| Athletico Bilbino
Rave On Line Fanzine | |
Athletico Bilbino by Michael McPake | Athletico Bilbino is the Stirling Albion Supporters Team set up by Binos fans at the beginning of 2004. The idea is to play other teams supporters, and whilst trying to win the matches, it is also a great way of building bridges with opposition supporters. Many thanks to Bilbino striker Michael "Steaky" McPake for this article on the teams fortunes during the maiden year. To find out more about Bilbino click on the link below.
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Last season was a successful season for the Stirling Albion fans. Promotion for the team was great and even better good football throughout the season. Seeing some good football was a change after a few of the worst seasons in the Binos History. The team made it look so easy and the shire made it look so bad we all fancied ourselves as players. We thought we would give playing a bash.
Our first game, organised by forum members of stirlingalbion.com was against local rivals f*lkirk. This was a 7–a-side game at Forthbank. Unfortunately, we conceded 2 goals in this game which we were very disappointed with, especially from a Falkrik team. More disappointing in that was we only scored 13. I am not going to write about all the scorers through all the games we have now played as people might think this is my autobiography.
After a good start we moved onto 11-a-side games. Athletic Bilbino were now born. The teams we have played include East Fife, home and away, Airdrie, Stranraer, Partick Thistle and Motherwell at home along with Forfar and Arbroath away. Our record stands 5 wins, 2 draws and a defeat to Airdrie 6-4. Our biggest win was away to Arbroath 13-2. Our defeat to Airdrie was put down to shambolic organisation in the defense. Yogi, possibly our most consistent performer was missing this day. If anyone is looking for an excuse for the Yogi I don’t mind telling you all there is not one. No family matter, no illness, just one more person through the gates of the Recs that Saturday.
Goal of the season – I am talking about quality, not quantity, so that rules me out. Roger Gardiner pinged in a 25 yard free kick into the top corner when we were 6-3 down to Airdrie. Never could score when it mattered. Roger ‘my hair is not ginger, chopper’ Gardiner has on many occasion said that “ quantity is better than quality,” so it’s a shame he has never scored when it mattered.
TAXI for Powerhouse! Craig Johnstone, ever reliable, versatile, experienced defender wins and will never forget his blunder of the year award after a moment of madness against Motherwell. All he had to do was Garry Patterson style lump it out the park or pass to the goalie but oh no. Craig was overcome and had obviously just came back from a class on decision making where the lecturer was Alan Murrie. Craig, trying to be smart, back heeled the ball right to a Motherwell forward and bang we were 5-0 down. If it wasn’t for the rest of the lads pulling it back to 5-5 he would have has even more egg on his face. ( this paragraph may include slight exaggeration)
Miss of the year – Robin ‘the original raving on’ Bairner and Barry ‘baz mac’ Maclean stand up let us all shout abuse at you. Robin missed a sitter header against East Fife, after years of slagging me calling me “tatty heid” we discovered that he had a head shaped the same way as a 50 pence piece. Barry MacLean – missing an open goal volley from 0.5 yards out. There is no excuse. I did feel sorry for you because its is the only time you have ever got into a goal scoring opportunity.
We know have some former players in our team. Blair Cremin plays upfront along side Steaky, who by the way averages 1.75 goals a game, used to play for the our very own Stirling Albion. He scored on his debut at Hampden doing something that Zidane and Ronaldinho could never do. Ex England goalkeeper David Seaman plays in goals, otherwise known as Scott ‘Froggy’ Johnstone. It is hard to tell the difference as they both get lobbed in comical fashion every game. Very similar in the ways that he is a great shot stopper, no one else wanted to play in goals and he couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo. Mark Yardley also gets a run out at right or left back. Our very own James ‘MIF’ Smith who is actually faster than Yardley but still prays that there is not a fast winger on the opposition. As we all do.
A short mention must go to SAMBA, The Stirling Albion Message Board Alcoholics get together every Sunday night at Forthbank to take part in a 6 a side league. After winning promotion and the fair play award that sits proudly in the Albion Bar they have shown great Bouncebackability to get in with a shout of back to back promotions after a poor start.
If you ever want to see us play you can check either website for fixtures or find us by looking out for us in our new all red strips that we donated from Super-leagues and The Stirling Albion Supporters Trust. Stirlingalbion.com is on the back of the strips. IF you do come down check out the number 4+5 who have turned out for Scotland fans team in Tallinn, Estonia last May. |
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