Superheroes Number 19 - George Peebles

Nobody merits a place in this feature on the Albion’s greatest superheroes than George Peebles, even if he did spend the greater part of his playing career with Dunfermline Athletic. Peebs first appearance at Annfield as a young trialist in a pre-season “Reds v Whites” match in the early 1950’s. He wasn’t signed, and went to Dunipace Juniors. From there the exciting winger-cum-striker joined Dunfermline.

At East End Park he enjoyed great success, appearing at the highest level in a Scottish Cup Final and in many memorable European ties. When he was released by the pars in 1966 it was his home-town team, Stirling Albion, that stepped in to sign him.

Albion were a First Division side at the time and George was a full-time player. He was still a force to be reckoned with and tormented many defences in his spell at Annfield. He played in just over 100 games, scoring 18 goals before retiring in 1971. By that time he had started to coach the Albion Reserve side, and he was quickly promoted to First Team Coach under Alex Smith. He was Number 2 to Smith for 12 years before taking over as Manager when Smith departed for St Mirren.

George’s spell as Manager of Albion was something of a roller-coaster – there were great moments and also some desperate times. Three quarters way through 1987/88 George decided to call it a day, some 36 years after he first appeared at Annfield.

A true Albion Superhero!