Programme notes from Saturday’s game against Stenhousemuir
On behalf of everyone at Stirling Albion, I welcome the Directors, Management and supporters of our nearest neighbours, Stenhousemuir for this afternoon’s SPFL2 match. Following on from last Saturday’s disappointing draw at Galabank against Annan Athletic, we desperately need to get on track with a three pointer! No one sets out to miss a penalty but our last two efforts have been woeful and arguably cost us dear in the form of another bite at the Caramel Wafer Cup and two invaluable league points. Having never taken, let alone scored a penalty, in my playing “career” spanning over 20 years, I’ll leave sorting that out to Kevin and the players and turn to matters off the field!
First up, congratulations to our very own YouTuber, BinoBoy (aka Cameron) on reaching the landmark of 50 Matchday Vlogs in just two years. If you aren’t familiar with young Cameron’s efforts, I highly recommend hooking up (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC295sYLzZaVRzlql7GeHH2g). A special mention, also, to his ever-faithful cameraman – and Dad – Graham!
My next port of call is much less of a celebration, more of a plea down a well-trodden path! At our last home game, against Elgin City, we received a number of complaints about the “overzealous support” (polite term) from a small but very visible section of our support. I’ll spare readers the detail and simply draw everyone’s attention to our Supporters’ Code of Conduct and Foul and Abusive Language Guidelines which can be viewed at https://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/policies/ . I would urge everyone attending Forthbank Stadium to take heed and comply; behaviour that doesn’t meet the standard expected is unwelcome and hugely detracts from our stated aim of providing a community orientated, family friendly environment for everyone.
Many of you will be aware of our recent public request for match day volunteers – https://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/match-day-volunteers/) – responses to date have been extremely thin on the ground and whilst I fully understand that most supporters see Saturday afternoons as time off from the drudgery of a week’s labours at the “day job”, I cannot stress enough that every role that we can cover with a volunteer relieves a financial burden that a Fans Owned Club can ill afford. The SA Supporters Trust AGM is due in October and I’ve no doubt much more on this matter will be debated and hopefully resolved, if the concept of fans ownership is to work effectively moving forward.
The above said, to balance the coin, I cannot thank enough the band of volunteers that do give up their time willingly, and without complaint, on match days and also with other essential tasks that go unnoticed behind the scenes on a week to week basis.
C’mon the Binos!
Stuart
Chairman
SAFC
