THE BINOS GO TO HAMPDEN AT LAST
But don’t get too excited Albion fans... it’s just for new Monopoly
Stirling Albion will be making it to Hampden Park this season and every single season till the end of time — on the brand new Stirling Monopoly game.
The Stirling Monopoly people have been told the 72-year-old club has never made it to a Cup Final at Scotland’s footballing showpiece... until now.
Ironically the club once held a Scottish football scoring record — a 20-0 win over Selkirk.
Now they are set to appear on a Community Chest card, when the new game — announced last Tuesday — is out, putting a smile on the face of every Binos fan.
They are poised to be immortalised in the official game where 30 famous Stirling landmarks, including The National Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle, the university and other local landmarks will be replacing famous Monopoly locations like Mayfair and Park Lane from the London classic original. The Chance and Community Chest cards are Stirling themed too — and the Stirling Observer will be gracing the traditional Fleet Street square.
With the public having sent in almost 3000 suggestions so far, the one suggesting the football club should go directly to Hampden Park caught has already caught the judges’ imagination.
Albion chairman Stuart Brown said: “Stirling being awarded its own Monopoly game has brought a real buzz around the city and I am absolutely delighted Stirling Albion is to be associated with undoubtedly the most popular board game of all time.
“In truth, we can but dream of playing in a cup final at Hampden every year, indeed right now, in real life, I’d settle for two trips a season to Hampden to play Queen’s Park in the league!”
Many Stirling stores will be stocking the board when it hits shop shelves in October and the game will also be widely available online, including at Amazon.
Stirling saw off nine other leading Scottish cities and towns to land its very own official Monopoly game.
Emma Lodwick, custom games executive from Winning Moves UK, makers of the new game under licence from Hasbro, said: “Thank you to everyone who has sent in suggestions. We have had some fantastic ones.
“The one about Stirling Albion being immortalised forever going to Hampden Park for a cup final has certainly captured our attention. Our ears pricked up when we heard that. That’s being very much inked in.
“At a glance the castle, monument and football club appear to have secured most nominations but the Old Town Jail did well too. As the four corner squares remain the same then we would have to put it on a square of its own, maybe next to Monopoly jail, so let’s see.”
Dean Lockhart MSP said: “I am so pleased the makers of Monopoly have recognised the many historic landmarks and areas of great beauty so clearly on display in Stirling would make a fantastic Monopoly board. I am sure it will be a huge success, I look forward to having a game when it is produced.”
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “It’s about time Stirling had its own Monopoly game. Given the huge growth of private sector renting and proposed executive housing on the green belt, it could be an intriguing version of the classic game!”