Reds aim to add to Stranraer's blues

Jan 23 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion travel to Stranraer tomorrow, with the Second Division’s bottom club admitting they might not even be in business by the end of the season.

The cash-strapped Blues, formed way back in 1870, are fighting for their lives with big debts and dwindling support. Only 200 fans turned up for their last home game – a 4-0 defeat by East Fife just before Christmas.

Derek Ferguson’s men have won just twice all season, most recently at East Fife on October 4, but their other victory was against the Binos at Stair Park in August when Gregory Tade netted a late winner.

The Frenchman was also on target as Stranraer went down 3-2 at Forthbank in early November when Albion were lucky to claim all three points and boss Allan Moore insists there is no danger of complacency tomorrow.

“There is no chance of that,” he said. “Stranraer might have struggled this season but they have done well against us. It’s a massive game because it’s no use beating the likes of Raith and Ayr and not doing the business against the teams below you in the table. We have dropped too many points like that already.

“Our good run has given us a chance of the play-offs and we have a big game at Brechin coming up as well. East Fife and Peterhead are just ahead of us and I thought Peterhead played poorly when they lost to Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup the other night.”

East Fife, currently in fourth, may be more difficult to dislodge but Albion are only three points behind Dave Baikie’s team and have a game in hand at home to Alloa. The Reds have won four of their last five outings but have a poor recent record at Stair Park and Stranraer lost only 2-1 at leaders Raith on Saturday.

Even a home win tomorrow might not ultimately save the Blues from relegation but chairman Nigel Redhead will just be glad if they can stay alive.

He told the BBC Sport website: “We’re really struggling and operating week-to-week. It’s about 50/50 that we’ll go out of business at the end of the season. We’re looking at ways to raise money but there’s nothing concrete right now, and I’m not 100% confident.

“We’re only really paying the players’ wages, but the wage bill is the actual killer at the moment – it’s about £250,000 each year. I think that you’ve got so much football on TV that people don’t want to come out and watch our type of football.”

Three points are vital for Stirling tomorrow but they must do without skipper Ross Forsyth, who has picked up a three-match ban after being sent off in the 2-0 win over Ayr. The SFA have also confirmed that Liam Corr is suspended following his dismissal in an U19 match on Sunday.

Winger Nathan Taggart remains out with an injury and the only change to the team is likely to see David Lowing return at left-back in place of Forsyth. Moore could move Stewart Devine to defence and bring in another midfielder but is probably keen to alter a winning team as little as possible.

“It’s a really big blow that Ross is out for three games because I think having him and Andy Graham back has made a difference,” said Moore, who is still looking to bring a striker to the club before the transfer window closes.

He added: “I spoke to Davie Irons at Morton and they were willing to let Iain Russell go out on loan but he didn’t want to come which is disappointing. He wouldn’t have been guaranteed a game because Martin Grehan and David McKenna are playing well but he does have a bit of pace which is always useful.”

The former Dumbarton and Brechin hitman has been a man the Albion fans have loved to hate over the years but he has often impressed against the Binos and would be a useful addition at a key point in the campaign.

Mark Roberts was this week released by Partick Thistle and Moore is a fan of the 33-year-old, who has also played for Kilmarnock and Airdrie, among others: “I plan to speak to Gerry Britton about him but it could well be that Mark would rather stay full-time with another club. We’ll keep an eye on it.”