Speaker Stuart Brown, Stirling Albion's Chairman and Operations Director

Rotary club of Stirling, meeting of 2/10/15.
President Peter Mehta welcomed members to our meeting in the Golden Lion.
Upcoming events. Malcolm Cordwell Smith has arranged a visit to the new Forth Bridge on Monday 19/10/15 from 11-1.30.
The President's dinner will be on 3/12/15 in the Albert Hall Stirling.
Our speaker, Stuart Brown, has lived in Stirling most of his life, and been involved with Stirling Albion for many years and was thus well placed to tell us about the history of the club. Originally King's Park football club, it was liquidated following bomb damage in the second world war, but in 1945 ground was bought at Annfield  and Stirling Albion came into existence . The club's performance has been variable, and at one time it carried the nickname The YoYos as it went from the second division to the first and back again. They have however beaten Rangers in the past!
The initial pitch was created in only nine months, but over time a stand, and in 1951, floodlights were added. In the 1970s an early form of Astroturf proved unsatisfactory and unpopular, but in recent years the groundsman has created an excellent grass surface.Between 1990 and
2010 the chairman was Peter McKenzie and it has been said the club would not have survived without his efforts.
In 2009 £50,000 was raised by the supporters providing a large enough share of the capital cost to buy the club.
The club is actively involved in the community, providing services for the Council,and this ,plus the very popular match day hospitality gives the club income. In addition to this local activity, Stirling Albion have an important relationship with a club in Gambia, providing equipment and kit.
The vote of thanks was given by Martin Ross

Next week. Speaker's host Ian Milton, visitor's host Colin Bayes.
Rotary welcomes applications from men and women who wish to give something back to the
community.   www.stirling.rotary1010.org

Dr Ian Richardson