Stirling Albion Supporters Club Player of the Year Night
Anchor Bar, St. Ninians, Stirling.
26 April 2008

Well it is the end of the season for Stirling Albion and as we all know it has not been a great season for the team after the Binos failed to maintain their Division One status but in reality we did finish where we were expected to since we were to only part time team in Division One and at times throughout the year we have played better football than some of the other teams in the league most notably the 3 v 1 victory over St. Johnstone just last Wednesday the clubs first victory over the Perth side in over 20 years. Other notable games included the win against Dunfermline and the few draws we have had over the season has shown that we have been a challenge for the other teams in the league. But now that it’s all over and we have got a few people to thank for making this season another good one if not disappointing year for the Binos.

This year’s Player of the Year night was a good success for the Supporters Club and many of the first team players turned out for the evening. Amongst the players who made an appearance were skipper Chris Atken, legend Stevie Bell, Andy Graham, Myles Hogarth and Scott Christie as always manager Allan Moore was there as well as club director Peter Gardiner and chairman Peer McKenzie.

  
Supporters Jimmy Watson and Kevin Croall
Images Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

As everyone who has been to some of the player of the year nights throughout the years you will all know that it’s not just about awards for the players the evening includes various events as well as some good entertainment for everyone who is there as you get the chance to talk to the players and the manager.

Now this year there were some changes to the entertainment as since last year’s unexpected karaoke performance from Ian Cashmore the Supporters Club decided that a small karaoke competition would be held between the players and the fans.

But first was the customary Stand up Bingo and as the numbers were called out, slowly people were knocked out until we were down to the last few people left and the line up included Andy Graham and Stewarty McIntyre. Finally the winner was found and somehow Stewarty managed to be the last man standing and won Myles Hogarth’s jersey to the claims of match fixing from some of the supporters club.

Now if you thought Ian Cashmore’s karaoke was bad last year you should have heard some of this year’s “singers” I just don’t know how to describe the performances from Allan Moore, Stewarty McIntyre or even Chris Aitken all three made great attempts at their songs but best thing for them all to do is stick with their day jobs as their singing should come with a health and safety warning.

The first award of the evening was for the Stirling Albion Supporters Trust Player of the Year (presented by Graham Hamilton) was awarded to a player who has contributed the most to this year’s campaign that player is CHRIS AITKEN.

Chris Aitken
Image Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

Stirlingalbion.com Best Newcomer (presented by Stewart McIntyre) the Stirling Albion best newcomer award is voted on by the forum members and this year’s best newcomer is LAURIE ELLIS.

Stirlingalbion.com Player of the Year (presented by Stewart McIntyre) this award is based on the man of the match votes that take place after every game the polls are held on the Stirlingalbion.com forum and this year’s Stirlingalbion.com Player of the Year award goes to a player who has been committed to the team throughout the season and has been recognised as one of the best players at the club that player is ANDY GRAHAM.

Stirling Albion’s Top Goal Scorer (presented by Jordan Marshall) The player who has scored the most goals for the Albion this year is not a one of our strikers it goes to a player who has scored over 20 consecutive penalties in his career and this year has scored 14 league goals this season for the club. It must be a first for this award to go to a midfielder and it is well deserved for skipper CHRIS AITKEN.

Chris Aitken
Image Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

Stirling Albion Supporters Club Goal of the Season (presented by Peter Gardiner) The goal of the season was scored by one of the clubs most loved and well established players the goal was scored on Saturday 2nd February against Clyde at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld. It was a 30 yard free kick that hit the back of the net and it was a well struck shot by the Stirling skipper CHRIS AITKEN.

Stirling Albion Player’s Player of the Year (presented by Allan Moore) award goes to a player who came to the Binos from Queen of the South and Dundee United a few seasons ago where he didn’t make much of an impact for either side but over the past couple of seasons has been instrumental in Stirling’s return to the first division and has capped of a excellent Stirling career with a return to full time football next season where he will be playing for Dunfermline Athletic. This player has shown that he can accept the challenge’s of Division One and also has been one of the players’ favourites as well as fans favourite. This year’s Stirling Albion Player’s Player of the Year is STEVEN BELL.

Steven Bell
Image Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

Supporters Club Player of the Year (presented by Jimmy Watson) the supporters club player of the year award goes to a player who has impressed everyone at Forthbank this year especially the fans as he has scored a good few goals this season and has kept hopes alive for the Binos the Stirling Albion Supporters Club Player of the Year is CHRIS AITKEN.

That concluded the award ceremony and with Chris Aitken wining 4 awards it just goes to show how much he really has had an impact on how the Binos have done this season if it wasn’t for Chris we may not have had as many goals to our name this season but it’s not just Chris who has made a difference this season all the players have been vital to this year’s campaign and well all of them have been 100% committed to the team this year and without them things could have been a lot worse. One I think should be mentioned is Brian Alison although he only featured in a couple of games before he was sidelined through injury after scoring his first professional goal of his career he did make a difference to the Stirling defence hopefully he will make a good recovery and do well in the future.

As always at the Player of the Year Night we get our beloved chairman Peter McKenzie up to say a few words about the season:
Peter McKenzie and Peter Gardiner would like to thank everyone associated with the club for all their help throughout the season and most of all he paid tribute to how Allan Moore has done over the past year and he hopes that Allan will manage to get the Binos back up on their feet and fighting next season. Peter touched on how he has been 26 years with the club and how it has been a great number of years and he is immensely proud of how Allan Moore has managed to develop the skills of some of the players especially how he took in Steven Bell and has helped him make a return to full time football. Peter also hopes that over the coming years more and more young players start to progress through the Stirling ranks and maybe one day progress onto full time football. Apart from that he is confident that next season will be another good year for the team.

Peter McKenzie
Image Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

This year’s player of the year night was a great success but it wouldn’t have been made possible without the help of a few people so a big thank you to Lynn Watson for preparing the buffet and another big thank you to Jim & Linda from the Anchor bar. Also a thank you to the players who took some time to speak to us.

Scott Christie
Q. How do you feel you have done this season after getting a few starts under your belt?
A. It has been a good experience for me to get as many first team starts this season, I didn’t expect to get as many starts this year as I did but I have to thank the manager for giving me the chance to play. I think I have done well in goals but know there are a few areas where I need to work on but working on these areas only comes with experience and I have been with the Binos since I was 16 and I’m now 20 so it has been a good few years with the club and I hope to be here next season”

   
Stirling supporters watch on
Images Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

Chris Aitken
Q. How does it feel to win the four awards tonight?
A. I didn’t expect to win as many awards tonight especially the Player of the Year awards it is a great feeling to be recognised as a good player at the club but I couldn’t have done it without the help of the team.
Q. What are your plans for next season?
A. I’m unsure about next season yet but my time with the club has been good as everyone is very supportive and the manager has helped me a lot.

Steven Bell
Q. How has the past few years with the Binos been?
A. It has been an excellent time with the club and I feel that I have developed well at the club. But it has not been possible without the help of Allan Moore who has been a great manager for me and has helped me get back into full time football.
Q. What has been your best game with the club?
A. My best game with the club was last season’s 2 v 1 win over Morton at Forthbank. The feeling after the final whistle was unbelievable and the atmosphere in the changing room was great all the players really felt the win was deserved as everyone played together well.

Allan Moore
Image Courtesy of www.bebo.com/Kevincroall

Allan Moore
Q. What are your thoughts about this season and did being part time affect our performance?
A. This season has been disappointing but being part time didn’t really affect us as we did manage to play well against the other teams in the league.
Q. How have the injuries played a part this year?
A. The injuries that we have this year haven’t really played a part in the season as the teams we have fielded over the year have played great in some games and really poor in others
Q. How about Mark McNally moving on to his new position with the SFA what’s your thoughts on that?
A. It is a good move for Mark as he has got a family to feed and the full time position gives him a gauranteed income to support them and I wish him well in the future.
Q. Do you plan to work with Mark in the future?
A. If I get a full time position I would approach Mark to see if he would like to partner me in the future.
Q. Do you know who you are going to take on to replace Mark McNally?
A. I’m unsure who I will replace Mark with just now and over the next few months I will be looking around for a new assistant.

Season 2007/08 awards were as follows:-
Player's Player of the Year - Steven Bell
Supporters Club Player of the Year - Chris Aitken
Supporters Trust Player of the Year - Chris Aitken
Young Reds Player of the Year - Chris Aitken
www.stirlingalbion.com Player of the Year - Andy Graham
www.stirlingalbion.com Best Newcomer - Laurie Ellis.
Top Goalscorer - Chris Aitken
Best Goal Scored - Chris Aitken at Clyde Feb 2nd.