incredible 28-penalty shoot-out 13-12 after a 2-2 draw with Hurlford United at Forthbank. It could hardly have been a more dramatic debut for new manager Stuart McLaren and assistant Martyn Corrigan but we eventually came out on top in this William Hill Scottish Cup third-round replay after a 1-1 draw at Blair Park last week. On a rain-lashed afternoon, Ross Chisholm and Doris missed first time round before Callum Reidford saved from Jamie Wilson to allow Doris to set up a fourthround meeting at home to Raith Rovers on November 29. Ross Robertson fired Hurlford in front after 15 minutes but Doris levelled 13 minutes from time with his first goal for the club and grabbed a second equaliser deep into extra time after Stewart Kean had scored for the Junior Cup holders. New boss McLaren made five changes to the team that were fortunate to scramble a 1-1 draw at Blair Park a week earlier. Willie Robertson, Ross McGeachie, Phil Johnston, Darren Smith and Sandy Cunningham replaced David McClune, Dale Fulton, Graham Weir, James Creaney and the suspended Craig Wedderburn. In a repeat of the original tie, Hurlford scored early. Reidford had already made a fine save before Ross Robertson found space in the box to curl a shot into the top corner.

SAT 8TH OCT 2014 ATT: 567

Reidford A. Brown Hamilton Cameron Forsyth Byrne Robertson G. Mitchell McGeachie C. Robertson C. Smith Masterton (52) ohnston (71) McKenzie D. Smith (63) Cochrane (106) G. Smith Kean Doris R. Robertson (65) Cunningham (103) Chisholm Subs: Paterson Al-Sayed McClune Munn Creaeney (103) Fulton (63) Weir (71)

Subs: O’Neil McHarrie M. Brown D. Mitchell (52) Wilson (106) Dempster (65) Watt

Darren Henderson’s side looked comfortable in the first half but we were much improved in the second period and the ball was scrambled off the line before Johnston’s header suffered the same fate on an increasingly sodden pitch. The equaliser arrived when Robertson’s persistence allowed Doris to break beyond the Hurlford defence and he made no mistake. We finished the game strongly but keeper Ally Brown pulled off a great save to keep out a header and Gordon Smith fired over from close range after being picked out by Weir. The Ayrshire team stunned us in extra time when Kean, who scored last week, bundled the ball home from close range in a rare attack with nine minutes remaining but Doris equalised for the second time after a spell of penalty-box pinball. And so to what developed into an epic decider from 12 yards. John Dempster and Gordon Smith scored and Reidford saved from Ross Chisholm. Fulton stuck his penalty away but Wilson netted and Brown denied Doris to keep it at 2-2 after six kicks. Remarkably, there then followed 20 successful attempts - most of them of an incredibly high standard - before Reidford turned Wilson’s effort round the post. Doris sent us through with an emphatic final penalty in our first ever Scottish Cup shootout, 25 years after they were introduced to the competition. 12 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

MATCH REPORT

MIDWEEK BLUES AS 10-MAN BRECHIN CLAIM VICTORY LEFT: Weir scored Stirling’s consolation on Tuesday night

PHOTO: Colin Poultney

2 BRECHIN CITY THOMSON 27, MCLEAN 56

1 STIRLING ALBION WEIR 85

rechin City extended their winning run to three games after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over bottom-of-the-table Stirling Albion at Glebe Park. City opened the scring in the 27th minute through Robert Thomson but they faced an uphill struggle to hold on to their lead when full-back Colin Hamilton was dismissed by referee Mat Northcroft for deliberate handball in the City penalty box early in the second half. Goalkeeper Graeme Smith then performed heroics to save the resultant penalty kick and a couple of minutes later, substitute Paul McLean extended City’s lead, heading home a Jamie Masson corner kick with his first touch of the ball. The Binos then put a lot of pressure on the home defence and despite the fact they pulled a goal back through ex City striker Graham Weir with five minutes remaining, the home defence stood firm for the victory. The result lifted City to fifth place in the League One table, just four points behind league leaders Forfar. Gary Fusco had the first opportunity of the match when his pile-driver from 20 yards went narrowly past Callum Reidford’s right-hand post but the visitors responded immediately with Smith being

13 / NOVEMB ER 2014 / WW W . ST I R LI N G ALB I O N F C. CO . UK

LEAGUE ONE TUE 11TH NOV 2014 ATT: 408

Smith McNeil McCormack McLauchlan Hamilton Barr Fusco Cameron (62) Masson Jackson (89) Thomson (56)

Reidford Hamilton McGeachie C. Smith Forsyth (68) Weir Robertson Fulton (62) Cunningham (78) Doris G. Smith

Subs: McLean (55) Molloy (62) McCormack Trouten (89) Riordan Tough O’Neil

Subs: Robertson McClune Wedderburn Creaney (68) Munn Johnston (62) D. Smith (78)

called into action to deny Gordon Smith (twice) and Sandy Cunningham. City weathered those attacks though and moved upfield to open the scoring after 27 minutes. Greg Cameron picked up the ball just within the Stirling half and delivered an inch-perfect cross to the feet of Thomson who brilliantly controlled the ball before bringing it down and blasting a great shot into the bottom corner of the net. There was drama in the 53rd minute when Colin Hamilton, who had already been booked, was sent off for handling a Smith shot on the line but namesake Graeme came to City’s rescue, diving to his right to parry away Smith’s spot-kick. City then incredibly went up the park to make it 2-0. City manager Ray McKinnon had replaced Thomson with Paul McLean after Hamilton’s sending-off and City’s longest serving player doubled his side’s lead with his first touch of the ball, heading home a Masson set-piece. City then had to withstand some persistent Stirling pressure and with five minutes remaining they conceded a goal when Graham Weir fired home from just inside the penalty box. However, the Ciy defence stood firm to clinch an important win.

THE LOCKER ROOM

MIDFIELDER BLAIR MUNN CAUGHT UP WITH EDITOR DAVID CHALMERS ABOUT HIS ATTEMPTS TO BREAK INTO THE FIRST TEAM DC: You’ve yet to make a start this season, how frustrating is that for you? BM: It’s very frustrating at the moment watching the boys playing but hopefully the new gaffer can give me a chance soon to show what I can do. I just have to keep my head down and keep working hard in training and see what happens. Everyone wants to be playing and I’m no different.

Obviously you’ve made the step-up from the youth set-up in the past year, what have been the main differences that you’ve noticed? I’ve enjoyed the step up and think I’ve coped with it well. I would say the main difference is the tempo of games and training and also the shape of the team. There is a lot of emphasis on the shape of the team.

14 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

THE LOCKER ROOM Does it help that there’s others like Sandy and Lee who’ve stepped up to the first team around the same time as you? Yes it does help. Having a few younger boys same age as me is good for in the changing room and out on the pitch. There is a good bond with all the boys in the team, from the young to the older ones. Of course it was Greig McDonald who brought you up to the full-team and gave you your debut. How much do you owe him? And what was it like to see him resign?

What was it like watching the penalty shoot-out against Hurlford from the bench? Very cold! It was frustrating as I wanted to be on the pitch taking one but I was always confident that the boys would score their pens and get us through to the next round. What are your aims for the rest of the season? To get myself into the team as soon as possible and try and get some games under my belt under the new gaffer and Martyn.

I owe Greig and Marco a lot as they seen something in me and brought me into the first team squad and gave me my debut. It was sad to see them both leave as I liked working with them and got on well with them both; and from the high of getting promoted last season to seeing them leave was hard to understand at the start.

Can the club avoid relegation?

Stuart McLaren has come in as the new boss what can you do to show him that you deserve to play?

Could we upset the odds and go past Raith Rovers in the cup?

I can only work hard in training and the U20s game if I play in them and try and show the new gaffer that I can play in the team and hopefully he likes what he sees and gives me chance to play.

Yes, of course we can. The group all believe we can stay in this league and there is still lots of games left for us to get points on the board with the ability we have in the changing room.

The cup is one game so we will see what happens when that game comes, but we will go into it confident that we can get through; but right now, all we are thinking about is the next game.

“

I just have to keep my head down and working hard in training and see what happens. Everyone wants to be playing and I’m no different.

“

15 / NOVE MB ER 2014 / W W W . STI R L I N G ALB I O N F C. CO . U K

BLAIR MUNN

MATCH PREVIEW

STIRLING ALBION VS. STRANRAER LEAGUE ONE SAT 15TH NOVEMBER 2014 15:00 KO FORTHBANK

STRANRAER FACTFILE FOUNDED: 1870 CAPACITY: 2,988

NICKNAME: THE BLUES STADIUM: STAIR PARK CURRENT MANAGER: STEPHEN AITKEN

DAVID CHALMERS

tranraer visit Forthbank today aftrer three wins on the bounce and will be looking to make that four following nine goals in the aforementioned

wins. Unbeaten in the league since August, The Blues currently sit just two points behind league leaders Forfar in what is a tight League One table. Their season kicked off with a draw against Dick C a m p b e l l ’s men before succumbing to a 4-0 defeat away to Greenock Morton. They drew at home to Brechin before losing to pre-season title favourites Dunfermline in a game that featured two red cards. A 2-0 away victory overy Ayr saw Stephen Aitken’s men pick up their first three points in the league and they haven’t lost since. Adam Forde was the last-minute hero when he scored a stoppage time equaliser against Airdrieonians before our namesake

“

Stephen Stirling cemented a two-goal lead for the club against the Binos in late September. They were on the wrong end of a last-minute equaliser when Colin McMenamin scored in stoppage time at Ochilview to deny them the victory. After a spell of cup games giving bigger sides more than they bargained for they finally lost out in a penalty shoot-out to former Binos star Jordan White’s Livingston. Following their cup exit they stole a march on Brechin City, but Dick Campbell’s Forfar once again took a point of the Blues. They responded by putting five past last year’s League Two champions Peterhead, before dumping the Blue Toon out of the Scottish Cup thanks to Jamie Longworth just a week later. Stuart McLaren’s men will have plenty to worry about with Craig Malcolm, Jamie Longworth, Danny Stoney, Stephen Stirling and Sean Winter all in goalscoring form, and each of the starting eleven will have to do their job to ensure they get anything out of the game.

McLaren’s men will have plenty to worry about with Craig Malcolm, Jamie Longworth, Danny Stoney, Stephen Stirling and Sean Winter all in goalscoring form.

“

16 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

FIXTURES

SQUAD LIST Goalkeepers: David Mitchell Daniel Tobin

STIRLING ALBION vs STRANRAER NOV 15th | LEAGUE ONE | FORTHBANK

Frank McKeown Scott Robertson

Defenders: Barry Russell Jackson Longridge Scott Rumsby Craig Pettigrew

Midfielders: Grant Gallagher Chris Aitken Sean Winter Anthony Marenghi Steven Bell

Stephen Stirling Sam McCloskey Willie Gibson Forwards: Danny Stoney Adam Forde Jamie Longworth Craig Malcolm

STRANRAER vs AIRDRIEONIANS NOV 22nd | LEAGUE ONE | STAIR PARK

STRANRAER vs DUNFERMLINE NOV 29th | LEAGUE ONE | STAIR PARK

THE GAFFER STEPHEN AITKEN Aitken took 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. Aitken has managed steady progress at the club and this season has the Blues fighting for the title. This is in part thanks to a series of prolific strikers, giving his side the best possible chance at winning games, as at this level of the game sometimes you can’t buy a goal - and his side have plenty. He’ll have been proud to match Ross County earlier this season.

KEY PLAYER JAMIE LONGWORTH With seven goals so far this season, Longworth is clearly The Blues main goal threat and the 27-year-old has a good record throughout his career. A prolific striker in Juniors football, he signed for Queen’s Park in 2010 and the former Kilbirnie Ladeside man bagged 43 in 102 for the Hampdenbased side. 22 goals in a Stranraer shirt last year and his record so far shows that he is no flash in the pan and his goalscoring prowess is not to be forgotten. Equally potent in a role behind the strikers.

LAST TIME LEAGUE ONE SAT 27TH AUG 2014 ATT: 446

2 STRANRAER LONGWORTH 3, STIRLING 25

0 STIRLING ALBION

First-half goals from Jamie Longworth and Stephen Stirling earned Stranraer victory at Stair Park as we suffered our first away league defeat since March. We produced a much-improved second-half performance but failed to take the chances that came our way and had a couple of penalty appeals turned down as Stevie Aitken’s team saw the game out. Stranraer took the lead inside three minutes when we failed to deal with a cross from the left wing and, after Craig Malcolm had failed to convert from close range, Longworth made no mistake. The Blues hit the bar with a header before doubling their advantage in 25 minutes. Former Dunfermline winger Willie Gibson was causing us plenty of problems and we were caught out at a set-piece when he teed up Stirling to smash the ball home from the edge of the box. Greig McDonald’s men, with Steven Doris always a threat going forward, rallied after the break. Chris Smith and Gordon Smith had penalty shouts waved away, Darren Lee Smith forced a good save from David Mitchell and James Creaney hammered a shot just too high but, for the third time in four games, we failed to find the net.

17 / NOVE MB ER 2014 / W W W . STI R L I N G ALB I O N F C. CO . U K

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MATCH PREVIEW

DUNFERMLINE VS. STIRLING ALBION LEAGUE ONE SAT 22ND NOVEMBER 2014 15:00 KO EAST END PARK

DUNFERMLINE FACTFILE FOUNDED: 1885 NICKNAME: THE PARS STADIUM: EAST END PARK CAPACITY: 11,480 CURRENT MANAGER: JIM JEFFERIES DAVID CHALMERS

he Binos make the short trip to Fife when they face Dunfermline in a week’s time . Stuart McLaren will surely be relishing testing his charges against arguably the best team in the league on paper. The full-time Pars were the pre-season title favourites and look good to make some people money on their betting slips as they sit just a point off top spot at the time of writing. Their goal difference is the best in league with +8 and they are a massive 14 points ahead of Stirling despite failing to win in any their last three league fixtures. It’s been a strange season for Jefferies side thus far with the squad showing great form in patches but letting things slip just when they were in their stride. The start of the season saw them draw at home to Brechin after beating Championship side Raith Rovers before losing to Forfar, They then lost at home to Falkirk but smashed Airdrienians the

“

following week and then challenged St. Mirren all the way in a closely fought League Cup match. They then went on a run of five wins in ther next six games, picking up victores away to Stanraer, at home to Stenhousemuir and Peterhead, away at Forthbank and again away to Ayr. Their only slip-up in that run of form was against Greenock Morton when Declan McManus and Connor Pepper scored either side of a Ross Millen penalty. They had their chance to extract revenge against Morton just a month later when they came to East End Park, however McManus had other ideas, scoring an emphatic winner in stoppage time to go away with all the points. Another last-minute goal undone Jefferies squad against Peterhead; this time Jamie Stevenson the thorn in the Pars side., and their dropped points prevented them leap-frogging Dick Campbell’s Forfar. If McLaren’s side can pick up a bit more confidence and Dunfermline continue to produce errors then the Binos could provide an upset to the title favourites.

If McLaren’s side can pick up a bit more confidence and Dunfermline continue to produce errors then the Binos could provide an upset to the title favourites.

“

24 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

FIXTURES

SQUAD LIST Goalkeepers: Ryan Goodfellow Ryan Scully

STENHOUSEMUIR vs DUNFERMLINE NOV 15th | LEAGUE ONE | OCHILVIEW

Defenders: Gregor Buchanan Ross Drummond Lewis Martin Ross Millen Jonathan Page

Ryan Williamson Midfielders: Shaun Byrne Josh Falkingham Ross Forbes Andy Geggan Lewis Spence Andy Stirling Ryan Thomson

Ryan Wallace Alex Whittle Forwards: Faissal El Bakhtaoui Michael Moffat Allan Smith Chigozie Ugwu

DUNFERMLINE vs STIRLING ALBION NOV 22nd | LEAGUE ONE | EAST END

STRANRAER vs DUNFERMLINE NOV 29TH | LEAGUE ONE | STAIRS PARK

THE GAFFER JIM JEFFERIES Jefferies is an established name in Scottish football with an impressive playing career coming before a respectable managerial career. A former right-back, the Musselburghborn man played for Hearts from 19671981 before ending his career at Berwick Rangers. He moved into management with Hawick Royal Albert and has managed Gala Fairydean, Berwick Rangers, Falkirk, Hearts, Bradford City, Kilmarnock, Hearts again and took on the Pars in 2012. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stuck with the club following two relegations and a stint in administration.

KEY PLAYER FAISSAL EL BAKHTAOUI Bakhtaoui sealed the victory for the Pars at Forthbank and has scored six goals in his six games. The French Morrocan played as a trialist for Dunfermline in the 201213 pre-season and Jim Jefferies saw enough to sign the then 19-year-old. He scored on his starting debut against Stenhousemuir in January 2014 and scored 4 goals last season in 6 appearances. Clearly the danger man that Stirling need stop to earn a result at East End Park.

LAST TIME LEAGUE ONE SAT 4TH OCT 2014 ATT: 1,623

0 STIRLING ALBION 2 DUNFERMLINE BYRNE 80, EL BAKHTAOUI 90

Late goals from Shaun Byrne and substitute Faissal El Bakhtaoui gave Dunfermline victory in the first meeting between the teams since March 2011. We ended the game with 10 men after central defender Craig Wedderburn saw red for picking up his second booking with six minutes left. Gozie Ugwu and Andy Stirling missed good chances for the Pars before former Ayr striker Michael Moffat blazed wide with just Callum Reidford to beat after a fine move. We had a better spell as half-time approached and a penalty appeal for handball was turned down before Chris Smith sent a header into the side netting. Dunfermline enjoyed lots of the ball after the break and Ugwu should have scored with a header but we posted a warning when Weir forced a good save from Ryan Scully. The Pars responded and Josh Falkingham rattled a shot against the inside of the post before the deadlock was broken in 80 minutes when Byrne took a pass and swept the ball into the corner. Wedderburn was dismissed after bringing down El Bakhtaoui and the French-Moroccan sealed the win in stoppage time, scoring from close range after the ball had been diverted into his path.

25 / NOVEMB ER 2014 / WW W . ST I R LI N G ALB I O N F C. CO . UK

MATCH PREVIEW

STIRLING ALBION VS. RAITH ROVERS SCOTTISH CUP SAT 29TH NOVEMBER 2014 15:00 KO FORTHBANK

RAITH ROVERS FACTFILE FOUNDED: 1883 CAPACITY: 8,473

NICKNAME: THE ROVERS STADIUM: STARK’S PARK CURRENT MANAGER: GRANT MURRAY

DAVID CHALMERS

he Binos welcome Raith Rovers to Forthbank in the Scottish Cup after progressing to the Fourth Round at the expense of Hurlford United. After a replay that saw a record-breaking penaltyshoot out take place at Forthbank, Stuart McLaren will be hoping this one finishes a bit earlier, and with a victory for his side. The Rovers progressed to this round of the competition thanks to a 2-0 win over Linlithgow Rose in the Third Round. Ryan Conroy and Paul Watson were the goalscorers for Grant Murray’s side. The Kirkcaldy based club of course ply their trade in the SPFL Championship in a league which contains Glasgow giants Rangers as well as Edinburgh’s top two teams in Hearts and Hibernian (in no particular order). The side currently sit 5th in the table having ammased 15 points in 12 games. They sit just a point ahead of Falkirk, and just three behind Hibs. Their season kicked off with a win over Ian Murray’s Dumbarton side and they got their second win in a row at Alloa Athletic when Ryan Conroy slotted home in the early stages of the match. It was

a reality check when Hearts visited Stark’s Park and put four past The Rovers, with a James Keatings hat-trick doing most of the damage. Premiership side Dundee gave them no favours when they did the exact same in the cup just a week later, but they enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Cowdenbeath to bring them up to nine points in just four games. This helped when Rangers came and thrashed them 4-0 on their own turf. A decent run of form saw Murray’s men narrowly overcome Livingston, draw with Falkirk and Hibernian before a pair of losses against Queen of the South, with Iain Russell bagging a late winner before an embarassing 6-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox. They got back on track with a point at home to Alloa and an away victory in the cup to set up the tie with the Binos, and they only narrowly lost 1-0 to Hearts at Tynecastle in early November. The Rovers will be the favourites for the tie at Forthbank, but their form shows that they are anything but consistent. With Stirling enjoying the role as the underdogs this time it could see the team play with a freedom they will relish as they test themselves against the Fife side and try to put together a cup run. 26 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

FIXTURES

RAITH ROVERS vs COWDENBEATH NOV 15th | CHAMPIONSHIP | STARK’S PARK

SQUAD LIST Goalkeepers: Kevin Cuthbert Ross Laidlaw David McGurn Scott Law

Laurie Ellis Grant Murrya David Bates Elliot Ford Craig Barr

Defenders: Jason Thomson Ross Perry Paul Watson Dougie Hill Rory McKeown

Midfielders: Liam McCroary Ross Matthews Grant Anderson Kevin Moon Liam Fox

Martin Scott Ross Callachan Lewis Vaughan Keiran Campbell Forwards: Mark Stewart Calum Elliot Ryan Conroy Christian Nade Callum Robertson Jonny Court

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH vs RAITH ROVERS NOV 22nd | CHAMPIONSHIP | PALMERSTON

STIRLING ALBION vs RAITH ROVERS NOV 29th | SCOTTISH CUP | FORTHBANK

THE GAFFER GRANT MURRAY 39-year-old Murray enjoyed a long playing career, plying his trade for Hearts, St. Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock before joining Raith Rovers in 2009. He was appointed player-manager in 2012 and has ammassed 116 appearances of the club so far. He secured the club’s first trophy since 1994 when his side beat Rangers at Easter Road in April to win the Ramsdens Challenge Cup final. He has enjoyed 42 wins in 108 games as manager.

KEY PLAYER RYAN CONROY An intelligent footballer, Conroy enjoys the advantage of having played in a number of positions throughout his career. Starting at wing-back, moving onto the wing before settling at striker, the former Celtic man is the club’s joint top goal-scorer this campaign. It’s tough to pick out the side’s star man considering Christian Nade and Mark Stewart also have 3 goals, and former Hearts man Calum Elliot still has plenty of talent. If anything, it shows Stirling must be alert to any of the forwards who play at Forthbank.

LAST TIME RAMSDENS CUP SAT 27TH JUL 2013

2 RAITH ROVERS SPENCE 73, CARDLE 90

1 STIRLING ALBION WHITE 88

Raith were made to work hard for their place in the second round of the Ramsdens Cup after a last-minute win at Stark’s Park. Stirling almost opened the scoring early on when Graham Weir flicked on a cross to the back post which seemed to catch Kieran McAnespie unawares, and he failed to react quick enough to the chance. The opening exchanges saw both sides struggle to create many chances. It took the game just over a quarter of an hour to register its first shot on target thanks to Calum Elliot setting up Joe Cardle but David Crawford saved well. Now Stirling striker Gordon Smith clashed heads with Ross McGeachie and the latter was replaced by Sandy Cunningham. Smith nearly won a penalty, but much to the dismay of Rovers fans the referee booked the striker instead for simulation. The deadlock was finally broken after 73 minutes when substitute Greig Spence pressured Chris Smith and David Crawford, and the latter misplaced his clearance to Kevin Moon, who thanked his lucky stars and slotted home. Stephen Day was fouled in the area in the 88th minute and Jordan White slotted home the resulting penalty, but there was to be even more late drama when Stirling gifted the ball to Spence and he fed the ball to Joe Cardle who sped past the Albion defence to win the match.

27 / NOVEMB ER 2014 / WW W . ST I R LI N G ALB I O N F C. CO . UK

FEATURE

WELCOME, SKIPPY’ Editor David Chalmers talks to new manager Stuart McLaren in an in-depth interview about his appointment, his time as a player, the challenges that lie ahead, and how he’s still not over THAT penalty shoot-out!

nless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, you’ll be aware that Greig McDonald has resigned from his position as manager and in the weeks following the board have appointed former player Stuart McLaren as the new man in the dug-out. With the appointment, Stuart has brought in Martyn Corrigan as his assistant, and The Albion sat down with the man known as ’Skippy’ to get to know the new gaffer. Coaching at Loughborough University, McLaren spoke of how he learned about the opportunity to manage the club he once played for. “I heard about the position because I’ve always sort of followed the club. I sat down on the Saturday night or the Sunday and saw the dissapointing result from Greig’s last match and seen that he had decided to step away from the job or step down from the role and my first thought straight away was I need to find out about applying for the job. From my personal circumstances I wanted to get back working in Scotland, because my family have remained here whilst I’ve been working in Loughborough so it’s been a lot of up and down over the the last three and a half years, so I’m sick of the sight of the M6! “Secondly, from a professional point of view, managing in the professional game is where I want to be, so I saw this as a great opportunity as I’ve always had a strong bond with the club.” Of course, it seems like an ideal chance in his career and his personal life to return to Scotland, but leaving the Loughborough players behind him must have been tough. “Yeah it was. Look, it’s been an absolutely fantastic three years I’ve had there, again professionally it’s been absolutely outstanding in terms of my

development as a coach; I’ve learned so many things and met a lot of good people who have supported me but who will also form a part of my network moving forward but also as a group of players through the years they’ve been a joy to work with, a really enthusiastic group of players. No behavioural issues and a strong culture that’s in place there and what we’ve done in my time there has only enhanced that, I’d like to think anyway. So yeah, there was a small part of me that was sad to leave the place because it is one of those special instititutions and I’ll always be proud to say I was part of it at one point.” When asked about what might have got him the job and what he might bring to the club, the UEFA A-Licensed coach said: “What got me the job ahead of the other candidates I suppose is maybe one for the Chairman and the panel to divulge but you know what I think I will bring to the club here is an overall professional approach; I’m not saying that’s not been done before but there’s some ways that I’ve done things at the Brisbane Strikers and even in my short time at the North Queensland Fury, and then again at Loughborough and we really want to have a strong identity as a club that does things the right way and has people involved in it that behave in the right way. “Then from the playing side of things, I’ve got a strong footballing philosophy, I’ve got a realisation that it’s very much results driven here as opposed to development orientated, but somewhere along the way there’s a strong balance where I want to make sure that myself and Martyn, who shares some of the beliefs that I have in terms of the way the game should be played, that again we can be a team that is recognised to be playing in a certain style and it is 28 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T IR L I N G A L BI ONF C. CO. UK

FEATURE

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FEATURE my belief that that style is the best way to go about earning results on a consistent basis, and so that’s the kind of thing that I’m hoping to bring to the club.” While McLaren hits the nail on the head in terms of the game being results driven, the Binos have a good record recently of bringing through youth players and he intends to keep up that tradition. “Absolutely. The goals and the targets that I outlined as part of my interview process included predominantly achieving a consolodated place within League One, you know, that’s the first and foremost thing and perhaps in time we can start to really establish ourselves and really look to be a top half of the table team, but secondary to that along the way we want to make sure that we provide a pathway for players from the youth structure to develop into first team players and even continue to work with players of that mould whether they come through from Stirling Albion or whether we recruit young players from elsewhere and hopefully give them a springboard onto bigger and better things. I think clubs of our stature, there has to be a lifeblood and there’s lots of good examples where it’s been done well and to a great benefit to the club and they can be oh so proud of the part that they’ve played in some real superstars going on to succeed in the game and that’s what we’ve got to aim for.” A former defender/midfielder, ’Skippy’ played for Stirling between 1996-1998 and has fond memories of his time at Forthbank. “I had about 16 years as a professional player and it was only two here at Stirling but they were very very enjoyable times. I met some people that I’m glad to say are still friends now even after how many years I’ve been away! 16 or so. So yeah, great memories of the club at that time and though it was dissapointing to get relegated at the end of the second season, you know those couple of years competing in what is now the Championship in a really good environment was really enjoyable and I felt that I had a fairly strong bond and rapport with the fans at that point so it’s great to come back.” He’s just in the job, but hold no doubts that the new boss has ambitions, and is proud to be named

“

manager of Stirling Albion. “I’d be more than happy to stay here for a long time. I certainly am ambitious and I can’t see for me anyway at this stage in my career why I shouldn’t have ambitions to go on and manage at a higher level, but at the same time if a club like Stirling Albion is the peak of my career then I’ll still look back at my time in football management with a lot of pride so it’s balanced out, but from my own perspective I’ll be here one as long as the club is happy to have me and one so long as I feel that I’m keeping the club moving forwards. I think that’s going to be the drive and determining factor behind how long I’ll stay.” Currently sitting bottom of SPFL’s League One staving off relegation must be a difficult task to take on. “Yeah it’s a massive challenge; you know, where we are right now it’s very difficult to turn things around. It’s a very competitive league, so we are going to have to be very detailed and very thorough in our work. We’re going to have to make sure the players are in the best possible condition from now until the end of the season and we need to make sure we try and keep as many as the squad members fit and available and free from injury from now until the end of the season, and each of those players understand that we’re going to need all of them to make a contribution at certain times throughout the campaign. Some will naturally play more than others but whenever the guys are called upon we’re expecting that they’ll make a contribution that’ll help the team get the results and ultimately stay in the division.” The Albion asked whether it will take time for him to find his best XI and he promises to give every player in the squad the opportunity to show him and his staff what they can do. “Yeah, I think that’s only natural. It’s going to take a bit of time to see what’s going to be the best eleven and of a given week you can have players either coming back from injury or players that just go through a bit of a difficult spell with their own form. As much as Martyn’s got a great understanding of the league and the players, I’ve got an overall understanding and there’s some principles about the

As much as we might get a bit nervous in the dug out if things aren’t panning out for us, the guys in the stand can have a good influence and if they try and remain positive and upbeat, that certainly filters through onto the pitch

“

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FEATURE game that don’t change, it is going to take us a bit of time and we’re certainly going to give every one of the current squad every opportunity to prove to us what they’re capable of, but you know I think there is going to be times during the season where we’ll need to change it and it’ll depend a little bit on how some of the players adapt to the ideas that Martyn and I are going to be introducing.” His first game in charge saw a record-breaking penalty-shoot-out in the Scottish Cup against Hurlford United. “It was definitely the longest penalty shoot-out I’ve been involved with. I’ve seen longer ones on the TV but you always put that down to one of those things that happens to other people that will never happen to yourself. Even into Sunday I was still in a bit of shock and I had to ask myself you know, did that really happen? Across the 90 minutes I felt we made enough chances to warrant winning the game; I know from the previous game away to Hurlford, I didn’t see it but it seemed to be the other way that Hurlford should really have walked away with a place in the next round so we asked the boys to make the most of that opportunity that they’d earned with the late equaliser away from home and as I say I think in the end although it’s ended in a penalty shoot, and a lengthy one at that, overall we deserved to go through on that night anyway.” Steven Doris scored the goals which secured Albion’s place in the next round, and McLaren couldn’t be happier with the striker. “Pleased for him in a number of ways. It was his first goals of the season, so that for a striker is a good shot in the arm. The longer it goes on for them, the more difficult it is, so very pleased he got the two goals during the course of the match and then having missed his penalty the first time round he got the immediate chance to redeem himself which I’m sure he’s pleased about so really pleased for him and as I said earlier, everyone’s going to have to make a contribution and Steven’s was quite important but there was a number of other good performances on Saturday as well that helped.” With any management team, there’s always a bit of good cop and bad cop, and we asked who’ll be good cop and who’ll be bad cop with regards to his assistant Martyn Corrigan. “Well I think the players are yet to figure that one out! But no, I think hopefully it will be a case of good cop, good cop so long as the players respond in the right way, and I’m sure they will. It seems the early signs are very positive in the way they like to work and how they’ve responded to some of the things that Martyn and I have spelled out to them and what our expectations are and the ideas that we’re putting accros so hopefully it’ll continue to be a case of good cop, good cop and we’ll not have to deal with that but I’m sure that if the time comes that Martyn won’t 31 / NOVEMB ER 2014 / WW W . ST I R LI N G ALB I O N F C. CO . UK

take any backwards steps and neither will I.” The game against Stranraer today is yet another challenge for the club and McLaren realises it is a tough test of his squad’s ability to improve, especially considering it will be their third game in a week. “Anybody that thinks it’s going to be anything but a really difficult match will be kidding themselves on. They’re on a very good run of form, unbeaten in something like eleven or twelve matches and a side that will certainly make us earn anything we look to get from the game so I think that’s going to be the case throughout the season. As I said, I don’t think there’s an awful lot between a lot of the teams in the division but what I will say is that the fans can expect us to give everything that we’ve got and I think as each game progresses that we’ll get slightly better. So hopefully improving on Saturday against Hurlford and Brechin on Tuesday means that we’ll be good enough to beat them.” Progression past Hurlford meant that the Binos welcome Raith Rovers in the next round of the Scottish Cup and McLaren says that cup progression is important. “Another one of our key targets. The priority obviously is to stay in League One as well as trying to give players opportunities and developing them but progress in the cup competitions was another one of our targets. Sometimes progress in cup runs always have sticky starts don’t they so I think by the time we get to the Raith game it’ll be a case of roles reversed as we were expected to go through against Hurlford and we did so, but only just and I think Raith Rovers would be expected to go through against us at this moment in time. So, hopefully what we do in the next couple of league games continues to breed a bit of belief in the players and we can go into that one and really have the shackles off and go for it with nothing to lose.” Finally, we asked the boss what his message to the fans were. “I just want to thank them for their support so far. When I was appointed it was terrific some of the messages that I got, and what I would say is to never underestimate the importance of their role in the team’s performance on a Saturday. As much as we might get a bit nervous in the dug out if things aren’t panning out for us, the guys in the stand can have a good influence and if they try and remain positive and upbeat, that certainly filters through onto the pitch - I know that from my time as a player at any of my clubs and you see the effect now as a manager when supporters of any team either get on their back or get behind their team and that can really have an influence so I’ll say to them to never underestimate that influence.”

COMMUNITY CORNER

NOV.

2014 AN INTRODUCTION TO STEPHEN AL-SAYED

Stirling October football camp where I coached kids of various ages throughout the week. The October camp ran very successfully with many of the kids wanting to come to the next one in Easter.

Hi everyone, I hope all is well. I would just like to introduce myself - I’m Stephen Al-Sayed, this year’s modern apprentice for the Albion. I have taken over the role from Sandy Cunningham who completed his apprenticeship at the end of August. I currently play for the under 20’s as a right back or as a winger. I have been involved in the Stirling Albion youth development system from the age of 12. Prior to this I started out as a goalkeeper at Bonnybridge FC where I attained many achievements including the regional cup! I also played with my senior team at high school for three successful years which lead to me being chosen for the regional squad. So far in my apprenticeship I have begun course work for SVQ III in leisure management as well as going out and delivering the Tesco Bank programme around Stirling to various primary schools for p2’s and p3’s. This six week football taster programme was very successful as all the kids enjoyed learning new football skills.

So far I am really enjoying my time as the modern apprentice and it’s good to be about the club a lot more. There are many challenges and programmes still to go during the year but I am looking forward to them! If you see me about on a match day or in the communities feel free to say hello or ask me about any of our programmes!

I also deliver some weekly community classes, teaching kids new skills in football during hourly sessions at centres throughout Stirling. During the October holidays I was one of the coaches involved at the Stirling Albion/Active

Stephen TESCO BANK PROGRAMME The Tesco Bank Programme is now complete with around 400 children in primary 2 and 3 enjoying the sessions. The programme was another great success with myself and new modern apprentice Stephen Al-Sayed delivering in 5 primary schools this year, compared to 4 last year. The sessions take place over 6 weeks with the children learning a new football skill and taking part in fun games during 4 of the weeks with the 32 / N O V E MB E R 2 0 1 4 / W W W .S T I R L IN G A LBI ONF C. CO. UK

COMMUNITY CORNER other 2 weeks solely focused on small sided games of football. The children will now all receive an invitation along to 6 further sessions in December and January, which will take place outside of school with the Stirling Albion Junior Academy. When these 6 weeks come to an end, it is hoped that the children will either join an existing team with the Junior Academy or girls section or there will be enough interest to start a new team within the club. Although we only make it out to 5 schools during the programme, Active Stirling also deliver the Tesco Bank programme to a further 8 primaries in Stirling – meaning a total of 13 schools in Stirling received the sessions this year. The Tesco Bank Programme is a fantastic programme to get boys and girls trying out football at a young age and then offering them the opportunity to remain playing structured football on a regular basis. It has also helped get many children more involved and aware of Stirling Albion and we hope to have some of them along to a game in the near future!

BOOK ON OUR WEEKLY CLASSES!!

final 7 week block before Christmas but it’s not too late – book on now and the cost will be adjusted for the final few weeks that are left! 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.

JUNIOR BINOS ACTIVITY PAGE Congratulations to Tom Grant who won the September/ October edition of Junior Binos and will enjoy a 2 game bowling package courtesy of our friends at AMF Bowling Stirling! This month the prize is a brand new signed Stirling Albion top so be sure to get your entries in!!

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.

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.

Get following us on Facebook and Twitter for all the

The classes provide a fun and enjoyable environment for children to practice their football skills, play plenty of games and meet new friends! We are now into the

Andy

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latest!!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/SAFCCommunity Twitter - @SAFCCommunity Website - www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/community Email - community@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk

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JUNIOR BINOS ---------------------------D Z Z M U N W H Y N V G R S C

U E V H Y V S A S U E Q K R A

M N T H E R O E B T K S B E L

E Y C I L V I D M Q Z R M V L

W M K K N T N O H U S K K O U

P Q C F L U G P E P M R U R M

J F L A C O D L F Y C E D H R

X Z N I P F I R X H F R T T E

O E T T S K S I O K Y K M I I

P B M M R D G U T F Z D K A D

X B E V G E N O U E L W E R F

P U C H S I T T O C S R L S O

J S I R O D N E V E T S U A R

J U P B X U K Q P Y Z T H H D

C F F U Q M Z N Q G U G L L M

CROSSWORD CHALLENGE:

WORDS TO BE FOUND: SCOTTISH CUP HURLFORD UNITED RAITH ROVERS CALLUM REIDFORD STEVEN DORIS PENALTIES Look out for diagonal words and words written backwards!

SCOTTISH CUP QUIZ 1. WHO SCORED BOTH STIRLING ALBION GOALS AGAINST HURLFORD UNITED IN THE REPLAY AT FORTHBANK?

4. HOW MANY PENALTIES DID CALLUM REIDFORD SAVE IN THE REPLAY AGAINST HURLFORD?

2. WHICH TEAM PUT US OUT OF THE SCOTTISH 5. HOW MANY PENALTIES WERE TAKEN IN TOTAL (SCORED AND SAVED) IN THE CUP LAST SEASON? REPLAY AGAINST HURLFORD?

3. WHICH TEAM WON THE SCOTTISH CUP LAST SEASON?

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SPOT THE PLAYERS

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Pictured are Stirling Albion’s players after the winning penalty in the Scottish Cup replay against Hurlford United. Can you name all 5 players who have had their faces blanked out?? Please return all Junior Binos answers to Andy Todd at Forthbank Stadium, Springkerse, Stirling, FK7 7UJ no later than Saturday 29th November 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 receive a brand new signed Stirling Albion top!! Entrants can be 16 years and under.

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NAME:

SCHOOL:

AGE:

PARENT’S NAME: PARENT’S CONTACT NUMBER:

STIRLING ALBION SQUAD LIST 2014/15 COACHING STAFF

STUART McLAREN

MARTYN CORRIGAN

INA SHAW MBE

DRON & DICKSON LTD

GOALKEEPER

DAVID WESTWOOD

GREG PATERSON VICTOR & DEBBIE NELSON

DEFENCE

CALLUM REIDFORD

LEE HAMILTON

JAMES CREANEY

CHRIS SMITH

SAFC SUPPORTERS TRUST BOARD

BRAEHEAD TAXIS CAUSEWAYHEAD BUILDING SERVICES

DRON & DICKSON LTD

SAFC SUPPORTERS CLUB

DEFENCE

MIDFIELD

CRAIG WEDDERBURN

ROSS FORSYTH

ROSS McGEACHIE

PHIL JOHNSTON

IAIN GLEN

PETER MCKENZIE

MCKENZIE TRAILERS LTD

ROY & SHEENA MCFARLANE

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SQUAD LIST 2014/15 STIRLING ALBION MIDFIELD

DARREN LEE SMITH

CRAIG COMRIE

DALE FULTON

WILLIAM ROBERTSON

CRAIG SMITH

GARRY CAIRNS JOINERY

IAIN PATERSON

ALASDAIR DUNN

MIDFIELD

GRAHAM WEIR

DAVID McCLUNE

DARREN SMITH

BLAIR MUNN

VICTOR & DEBBIE NELSON

IAN ALLARDICE

DAVID & ALEX KNAPMAN

W TURNBULL NEWSAGENTS JIM THOMSON

FORWARD

SANDY CUNNINGHAM

STEVEN DORIS

LEWIS COULT

GORDON SMITH

CRAIG STEWART

BRIDGE OF ALLAN SUPPORTERS

ROBERT MCCRINDLE

TYLAR ROWLEY

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STADIUM ADVERTISERS STIRLING ALBION XMAS PARTY NIGHT Friday 12 December Golden Lion Hotel 7:00PM - 7:30PM Till 1AM THE MIAMI SHOWBAND AND DISCO 3 Course Festive Menu + ½ Bottle of Wine, Ticket: £42.50

HUNTER’S EXECUTIVE COACHES

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Tel 01786 463 920 Fax 01786 463 413 Email stirling.citroen.hyundai@arnoldclark.co.uk 4 Craig Leith Road, Broadleys Industrial Park, Stirling FK7 7LQ

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Prudential proudly supports Stirling Albion Best of luck for the 2014/15 season