Football Season Guide

Stirling Albion will hoping to mount a sustained challenge for the play-off places in League Two this season. The Binos will be disappointed with their showing in 2015/16 having dropped off the pace in the New Year to miss out on the play-offs. Hopes were high at the start of last season as they looked to bounce straight back at the first time of asking after being relegated from League One. Loughborough University coach Stuart McLaren had been unable to prevent them from finishing adrift at the bottom of the table in 2014/15 and had been dealt further blows last summer with the departures of influential defender Chris Smith and striker and leading goalscorer Gordon Smith. The additions of goalkeeper Chris Smith and striker Sean Dickson made a big difference with outstanding between the sticks and voted player of the season. Winger Darren Smith and experienced striker Steven Doris both made welcome returns from long-term injuries and the Binos soon recovered from a poor start to the season to find their form and climb to third place. They were unable to maintain that form however and won just three of their 13 league matches which saw them slip out of play-off contention and eventually finish in a disappointing 7th place. McLaren acted quickly following the end of the season to pull off something of a coup with the capture of striker Blair Henderson from Berwick Rangers. Midfielders Bryan Hodge and Darren Petrie have both joined from Forfar Athletic and Airdrie respectively whilst winger Eddie Ferns has joined from Alloa Athletic. Steven Doris has left to re-join Dick Campbell at Arbroath whilst midfielder Phil Johnston has signed for title favourites Clyde. McLaren has some encouraging youngsters coming through the ranks, most notable winger Moses Olanrewaju and they will be optimistic that the play-offs are achievable in 2016/17.