Albion’s groundis no.1in Scotland

Stirling Albion are celebrating being the best in the country.

While the fans have been singing the Binos praises since they were founded in 1945, players from around Scotland have now proclaimed the Forthbank ground as No 1, winning the Groundsman of the Year Award for the club’s Graeme Glen.

After a season-long study of all 42 of the SPFL’s pitches – a joint venture between the players union PFA Scotland, the Scottish FA and Sports Labs, the leading international experts in sports surface development and testing – the Forthbank pitch has beaten some of the biggest grounds in the country to take top spot.

Throughout season 2017/18, players at all clubs were asked to rate the pitch they played on every time they were away from home via a specially commissioned PitchRater APP.

There were more than 43,000 answers overall to 12 simple questions which saw the SPFL League Two side come out with the best rating, with Peterhead’s Balmoor Stadium in second and Queen’s Park’s Hampden Park in third - the Spiders being voted best in League One. Motherwell’s Fir Park was best in the Premiership while Tannadice, home of Dundee United, took the Championships kudos.

Fraser Wishart, chief executive of PFA Scotland, said: “Too often players’ views are overlooked within football. In this case alterations are made to pitches and different surfaces laid without any thought of, or consultation with, our members. It is often forgotten that the pitch is our members’ place of work and for that reason we are delighted to partner in this groundbreaking research with Sports Labs and the Scottish FA.”

A club spokesperson said: “Huge congratulations to Graeme Glen on this honour from everyone at Stirling Albion – a well-deserved reward for all the hours put in to maintain the pitch to such a high standard.”