BINOS PUT THEIR FAITH IN YOUTHS
Three U18s players are promoted to first team squad for 2020-21
Stirling Albion have promoted three of last season’s U18 team to the first-team squad for 2020/21.
Binos boss Kevin Rutkiewicz already has 16 players under contract and they will now be joined by academy graduates Sandy Carey, Martin France and Will Greenhorn.
With Forthbank Stadium still closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 18-year-old trio completed paperwork in the shadow of the Wallace Monument along with club chairman Stuart Brown and Heads of Youth, Niall Marshall and David
Brown.
Greenhorn, a centre-half, already has experience of training with the first team last season and was an unused substitute in two matches towards the end of 2018/19. France and Carey, who are both attacking players, have featured in friendly matches.
Head of Youth Coaching Niall Marshall said: “The club is delighted to see the progression of the three young players, which is testament to their own commitment and the hard work put in by our academy coaches and former Head of Youth Coaching Mark Wood over a number of years.”
Binos boss Rutkiewicz added: “It’s great to add three lads from our youth system to the squad. All three have excelled and shown they have the attributes to grow if they apply themselves over the coming weeks and months.
“Each will have their own unique pathway in football but I’m delighted to offer them their first platform in the senior game and look forward to working with them.”
The teenagers will be hoping to follow the likes of skipper Ross Mcgeachie, defender Kyle Banner and goalkeeper Cammy Binnie who are three of the players to have come through the ranks in recent years.
Meanwhile, Stirling will find out their fixture list for 2020/21 today (Wednesday) at 2pm with the SPFL planning to publish the schedules for the Championship, League 1 and League 2 before the Premiership gets under way this weekend.
Stirling will begin their 27-game programme on Saturday, October 17 and will have either 13 or 14 home matches in the shortened 2020/21 season.
Albion finished sixth in League 2 in 2019/20 and haven’t played since losing 7-1 to Cove Rangers at Forthbank on Tuesday, March 10. They are likely to return to training at the end of August and will start the new season with the group stage of the Betfred Cup, which begins on Tuesday, October 6.