As we all know Stirling Albion Football Club is for sale. Chairman Peter McKenzie has announced to the world on several occasions that he is looking to step down and be relieved of his majority shareholding in the club. Talk of mystery consortiums has come and gone and despite the chairman hanging on for a white knight to charge over the horizon the offers simply haven't materialised. It's clear Peter wants out so maybe it's down to the fans to give him his wish. How do we do this though ? Peter won't give the club away and we need to show him we mean business and that we really are the people to lead the club into the future.

Therefore at this crucial moment in the history of Stirling Albion FC the fans have come together to act. Driven by the Supporters Trust, the Supporters Club, Young Reds, Websites and fans old and new have united. Backed by our own team of legal experts and campaign professionals we will never have a better chance of giving our club the future we all think it deserves. For months now ideas, options, proposals and suggestions have been discussed until a plan for taking the club forward was agreed. It's now time to get YOU involved and so we are therefore pleased to announce what could well be one of the most important meetings in our clubs recent history. For reasons of legality, confidentiality and publicity we cannot go into too much detail at this point in time. All we can promise is you will not be disappointed with what you see.

Where - King Robert Hotel, Glasgow Road, Bannockburn
When - Wednesday 6th May - 7.00pm for a 7.15pm start
What - Campaign for Community ownership of Stirling Albion
Why - We can’t do it without YOU!!

If you have any interest in the future of Stirling Albion and it’s place in our community we would plead with you to attend. We’re not too proud to beg. Please, please take the time to be there and to help play your part in shaping the future of Stirling Albion.

Bring a friend, bring your family, bring a neighbour. Bring anyone you know who runs a business in the town or anyone who has even the smallest of soft spots for the Albion. Everybody is welcome. Please be assured this is not a gimmick. This campaign has been months in the planning and is in our opinion possibly the one and only chance the fans and community will get to have a say in the running of their team. This is not about egos or making names for ourselves. This is about the long term security and viability of Stirling Albion Football Club. Hopefully this is something we all feel equally passionate about.

Look forward to seeing you on the 6th May.

Please feel free to contact us at info@safcst.org.uk if you have any queries about the meeting.

Stirling Albion Supporters Trust
www.safcst.org.uk

After the confusion of the last fixture details, Stirling Albion has confirmed three new dates with the teams involved. They are:

Stirling v Alloa Athletic - Tues 3 March - 7.30pm

Stirling v Peterhead - Tues 17 March - 7.30pm

Stirling v East Fife - Sat 28 March - 3.00pm

Please disregard the previous news about the outstanding games at home to East Fife and Alloa Athletic being re-arranged. The clubs involved could not agree on the dates and they are still to be announced. As the game at home to Peterhead last Saturday was also postponed due to a frozen pitch, it now means Stirling face a hectic March in which all these game will have to be played!

With no scheduled SFL Irn Bru League fixture due, the Under 19 team took the opportunity of a friendly game against Arbroath FC on Friday night at Forthbank. The exercise proved worthwhile in keeping the team ticking over as they await the start of the Youth League Cup. Team coaches Dave Binne and Graeme Donald also took the chance to look at a trialist and four of the current Under 17 squad with a view to planning for next season. Stirling made a bright start and after a few missed chances early on they took a deserved lead when full back Mark Miller burst forward to set up Mark Robinson in the box. Robinson's powerful left foot strike thundered home to put the Binos in front. Centre forward Johnnie Chalk was quick to react to a goalkeeping error to lob home a second goal soon after and the same player grabbed his second and Stirling's third before the break. Arbroath resorted to some strong arm play to stay in the game in the second half and although there were no further goals youngsters from the 17's team , Mikey Burns, Gary Currie, Andy Hunter and goalkeeper Darren Dolan all played well in the second period. Next Friday night may see a game between the 17's squad and the 19's squad with forward planning for next season in mind.

The 13's team met Dumbarton on Sunday and gave a good indication of their excellent improvement since the start of the season. Beaten quite easily in the first game of the season and then again in a closer game between the teams before Xmas, Stirling played some great football in a well contested match on Sunday. Trialist Ian McIntyre scored after his first attempt was blocked but Dumbarton equalised soon after. Chris Ogilvie fired the young team in front with a great left footed shot from the edge of the box after a good lay off from Scott Mclay. Dumbarton took command of the second period and came from behind to take the lead. Before the end of the second period Stirling equalised with a great move which started in the left back area, saw play transfer to the mid field and then out to the right wing before Liam Blair's excellent cross was knocked home by Ian McIntyre scoring his second goal. In the third period Greg Pascazio, who was excellent through out, headed goalward and the Dumbarton keeper allowed the ball to deflect up from his hands on to the crossbar and behind him into the net. Stirling played a controlled game for the rest of the match, passing the ball well and finishing the game on top. Chris Ogilvie worked tirelessly and Daniel McLaren. Next week they meet Queen's Park away in a game which will test their recent improving form to the full. One unfortunate outcome from the game against Dumbarton was the injury sustained by trialist, Craig Hepburn. Having made a good start to the game Craig fell hurting both his wrists. A visit to hospital revealed a fracture in both wrists so the unfortunate youngster now has both arms in plaster. Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery from the injury.

The 15's side was away against Clyde FC and against strong opponents they put up an excellent performance. Shaun Johnston scored a spectacular 35 yarder just before the end of the first period to put Stirling in front. The team held on until midway through the third period before conceding two late goals but the performance from everyone was very encouraging. Next week they meet Ayr United at Forthbank with a 12 15pm kick off.

The 17's team met Airdrie United at Forthbank last Sunday and could not believe that by half time they were 4 - 0 down in the SFL Irn Bru League game. Stirling were creating a number of good chances but could not seem to convert while the Airdrie team with fast and strong forwards displayed great skill on the break away. Centre forward Scott Solly had bagged a hat trick before half time and it looked as though Stirling might suffer an embarrassing defeat. In the second period however the team showed some character with goals from Ross Gallacher with a very composed finish and Gary Currie with a superbly hit shot making the scoreline 4 -2. Stirling did make a few more chances but could not manage to close the gap in the scoreline any further but they at least restored some pride to their performance. Their final League game is against Queen of the South on February 22nd before their League Cup campaign gets under way. Stirling Albion's Under 17 keeper , Darren Dolan has been attracting the interest of Rangers Football Club with a run of great form in recent weeks. Rangers contacted the Youth Department to ask if Darren could play a trial for the Glasgow team and attend training with them. The weather affected the training but Darren did play last Tuesday in a trial game and did well. Rangers will continue to monitor his progress as Darren continues his progress with Stirling under the guidance of goalkeeping coach Dave Eccles. 'Stirling Albion were happy to give Darren this chance and this recognition should boost his confidence. I am sure that he will keep working hard to develop his game in the coming months and we will see what happens in the future' said Eccles who has successfully worked with the development of Ian Turner , Scott Christie and of course Myles Hogarth.

Stirling Albion's two Scottish Schoolboy selects are off to Cyprus for a preparation week ahead of the Centenary Shield campaign for the British Championship. Midfielder Michael McAdam who is working hard to recover from a badly sprained ankle and defender Greg Munn who is selected for this second season in the International squad are part of the 18 player squad that flies out next Friday for a week in Cyprus. Stewart Taylor, Stirling Albion's  Head of Youth is the Team Coach and Dave Eccles is the Goalkeeping Coach with the squad. Taylor said, 'We have had three preparation friendlies so far and things are taking shape. The week in Cyprus will help us prepare for the important International games. We start against Northern Ireland in Belfast on Thursday 26th February and finish with a game against England at Saint Mirren's new stadium in Paisley just after Easter - a game that will be televised by Sky TV. The boys from Stirling Albion will, I am sure, benefit greatly from this experience and so to will the club, hopefully in the future.

On the fund raising side for the Youth Development team, the arrangements are now progressing for the Race Night event scheduled for Friday 6th March at Smith's Restaurant, Millhall courtesy of Mr Alex Smith. Race Sponsorship at £50.00 per race is still sought from any interested business or individual and of course the chance to buy a horse or become a jockey still exists. Anyone interested in finding out how they can support the fund raiser should contact coachstaylor@aol.com.

Stirling Albion manager Allan Moore has been awarded January's Irn Bru Phenomenal Manager of the Month. Alan Moore has turned thing's around for the Binos after going on a winning streak and wins against Raith Rovers, Ayr United, Stranraer and Brechin City in January were recognised with this deserved award. Stirling Albion physio Andy Myles also departed the club this month after serving the club for the last couple of years to take up a full time position with Partick Thistle. Andy will be replaced by Louise Wilson who has been helping out with the youths this season.

On loan midfielder, Ryan McCord's loan deal from Dundee United will be extended by one more month. The deal will see McCord at Forthbank until 7th March. Ryan has only appeared from the bench so far due to the winning streak we are on, but there is no doubt that the midfielder is a fantastic player after impressing the Stirling support with his short time on the pitch to date.

The Binos continued their amazing run by taking another three points from play off rivals Brechin City at Glebe Park to make it seven wins out of eight. Stirling lined up with Scott Christie in goals. The same back four as last week took the field (Graham, Gibb, Roycroft and Lowing). In midfield Hamilton started on the right wing, Devine on the left and O'Neill and Murphy in the middle with Grehan and McKenna up front. On the bench were Myles Hogarth , Ryan McCord, Mark Docherty, Jonathan Boyle and Andy Lawrie. Martin Grehan scored his seventh goal of the season to give the Binos an early lead. Some slack defending let Brechin equalise before half time, however, a fantastic diving header by right back Andy Graham gave Binos all three points to send us third in the table. Stirling now have a free week next Saturday before taking on Peterhead at home.

Colin Hamilton brings us his next set of cartoons that all relate to the current events happening at Forthbank. This will again be a regular feature this season and you can access the cartoon from the clicking on the "cartoons" button on the left hand side or clicking the link at the bottom of this story. Colin has his own website and is available for business. His contact details are available to view on his website and a banner that is linked to his website is always found on the front page below the website sponsors.