As the new League One season approaches, Stenhousemuir FC are a side still very much in transition – and arguably in survival mode – struck by injuries, key departures, and a threadbare squad stretched to the limit.
Administration averted
A new board assumed control of Stenhousemuir in November 2024, and by the end of the season, the current leadership revealed that it had taken significant effort to satisfy auditors, avoid administration and ensure the club could be signed off as a going concern, highlighting the seriousness of the situation behind the scenes.
With those financial worries as a backdrop manager Gary Naysmith has described the last few weeks as the toughest challenge of his managerial career, and few could argue with that assessment. After a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Morton and with just nine fit players available in the days leading up to their League Cup clash with Premiership side Motherwell, the Warriors were left scrambling to assemble a starting XI, signing five players on amateur deals just to fulfill the fixture as well as naming two trialists. Naysmith admitted the club even considered requesting to forfeit the match, such was the extent of their injury crisis.
Yet somehow, the patched-up side managed to hold out for a narrow 1-0 defeat to Jens Berthel Askou’s top-tier outfit. The Warriors battled bravely, and could even have snatched an unlikely draw when Gregor Buchanan had a chance in stoppage time. They saw out the group with a draw at Clyde and in the final game won against last season’s League 2 champions Peterhead, courtesy of Ross Taylor’s effort. After that result, Naysmith said he hopes to have two or three players back from injury to ease concerns for the league opener at Ochilview.
Goals win games
Stenny remain light in the forward areas. Last season’s top scorer Matty Yates departed in the summer, although his rumoured signing at Broadwood has been kyboshed by Hamilton’s year-long transfer embargo. If he doesn’t make a late return it leaves a hole in Stenhousemuir’s frontline. Stenny’s other option Matty Aitken went off through injury against Morton after just 25 minutes and they have had to turn to short-term signings like Peter Mendy and Max Guthrie – neither of whom had trained with the team before arriving for the Motherwell match.
Finlay Gray’s Broken Collarbone
One man Alloa won’t face thanks to injury is summer signing Finlay Gray. He was one of the league’s standout midfielders despite being at relegated Dumbarton last season. Gray brought energy, pressing, and the ability to drive forward with the ball. Former Dundee United prospect Finn Robson has since been signed following a solid showing as a trialist but there’s big boots to fill as Gray faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Stenny had said goodbye to SPFL stalwarts Nat Wedderburn, Kyle Jacobs and Blair Alston in the summer leaving Mikey Anderson, former Hearts youngster Ryan Duncan and possibly soon-to-be-fit Scott Mcgill as the other central midfield options in a sparse roster.
Alloa’s last visit to Stenhousemuir
In their last meeting, Alloa Athletic earned a dominant 4-1 victory over Stenhousemuir. Luke Donnelly fired the Wasps into the lead just before half-time, but the visitors asserted their control after the break. A brace from Stefan Scougall and a goal from Rangers loanee Josh Gentles sealed the comprehensive win, with Matty Yates grabbing a late consolation header for Stenny. It made the tally for last season three wins for the Wasps to just one for the Warriors.
