Alex Smith

Alex Smith

Alex Smith was appointed Stirling Albion manager in September 1974, and even he could not have foreseen that he would still be in charge until December 1986.  Alex had played for Stirling in the early 1960s, during one of the teams less successful spells, and had then drifted on to East Stirling and Albion Rovers.  Injury plagued his career, but his love of the game was insatiable, and when Stenhousemuir offered him the chance to become their Player-Coach in 1968, he was delighted.  Stenhousemuir had never had a manager before, but they took the bold step of giving Smith the job within a year of his move to Ochilview.  In six years at the club he pulled them up by their bootlaces, and produced talented young players such as Stewart Kennedy, who could be sold to help balance the books. 

When Smith moved to Annfield it took him a couple of years to build the side he wanted, but in 1977 he won the Division Two Championship for the club with his own men.  Four years in Division One followed – the longest period Stirling have gone without relegation – and a string of good players were produced.

Relegation in 1981 was a bitter blow to Smith, but he set about the task of building another side capable of winning promotion.  Unfortunately, good players had to be sold, so men like Colquhoun, Grant and Philliben moved on before realising their full potential.  Stirling were forever on the fringe of Promotion without making the step up.

Smith’s talents as a Coach were recognised by the SFA who put him in charge of the Professional Youth Squad.  This was a great honour for him and the club.  Other clubs had frequently considered making moves for Smith, and in December 1986 an approach from Premier League St Mirren proved to strong to resist.  Smith moved to Love Street, and within six months had won the Scottish Cup with the Paisley side.

Football is a fickle game however, and less than a year later Smith was fired by them.  Since them Smith has been around various clubs, including Aberdeen, Dundee United and Ross County, where he is still currently in charge.  He is one of the most respected managers in Scottish Football, and one of the longest serving, having been in charge of different clubs in one form or another for more than 35 years.