ROBERTS PUTS PEN TO PAPER
Stirling Albion have made winger Scott Roberts their fifth new signing of the summer.
The 24-year-old joins the Binos from League Two rivals Albion Rovers, having turned down the offer of a new contract at Cliftonhill.
The wide midfielder was with Rangers as a youngster before going on to play for Raith Rovers, Annan Athletic and Elgin City. He signed for Rovers last summer and made 32 appearances across all competitions in 2019/20, netting four goals in the process.
He is the second player to make the switch from Coatbridge to Forthbank, after striker Declan Byrne, while Stirling manager Kevin Rutkiewicz has also brought in forward Andy Ryan from Dunfermline, Queen’s Park winger Kieran Moore and Airdrie midfielder Kurtis Roberts.
The Binos now have 17 first-team players under contract for 2020/21 and they will be joined by academy graduates Martin France, Sandy Carey and Will Greenhorn – the 18-year-old trio all put pen to paper this week and will be given their chance to impress in pre-season.
Meanwhile, Stirling will kick off their League Two campaign at home to Queen’s Park for the second year running. The Spiders claimed a 1-0 win at Forthbank last August and Albion will be hoping for a better result when the sides go head to head on Saturday, October 17.
The Binos make the short journey to Stenhousemuir for a local derby the following weekend and end the month with a home game against Annan Athletic. They host Stenhousemuir in a New Year derby on January 2 and conclude the 27-match campaign with a trip to Stranraer on Saturday, May 1.
Albion will play 13 fixtures at home and 14 on the road and chairman Stuart Brown this week confirmed all home games will take place at Forthbank, having also explored the possibility of a short-term groundshare with Alloa Athletic due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “I am delighted to be in a position to advise that the club board has taken the decision to play all home matches at Forthbank Stadium.
“This was not an easy decision to reach but following in-depth discussions with Active Stirling and Alloa Athletic regarding the possibility of playing and training at the Indodrill Stadium, at least during any behind-closed doors phase, on balance (with the necessary assurances in place regadring the state of readiness of Forthbank) we considered it was safe and appropriate to remain at home.
“I would like to make public Stirling Albion’s heartfelt gratitude to Mike Mulraney, chairman of Alloa Athletic and his board colleagues. With challenges to overcome in respect of playing at Forthbank Stadium for the forthcoming season, it was of huge comfort to know that our close neighbours were ready, willing, and able to assist should those challenges have proved to be unsurmountable.
“There is currently no indication that supporters will be allowed to return any time soon. As things stand, we are focusing our plans on matches being behind closed doors but will be ready to act should this position change.”