Stirling Albion are taking the opportunity of lifting their playing surface after the end of the season. This decision has been taken by their partners Active Stirling in full consultation and complete agreement of the club. Whilst the pitch has been maintained in good condition by groundsman Graeme Glen even during the wettest winter on record, the club think it is time the ground was reseeded as it is the same one that was laid at the time of the opening of the stadium in 1993. There has also been some issues with regards to drainage, in parts of the pitch, that can only be effectively addressed by taking this opportunity of getting them sorted once and for all.
Chairman Stuart Brown said: "Based on expert advice, and in the knowledge that in Graeme (Glen) we couldn’t wish to have a better man at the helm of pitch maintenance, I am confident this is the best way forward both short and, most particularly, long term for Forthbank. I am excited about the prospect of having a playing surface that will, I’m sure, be the envy of many, if not most, across all levels of Scottish football. Whilst I have every confidence that the timescale between re-seeding and the start of next season’s revamped League Cup will be sufficient, I have taken the precaution of approaching the SPFL to request that consideration be given to our opening couple of fixtures being scheduled away from home."
Kairn Campbell, Estates Manager for Active Stirling, added: "The work is being carried out by Campey Turf Care Systems as part of a demonstration tour and has attracted a considerable number of interested parties from abroad as well as across the UK. In Graeme Glen, we are very fortunate to have someone who is extremely well qualified, passionate about his work and is relishing this opportunity to work towards providing one of the best playing surfaces in Scotland"
The lifting of the surface also provides the club with a possible new revenue steam with the potential to auction certain areas of the pitch (e.g. the ‘Hurlford penalty spot’) and anyone who would like more information should contact the club by e-mail office@stirlingalbionfc.co.uk or telephone , in the first instance, to register their interest.