07-05-2025
Stirling Albion boss reveals hope for next season after dull Forfar curtain call
The Binos rounded off their season with a goalless draw in Angus against a home side fighting the drop - with a section of the away support in fancy dress even offering a party vibe to the final game.
There was to be no final stirring act to the story of Stirling Albion's League Two season as attentions already turn to moving things forward for a crack at the top spots next time around.
The Binos secured a sixth-place finish in the division after the final-day 0-0 draw at Forfar, where most of the attentions was not on the visitors, but rather the nails being bitten by a home support keen to avoid a relegation play-off.
In the end, it all rather petered out as both sides settled for the goalless draw, meaning they will see each other at least four times in league action in 2025/26.
Stirling manager Alan Maybury brought in some of his squad members from the cold for rare starts in Angus as a reward for their efforts over the season — and expressed positivity over the club's position ahead of what is sure to be another busy summer of ins and outs.
The Irishman said: 'We knew we didn't have much to play for other than pride after last week. We changed a few to give some boys a game that they merited but I thought the attitude was top class and played some good football and hit the bar as well.
'As the second half went on, they came into it and Derek [Gaston] has to make a couple of good saves and we had a few half-decent opportunities. It was difficult with the wind out there and I thought there were some strange decisions from the officials as well which was just kind of frustrating and caused a lack of flow in the game.
'We took our point and overall, we're a little disappointed in terms of where I hoped we might get to but from the starting position we had, there has been a lot of good work and foundations, especially since the recruitment around Christmas where we've looked a lot better.
'I would guess we're in the bottom three or four in terms of budget in the division and we've beaten most of the teams above us with the exception of Peterhead.
'There has been a lot of good stuff, albeit we've struggled against some of the sides lower than us, but we do have a lot of hope going into next season.'
The final round of results from the weekend mean that Stirling are now sure of five opponents for next season — with Spartans, Clyde, Stranraer, Forfar and relegated Dumbarton assured to join them in League Two.
The final four spots will be decided as the play-offs kick off this week, with Edinburgh City and East Fife set to face off, as well as Elgin City and ninth-placed League One finishers Annan.
Meanwhile, League Two bottom dogs Bonnyrigg Rose will be hoping to preserve their status with a play-off against East Kilbride.
