Stirling University F.C.
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| Full name | Stirling University Football Club | |
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| Founded | 2008 | |
| Ground | Forthbank Stadium, Stirling | |
| Capacity | 3,808 (2,508 seated) | |
| Manager | Shelley Kerr | |
| League | Lowland Football League | |
| 2014-15 | Lowland Football League, 6th | |
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Stirling University F.C. are a football club who play in the Lowland Football League. The club operates six teams which compete in a combination of British university competitions and in senior and amateur leagues across Scotland. The University of Stirling deliver a High Performance Football Programme which provides players to the first team. As part of this programme, students can be offered football scholarships to study for a degree and play football at the university. The football scholarship programme is named after Craig Gowans, a talented Falkirk player who died in 2005 while training at the university.
History
The club was admitted to the First Division of the East of Scotland Football League in 2008, after Berwick Rangers withdrew their reserve team. The 2009-10 season was one of great success for the students, as they won the First Division title in only the team’s second season in the East of Scotland League. They also won the Scottish Universities Championship and reached the King Cup final, losing to East of Scotland Premier Division champions Spartans 0-2 at Ferguson Park, Rosewell. In the 2010-11 season, in their first season in the East of Scotland Premier Division, the students secured a second place finish and also suffered defeat in the King Cup final at the hands of Spartans at the Falkirk Stadium. They were successful in the Alex Jack Cup, winning the final 7-0 against Lothian Thistle at the Falkirk Stadium.
In 2012, Stirling University again won the Alex Jack Cup, beating Gretna 2008 in the final. In March 2012, the university's first year scholar Stephen Hoyle left the program to sign for ASB Premiership side Hawke's Bay United in New Zealand. Stirling University had a remarkable 2011-12 season, bringing three trophies back to the university, including the East of Scotland Premier Division title for the first time.
This saw the university compete in the 2012-13 Scottish Cup, participating in the Scottish Cup for the first time in the club's history. Stirling University were drawn against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in the second round, with the university getting beat 0-1.[1] At the end of the 2012-13 season, goalkeeper Kevin Walker left the university to sign a one year professional contract with Scottish Championship side Livingston.[2]
When it was announced in 2013 that Stirling University would be admitted to the Lowland League, it was also announced that they would use Stirling Albion's Forthbank Stadium for their home fixtures.[3] In August 2014 they announced their new manager as Shelley Kerr, becoming the first senior club in Britain to appoint a female manager.[4]
Women
In 2014 the women's team joined with Falkirk L.F.C. and will compete as Stirling University from 2015 onwards.[5][6]
Honours
Below is a list of honours won by the first eleven of Stirling University Football Club.[7]
League
Cup
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As Students
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External links
References
- ↑ "Scottish Cup: Rangers draw Forres Mechanics in second round". BBC Sport (BBC). 27 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ↑ http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/news/news_20130528_1.php
- ↑ "Stirling Uni to use Forthbank". stirlingalbionfc.co.uk (Stirling Albion F.C.). 17 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- ↑ "Shelley Kerr is first female boss in British senior ranks". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ↑ http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/the-university-of-stirling-appoints-the-first-female-manager-in-british-men-s-senior-.1408465866
- ↑ http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1957&newsCategoryID=3&newsID=14210
- ↑ Honours - Stirling University FC Stirling University. Retrieved 24-05-2014.
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