A home double header this week, with Forfar Athletic the visitors on Tuesday evening and Albion Rovers on Saturday and I extend the usual warm welcome to everyone representing both Clubs… although at the time of writing, there is a doubt about Tuesday’s fixture going ahead, following Forfar’s Covid-related postponement versus Cowdenbeath on Saturday. Frustrating as a further postponement would be, health and well-being without question come first and I wish everyone who has contracted the virus a quick and full recovery.
Another poor result last Friday at Ainslie Park against Edinburgh City and I share the disappointment and frustration of our supporters, not just about the result but the consequential position it leaves us in the league, with the prospect of having to look down rather than up becoming an increasing concern.
Not an excuse, just a reality that injuries to key players haven’t helped our cause and the latest additions of Club Captain, Ross McGeachie and Adam Cummins have only served to make matters worse. Their injuries are such that it is extremely difficult to put a set timescale to their return.
With the Loan Window remaining open until the end of February, funds are available to Darren Young to bring in the right quality of player. Unfortunately the reluctance of Clubs to let the “right quality of player” go out on loan doesn’t make that task easy… although there can be no argument that our two loan signings to date, Mason Hancock and Dylan Paterson, most definitely meet that criterion. My thanks to Aberdeen and Arbroath respectively for their assistance and cooperation.
The Club Board have opened talks with Darren regarding next season’s playing budget and clearly the Rangers’ Scottish Cup windfall facilitates that being a much “easier” discussion than it would have been without it. However, it is important to stress that our business plan will reflect short-, medium- and longer-term objectives with the emphasis on sustainability.
I close with a request, indeed plea, to all our supporters; one that I’ve repeated on numerous occasions… if you have a question, issue or concern about anything related to the Club, please get in touch to discuss. I guarantee a full and honest response from myself and/or my Board colleagues and we can be contacted in the first instance by emailing office@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk or phoning 01786 450399 (there’s a message facility if no one is in the office).
Stuart
