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Stirling Albion F.C. Official Magazine
Issue #12
October 2012
£3.00
A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE ALBION
vs 06/10/2012 15:00
OUR HISTORY WITH RANGERS|VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT|MATCH REPORTS|PLAYER QUICK QUIZ
Editors’ Notes
W season.
elcome to Stirling Albion and Rangers fans for the first league meeting between these two sides since the 1967/68
At that time, both clubs were in the top flight of Scottish football. Rangers finished second in the league while Stirling were unfortunately relegated to the Second division. (Now known as the First Division.) Today’s historic tie sees each club in a very different position to that which they were in at the time of these meetings, and while Rangers will be looking for their first win away from home in Division Three this season, the Binos will be seeking their first point to add to their tally since that comprehensive victory over Annan on the first day of the new campaign. In this special edition of The Albion, the Official match day magazine of Stirling Albion, we have all the usual match reports from Stirling Albion’s September fixtures, including the Scottish Cup tie last Saturday which saw the men from Forthbank deploy a five goal display against Dalbeattie Star. Alongside this, we have an exclusive interview with former Rangers and Stirling Albion player Kevin Drinkell, who also enjoyed a successful period at the management realms of the Binos. You can also find an interview with Captain Brian Allison, a detailed look at the historical links between the two sides meeting today, and a smart exploration of the current Rangers squad. I hope everyone enjoys their match day magazine, and the great occasion today.
The 5-0 win over Dalbeattie star last weekend was a much needed pick-me-up going into arguably the biggest fixture of the season so far. It’s not often a club like Stirling Albion can welcome a club the size of Rangers to Forthbank, and I imagine it’s going to be a wonderful atmosphere. A win and a sell-out crowd is just what’s needed after a long month for the Binos; and you could play your part in the most historic result in the club’s history. I’m hoping all loyal Binos fans can bring the noise, the same fans who do so regardless of whether it’s Rangers or Annan.
Club Executive Team Chair and Operations Director Stuart Brown Finance Director Alan Christie Commercial Director John Hunter Director David McFarlane Members Jim Thomson
Rangers haven’t had the easiest of times in Division 3 themselves, and this was tipped to be a top of the table clash before the start of the season; instead it’s a chance for Greig McDonald’s troops to lift themselves from the foot of the table and write themselves into the headlines and history books.
Football Management Manager Greig McDonald
Albion manager Greig McDonald won’t be in charge of his side for the fixture, as his wedding coincides with kick-off, and we wish Greig and his fiancée all the best. I’m not sure if he’ll be more worried about a smooth wedding or the result! I’m sure his assistants Shaun Fagan and Marc McCulloch will do all they can to give him the best wedding gift imaginable; 3 points on the board.
Physiotherapist Pauline Robertson
This special issue of the Albion focuses on our history with the boys in blue, and we hope you enjoy the content this month. Regards,
@StuartKenny
Assistant Coaches Shaun Fagan Marc McCulloch
Goalkeeping Coach David Eccles Kit Man Gregor Dryden Club Doctor Michael Beyer Head of Youth Stewart Taylor (admin) Head of Youth (Coaching) Blair Cremin
@DavidJChalmers
Under 19 Coaches Graeme Donald David Binnie Club Chaplain Duncan Strathdee 0778 991 2259
Stuart Kenny
David Chalmers
CONTENTS Regular features: 03. Inside the Box 04. Albion news 05. from the dugout 15. player quick quiz 16. the deep end
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Brian Allison dives in the Deep End
20 Our history with Rangers Rangers Preview
Kevin Drinkell talks to the Albion
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Editors: Stuart Kenny (Content) David Chalmers (Design) Contributors: Deena Mobbs David Ogilvie Jim Thomson Graham Ruthven Stuart Brown Thanks: Marc McCulloch Brian Allison Greig McDonald Kevin Drinkell Graham Hamilton Craig Graham SFL Prudential Photography: Deena Mobbs (redweb) Design: Original template by Ross Dunn Printing: Mailboxes Etc. Stirling Contact: magazine@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk Interact: T| 01786 450339 E| stirlingalbion@btconnect.com 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 Stirlingshire Cup Winners 1953/54, 54/55, 58/59, 71/72, 73/74, 76/77, 77/78, 83/84, 88/89, 91/92, Social Media 98/99, 2003/04, 04/05, 05/06
/thealbionmagazine /stirlingalbionfc
@StirAlbionMag @stirling_albion
INSIDE THE BOX Stuart Brown - Operations Director
“I TRUST EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON AND IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC TO HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN”
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n behalf of everyone at Stirling Albion Football Club, I extend a very warm welcome to Rangers’ officials, players and supporters. Aside from the obvious financial benefit, it’s great to have the atmosphere inside the Stadium that will be created by having not only both Stands filled to capacity but also the North and South Terracing. If it’s raining, I also extend my apologies to the fans in the uncovered terracing and the front rows of whichever stand is suffering from the wind blowing in the wrong direction! I’m sure everyone inside the Stadium will appreciate that days like this might be common place for the “big guns” but for a part time Club with limited administrative resource they are an enormous challenge that requires considerable planning in advance. My thanks go to Central Scotland Police, our stewarding company Halco Solutions, Active Stirling, Clive Ramsay (who’s taken over our Hospitality Catering) and everyone behind the scenes at SAFC for their tireless efforts over the past couple of months to get us to this point. We have 240 hospitality guests today, which as someone pointed out is more than the total attendance at some SFL3 grounds for a “normal” fixture! I trust every one of you will have a great afternoon and it would be fantastic to have you back again to experience our value for money package against some of our less glamorous opponents! We come into today’s game on the back of a comfortable Scottish Cup win against Dalbeattie Star, whilst last Saturday, Rangers were busy giving our Finance Director heart failure as news filtered through of the score line at Forres. A draw would have seen the Mechanics throw an almighty spanner in the works with a replay being scheduled for this afternoon and today’s league fixture being postponed to a midweek date. As has been widely publicised, our player/manager, Greig McDonald will not be present today given that he has much bigger event to attend – his marriage to his fiancée, Jennifer. By the time you are reading this, she will already be Mrs McDonald. I am disappointed that a small but vociferous number of our supporters have chosen to criticise Greig for arranging his wedding for a Saturday during the football season. I wish to put it on record that Greig made me fully aware of his wedding plans before the Board offered him the Manager’s position on a permanent basis in January. That being the case, any one with a complaint should direct it to me and my Executive Board colleagues. On behalf of everyone at SAFC, I wish Jennifer and Greig health and happiness for today and throughout their married life. Shaun Fagan and Marc McCulloch take over the reins for the period of Greig’s absence and I’ve every confidence in both of them, although I fully expect Greig will be keeping in touch whenever Mrs McDonald gives permission! In other news, Bradley Coyne’s knee operation was a complete success and we wish him all the best for his rehabilitation and ultimate return to full fitness. The Club will support him in every way we can and in return, Bradley has personally assured me that he will “repay” that support by coming back into the first team squad fitter and stronger. No timescale has been put to his return but I know that no one will work harder than Bradley to make it happen as soon as humanly possible. One final message from me with regards to today’s game. I’m delighted that our former chairman and owner, Peter McKenzie, will be in attendance and I know that no one will be prouder and more delighted to see Forthbank Stadium filled to capacity. Peter has remained a faithful supporter of the Club since “retiring” and whilst it’s a worn out cliché, it doesn’t make it any less true that without him there would be no Stirling Albion to play in the Stadium. Have a great afternoon Peter!
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ALBION NEWS LAST TIME Today marks the first league meeting between Stirling Albion and Rangers since season 1967/68, which was our last ever top-flight campaign. We conceded 105 goals in 34 games and racked up only 12 points, winning four matches, drawing four and losing 26, including a 5-0 reverse at Ibrox on March 16, 1968. Rangers won the Annfield clash 4-2 in front of 15,557 fans on November 18, 1967. NEXT TIME We make the journey to Ibrox on Saturday December 8 and are due to welcome Ally McCoist’s team back to Forthbank on Saturday February 2 but that is also Scottish Cup fifthround day and that will take priority if either club are still involved. Our second visit to Ibrox is set for Saturday March 23 but that is an international weekend – Scotland host Wales on the Friday night – and the match may be rearranged if Rangers have sufficient players called up for their respective countries. FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Our Third Division match against Queen’s Park at Hampden, scheduled for Saturday November 24, will now be played on Friday November 23 at 7.30pm. This is part of the Friday night football experiment that has seen a number of SFL games moved to Friday evenings in the last 12 months. LOAN STAR Jordan White has made an impressive start to his Albion career after signing on a three-month loan deal from Falkirk. The 20-year-old netted on his debut in the 4-1 defeat at Berwick and followed it up with a double in the 5-0 Scottish Cup victory over Dalbeattie Star. Jordan has made four substitute appearances for the Bairns this season and scored twice in a recent Stirlingshire Cup tie against Stenhousemuir. He has previously played for Dunfermline, Clyde, Dumbarton & Drogheda. We would like to thank Falkirk FC & Steven Pressley for allowing us to bring Jordan to Forthbank.
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RARELY DULL Fans at today’s game should get their money’s worth – as we have not been involved in a 0-0 draw for 19 months. We have played 62 games without a goalless stalemate since a First Division match against Ross County on March 1, 2011.
DAVIDSON BACK Last season’s top scorer Scott Davidson is available for selection against Rangers after missing the games against Berwick Rangers and Dalbeattie Star due to a two-match ban. Fellow striker Bradley Coyne faces several months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery last month. FORMER BINOS The players who left Forthbank during the summer are now at the following clubs: Alan Cook – Airdrie United John Crawley – Thorniewood United Shaun Dillon – Kilbirnie Ladeside Devon Jacobs – Berwick Rangers Kevin Kelbie – Camelon Juniors Craig McLeish – Montrose Stevie Nicholas – Ballingry Rovers Callum Reidford – Stenhousemuir Darren Smith – Stenhousemuir BIG WIN Our 5-0 Scottish Cup victory at Dalbeattie was our biggest win since we thrashed Stranraer 8-2 in a Second Division game at Stair Park in January 2009. It was our biggest success in the Scottish Cup since we hammered Stranraer 6-0 in 2007/08. TODAY’S OTHER DIV. THREE FIXTURES Clyde v Elgin City Montrose v East Stirlingshire Peterhead v Berwick Rangers Queen’s Park v Annan Athletic DIVISION 3 LEAGUE TABLE Pts 1. Queen’s Park 13 2. Rangers 12 3. Peterhead 10 4. Elgin City 10 5. Clyde 9 6. Berwick Rangers 8 7. Annan Athletic 8 8. East Stirlingshire 6 9. Montrose 5 10. Stirling Albion 3 FULL SCOTTISH CUP DRAW Buckie Thistle or Annan Athletic v Turriff United | Dumbarton v East Stirlingshire Airdrie United v Raith Rovers Stranraer v Queen’s Park | Partick Thistle v Cove Rangers | Forfar Athletic v Clyde or Nairn County Albion Rovers v Greenock Morton Cowdenbeath v Selkirk or Vale of Leithen Edinburgh City v Queen of the South STIRLING ALBION v Deveronvale Inverurie Loco Works v Arbroath | Ayr United v Clachnacuddin | Stenhousemuir v Berwick Rangers | Brechin City v Bonnyrigg Rose | Rangers v Alloa Athletic | Elgin City v East Fife Ties to be played on Sat. November 3
FIXTURE LIST August Sat Aug 4 League Cup R1 Arbroath (A) Sat Aug 11 Annan Athletic (H) Sat Aug 18 Elgin City (A) Sat Aug 25 Clyde (H) September Sat Sep 1 Queen’s Park (H) Sat Sep 15 East Stirlingshire (A) Sat Sep 22 Berwick Rangers (A) Sat Sep 29 Dalbeattie Star (A) October Sat Oct 6 Rangers H Sun Oct 14 Ramsdens Challenge Cup Semi-Final Sat Oct 20 Montrose H Sat Oct 27 Peterhead A Wed Oct 31 League Cup 4 November Sat Nov 3 S.Deveronvale H Sat Nov 10 Annan Athletic A Sat Nov 17 Elgin City H Fri Nov 23 Queen’s Park A December Sat Dec 1 East Stirlingshire H / S.F.A. Cup 4 Sat Dec 8 Rangers A Sat Dec 15 Berwick Rangers H Sat Dec 22 Peterhead H Sat Dec 29 Montrose A January Wed Jan 2 East Stirlingshire A Sat Jan 5 Queen’s Park H Sat Jan 12 Clyde A Sat Jan 19 Annan Athletic H Sat Jan 26 Berwick Rangers A / League Cup Semi-Final February Sat Feb 2 Rangers H / S.F.A..Cup 5 Sat Feb 9 Montrose H Sat Feb 16 Peterhead A Sat Feb 23 Clyde H March Sat Mar 2 Elgin City A / S.F.A. Cup 6 Sat Mar 9 East Stirlingshire H Sun Mar 17 League Cup Final Sat Mar 23 Rangers A Sat Mar 30 Berwick Rangers H April Tue Apr 2 Queen’s Park A Sat Apr 6 Montrose A Sun Apr 7 Ramsdens Challenge Cup Final Sat Apr 13 Peterhead H / S.F.A. Cup Semi-Final Sat Apr 20 Annan Athletic A Sat Apr 27 Elgin City H May Sat May 4 Clyde A
VIEW FROM THE DUG-OUT GREIG MCDONALD “Football is a confidence game, but nobody hands it back to you if you lose it. You’ve got to win it back.”
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ello and welcome back to Forthbank for what I hope will be a more successful month than the one we’ve just endured.
I can’t deny it’s been a horrible start to the season, and I’m very disappointed in the way things have gone. But there’s no point in feeling sorry for ourselves and we need to start winning football matches as soon as we can. September saw us in put in some very disappointing performances, which subsequently led to disappointing results. We haven’t got close to the highs we reached on the opening day of the season (against Annan). In many ways I think that win might’ve been the worst thing that could’ve happened to us. Perhaps after that we thought we could cruise through this league. Since then we’ve had a few reality checks in a row and now we have a crisis of confidence. But now we’ve got to look inside ourselves, because when you’re in a situation like the one we find ourselves in the only way to get out of it is through hard work. So far we’ve not shown enough desire or passion to win football matches. A reluctance to roll up our sleeves and get the job down has really annoyed me. Football is a confidence game, but nobody hands it back to you if you lose it. You’ve got to win it back. Of course this month we face Rangers, and that will be a little bit of a unique situation for the club. There is an aspect of the fixture that we have to enjoy. After all, it’s not every day a club like Stirling Albion faces a team like Rangers. But we’ve seen already that they can be pegged back and stopped, and that’s what
we’ll be aiming to do. We want to compete and win the match, not just be there for the occasion. I won’t be at the match against Rangers as I’m getting married. My wedding was booked long before I was appointed Albion manager, so I feel some of the criticism I’ve been receiving has been unacceptable. I know not all Albion fans are questioning my absence, but it’s disappointing to have fans using my personal life to criticize what I’m doing at the club. Some of the criticism we’ve received regarding our on the field performances has been justified, of course. In football you get criticised at times, and you have to take it on the chin. The results simply haven’t been good enough, but they will change. I want to do well for Stirling Albion and nobody puts more hours into the club than me. I might be a part-time manager but I spend pretty much all my time trying to make us better. I do not want to fail. We’ve got a target where we want to finish this season. There’s no denying we’re behind schedule on achieving that target. But as a club we need to stick together. The management, the players, the executive, the fans, everyone. We can’t tear ourselves up from the inside. It’s not been a good start but we’re trying to make things right, and we need your support along with our hard work to make that happen. Enjoy the game. Greig McDonald
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MATCH REPORT by David Ogilvie
Late Longworth winner sinks Albion at home
Peat McClune McAnespie McCulloch Thom Allison Flood McSorley G Weir Day Ferry
Parry Little Robertson Bradley Brough Keenan Watt Anderson Quinn Longworth Burns
Subs: Filler Ashe McGeachie S Weir Davidson
Subs: Lochhead Sinclair Capuano Smith Shankland
Pictures by Rajmund Bakonyi
1-2 Stirling Albion Flood 10
1st September, 2012 Referee: E. Anderson Att: 740
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ueen’s Park came from behind to claim a deserved win on their first visit to Forthbank since May 2009 as we suffered our third defeat on the trot. Winger Josh Flood gave Albion the perfect start when he headed home a Daly McSorley cross after 10 minutes but James Brough equalised midway through the first half when he lashed the ball home from a tight angle after keeper Mark Peat had made a fantastic save from a header. The Spiders, who stunned SPL side Dundee in the Scottish Communities League Cup on Wednesday, were rewarded for a strong second-half showing when last season’s top scorer Jamie Longworth lifted the ball over Peat to net from close range with just seven minutes left.
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Binos boss Greig McDonald made four changes to the team beaten 1-0 by Clyde. Jamie McCunnie, Danny Ashe, Scott Davidson and Steven Weir
Queen’s Park Brough 21 Longworth 83
made way for Flood, Stephen Day, Marc McCulloch and Daly McSorley, with all four starting their first league match of 2012/13. Stirling did well enough in the first half and it needed a fine stop from Neil Parry to keep out a Mark Ferry header, after Brough had cancelled out Flood’s opener, while early in the second period Day nodded against the top of the crossbar after being picked out by David McClune. Thereafter, though, Gardner Speirs’ team dominated. Longworth, Sean Burns and 17-year-old substitute Lawrence Shankland all passed up good chances but Stirling failed to heed the warnings and Longworth pounced with time running out to leave us with just three points from 12 so far.
MATCH REPORT by David Ogilvie
East Stirling comeback denies the Binos
Hay Jackson Kelly Miller Dunlop Hunter Herd Devlin Turner Greenhill Maxwell
Peat McGeachie Ashe McCulloch Thom Allison Flood McSorley G Weir Davidson Ferry
Subs: Gordon Glasgow Hume Shepherd Begg
Subs: Filler Clark S Weir Day McCunnie
Pictures by Rajmund Bakonyi
3-1 East Stirlingshire Maxwell 70 Greenhill 81 Shepherd 90
15th September, 2012 Referee: G. Duncan Att: 487
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tirling Albion suffered a fourth straight defeat as East Stirlingshire came from behind to win their first league match of the season on a day to forget for the Binos at Ochilview. Scott Davidson was sent off after 27 minutes for aiming a kick at Kevin Turner and, although Mark Ferry gave us the lead early in the second half, three goals in the last 20 minutes from Scott Maxwell, David Greenhill and Nathan Shepherd did the damage. Greig McDonald made three changes to the team beaten 2-1 by Queen’s Park a fortnight ago, with Ross McGeachie and Danny Ashe replacing injured full-backs David McClune and Kieran McAnespie while Davidson got the nod ahead of Stephen Day.
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Albion came close through Gary Thom and Graham Weir before Davidson saw red. The hosts initially struggled to make the extra man count and we took the lead in 55 minutes when Ferry ran clear to fire a low shot beyond Grant Hay.
Stirling Albion
Ferry 55
Turner missed a first-half sitter for the Shire but they were a side transformed as the match wore on and it was no surprise when Scott Maxwell guided a fine shot into the corner for the equaliser with 20 minutes remaining. The woodwork saved Stirling soon after but it was a temporary reprieve. Keeper Mark Peat came a long way for a cross and was beaten to the ball by David Greenhill, whose header rolled into the empty net. Ex-Stranraer winger Nathan Shepherd, who Shire boss John Coughlin credited with changing the game when he came on at half-time, sidestepped a defender to score the third in stoppage time. It was our first defeat in this fixture since a 3-0 setback at Firs Park in February 2002 and ends Albion’s 10-match unbeaten run of nine wins and a draw against our local rivals, who are due at Forthbank on December 1.
MATCH REPORT by David Ogilvie
White-wash for Berwick despite debutant goal
Bejaoui Jacobs Hoskins Townsley Brydon Currie Notman Janczyk Lavery McLaren McDonald
Filler McCunnie McCulloch Thom Allison Flood McSorley G Weir Day Ferry White
Subs: Sandison McLean Gielty Gerguson Addison
Subs: Peat Ashe McGeachie Macpherson S Weir
Pictures by Rajmund Bakonyi
4-1 Berwick Rangers Currie 17 Lavery 45 Ferguson 62, 88
Stirling Albion
22nd September, 2012 Referee: G. Ross Att: 544 White 45
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lbion’s first visit to Shielfield since March 2005 ended in a comprehensive defeat that plunged us to the foot of the Third Division table.
This was a fifth straight loss for the Binos as goals from Lee Currie, Darren Lavery and a second-half double from substitute John Ferguson extended Berwick’s unbeaten home run. In truth, Ian Little’s side could have scored more and our only crumb of comfort on a miserable afternoon was a debut goal from on-loan Falkirk striker Jordan White. Greig McDonald made four changes to the team beaten 3-1 at East Stirlingshire last week. White replaced the suspended Scott Davidson and keeper Sam Filler was selected in place of Mark Peat. Ross McGeachie and Danny Ashe dropped to the bench as Stephen Day and Jamie McCunnie started on an afternoon of glorious sunshine.
There were few chances in the early stages but Berwick took the lead in 17 minutes when Currie, who had a brief spell with us in January 2011, fired home after Fraser McLaren had taken the ball round Filler. White missed a good chance for Albion but the Borderers always looked a threat and in first-half stoppage time ex-Leith Athletic striker Lavery headed in a free-kick after Brian Allison was booked for a conceding a foul wide on the right. Former Cowdenbeath forward Ferguson swept home a cross in 62 minutes to pile on the agony and the same player headed wide before White pounced from close range to pull one back with a quarter of an hour remaining. Mark Ferry almost snatched a second with a spectacular overhead kick but Berwick were largely in control and had the final word when Ferguson coolly beat Filler in 88 minutes after the ball had been nodded into his path.
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MATCH REPORT by David Ogilvie
Demolition job sees Scottish Cup progress
Wright Wilson MacBeth Maxwell MacPherson Ferguson Cameron Harkness Parker Milligan Sloan Subs: Cathro Dingwall Wells Kerr Cook
Filler McCunnie McAnespie McSorley McDonald Allison McClune McCulloch White S Weir Ferry Subs: Peat Thom Flood Brass G Weir
Pictures by Rajmund Bakonyi
0-5 Dalbeattie Star
29th September, 2012 Referee: N. Walsh
Stirling Albion
S Weir (pen) 24, 30 White 53, 66 McDonald 89
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oubles from Steven Weir and Jordan White and a late effort from player/manager Greig McDonald saw us comfortably into the William Hill Scottish Cup third round against the 10-man South of Scotland League leaders.
McClune, Kieran McAnespie and Steven Weir came in for Gary Thom, Josh Flood, Stephen Day and Graham Weir. Scott Davidson was suspended and Bradley Coyne and Gavin Macpherson missed out through injury.
It was our biggest win since we beat Stranraer 8-2 in a Division Two game in January 2009 and ended a run of five straight defeats since we beat Annan 5-1 on the opening day of the league season.
It was an experienced line-up but Dalbeattie, who went into the game unbeaten this season under the stewardship of 27-year-old player/boss John MacBeth, were holding their own until Wilson, a student at Stirling Uni, was dismissed.
The game was goalless until midway through the first half when Star full-back Curtiss Wilson was sent off for handling White’s header on the line - some felt it was already in but it was hard to tell - and Weir bagged his first Albion goal from the spot. Little had happened in the game at picturesque Islecroft Stadium until that point but we took full advantage of the red card as we cruised to our first win in this competition since beating Albion Rovers in January 2010.
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Binos boss McDonald made four changes to the team that lost 4-1 at Berwick. The manager, David
Stirling made the game safe with a quick second from Weir after he was set up by White and the onloan Falkirk hitman got in on the act after the interval, forcing home the third goal from close range after a Mark Ferry assist. White made it 4-0 on 66 minutes when he converted Weir’s cross via the underside of the bar and McDonald added the fifth in the last minute after keeper Graham Wright - who earlier tipped a Ferry drive on to the crossbar and made a stunning stop to keep out a Daly McSorley shot - failed to gather a corner.
Life in the Lower Leagues by Stuart Kenny
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here was something aptly familiar about Ally McCoist’s post-match press conference following his side’s 1-0 victory over Forres Mechanics in the William Hill Scottish Cup. It was indeed a triumph over the Highland League side for the famous Glasgow Rangers, but from the sounds coming from their manager’s mouth afterwards, it was easy to see that is was not a comfortable one. “It was a relief [to get through],” said McCoist. “It’s obviously a bit of a helter-skelter we’re on at the moment this season and that was evident today.” “We will continue to work on things, especially away from home where our level of performance isn’t as high as it should be.” With these short sentences, Rangers entire season was summed up so far. The club are unbeaten in all competitions, have recorded a commendable, and comfortable, cup defeat of a Motherwell side that sat top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at the time, and the side have also beaten Irn Bru First Division side Falkirk both at home and away in various cup competitions. On the face of it this sounds fantastic. However, the chances are that if you ask the Rangers support – or any of your standard football critics - if the men in blue have had a successful season so far, they will undergo an awkward shuffle and declare that it has certainly had its ups and down. In fact, McCoist’s description of the season to date as a ‘helter-skelter’ type experience is a descriptive phrase made with the upmost accuracy. At home, Rangers have seemed unstoppable, as everyone who can engage in basic squad comparison expected them to be. They have rattled in a frightening 21 goals in their six Ibrox ties in this campaign, and conceded only five goals in return. Unfortunately for the loyal Gers’ support however, their form on the road has not been so prolific. McCoist’s men will arrive at Forthbank today yet
to win in any of their three away matches in the bottom tier of Scottish football, and they will also likely come to Stirling clutching a fistful of motivation in an effort to end this statistic today. With tighter pitches than the 54 times league champions are used to playing on, the Rangers side have often struggled to play with width away from home, and with any opponent of the historical side seeming to immediately up their game for the occasion, stern defences and the placing of a wall of players behind the ball have proved successful tactics in foiling the Ibrox attack. The physicality of the Third Division is also proving a challenging obstacle to certain members of the squad, in particular the many youngsters brought into the first team as Ally McCoist’s never ending injury list continued to grow. It is a certainty that at some point this season, McCoist’s side will develop a tactic and learn to play in the constraints placed upon them when they travel to opposition stadiums; whether it be sooner or later. The media and Scottish football fanatics will be on their back until they begin to string together the frequent wins that are constantly demanded of them however, but with a squad brimming with talent both old and young; it is surely only a matter of time until the results begin to flow. Albion meanwhile welcome the Scottish giants on the back of a frustratingly poor start to the season. The Binos recorded a blissful 5-1 victory over Annan Athletic on the opening day of the new campaign, but are yet to taste victory, or anything other than loss, in the division since then. Manager Greig McDonald will be hoping the five goal thumping of Dalbeattie Star will provide the confidence to put an end to this torrid turn of events, but with McCoist’s men clearly regarded as the premier side in the Third Division, getting a result today will be a tough ask for the home side.
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Toasting to triumph Former Binos manager Kevin Drinkell speaks EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Stuart Kenny
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tirling Albion were feeling the strain as the Scottish First Division of 1993/94 began to draw to a close. Relegation was looming, and a 2-1 defeat at Clydebank proved to be the fatal blow in John Brogan’s six year managerial sovereignty at the club. Kevin Drinkell was promoted to caretaker manager to try and solve this problem. The man who had a brief spell as a Binos striker certainly had the playing credentials - 89 goals scored for his local Grimsby Town in eight years, a further successful spell at Norwich and a title winning season spent with Rangers – but this would be the first time he would assume the title of manager. With Scottish Football undergoing a fierce restructuring process at the time, five of the 12 First Division teams would be relegated that season, and the drop came too quickly for Drinkell to turn the club’s fortunes around. “Albion came and asked me to try and dig them out in the few games at the remainder of the season,” said Drinkell. “I did that; unfortunately I couldn’t stave off relegation, but [John] Brogan was replaced and I took over for that short time. “I knew my playing career was coming to an end. At the end of the season I was getting a good response from those players, and I realised I was enjoying it although it was difficult. So when they offered me the chance to continue on and to take over; I took it.” The following season was full of the ups and downs that seem traditional to a season at Forthbank. Albion struggled for much of the
season, but inspired signings in January, including the introduction of defender Gary Paterson, saw the side undergo an inspirational transformation, and embark on a ten match unbeaten run. “I always had a philosophy of the way I wanted to play,” continued Drinkell. “I wanted to play with width, with two wingers. I wanted to get the ball into the box and I wanted to be expansive, and it takes a while for everyone to buy into what you are trying to do. We were a little hit and miss with it up until around Christmas. “I was never afraid to go and give people a chance in the game. Then the club go on and sell them and come away with some money. It was always good but it was always hard work. “The one thing we were lacking at the back
h with Kevin Drinkell to The Albion about struggles and success
before then was somebody big to clear any scrappy balls. We were losing goals from set plays and struggling when anyone put the ball in the box. The signing of Gary [Paterson] provided that, and once he’d helped with that side of it the other defenders became better, the midfield felt a little more comfortable and the forwards got more chances. It all clicks into place then.” The side would agonizingly miss out on promotion that year, losing on the last day of the season to Dumbarton when a singular point in the match would have seen the side promoted ahead of their rivals that day. “At the time it was a kick in the teeth. We were looking comfortable to get the draw, but Gary was stretchered off and it came back
to bite us. I don’t think we had lost a game while he was in the time, and when he was substituted we went on to lose it. “[Dumbarton] were cheering popping the champagne corks down the corridor. I opened the door to it and told the boys to listen, and take it all on board. That’s what you get when you are a winner, and you may feel low now but you have to work hard to make sure that that will be you in the future.” The Binos clearly took every piece of Drinkell’s teachings on board, and the 1995/96 season ahead proved one of the best in the club’s history. Albion had the league secured by Christmas, regularly punishing opponents with pharsical winning margins, and the Championship was eventually claimed with a resounding 14 point margin to spare. “During that time probably my best signing was to get Ray Stewart alongside me,” noted Drinkell. Former Scotland international Stewart was added to the managerial team for the upcoming season, and clearly made a big impact. “I was sure of the attacking side of the game, and what I wanted to achieve, but the more mundane tasks was never my forte. I didn’t want to go out there and help set the back four up but Ray was excellent at that. He took a lot off my shoulders so I could concentrate on how we were going to play on the ball, create chances and score goals.”
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The goals were flying in at Forthbank, and a visit to Rangers in the league cup came close to reaping rewards. Rangers would leave 3-2 victors at the final whistle, but Albion departed with a proud statement of their calibre in the game. “We all got up for it and got the club to invest a couple of pounds and get us a good bus and have a nice meal at a hotel in Glasgow in the build-up. They put out what was a really strong team, and I got a really good reaction from the Rangers supporters when I arrived. When they went three nil up, that was alright for them. “We got a goal back and put them under pressure, and I think the Rangers fans were thinking let’s get the win and get out of here. We were close that day, and it could have been something historical, but it showed what we could achieve if we all stuck together and kept working hard.”
Following promotion to the First Division, Drinkell lead his side to an admirable mid-table finish, and the following year the Binos certainly did record something to write in the red and white record books. Another league cup draw saw Albion annihilate Kilmarnock 6-2, a result that would be a stand out success in a season where the club were narrowly relegated back to the Second Division. “Bobby Williamson had just barely taken over down there and me and Ray were consoling him after the game; he was worried about his job and the rest of it, but two and a half years later or so and he’s the manager of Hibs. It’s a strange old game. “We were really unfortunate when we went down that year; it went down to the last game of the season, or penultimate game. If we had beaten St Mirren then they would have been down.” Drinkell would step down shortly before the end of the 1997/98 season, and despite ending on a black spot in an otherwise exceptional managerial campaign, supporters of the club recall his time in charge with as much joy and respect as he looks back on it with himself. “It was a time that everyone can celebrate and look back on and hope that success will return again. “Stirling are just settling back down again now; getting a new team on the park, getting a bit of consistency, and trying to climb back up the leagues.” Hopefully the Binos can take inspiration from the success of the past, and aim to return to the higher tiers of Scottish football that have previously stood witness to a whole array of Stirling emotions.
Drinkell... on Rangers A erial striking force Kevin Drinkell made his move to Ibrox in 1988, fresh off a spell at Norwich that had seen him net an impressive 50 goals in 121 games. The Englishman would record a league cup victory in his first season at Rangers, as well as triumphing in what would be the first of the Glasgow side’s nine top flight league titles in a row. Drinkell is confident that Rangers will recover from their Scottish Premier League demotion, and return to the top ranks of the national football leagues once more. “They will get back,” he said. “That’s the power and the size of the club. It is a shock to the system of everyone that they are finding it as difficult as they are, but another kick up the bum should sort them out, and they better do that quickly.” During his successfilled season, Drinkell netted 12 times in 36 matches under Graeme Souness, and was a frequent starter at the club as Rangers dismissed their opposition to finish six points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the table. Drinkell said: “That first year everything dropped into place; a couple of new players came in and Butcher was back from injury. We went on and really
dominated the league to the end, and that was the start of what turned into nine in a row. “I was lucky enough that I managed to score in my first Old Firm game, so that initiated me with the fans. We won 5-1 and we pushed on through the season and it proved a sign of things to come.” The man who went on to manage Albion earned his move to the famous Scottish club on the back of impressive long term goal scoring records at both Grimsby Town and Norwich City. Drinkell’s antics were even so impressive whilst at Carrow Road that he attracted the attention of both Tottenham Hotsper and a Manchester United side that had just entered their first period of management under Sir Alex Ferguson. “The build up to it was a couple of really
good years at Norwich,” added Drinkell. “It was prior to freedom of movement and the rest of it, so as much as I turned down Manchester United, they made offers or intimated they wanted to do something, and I was told ‘no’. Where I turned it down as such is that I never went and played up. “When [Manchester United] paid money for Steve Bruce, my roommate at the time, it was the opposite, he said to Norwich ‘don’t stand in my way’ and obviously he got the move and had a great time there. “The players today would bang on the manager’s door and say ‘I’m out of here’ and it is maybe to my detriment I didn’t do that. I was contracted to Norwich and they had looked after me and they were good to me. I was enjoying it and my wife and children were enjoy-
ing living there, so it is sort of down to the fact that I didn’t bang any doors.” Since finishing him involvement with football after a period in charge of Montrose, Drinkell has set up a Sports Management Service, and is currently the agent for some of the Scottish Premier League’s top players. The player originally got involved in the business after helping out former Stirling Albion men Stevie Nicholas and Eddie Forrest following Motherwell’s financial issues. “Funnily enough, it comes back to Stevie and Eddie when they found themselves at Motherwell, and when they went bust they gave me a ring to see if I could help. “I made some calls to clubs to say ‘what about giving these boys a chance’ and then I was rung up and told I shouldn’t be doing that; I’m not a registered agent so I shouldn’t be promoting and moving players around. “Being as belligerent as I have always been, I said ‘well, what do I need to be and agent?’ I went and sat the test and got all my assurances in place, did those deals and then something else popped up. I found myself doing more and more of it.”
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THE DEEP END
“
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT’S ANOTHER LEAGUE GAME FOR US AND IT’S ONE WE NEED TO TAKE POINTS FROM, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER GAME.
GRAHAM RUTHVEN CATCHES UP WITH
Brian Allison
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“
Captain Brian Allison spoke to Gra- As a defender you can see everyham Ruthven about the Binos dis- thing on the pitch. What is it specifisapointing start to the season, and cally that’s gone wrong? how he hopes things start to pick up. To be honest I’m not sure where GR: Is it fair to say it’s been a dis- to pin point the problem. I just think appointing start to the season? How we’re having a difficult time of it right have you seen it? now and with the couple of heavy defeats we’ve suffered the confidence BA: It’s definitely been disappoint- is down. But it’s up to us to get that ing. That’s the only way to see it re- confidence back. Only results and ally. After the first game (against An- performances will raise confidence, nan) everyone was flying high, but and only we can achieve that. from then on we’ve, quite frankly, underperformed, both individually Next up in the league is Rangers. Is and collectively. So we’ll be looking that a game you’re relishing? to rectify that. Obviously it’s great for a club like
Stirling Albion to play against a team like Rangers. The standard of the players they’ve got and the size of the club means it’ll be a big day for the club, so yes, we are relishing it. But at the end of the day it’s another league game for us and it’s one we need to take points from, just like any other game.
Before the season the aim for the team seemed to be a play-off place. It’s been a poor start, but is that still the ambition?
I can only speak personally, because it’s not been spoken about in the dressing room, but for me it’s got to be the ambition. We’re a big club Are the two upcoming home games that’s come down the divisions, we’ve crucial to turning round the poor run got to be looking to get back up there of form? and having been captain for the past two seasons we’ve got to have ambiI think so. I think every game is cru- tions to get out of the Third Division. cial when you’ve been on a run like ours, so we’ll be looking to get points from wherever we can, and we need to fight for them. They’re not going to come easy.
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The John Hartson Foundation has been set up through the determination of John himself as he continues to battle through his horrendous ordeal, this is the character of the man, his main focus will be to openly offer his experience in going through a traumatic time since he was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer after ignoring a lump for 4 years, John admits himself that if he was aware of how easy it was to get checked and that Testicular Cancer is over 90% curable if caught early enough he probably would not have had to go through the brain operations, lung operations and over 60 sessions of chemotherapy. The aims and objectives of the Foundation will be to raise awareness of Testicular Cancer and how easy and most of all how important it is to check yourself on a regular basis, the foundation will also raise funds to provide cancer organisations more support throughout the UK.
w w w. johnh a r tso nfo unda ti o n.c o m
STIRLING ALBION f.c. HAVE A
PHENOMENAL SEASON PROUD SPONSORS OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PLAYER QUICK QUIZ with Marc McCulloch Date of birth: 14/03/80
Age: 32
Position: Midfielder Albion debut: Deveronvale 1-3 Stirling Albion, Ramsdens Cup R1, 23/07/11 Where did you start your career? St Johnstone was my first professional club. I played for Musselburgh Union Boys Club before that. Where do you live? Just outside Motherwell but I’m originally from Edinburgh. What do you work as outside of football? I am a consultant for I-Salon - a company that specialise in salon software. What’s the best goal you’ve scored? Stranraer away in the Scottish Cup for St Johnstone. I smashed one in the top corner from 20 yards… then scored an own goal with my next touch! Biggest influence on your career? My dad Ray has supported me in everything I have done. Best ground played at? Parkhead and Ibrox Most difficult opponent? Henrik Larsson was incredible. I played in his comeback game. We were beaten 4-1 and he scored a hat-trick! Do you have a pre-match ritual? Not really, although I always have chicken and wholemeal pasta on a Friday night. What’s the best thing about being a footballer? Playing the game. Sometimes people get caught up in everything outside what happens for 90 minutes, but when you’re on the pitch you can forget it all. What’s the last football match you went to see? I went to watch Queen’s Park v Dundee at Hampden the week before we played them. Who are your best pals in football? I am still very close with everybody that I grew up with at St Johnstone, but Kieran McAnespie is the closest. We have lived together in four different houses in three different cities and he is also best man for my wedding in December.
Worst dressed player at the club? Some of the young boys’ gear is torture! Danny Ashe turns up to nightspots looking like Clark Kent and Jamie Clark has to text Bradley Coyne to find out what he should wear for a night out. But Kieran McAnespie wins - we went to a Stag Do in June and he wore a bow tie – it wasn’t even his Stag. Who’s the joker in the dressing room? A lot of funny boys in the dressing room but myself, David McClune, Jamie McCunnie and Kieran McAnespie are normally the sharpest with jokes and comebacks. Josh Flood tells us he is funny but he also tells us he is the best looking! What would be your perfect weekend? Now it would involve a quiet wee log cabin with my fiancée Suzi and daughter Sophie just relaxing. Nine months ago it would have been in Newcastle with all the guys and feeding Shaun Fagan a fine selection of fruit! If you could have three people over for dinner, who would they be? Will Ferrell, (funny, funny man) Paul Gascoigne (amazing footballer and a nutter in his day) and Mila Kunis (enough said)! Who would be your dream date? Mila Kunis. She wouldn’t even need to speak, I would just look at her! What was the last film you went to see? The Dark Knight Rises What’s your favourite band/musician? Love anything that you can run to but mostly RnB. Favourite food? Chicken - give me anything with chicken and it’s got a chance Favourite TV programme? Still love Friends and of course Match of the Day Any interesting hobbies? Three jobs, a house, fiancée and a kid - I don’t have time for hobbies, although I will watch any football that is live! Which Suzi loves…
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RANGERS FC ALB I O N AT H O M E
SATURDAY OCT. 6TH 3PM K.O
preview
I
t goes without saying that Rangers have endured a traumatic period in their history of late, but the Ibrox club are already building for the future. It would be a major surprise if the Glasgow side do not lift the Third Division trophy come spring, despite a start that was perhaps slower than they would have liked.
Manager Ally McCoist has had to deal with a mass exodus of hugely talented players, but has made some shrewd signings as the club begin their ascent back to the top flight. Midfielder Ian Black was excellent for Hearts last season and offers drive in the middle of the park while his former Tynecastle team-mate David Templeton, currently injured, can light up any game. Fran Sandaza netted 14 SPL goals for St Johnstone last season and will be another key player when he returns from injury, and Kevin Kyle is one of the biggest aerial threats in the country when he can find full fitness. Attacking midfielder Dean Shiels was Kilmarnock’s leading marksman last term and helped the Rugby Park club lift the League Cup. McCoist has also turned to the foreign market to add the likes of Frenchman Sebastien Faure, Brazilian Emilson Cribari and Anestis Argyriou of Greece. Rangers were not at their best away from home in some of their early matches but have been virtually untouchable at Ibrox, with the highlight of the season so far being a well-deserved 2-0 win over Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Motherwell in the Scottish Communities League Cup, which earned them a place in the quarter-finals at the end of this month. This is our first league meeting with Rangers since season 1967/68 – which was our last campaign in the top flight – and we have only beaten them once in our history. We are looking forward to our visit to Ibrox on Saturday December 8 and are due to return there on March 23, 2013 but that game falls on an international weekend and could therefore be postponed if Rangers have a number of call-ups. Our second Forthbank fixture against the men from Govan is scheduled for February 2 but that could also end up on a midweek date as it clashes with round five of the Scottish Cup.
SQUAD BRIEFING
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CLUB FACTFILE
THE GAFFER
THE SKIPPER
GOAL THREAT
Ally McCoist, who celebrated his 50th birthday last month, needs little introduction. Rangers’ record goalscorer began his career with St Johnstone and moved on to Sunderland before John Greig brought him to Ibrox in 1983, where he was to remain until joining Kilmarnock in the twilight of his playing career in 1998. McCoist won a stack of honours during a trophyladen career that saw him net an incredible 355 times for Rangers. He was European Golden Boot winner more than once and was part of the squad that came so close to reaching the Champions League final in 1992/93. He also won 61 caps for Scotland and scored a memorable goal against Switzerland at Euro 96 – one of 19 for his country. He was later part of the Scotland coaching staff and was assistant to Walter Smith at Ibrox before taking over in his own right in the summer
Lee McCulloch took the armband when United States defender Carlos Bocanegra left to join Racing Santander at the end of the transfer window. Now 34, the former Scotland internationalist, who earned 18 caps and scored against Ukraine in a Euro 2008 qualifier, has been immense since Walter Smith brought him to the club from Wigan Athletic in July 2007. McCulloch began his career as a striker with Motherwell and has already reached double figures for Rangers this season. He can also play in midfield or at the back and that versatility and will to win has made him a huge favourite.
Lee McCulloch (see skipper) is top scorer for the Light Blues this season but Northern Ireland internationalist Andy Little also looks like being a key man. The 23-yearold, like McCulloch, can play in a number of positions but was among the goals until injury ruled him out and it could be that today comes too soon for the former Port Vale loan star. Little bagged a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over East Stirlingshire in August and weighed in with five goals from 10 SPL appearances last term. One striker definitely out is Fran Sandaza. The former St Johnstone hitman suffered a fractured cheekbone in the recent League Cup win over Motherwell.
Founded: 1872 Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Nickname: The Gers Manager: Ally McCoist Records: Record win: 14-2 v Blairgowrie, Scottish Cup, January 1934 Record crowd: 118,567 v Celtic, Division One, January 1939 Most league appearances: 496, John Greig Most goals: 355, Ally McCoist Honours: European Cup Winners’ Cup winners: 1971/72 European Cup Winners’ Cup runnersup: 1966/67 UEFA Cup runners-up: 2007/08 League champions: 54 times (last in 2010/11) Scottish Cup winners: 33 times (last in 2008/09) League Cup winners: 27 times (last in 2010/11)
SQUAD
results/fixtures JULY 29 RC1 BRECHIN CITY (A) W 2-1 (AET) AUG 7 LC1 EAST FIFE (H) W 4-0 AUG 11 D3 PETERHEAD (A) D 2-2 AUG 18 D3 EAST STIRLINGSHIRE (H) W 5-1 AUG 21 RC2 FALKIRK (A) W 1-0 AUG 26 D3 BERWICK RANGERS (A) D 1-1 AUG 30 LC2 FALKIRK (H) W 3-0 SEP 2 D3 ELGIN CITY (H) W 5-1 SEP 15 D3 ANNAN ATHLETIC (A) D 0-0 SEP 18 RCQF QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (H) D 2-2 (LOST 4-3 ON PENS) SEP 23 D3 MONTROSE (H) W 4-1 SEP 26 LC3 MOTHERWELL (H) W 2-0 SEP 29 SC2 FORRES MECHANICS (A) W 1-0 OCT 6 D3 STIRLING ALBION (A) OCT 20 D3 QUEEN’S PARK (H)
Fraser Aird Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 02/02/95 Previous club: Markham SC Neil Alexander Position: Goalkeeper Date of birth: 10/03/78 Previous club: Ipswich Town Anestis Argyriou Position: Defender Date of birth: 04/01/88 Previous club: AEK Athens Ian Black Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 14/03/85 Previous club: Hearts Darren Cole Position: Defender Date of birth: 03/01/92 Previous club: Rangers Youths Robbie Crawford Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 19/03/93 Previous club: Rangers Youths Emilson Cribari Position: Defender Date of birth:
06/03/80 Previous club: Cruzeiro Sebastien Faure Position: Defender Date of birth: 03/01/91 Previous club: Lyon Scott Gallacher Position: Goalkeeper Date of birth: 15/07/89 Previous club: Rangers Youth Chris Hegarty Position: Defender Date of birth: 13/08/92 Previous club: Rangers Youths Kane Hemmings Position: Forward Date of birth: 08/04/92 Previous club: Tamworth Kyle Hutton Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 05/02/91 Previous club: Rangers Youths Kevin Kyle Position: Forward Date of birth: 07/06/81 Previous club: Hearts
Andy Little Position: Forward Date of birth: 12/05/89 Previous club: Rangers Youths Lewis MacLeod Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 16/06/94 Previous club: Rangers Youths
Date of birth: 07/02/90 Previous club: Rangers Youths Fran Sandaza Position: Forward Date of birth: 30/11/84 Previous club: St Johnstone
Dean Shiels Position: Midfielder Pictures Lee McCulloch Dateby ofDeena birth: Mobbs Position: Midfielder 01/02/85 Date of birth: Previous club: Kilmar14/05/78 nock Previous club: Wigan Athletic Francesco Stella Position: Forward Barrie McKay Date of birth: Position: Forward 25/07/91 Date of birth: Previous club: Siena 30/12/94 Previous club: Kilmar- David Templeton nock Position: Midfielder Date of birth: Andrew Mitchell 07/01/89 Position: Midfielder Previous club: Hearts Date of birth: 06/04/92 Lee Wallace Previous club: ManPosition: Defender chester City Date of birth: 01/08/87 Kal Naismith Previous club: Hearts Position: Forward Date of birth: Kamil Wiktorski 18/02/92 Position: Midfielder Previous club: RangDate of birth: ers Youths 12/03/93 Previous club: Ross Perry Zawisza Bydgoszcz Position: Defender
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STIRLING ALBION VS RANGERS:
A HISTORY
by Jim Thomson
First meeting
The first meeting between Stirling Albion and Glasgow Rangers took place on Monday 8 September 1947, when the men in blue sent a reserve team to play the Binos in a charity match at Carronbank Park, Denny, in aid of the local YMCA. The Albion side featured a trialist centre half, Duncan Stanners who joined Rangers a fortnight later. Duncan spent 9 years with Rangers, and joined Albion on loan in December 1955, returning to Ibrox in April 1956. Albion paid £750 to sign him permanently in August of 1956. Duncan was not the first ‘Ger to end up in Stirling though, that honour goes to Ralph Cowan, a Rangers player from 1938 to 1945, who had a short spell with Dumbarton before signing for the Binos in February of 1946. Ralph played for Fulham and Chelsea during the war and became Albion coach in 1949. Playing On the playing side, the first competitive game between the teams was a Scottish A Division League tie on 26th November 1949. 46,000 fans turned out at Ibrox to watch Albion defeated 2-1 by the home side. Geordie “happy feet” Dick scored the goals for Albion. Stirling Albion would record their only ever victory over Glasgow Rangers four years later, in September of 1953. The league tie saw the Binos come out 2-0 victors in the historic win. Infamous game
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The most infamous event in the history between the Clubs took place on 28 August 1954. Rangers were leading 2-0 in a League Cup tie when Willie Woodburn committed, what was described at the time, as a “particularly bad foul”. In fact, people attending the game described it as a dreadful head butt on young Alex Paterson, who was making his debut for the Albion. To make matters worse, it took place in the 89th minute with Rangers coasting to victory at Ibrox. In September 1954 Woodburn was given the ultimate sanction possible, a sine die
suspension. The decision was though to be harsh but Woodburn had already been warned about his behaviour and the decision was based on his disciplinary record as well as the bizarre ordering off. The player would appeal the decision six months later, and SFA representatives voted 19-11 to have the case reviewed. The ban was lifted three years later but by this time Woodburn was 37 years old and decided not to play again.
Rangers to Stirling Stirling Albion did not have too many players sign directly from Rangers, two who did were Billy Simpson, a Northern Ireland internationalist and Ibrox hero Eric Caldow, who did enough in his 40 caps for the Scottish international side to work his way in to the hall of fame. Simpson had a tremendous scoring record with Rangers but was unable to repeat his goal scoring exploits with the Albion. He played less than ten games before transferring to Partick Thistle in November of 1959. Eric Caldow was persuaded to join the Albion thanks to his friendship with Albion manager, Sammy Baird, himself an ex ‘Ger. Caldow’s international career ended when he suffered a broken leg in three places in a 2-1 win against England at Wembley in 1963. It took him almost a year to recover. Released by Rangers, he spent one season with the Albion before retiring to take up a managerial post with Corby Town. Stirling to Rangers Only one Stirling Albion player made the move in the opposite direction, when Rangers paid £12,000 to sign George Young, as understudy to Peter McCloy. George managed only 2 league games before his transfer to Dunfermline. Young holds the record of most appearances as a goalkeeper with Stirling Albion, 443 appearances and 134 shut outs. He also holds the record with most League consecutive appearances – racking up an impressive 171 match appearances in a row. Rangers have provided the opposition on a number of occasions in friendly matches, dating back to the first game in 1947. Two
that stick out are the testimonial match for Mark McGeown, in July 1998 and the recent testimonial match for former chairman – Peter McKenzie. One game also gained notoriety when fans were locked out. Billed as a closed door game, word got out that Paul Gascoine would be making his debut at Forthbank in July 1995. It was indeed closed doors and no one got entry. Rumour has it that photographers were using telephoto lenses from the Wallace Monument. A selection of former Rangers players who also played for the Albion – Donald McDonald (RH) – Rangers player 1946 to 1951, initially on loan from Rangers, November 1947. Joined Dumbarton in 1951 for one season, then with the Albion, finishing his senior career back at Boghead. Billy Williamson (CF) – A Rangers signing in 1941, he played over 60 games and scored 41 goals in his spell after the war. Billy joined St Mirren for two seasons, then finished his professional career at Annfield, moving to Queens Park in 1956. Derek Grierson (IF) – Signed by Rangers in 1952 from Queens Park, Derek had a great goalscoring record for a midfielder. In his first season at Ibrox he scored 31 goals in 44 games. Albion tried to sign him in 1956 but he preferred to join Falkirk, where he played for 4 seasons before moving to Arbroath. Albion eventually got their man in June of 1960 but it didn’t work out and Derek was on his way to Forfar in October of 1960. Dennis Setterington (OR) – Dennis joined the ‘Gers from Bo’ness as a provisional signing in 1961, making his debut in 1965. A fringe player, he joined Falkirk in the summer of 1970. Dennis had 3 good seasons at Brockville, with injury ruling him out of the side in 1974. The Albion took the risk and signed him in 1974, he played 2 seasons at Annfield, before retiring in 1976. A number of loan signings have joined from Rangers – Lindsey Hamilton (GK), who had 2 spells in 1989; Robert Giacomi (GK) and most recently Stephen Stirling, January 2011.
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the scrapbook stirling albion vs rangers
vs.
Remember time we beat THE ONLY AND ONLY It would be a massive upset if we beat Rangers today but it has happened before – albeit only once! You have to go back 49 years for our only win against the Light Blues – September 26, 1953 to be exact. Two club legends were in the dug-outs. Tom Fergusson, the driving force behind the formation of Stirling Albion in 1945, was in charge of the Binos while Bill Struth was nearing the end of his incredible trophy-laden era at Ibrox. He would make way for Scot Symon at the end of the 1953/54 season.
was Airdrie and Hamilton Accies who were relegated. It might not have been a vintage season but that sole success over Rangers rightly created headlines. STIRLING ALBION IN 1953/54 + Admira Wien became the first foreign side to play at Annfield. They received a £500 guarantee to play and were later entertained to dinner at the Golden Lion Hotel. We won the match 5-1. + We enjoyed a good run in the Scottish Cup before losing 4-3 to Celtic in front of a crowd of 26,300 at Annfield. + One of the highlights of the season was a 6-0 win over Hamilton Accies. At the time it was our biggest top-flight victory but we bettered it by thrashing St Mirren 7-0 in 1959/60.
We had lost all four of our previous encounters with the Glasgow club and have picked up only four draws against Rangers since this momentous day. An away win was widely anticipated, particularly as we had lost 2-0 to Falkirk the + The Boxing Day trip to Aberdeen previous week, but a crowd of 19,500 didn’t provide much festive cheer – we witnessed a shock result. lost 8-0. Jimmy Chalmers, who netted 14 times that season along with Archie Kelly, opened the scoring with a shot that deflected in off Willie Woodburn midway through the first half. Dick Whitehead’s long-range effort sealed the points on a day when Woodburn was sent off for the visitors.
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Our joy was short-lived. Hearts thrashed Stirling 6-1 a week later and we went on to finish third from bottom, although it
+ Albion created a sensation in October 1953 by offering a British record transfer fee for Hibernian and Scotland forward Lawrie Reilly. Had he signed for Albion, then he would have been transferred again the next day for a substantial profit to a team Hibs were refusing to deal with!
... that one Rangers?... THE FOOTBALL WORLD IN 1953/54
THE LAST THREE MEETINGS
+ Celtic claimed the title, with Hearts second, Partick Thistle third and Rangers fourth.
Since the last league encounter between the teams in 1967/68, Stirling Albion and Rangers have met three times in the two major cup competitions.
+ Celtic also won the Scottish Cup, with East Fife lifting the League Cup.
+ In February 1978, Alex Smith’s side, who finished fifth in Division One that + Motherwell were Division B champi- season, produced an excellent perforons. mance at Ibrox but went down 1-0 to a Derek Johnstone goal in the fourth + Wolves finished ahead of West round of the Scottish Cup in front of Brown and Huddersfield to be crowned 15,304 fans. Rangers went on to claim English champions. Liverpool finished the treble. bottom of the table and were relegated. West Brom won the FA Cup. + In August 1987, Rangers won a League Cup tie 2-1 at neutral Brock+ England were famously beaten 6-3 ville as Annfield was not allowed for by Hungary at Wembley. cup ties due to our artificial pitch. A crowd of 11,518 saw Graeme Souness’ SOME UK EVENTS IN 1953 team edge it 2-1 with goals from Mark Falco and a certain Ally McCoist. Davie + Prime Minister Winston Churchill re- Thompson scored our goal. ceives a Knighthood. + In August 1995, a crowd of 36,685 + The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II rolled up to Ibrox for a League Cup takes place at Westminster Abbey. third-round tie. It was a remarkable match, which Walter Smith’s side won + Post-war sugar rationing comes to 3-2 despite an incredible comeback an end. from Kevin Drinkell’s team and we missed a great chance to force extra + Frankie Laine tops the charts with “I time. Goals from Mark Hateley, Stuart Believe” for a record 18 weeks. McCall and Ally McCoist had Rangers in command but Craig Taggart and Steve + Ben Hogan wins the British Open McCormick replied and Andy Goram Golf at Carnoustie. wasn’t in too much of a hurry to take his goal kicks as the seconds counted down!
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*DATA CORRECT AS OF 01/10/12 STATS COLLATED FROM BBC SPORT
STATS INFOGRAPHIC
PTS WON/ PTS AVAILABLE 3/18 | 17%
DAVIDSON
AVERAGE GOALS PER GAME
1. 5 G OA L S / GA ME
GOALS SCORED GOALS CONCEDED 9 14
G.WEIR
FLOOD
7
‘Number of different goalscorers for Stirling in Division Three
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