After what must have seemed like forever, East Stirling can count centre half Ryan Frances as a player available to play again. He has completed his 14 games an imposed by the SFA. However, it may still be some time befoire he pulls on a strip in anger. The former St. Mirren youngster had been suspended after being sent off in a Scottish Cup tie against Buckie Thistle on 23 October. He would normally have been hit with an automatice two game ban following his clash with Thistle’s Chris Angus. However, he had an additional 12 game ban imposed to serve after being found guilty of violent conduct, dissent and the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language.
Shire head coach John Coughlin said: "Ryan’s ban covered all levels of football so we could not even get him some game time with a Junior or Amateur side over the past three and a half months. He has served his punishment but he is not ready to play again as he will need some game time before he can step back into our side."