Those involved with the Youth Development work of the club have been  busy both on and off the park in recent weeks.
Off field activities have been focused on finance and a number of  great developments have taken place since we last reported.

Bridge of Allan resident Ken Lew ....   has shown great support by  agreeing a deal worth more than £1k to sponsor kit for our under 19  side. His company  MONO - provide support for the mobile phone  industry and Ken was very happy to support the 19's by providing a  club tracksuit and polo shirt for the team and officials. This will be  well received by the players who can turn up for games looking smart  and professional. A great boost for everyone concerned and greatly  appreciated.

Another local business man Hugh Riley has also shown support by  supplying new playing kit to the 17's squad. The boys are looking  forward to their debut in the new Vandanel kit that Hugh has financed  and the club are again very grateful for his support.

Mcrae and Dick, the local Ford Dealership, have supplied kit for our  younger teams and the sponsorship deal will be officially launched on  Tuesday 7th November at the Kerse Road site. Part of the deal allows  additional financial support to the Youth Programme when any Bino's fan  purchases a new vehicle or has a routine service carried out. The  youth team will be benefited by £50.00 for any purchase of a new  vehicle is made. A voucher system will be in place to facilitate this  wonderful opportunity.  If fans use McCrae and Dick for their motoring  needs then our Youth Development set up will benefit.  Vouchers for  McCrae and Dick are available from the club.  Fans do not get money  off purchases but the Youth Programme does benefit.

Of course, the big fundraising event on the horizon is approaching  fast.  On Saturday 25th November a Sportspersons' Diner will take  place at Stirling County Rugby Club.  Tickets are going fast for what  will be a great night with great food and entertainment provided by  Brian McGinlay, Alan Rough and Stuart Smith (a top speaker on the  circuit).  Contact by email coachstaylor@aol.com for further details.   If you would like to donate a suitable raffle prize for the  fundraiser, please make contact with Stewart Taylor. All the Youth team pages have now been updated so please click on the links on the left hand side to see how the youth teams have been doing on the playing front.

The next session of Soccer Sevens will be held before the Morton match on 11th November. This will be the final session for the first half of the season. Details about the Soccer Sevens sessions for the second half of the season will be sent out in January.
The Young Reds are collecting Tesco Sport for Schools and Clubs vouchers. The promotion ends soon but Tesco are giving away triple vouchers this weekend. If anyone would like to donate vouchers to the Young Reds, please contact Ian Jones.
A note was sent out to all members regarding the Ten Pin Bowling Night in December. If any member is interested in attending, please phone Ian Jones as we need to know the likely level of interest.
This year’s free gift will be a personalised Stirling Albion ruler. We hope to have them in stock soon and members will be contacted once they have arrived.
Keep up to date with the latest Young Reds news by logging on to www.stirlingalbion.com or by purchasing the Wednesday edition of the Stirling Observer.
Ian Jones can be contacted at any home match. His seat number is F82. Alternatively, you can phone him on 01786 464572 or 07918611692.
From time to time photographs may be taken at events for promotional purposes. If any parent has any objections to their child being photographed, please inform us in writing.
Children are only the responsibility of the Young Reds during events.

Colin Hamilton brings us a Halloween helping of his fantastic Stirling Albion related cartoons. 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 on his website.

Stirling started the game today with the same team that won at home to Brechin City last week, except that midweek goal scorer Ian Cashmore came in to replace Dene Shields who dropped to the bench. The Binos got off to a cracking start when Marek Tomana volleyed a brilliant shot from outside the box. The Binos went on to conceed a penalty in the first half and it was all square at half time. Late goals by Colin Cramb and sub Dene Shields gave the Binos an undeserved three points, but sent the large travelling support away happy. With Morton slipping up to an inform Alloa side the Binos moved to within six points of Morton and are now eight points ahead of fifth in the chase for one of the play off spot's. Stirling take on Alloa in the local derby at Forthbank next week and a larger than usual crowd will be in attendance for that game so try and get along and cheer on the Binos, the team need's you.. Match report to follow..

The Binos went into there fifth Stirlingshire cup final in a row looking to create a small piece of history by becoming the first team since the late 1800's to win this local cup on four consecutive occasions. Stirling started with only five players who had started in Saturday's 2-1 home victory over Brechin. Scott Christie started in goals, with Hay, Roycroft, Graham and Devine in defence; Wilson, Malseed (making his Binos debut), Bell and Taggart in midfield and Cashmore starting up front with Shields. Hogarth, Tomana, Aitken saw some experience on the bench, with two under 19's making the bench (Sam Shaddick and Graham Bryce). On the other hand Falkirk fielded a strong side with new signing Cedric Uras, Russell Latapy, Tam McManus and Alan Gow being some of the names on display. Falkirk scored two second half goals before a late Ian Cashmore goal breathed life in the Stirling team. It wasn't to be, but the team put in a cracking performance with young keeper Scott Christie easily being man of the match. Match report below.

The Binos got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Brechin City at Forthbank today, however, it needed a last minute penalty save by Myles Hogarth take all three points. The Binos started with the same team as last week, except John Fraser failed a late fitness test (he has a broken toe) and Aitken moved into his position with Taggart starting on the left hand side of midfield. Stewart Devine also returned to the bench and was involved in the penalty action. The Binos where in easy street after going 2-0 up thanks to goals from Bell and Cramb, but a defensive mistake gave City a lifeline. Myles Hogarth made a fantastic double save after Devine came off the bench and conceded a penalty in which former Bino Chris Geddes went down very easy in the box. Other results went Stirling's way today and the Binos will be looking to make it eleven games unbeaten when they go to Raith Rovers next week. Match report below.

Welcome to Show Racism The Red Card’s Fortnight of Action, 17 – 30 October 2006. Before kick off this weekend, players from every Bank of Scotland Premier league and Football League team in Scotland, will be united in calling for an end to racism in football and in society. Players in 35 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network against racism and discrimination.

SRTRC would like to thank you for the excellent support the campaign has had since we set up office in Scotland three years ago. That support is producing real results including a significant decrease in the number of incidents of racial abuse reported at Scottish football stadia over the last year. We have heard of many instances where real supporters have turned on racist fans making it clear that they are not welcome at their club. Various Supporters Trusts have also been instrumental in spreading our anti racism message throughout the game. We must all work together to ensure that the mindless minority who engage in racist practices, realise their behaviour is not acceptable in football or in society.

With the anti racism sanctions introduced earlier this year by UEFA, it is vital for a club that the behaviour of its players, officials and supporters does not bring it into disrepute with these new guidelines. Clubs can be penalised not only financially but could also face League points being deducted or being prevented from taking part in Cup competitions, if incidences of racist behaviour are found to be taking place in the ground or within its surrounding area.

This year has seen the expansion of our “Coaching with a Conscience” scheme, whereby schoolchildren around the country take part in anti racism workshops delivered by former professional players. These workshops have been well received by teachers and pupils alike, and have been instrumental in altering attitudes of children who had displayed a racist outlook prior to their involvement in the workshop.

Here’s a brief outline of what’s taking place during the SRTRC Fortnight of Action this year:
Anti-racist presentations at Dundee United F.C. and St. Johnstone F.C.
Over fifty events taking place in communities nationwide attempting to combat racism in our society (funded by “One Scotland”, the Scottish Executive), including events at Albion Rovers F.C., Queens Park F.C. and Ayr United F.C.
Show Racism the Red Card squad posters being distributed at various grounds around the country

Football is a sport that is followed by people across the world, and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or religious background. We hope you enjoy the game today and ask you to support the players action before kick- off. We all have a part to play in kicking racism out of Scotland.

Gerry Britton, Education Co-ordinator, Show Racism the Red Card (Scotland).

If you see or hear racism at any level of football, please report it to stewards or police, and record the complaint at www.theredcardscotland.org. Our web site also includes updates on Fortnight of Action events and more information on the “red card” campaign in Scotland.

The Binos where drawn against East Stirling away in the first round of the cup which will take place on 18th November and if we progress from that tie, we will take on Edinburgh City on 9th December. The full draw is as follows:

First Round:

Brechin City v Queen’s Park
Arbroath v Albion Rovers
Edinburgh University v Keith
Deveronvale v Montrose
East Stirlingshire v Stirling Albion
Preston Athletic v Stenhousemuir
East Fife v Berwick Rangers
Stranraer v Alloa Athletic

Second Round:

Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton
Peterhead v Ayr United
Edinburgh City v East Stirling/Stirling Albion
Raith Rovers v Dumbarton
Devereonvale/Montrose v Fraserburgh
Stranraer/Alloa v Forfar Athletic
Cowdenbeath v Edinburgh University/Keith
East Fife v Arbroath/Albion Rovers
Brechin City/Queens Park v Preston Athletic/Stenhousemuir

It has been confirmed that Stirling midfielder Steven Boyack has departed with Stirling Albion and has now signed for junior side Bathgate Thistle. Boyack hasn't featured this season after resigning at the end of August for the Binos. Boyack originally signed for the club at the start of last season and scored on his debut. He went on to make 13+7 appearances for the Binos scoring two goals in total. All at Stirlingalbion.com would like to thank Stevie for his time at Stirling and wish him all the best at Bathgate. On other news, loan signing Christopher Malseed made his debut last mid week for a Stirling reserve team in which the Binos where beaten 3-1 away to Albion Rovers.

Stirling picked up a valuable point away to Ayr today, but still fell nine points behind Morton for the race at the top. The Binos fielded the exact same team that drew at Cowdenbeath the week before and with the same subs on the bench. Stirling had the better of the chances, especially in the second half, but they where unable to capitalise on their pressure whilst the defence kept Hogarth with not much to do. The Binos now go into next week needing to pick up three points at home to Brechin City to keep the pressure on Morton. Match report below.

Colin Hamilton brings us a double helping of his fantastic Stirling Albion related cartoons. 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 on his website.