Binos end the year at Montrose

Dec 28 2012 by David Ogilvie, Stirling Observer

Stirling Albion are aiming to end a disappointing 2012 on a high when they face Montrose at Links Park tomorrow (Saturday).

It’s been a difficult year for the Binos, who were relegated from Division Two and currently find themselves at the foot of the Third Division despite a remarkable win over Rangers in October.

Recent signs have been encouraging, though, and Greig McDonald takes his squad north after back-to-back wins over Berwick Rangers and Peterhead at Forthbank, which cut the gap on second-bottom East Stirlingshire to one point ahead of the local derby at Ochilview on January 2.

The Binos haven’t managed three wins in a row since April 2010 and were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Montrose at Forthbank in October. Stuart Garden’s team are fourth in the table and have lost just twice at home - their last fixture was a 2-2 draw at East Stirling on December 19.

Stirling will have to do without top scorer Jordan White. The 20-year-old on-loan Falkirk striker took his tally for the season to seven goals with the winner from the penalty spot against Peterhead on Saturday but was sent off for picking up a second yellow card in the final minute.

McDonald will need to decide whether to change his formation from the 4-4-2 system that has worked well in recent weeks or stick with it and draft in Steven Weir or Gary Brass to partner Scott Davidson up front in White’s absence.

Danny Ashe and Jamie Clark have both returned to training but the Montrose match may come too soon as Stirling pay their first league visit to Links Park since a 4-1 triumph in February 2004.

Meanwhile, Stirling Albion have appointed George Craig, former managing director of Falkirk, to undertake a community engagement project that will culminate in the full-time appointment of SAFC’s Community Engagement/Football Development Manager.

Operations Director Stuart Brown said: “The club executive board have signed off George’s project plan and he has already set about the sizeable task of engaging with all of our internal and external partners to ensure that all relevant parties have the opportunity to contribute towards ensuring that the project delivers the best possible outcomes for Stirling Albion FC.

“Every possible income stream will be explored and we are already engaged with the SFL to ensure we maximise access to and usage of the Scottish Government’s funding that is available this season through their sponsorship of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

“While we have a comprehensive list of the parties we wish to engage with, the club would be delighted to hear from anyone who feels they have something to add. I would ask that they contact the club by telephone or e-mail in the first instance.

“A finite completion date for the project and the subsequent start date for the community engagement/football development manager will be determined by ongoing review of the information being collated and further updates will be made public at regular intervals.”