Football Season Guide

Stirling Albion

In


Blair Currie (Goalkeeper, Clyde), Craig Truesdale (Defender, Airdrie), Gareth Rodger (Defender, Edinburgh City), James Creaney (Defender, Annan Athletic), Jordan Lowdon (Defender, Elgin City) Paul McLean (Defender, Brechin City), David Wilson (Midfielder, Annan Athletic), Kevin Nicoll (Midfielder, Clyde), Paul Willis (Midfielder, Peterhead), Scott Fraser (Midfielder, Airdrie), Sean Heaver (Midfielder, Bannockburn Amateurs), Josh Peters (Attacker, Queen’s Park), Kieran Campbell (Attacker, Airdrie), Lewis Hawke (Attacker, Queen’s Park)

Out


Calum Ferrie (r) (Goalkeeper, Dundee, Loan ended), Evan Horne (r) (Defender, East Stirlingshire), Jason Marr (sp) (Defender, released), Jordan Allan (r) (Defender, Stranraer), Lee Hamilton (sp) (Defender, released), Lewis McLear (sp) (Midfielder, released), Max Ashmore (Midfielder, released), Ronan Hughes (sp) (Midfielder, Hamilton Academical, Loan ended), Scott Glover (sp) (Midfielder, St Mirren, Loan ended), Darren Smith (k) (Attacker, Clyde), Neil McLaughlin (r) (Attacker, Motherwell, Loan ended), Peter MacDonald (r) (Attacker, East Stirlingshire), Scott Miller (Attacker, Greenock Juniors)

It was another season in which Stirling Albion flattered to deceive; flirting with the play-offs before finishing mid-table again. The latest man handed the task of revitalizing the Binos fortunes is Kevin Rutkiewicz, who took over from Dave Mackay after his early promise faded away. Rutkiewicz also made a promising start but the last couple of months at the Forthbank Stadium were mired in mediocrity. He has overseen big changes this summer in an attempt to build a squad capable of challenging for the play-offs. The biggest departure is that of winger Darren Smith, who has been something of a talisman in recent seasons and has joined Clyde. Another blow is full-back Jordan Allan’s switch to Stranraer. Rutkiewicz acted swiftly to replace Allan with Jordan Lowdon from Elgin City and has strengthened his squad, most notably in midfield in the likes of David Wilson, Kevin Nicoll and Paul Willis, who all have plenty of experience in League 2. Goalkeeper Blair Currie is also excellent addition having made a surprise move from Clyde. Strikers Josh Peters, Kieran Campbell and Lewis Hawke will look to replace the goals lost in Smith and experienced striker Peter MacDonald’s departure. Ruktiewicz will be delighted to have held on to defender Ross McGeachie and winger Dan Jardine, who were their best performers last season.

Target


Play-offs. The Binos looked to have strengthened their squad this summer and should be challenging for the top four.