News of Former Reds - (06/11/04) Two ex-Binos hit doubles for Stenhousemuir against East Fife last week. Paul McGrillen and Ryan Davidson were the men in question. Stevie Nicholas scored East Fife's first goal but could not prevent his team from going down to a 2-5 defeat...Chris Templeman was again on target for Brechin last week. He scored one of their goals in a 2-2 draw against Alloa at Recreation Park...Robert Dunn scored both of Dumbarton's goals in their 2-0 win against Forfar Athletic at Station Park...Derek Lyle has rejoined Queen of the South after a short spell with SPL side Dunfermline Athletic...Tom Tait made his debut for Ayr United last week. He was originally signed as a reserve team coach but his experience is just too useful not to include him in their line up...Steven Cosgrove was on the bench for Gretna against Queens Park last week News of Former Reds - (16/10/04) Willie Irvine scored one of Sauchie's goals in their 2-0 Scottish Junior Cup win away to Glenrothes last week...Alex Bone scored on his Clachnacuddin debut away to Fraserburgh last week. Bone who walked out on Elgin recently said "I now feel like I'm playing for a cause rather than a job. Here it is not about money. Everyone fights for each other. I'm only 32 and i wanted to come to Clach while I could still give them everything i have. Four of my seven clubs have been up North and home is where my heart is - I'm a Highlander these days. People ask me about taking a step down but remove Peterhead and Gretna from the Third Division and who would Clach fear?"...Paul Watson has moved from Maryhill to East Kilbride Thistle...Stevie Mallan scored one of Glenafton's goals in their win last Saturday...Kenny Brannigan has donned his boots again and signed for Armadale Thistle...Davie Ross continues to score on a regular basis for Bannockburn Amateurs...Chris Edwards continues to do outstandingly well in US College Soccer. He now plays up front and is one of the most highly rated players at that level. He is with Oakland University. Union University now include no fewer than FOUR ex-Binos in their line-up. Darren Goldie, Brendan Crozier, Gareth Munro and Scott Sinclair, have all joined forces at the outfit based in Jackson, Tennessee. Incidentally only this week Gareth has been named the TranSouth Conference and NAIA Region XI Player of the Week ending October the 10th. Munro helped Union to a perfect 2-0 week. To keep up to date with all four former Binos players click Here to visit the Union University website. News of Former Reds - (02/10/04) Stevie McCormick is now plying his trade with Ludlow Town of the Midland Football Alliance. Most recently he had been with Cwmbran Town of the Welsh League. According to the Ludlow manager "we are a young squad and to have someone like Stevie come in has given everyone a lift in the dressing room and on the pitch. He has made a massive difference up front"...Former trialist goalkeeper Neil Bennett has joined Forfar Athletic on loan from Partick Thistle...Fraser Duncan has joined up with other ex-Binos Gary Kelly and Scott Morrison at Jim Moffat's East Fife....Chris Wood has joined the sizeable ex-Albion contingent at Bathgate Thistle. Andy Smith, Colin McKinnon and Barry Elliot have all been key players in Thistle's good run in the East Superleague. Interestingly a recent report on a Thistle match said of McKinnon "He never seems to be in the game then he pops up to score a vital goal"...Barry Elliot scored Bathgate's goal in last week's 4-1 defeat to Bo'ness for whom Kevin Thomas and Peter Cormack (2) were on target...Andy Paterson of Albion Rovers has missed much of the season so far through injury...His namesake Gary Paterson was in excellent form for Oakley United against Glenrothes recently. However, he was ent off last Saturday for a double yellow card against Tayport. Gary quit as manager of Lochore Welfare and switched to Oakley in a playing capacity...Tayport's goal last week was scored by former Albion trialist Gary Middleton...Alloa's comeback to beat Dumbarton 3-2 two week's ago coincided with the substitution of Paul Mortimer and Stevie Nicholas. Both were subbed at 0-2 with 20 minutes to go...Paul Deas missed out for Brechin through suspension...Clyde manager Billy Reid won the August Manager of the Month...Ally Graham netted a hat trick for Queen's Park as they defeated East Fife 4-1 last Saturday. Interview With Skippy - (27/10/04) Former Stirling goalkeeper Garry Gow has now left football for the present and is working as a barman in Glasgow’s West End. Gow was the third Motherwell free –transfer man to move from to Forthbank after John Philliben took over. The goalkeeper quickly dislodged Mark McGewon from the first team, and impressed everyone with his skills. ‘Gowser’s’ most notably performance for the Binos was in their famous 1999 win over Hibs in the cup where he produced a string of superb saves in the 1-1 draw at Easter Road and in the 2-1 replay win at Forthbank. During his last season with the club he had to share oalkeeping duties with Jason Gardiner due to injury, which limited his appearances to 43. He joined St Johnstone towards the end of that season before joining Stenhousemuir for a spell. A few junior clubs are currently interested in Gow although he is yet to make up his mind. Rave On Line would like to wish him all the best in whatever his decision is.
Stirling Albion’s Aussie legend Stuart ‘Skippy’ McLaren has agreed to do an interview with Rave On Line and we are currently waiting on his comments and they shall be featured as soon as we hear back from him. ‘Skippy’ was our ‘cover’ striker during seasons 1996/97 and 1997/98, and again never the club down when asked. He specialised in late goals, such as the one that earned a draw at Brockville in April 1997. Scottish by birth, Australian by naturalisation, the former Wollongong City Wolves player, had eschewed the joys of Brechin or Stranraer to pursue a career in Hong Kong. He is currently a player/manager is the Australian League with Brisbane Strikers and had a successful season with them last year guiding them to a place in the top ten. Keep checking the site to see if the interview is up, we are hopeful it will be in the next few days.
News Of Former Reds (11/09/04) Stevie Mallan was on target for Glenafton Athletic two weeks ago…And on the same afternoon Barry Elliot and Colin McKinnon(2) scored in Bathgate’s 5-1 win over Thornton Hibs…Ian McAuley and Duncan George are part of the midfield engine room for Auchinleck Talbot this season…Robert Reilly has landed a coaching job with Ayr United under new boss Mark Shanks… Turner Make International Debut (11/09/04) At long last Iain Turner was given a Scotland Under 21 cap during the recent 3-1 defeat by Spain. Iain came on as a 75th minute substitute for Graham Smith. Iain is somewhat ‘in limbo’ at Everton these days. He is now too old to play in their Under 19 side. Regarding the first team he is third choice – this means he does not get a game in the midweek Reserve side either. Iain really enjoyed his spell on loan to Chester City last season and another loan spell could be on the cards before too long. Further news on Iain’s International future came to light recently, with the news that he is apparently contemplating switching his allegiances to England. Iain is believed to have a clash of personalities with Scotland Under 21’s coach Rainer Bonhoff, and because his only Cap for Scotland came in a friendly this makes him still eligible to play for England. Iain’s parents both come from England and his father, who still attend Binos home matches, would be only to happy to see Iain pull on the England jersey. Former Binos in America (11/08/04) Last season three former Binos youngsters, Gareth Munroe, Chris Edwards and Ross Beveridge, were playing In America under a Soccer Scholarship. The success of the trio, especially Gareth, who scored the goal to beat St Mirren to set up ‘that’ tie with Celtic a couple of years ago, had led to a new influx of Scots over there, and among them some more former Binos youngsters. Stuart Sinclair and Brendan Crozier are among a number of new Binos plying their trade in the American leagues. News on Former Reds (28/08/04) Andy Smith has signed up for Bathgate Thistle following his free transfer at the end of the season…Queen’s Park manager Kenny Brannigan was shown the door at Hampden following an alleged bust up during the recent match at Elgin. It has been alleged that Brannigan assaulted a player who had been substituted. When the father of another player intervened it is further alleged that Brannigan also assaulted him…Former Binos first team trialist of the John Philliben era, Joe McAlpine, switched from Queen of the South to Raith Rovers during the summer break…The Andy Patterson who has been on trial with East Fife recently is NOT the ex-Bino, who is still with Albion Rovers…Chris Templeman hit a late double for Brechin City last week as their season got off to a late start with a 2-0 win over Berwick…Billy Reid’s Clyde have made a great start to the season and top the First Division after three games…Paul McGrillen hit another for Stenhousemuir against Shire last week, adding to his hat-trick against Cowdenbeath the previous Saturday…Laundry Zahanna Oni has quit English non-league football to sign a one-year deal with Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol…Gretar Hjartarsson continues to score goals regularly for Icelandic side Grindavik. He has never added to his one Icelandic cap won a few years ago against Brazil in the Maracana Stadium…Stuart McLaren’s first season as manager of Brisbane Strikers saw them finish a creditable 6th in the Australian League. Stuart scored a few goals for them and also earned a few bookings… Binos in the Junior World (21/08/04) Refrewshire’s Arthurlie include Stevie Jack in defence and Ryan Scobbie up front…Auchinleck Talbot have snapped up Derek Anderson (also ex Alloa) who was freed by the Binos at the end of last season…Paul McAneny (also ex Alloa) has switched from Auchinleck Talbot to Hurlford United…Paul Watson has left Maryhill Juniors to sign up for John Brogan’s East Kilbryde Thistle. One of his team mates will be Vinnie Conway (also ex Alloa) Colin Mitchell has joined Kevin Thomas at Bo’ness United…Neil Bennett and Kenny McLellan have teamed up at Linlithgow Rose…Former Albion trialist David Muirhead has switched from Bo’ness United to Fauldhouse United…Gary Higgins teams up with Willie Irvine, Gregor Mckechnie and Fraser Duncan at Sauchie Juniors…Another ex-Albion trialist Kenny Balmain is with Kilsyth Rangers…Ged Gardiner, a first team trialist from a few years ago, has moved from Arthurlie to Petershill who include Anton Nugent in goals…Stenhouse Violet manager Brian Martin has signed Alan Provan from Port Glasgow Athletic…Bathgate Thistle won their opening East Super League game against Oakley United last Saturday by 4-1. Colin McKinnon scored their first goal with Barry Elliot netting a hat trick…Chris Geddis scored on his Pumpherston debut as they defeated Dalkeith 2-0 away from home last week…Graham ‘Dixie’ Deans was outstading for Crossgates Primrose as they defeated Ballingry Rovers 1-0 in the opening fixture of the Fife League programme… Former Binos Make Impact On Opening Day (11/08/04) Quite a few ex-Binos were to the fore on the opening day of league action on Saturday. In Division Three the East Fife management team of Jim Moffat and Kevin Bain (now his Assistant) guided their team to a 1-0 win over Henry Hall’s Montrose…Steven Cosgrove scored one of the goals as Gretna demolished Albion Rovers to the tune of 6-0…Queen’s Park’s Steven Reilly put through his own goal to score for Cowdenbeath…Alex Bone hit a double as Elgin won 2-0 at Stenhousemuir who included Paul McGrillen, Ryan Davidson and Steve Kerrigan in their side… News Of Former Reds (17/07/04) Les Fridge has taken over as manager of Nairn County…Andy Paterson has signed a new contract with Albion Rovers…Steven Nicholas has joined Alloa from Northwich Victoria…Neil Bennett was freed by Berwick Rangers…Billy Reid is the new manager of Clyde…Paul Mortimer was undecided about whether or not to sign a new contract with East Fife…Eddie Forrest has signed a two-year deal with Forfar Athletic…Alex Bone scored twice for Elgin City against Forres Mechanics in their opening friendly last Saturday…Alex Williams missed Morton’s first game against Largs Thistle due to a neck injury…Paul McGrillen has moved from Bellshill Athletic to join Stenhousemuir… And Also Alan Moffat, grandson of 1940s Albion legend John Moffat, has signed for the Shire. Ex-Riverside BC player Alan was with Aberdeen as a youngster ten years ago but has since made a good name for himself in junior football. News on Former Binos Youngsters (18/07/04) Stirling Albion youngster Chris Geddes, who was one of a number of players released at the end of the 2003/04 promotion season, has been asked along to pre-season by a number of clubs. The left winger has attracted quite a bit of interest from a number of junior sides as well as Third Division East Stirlingshire. His preferred option however is to join up with fellow former McLaren High School pupil Kenny McClelland at Linlithgow Rose. Despite rumours that Kenny had been released by the ‘Rose’, they have indicated that he is still very much of their future plans and he will remain there for at least one more season, despite interest from local side Doune Castle. Kenny always looked a good enough player to make the cut, even in the Third Division, however, a huge drop in confidence meant that he was released at the end of Season 2002/03 and he struggled throughout last season. Linlithgow however, obviously see the potential that Kenny has to offer and have given him another chance. Meanwhile, Gareth Munro, the winger/ centre forward that starred for the Binos 3 seasons ago and scored that memorable winner against St Mirren in the CIS Cup, is absolutely loving his time out in the United States and his Soccer scholarship is going very well. Death of Former Bino Players (14/07/04) Danny McLennan (1925-2004) Which ex-Albion player and manager was also manager of no fewer than 8 different national teams? The answer, of course, is the late Danny McLennan who passed away at the end of last season. McLennan joined Albion as a player from Rangers in February 1946. He was a highly rated inside left but played only three games before being transferred to Falkirk. His other clubs included East Fife and Dundee from whom he joined Berwick Rangers as Player-Manager in 1957. McLennan can lay claim to being one of the most successful Albion managers of all time. Under his guidance the team won the Second Division Championship in 1961 and reached the Semi Final of the League Cup in October 1961. However, within a month he had been sacked after a simmering dispute with the directors over his management style – perhaps he expected too much autonomy. After a spell with Worcester City he embarked on his world tour which saw him manage the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Malawi, Mauritius and Fiji. He also held club management posts in Kenya, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Norway, Malta and most recently in India. He was manager of Churchill Brothers, one of the top Indian clubs, until he was well in his mid 80s. Jimmy Allan (1925-2004) Jimmy Allan was best known for his work as Secretary of Camelon Juniors during the 1970s and 80s. As a player he started with junior side Grange Rovers just before World War Two. On his return from service duties in 1946 he signed for Camelon Juniors before going on to play for Hearts, Dunfermline Athletic, Stirling Albion, Raith Rovers, Stenhousemuir and East Stirlingshire (twice). He played just 6 games for Albion between longer spells at Stenhousemuir and Dunfermline – but what a 6 games they were! His debut was a t home to Celtic (Albion won 2-1) and he then played against Hibs, Queen of the South, Aberdeen, Falkirk and Rangers. Jimmy scored twice in Albion’s 3-1 win over Queen of the South at Annfield. Albion escaped relegation that season and the players were rewarded with an end of season trip to Switzerland. Jimmy was included in the invitation but declined the offer as he was a part-time player and could not get the time off from his work as a bookbinder with Dunn and Wilson in Falkirk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||