Stirling Albion made their fifth signing of the season yesterday when ex St Mirren striker David McKenna signed on for the season. The 20 year striker has come through the youth system at Paisley and made 2+25 appearances for them scoring two goals. He also had a four month loan spell at the start of 2006 at Cowdenbeath in which he featured 15 times and scored 9 goals in the Blue Brazil's third division championship winning season. The Binos will now have four strikers at their disposal for the coming season after McKenna join's new signings Derek Lilley and Darren Gribben alongside last season's top scorer Colin Cramb up front. The Binos are still in the hunt for a defensive midfielder and have been linked with several players including a loan signing from SPL side Motherwell. On another note, Scott Christie has been offered a four year deal by SPL side Falkirk and if the Binos receive the correct financial package then it look's likely that Scott will join them. Alan Moore also stated that he maybe loaned back to the Binos for the forth coming season if the deal goes ahead.

Stirlingalbion.com has set up a petition to protest against the council's decision to close the Forthside Way road next season- this is the road that goes past the home car park entrance and stretches down to the park and ride at Forthside. The council have already taken away a large portion of the home car park for the new sports village and this will mean that the majority of the home support will need to find alternative parking arrangements. This decision will also affect visiting fans next season so hopefully some of those fans will also sign the petition. The website feels that Stirling Albion's promotion to the first division will bring added exposure to the city of Stirling and as a result of limited parking next season, Stirling Albion will lose fans through the gate. Please click on the link below and it only takes a few seconds to sign. You can read more about fans reaction to this news and the protest on the forum.

The club has been in several talks with Stirling Council over pre-season to work out parking arrangements for the increased traffic due to first division football next season. With only a few weeks of the season left, Stirling Council notified the Stirling board that there would be no training facilities for the players until November of this year and that a large section of the home car park would be taken away. To date, only the small section in the home car park on the right hand side is available. The club has succeeded in persuading the council to make more spaces available there by taking some trees away, but this will only increase the already limited capacity by 92 spaces. The club has also had further bad news in that no one will be allowed to park on the Forthside Way road. This is the road that goes past the home car park entrance and stretches down to the park and ride at Forthside. Please note that any cars parking on this road will be clamped next season. The council then offered the Forthside car park (which is located almost a mile away) to the club, but the club turned this down after the council stated they would not put anymore additional park and ride buses on to accommodate the home fans. The club feel's that this is too far for oap's and young families to walk. The club is still in talks council about sorting this out for the start of the season, but it's looking like there will be problems next season. On another note, the club has announced that all their home pre-season games (Hibs, St Mirren and Everton) will be priced at £5 per person .ie. this is the price for children, oap's, etc.

Stirling Albion are proud to announce that the new home strip (picture below) for the coming first division campaign is now on sale from Forthbank. They are available in youth sizes small and large at the cost of £31 and mens small to medium and large to x large at the cost of £37- so therefor only four sizes are available this season. There is also a new black polo shirt with a grey trim on sale at the cost of £25 and they are available in small, medium, large, x-large and xx- large. You can buy these items from Forthbank on Monday to Friday between 10am-5pm, but please phone Marlyn in advance to see what time she will be in during the day as she might be out of the office. Please phone her on 01786-450399. Please note that the office and club shop will be closed from the 25th June- 10th July, however, you will be able to buy strips,etc and season tickets on Thursday 28th June and Wednesday 4th july between 6-8pm.

Stirlingalbion.com is running a bus to the East Kilbride tournament on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of July. The game on the Saturday is due to kick off at 3-30pm and depending this result, the kick off on the Sunday will be either 12 noon or 3-30pm. The bus on both days will be leaving roughly at 11am at Stirling train station and will be leaving the East Kilbride juniors car park at 6-30pm (an hour after kick off). There is a fantastic social club just outside their ground and if the weather is good, then they also sell beer inside the ground or you can take in the other game on show. Due to demand, we are running a 49 seater on the Saturday and a 24 seater (this could increase to a 33 seater if we get a late rush) and cost is roughly £7 per person per day. So far, 41 of the Saturday seats are taken up and 21 of the Sunday seats are taken up so time is running out to book your seat. Full payment of for these buses will be due at the start of the month so if you want to book a seat(s) then please e-mail me on mifthebino@msn.com or post on the THREAD on our forum.

Stirling Albion have confirmed their pre-season games for the season and they include a glamour tie against Premiership side Everton. Here is a list of the dates below:

14th July- Home v Hibs- kick off 3pm
17th July-Home v St Mirren- kick off 7-30pm
Sat 21st July- EK tournament- kick off 3-30pm
Sun 22nd July- EK Tournament- kick off- tbc
Thursday 26th July- Home v Everton- kick off 7-30pm

The website is running a bus to the two East Kilbride games.

Over 100 hopeful young footballers accepted an invitation to attend trials for Stirling Albion's expanding Youth Development Programme when they turned up last weekend ( 9th June) at Stirling University. This was a great turn out and the coaches in attendance along with Youth Development Coordinator, Stewart Taylor were impressed by the quality of many of the young hopefuls. 'It was a very busy morning and we go again next Saturday (16th) to make sure we get a good look at the youngsters. The turn out was fantastic and showed up players of varying levels. There were definitely players who will be invited to join our programme. There were also some youngsters who were a bit short of the standard for playing at SFA Youth Initiative level but it was great to see such an interest in the club from players keen to be involved with us.' There were 54 players trying out for a place in the new 14's team. This number will probably be reduced to around 24 for further training sessions before a final squad of 18 will be selected.The trial on Saturday starts at 9.30 am at Stirling University astroturf and will be organised to let coaches see the boys play in the 11 v 11 format. 49 players came to the trial for the 16's and 17's teams. Most players from last seasons teams have been retained and the club are looking to add to and strengthen their squads at 16's and 17's level. Once more there were talented players on view and the second trial which starts around 10.45am should help towards finalising the squads at each age group.

As some of our regular website users may know, the Young Red's are in the process of setting up two team's to take part in the FVFDA league's in the coming season. These team's will link into the current Stirling Albion youth system and some of these player's may eventually go on to play for Stirling Albion. www.stirlingalbion.com has sponsored the under 10's kit:

Under 10 squad. Back row (l to r) Luke Glencross, Eddie Hallam, Ivor Swan, Andrew Kenny, Keir Hughes, Harry Cox.
Front row (l to r) Alexander Ross, Jason Kelly, Martin Main and Jack Steven.

and Royal Mail have sponsored the under 12's kit:

Back ro w (l to r) Ross McLay, Euan West, Robert Walker, Greig Blennie,
Jamie Hearns.
Front row (l to r) Lewis Sinclair, Blair Maxwell, Tommy Kelly, Liam Allan, Stuart Morrison.

Both team's done well at the weekend and it was great preparation for both team's for the coming season. Following the competition, the Young Reds have decided to enter teams at Under 12 and Under 11. The Under 12 squad is looking healthy, but we need boys and girls to help bolster the Under 11 squad.
If there are any boys and girls born between 1/1/97 and 31/12/97 interested in playing for the Young Reds, could they get their parents to contact Ian Jones on mijones1@btinternet.com or phone 07918 611692. .
They are also looking for coaches at all age levels. If anyone is interested in coaching, could they also contact Ian as well. They would prefer coaches with appropriate qualifications for this age level, but they are willing to put anyone interested in coaching through courses. On another note, the website is looking for volunteer's to sell football cards to help aid the pie oven appeal and youth development scheme's (including the Young Red's), all profits will be split 50-50 between both causes. If you are able to sell a card or two between family, friend's and work mate's, please e-mail myself on mifthebino@msn.com for more details or check out the appropriate thread on the forum. For only a little effort you could help both causes a lot so please get in contact if you are able to help.

The annual general meeting for the Stirling Albion supporters club will take place at Forthbank in one of the rooms upstairs on Thursday 14th June at 7pm. All members are invited to attend and the supporters club is hoping you will be able to help and attend this year as numbers were slightly down last year. If your a member of the supporters club, please come along on Thursday night and put your views forward.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce that COS Media as being a new sponsor of the website. You can visit their website by clicking on their banner on the right hand side of the screen or by looking on the this website's sponsor page (link available on the left hand side menu). " COS Media provide a cost effective solution to manage and promote existing and targeted responsibility of your business footprint. For Graphic design and print, let COS Media take your ideas and turn them into stunning visual graphics- through advertising publications, print or video. Web Design and hosting- Affordable on line presence for smaller organisations or award winning innovative designs and CMS systems. For information please click on the link above, e-mail hello@cos-media.co.uk or telephone 0845 226 1896." All at stirlingalbion.com would like to thank COS Media for their support and appeal to our website users to help support our sponsors where possible.

Former St Johnstone and Morton striker Derek Lilley has now agreed terms with the Binos and becomes Alan Moore's fourth new signing of the season. The 33 year old striker started his career with Everton, but he never made the break through and he came up to Scotland to sign for Morton. He stayed there for five season's and was a prolific striker and this gained him a half a million move Premiership side Leeds United. He stayed there for a season and a half were his only Premiership goal came in a 3-2 away win over Barnsley and made a subs appearance in the Uefa cup against Maritimo. Derek was loaned out to Hearts and Bury in his spell with Leeds before moving onto Oxford United were he spent a further season and a half. He then moved back north and into the SPL with Dundee United in a £100,000 deal and he spent two and a half seasons there before signing for SPL side Livingston. In his first season there, he scored one of the two goals that won Livingston the League cup in 2004 and after spending a further season there, he signed back on with former club Morton. As most Binos will know he stayed there for a season and a half and in total he clocked up over 230 games with the Ton. Derek moved on to St Johnstone in March of this year to try and bolster the Saints attacking options, but he found starts hard to come by and was released at the end of the season. Derek has decided to become a part time player and the locally based player will be with the Binos for our first division campaign this season. In other news, it has been confirmed that the friendly against St Mirren will take place on 17th July, while a further game against Dumbarton will be played on the 18th July.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce that Astley Facades (Scotland) Ltd as being a new sponsor of the website. You can visit their website by clicking on their banner on the right hand side of the screen or by looking on the this website's sponsor page (link available on the left hand side menu). "Astley Facades (Scotland) Ltd have traded within the Stirling area for four years and offer specialised external façade systems such as light weight steel wall, render and rainscreen applications. The company are proud of their links to the local community and currently reside within the Stirling Business Centre at Wellgreen Place, Stirling. For information on any of the above products please do not hesitate to contact us on 01786-450409 or alternatively e-mail us at reception@astleyscotland.co.uk." All at stirlingalbion.com would like to thank Astley Facades (Scotland) Ltd for their support and appeal to our website users to help support our sponsors where possible.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce that Dickson & Middleton Chatered Accountants in Stirling as being our fifth sponsor of the season. This will now be the fourth season in a row that the management team there have helped to keep this locally based website stay on-line. You can visit their website by clicking on their banner on the right hand side of the screen or by looking on the this website's sponsor page (link available on the left hand side menu). "Looking to start up your own business? Needing tax advice? Not getting the support you need from your current accountant? Dickson Middleton has been serving the local community of Stirling and surrounding area for over 65 years. Just like Stirling Albion FC supporters, many of our clients live in and around Stirling but we have many who live and work further afield - they all depend on our support. Distance is no barrier if you have commitment. We can help you to get your business off the ground; to grow and to prosper. Come and see us, give us a call or visit our website to find out what we can do for you." All at stirlingalbion.com would like to thank Dickson & Middleton Chatered Accountants for there continued support and appeal to our website users to help support our sponsors where possible.

Stirling Albion will once again be taking part in the pre season East Kilbride tournament which East Kilbride Thistle have hosted for the last few years. The competition will be taking place on Saturday 21st July and Sunday 22nd July and the other teams taking part will be East Kilbride Thistle, Hamilton Accies and Aurthlie. The competition will follow the same format as the last two year's. The website will be running a mini bus up to this game on the Saturday and possibly the Sunday if there is enough interest. Please see the forum for more details or e-mail mifthebino@msn.com for more details. Another pre-season friendly that is in the pipeline for the 17th July is a home game against SPL side St Mirren. This fixture has still to be confirmed so more details will follow when known.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce Shepherd Chatered Surveyor's as being our latest new sponsor for our website and this will be the second year in a row that this local business has chosen to sponsor the website. You can visit their website by clicking on their banner on the right hand side of the screen or by looking on this website's sponsor page (link available on the left hand side menu). J&E Shepherd have been established for over 100 years and are one of Scotland's leading firm's of Chatered Surveyor's, Valuers, Property Agent's and Manager's. The firm operates from a network of twenty six offices throughout Scotland. Our clients are offered the experience, expertise and resources associated with a major practice married to a comprehensive local market knowledge. J&E Shepherd offer a multi disciplinary property service to include valuation, sales and letting's of property, building surveying, rent reviews, development and investment consultancy, rating, building surveying and property management. Their team of dedicated surveyors are consequently able to offer our clients a comprehensive, professional and efficient property service. Please back this sponsor and our other sponsors as much as possible as without them we wouldn't have a website.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce Messrs T.Mackie Joiners as being our latest new sponsor for our website and this will be the third year in a row that this local business has chosen to sponsor the website. T. Mackie joiners is a small joinery business that will do most joinery work within the Stirling area. So if you give them a call on (01786) 464706 or email them on tmackiejoiners@yahoo.co.uk and they will see what they can do for you. A special mention has to go out to James Stewart (one of our forum members) who helped get and retain this sponsor. Please back this sponsor and our other sponsors as much as possible as without them we wouldn't have a website.

The deadline for the proposed take take over by a consortium of local businessmen has now been extended after the consortium have now been back in contact with the club before the end of the original deadline of the 31st May. Mr McKenzie is quoted as saying that talks are still ongoing and it may take till the end of July to get anything sorted. My sources say that it is the sale of Forthbank to the consortium that is holding up further progress due to new sports village that is springing up around Forthbank. As Stirling Albion go into their most exciting season in almost a decade, things may finally be looking positive off the field as well with new owners and finally the ownership of the stadium. On other news, it seem's Derek Lilley is still in talks with the Binos and Alan Moore is still keen to try and sign up the experinced striker after his release from St Johnstone at the end of the season.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce that Stirling Business Solutions as being our second sponsor of the season. This will now be the fifth season in a row that the management team there have helped to keep this locally based website to stay on-line and that will see them as being the only company to have sponsored the website since it's creation. You can visit their website by clicking on their banner on the right hand side of the screen or by looking on this website's sponsor page (link available on the left hand side menu). Stirling Business Solutions are Business Transfer Agents providing a specialist service to businesses or individuals who are considering buying or selling a UK based company. All at stirlingalbion.com would like to thank Stirling Business Solutions for their continued support and appeal to our website users to help support our sponsors where possible. If you know of any business or fan who would like to sponsor the website, then please get them to e-mail me on mifthebino@msn.com for more details.

Stirlingalbion.com is proud to announce that Farmore.co.uk as being our first sponsor of the season. You can visit their website by clicking on their banner on the right hand side of the screen or by looking on this website's sponsor page (link available on the left hand side menu). Farmore IT are based in Stirling and provide IT and web services to businesses throughout Scotland. From a search engine optimised, professionally designed website to your office PCs and server, Farmore will tailor an IT package that suits your business and your budget.  With our friendly and helpful team always on hand, you can be confident that the solution to your IT worries is just a phone-call away. All at stirlingalbion.com would like to thank Farmore.co.uk for sponsoring the website and appeal to our website users to help support our sponsors where possible. If you know of any business or fan who would like to sponsor the website, then please e-mail mifthebino@msn.com for details.

As some of you know, the Young Reds intend to enter an Under 12 and an Under 10 team in the Forth Valley Development association League next season. We have already obtained kit courtesy of the Royal Mail Sports Foundation and www.stirlingalbion.com and our thanks go out for their generous support.

The current season of the FVFDA ends with a football festival this weekend in Grangemouth. To give the Young Reds a taste of what to expect next season, we have entered 2 teams and this will be the first chance for them to wear the new strips.

Unfortunately, we are having problems getting enough kids for the Under 10 team and, therefore, if you know of anyone who was born between 1/1/97 and 31/12/98 who would like to take part, could they please contact Ian Jones on mijones1@btinternet.com or phone 07918 611692.

Stirlingalbion.com is reliant on funding from our sponsor's and our website user's and it's now that time of year were we are looking to gain funding for the coming season. The sponsor's on the right hand side of the website have sponsored the website up until the 31st July and we would like to thank them for helping to fund the website over the last year. Please click on their banner to be taken to their website. We are currently sending out e-mail's to companies in the hope of gaining sponsorship for next season. For a small fee, your company will have a clickable link on the front page (like the one's on the right handside), the same link on our sponsor's page (available from the menu on the left hand side), a story on the front page and a story on our very busy forum announcing you as a sponsor. If you know a company who would be willing to sponsor the website, then please contact myself on safcwebsite@yahoo.co.uk, safcwebsite@hotmail.co.uk or mifthebino@msn.com. We have already received a couple of donations from website users and if you would like to make a donation to the running costs of the website then you can do so by using paypal (james@stirlingalbion.com) or by e-mailing myself for details on were to send a cheque or other form of donation. Once again, can I take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and the people who have donated money over the last year. Without them, we wouldn't be able to bring this survive to yourselves.

The Scottish cup has been revamped for the new season and this will allow four junior teams to enter the Scottish cup into the first round of the draw. Here is the official statement explaining the changes,

"The Scottish Cup will take on a new format next season, after clubs voted unanimously in favor of change at the Scottish Football Association’s AGM today.
A new set of Cup Competition Rules was put forward by the SFA to its members to change the face of the national cup competition. The most ground-breaking area of the plan is the introduction of four clubs from the Scottish Junior FA, including the winners of the Scottish Junior Cup and the winners of the three Junior Super Leagues.
The North and South Qualifying Cups have been scrapped in favour of an all-in draw, so the Scottish Cup will be played over eight rounds, with the SPL sides entering at the last 32 stage. Semi-final replays have also been scrapped and matches at that stage will be played to a finish."
So 8 rounds =

First round: 18 ties, 36 teams made up as follows:
14 teams who previously competed in north qualifying cup
18 teams who previously competed in south qualifying cup
4 junior teams (three Superleague winners and Scottish Cup winner from
previous season).

Second round: 16 ties, 32 teams made up as follows:
18 first round winners (from above)
2 highland league teams (the previous season's champions and
runners-up)
1 south of scotland team (the previous season's champions)
1 east of scotland team (the previous season's champions)
10 SFL Third Division teams.

Third round: 16 ties, 32 teams made up as follows:
16 second round winners (from above)
10 SFL Second Division teams.
6 SFL First Division teams

Fourth round: 16 ties, 32 teams made up as follows:
16 third round winners (from above)
4 SFL First Division teams (sides finishing 1st to 4th the previous
season)
12 SPL teams.

Fifth round: 8 ties, 16 teams, being the 16 fourth round winners.

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals (Now played to a finish)

Final"