Alloa Athletic are preparing to face Falkirk and East Stirlingshire as the Stirlingshire Cup makes its return in 2025, this time with a refreshed structure to incorporate it into a preseason schedule. The competition, which reappeared last year after an eight-year break, originally saw the Wasps take on East Stirlingshire and Stirling Albion. This season, the format has been reshaped into a group-stage style tournament, with teams split into two mini-leagues.

Matches will be held at two venues—Falkirk Stadium and Ochilview Park, home to Stenhousemuir. Each club will play two shortened, 60-minute games in a single day. As hosts

Once again, six teams are involved: Alloa, Falkirk, Stirling Albion, East Stirlingshire, Stenhousemuir, and Dumbarton.

Alloa’s group fixtures are set for Saturday, June 21 at Falkirk Stadium. They’ll face Premiership side Falkirk at 10 a.m, followed by a clash with Lowland League outfit East Stirlingshire at midday.

Alloa Athletic FC support will be seated in Falkirk’s North Stand and tickets can be purchased here:

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM FALKIRK FC (click here)

Please note that ticket purchase entitles you to watch all 3 games, however supporters cannot leave the stadium and then return.

The other group includes Stenhousemuir, Dumbarton, and Stirling Albion. After the group matches, the top teams from each side will go head-to-head in the final, also at Falkirk Stadium. The final date is yet to be announced.

Originally launched on Christmas Day in 1883 by the Stirlingshire FA, the competition was held annually until 2016, pausing only during wartime and the 2008–09 season. Alloa first claimed the title in 1904 and have lifted the trophy 13 times, most recently in 1997.

When the cup returned last year, it did so with a more flexible schedule due to calendar constraints. Falkirk emerged as champions, comfortably beating Stirling Albion 5-1 in the final.

https://stirlingshirecup.co.uk/

We’re pleased to announce Calum Waters has extended his contract into the 2025-26 season.

Calum who rejoined Alloa in 2024 after a playing every game in 2016-17, has now made 75 appearances for the Wasps… and counting.

Three football-related events will take place in Alloa over the coming weeks, offering opportunities for community engagement, football heritage appreciation, and support for people living with dementia.

1. Alloa Athletic Supporters Day
Date: Saturday 31st May 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Alloa Athletic Football Memorabilia Exhibition
The exhibition includes unforgettable Alloa Athletic memorabilia, photographs, programmes, and historical items relating to the club. Attendees can view the collection, share memories, and meet other supporters.

2. Football Memories Group
Date: Monday 9th June 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Indodrill Stadium, Alloa

The Football Memories project assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia, and more broadly, people experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

Unfortunately due to illness this session has been cancelled.

3. Open Day and Programme Fair
Date: Saturday 14th June 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Glasstown House, Unit 2, Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EU

Organised by Alloa Athletic Football Memorabilia in partnership with the Scottish Football Programme and Memorabilia Fairs. This free event includes a display of football memorabilia and programmes, along with family activities such as face painting, a scavenger hunt, goodie bags, and snacks.

For further details or enquiries, please contact:
📧 jgxalloafc@aol.com
📞 07877 530314

The group stage draw for the 2025/26 Premier Sports Cup has been confirmed. Alloa Athletic have been drawn in Group C together with Dundee FC, Airdrieonians, Montrose, and Bonnyrigg Rose.

The group stage matches are scheduled to commence on the weekend of July 12/13, 2025, with subsequent fixtures on July 15/16, July 19/20, July 22/23, and July 26/27. The top team from each group, along with the three best runners-up, will advance to the last 16, joining five clubs that have qualified for European competitions: Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian, and Dundee United. The knockout stages will begin on the weekend of August 16/17, 2025

As the 2024/25 season draws to a close, we would like to provide an update on the status of our first-team squad.

Retained Players – Signed for 2025/26

We are pleased to confirm that the following players are signed for the upcoming 2025/26 season:

• Steven Buchanan
• Steven Hetherington
• Reece Mullen
• Luke Rankin
• Kurtis Roberts
• Conor Sammon
• Stefan Scougall
• Scott Taggart
• Luke Donnelly
• Cameron O’Donnell
• David McKay
• Calum Waters

In addition, Andy Graham and Neil Parry will remain registered with the squad, providing valuable cover and experience.

Contract Discussions Ongoing

Talks are ongoing with the following players, who have been offered terms to remain at the club:

• PJ Morrison
• Tochukwu Ogayi
• Kane Thomson
• David Devine

Loan Departures

We would like to thank our loan players for their contributions this season and wish them all the best as they return to their parent clubs:

• Charlie Dewar – Dundee United
• Josh Gentles – Rangers
• Scott Honeyman – Falkirk
• Magnus Mackenzie – Queen’s Park

Departing Players

We can confirm that Morgyn Neill and Miko Virtanen will leave the club following the expiration of their contracts. We are grateful for their efforts and professionalism during their time here and wish them every success in the future.

We thank all players, staff, and supporters for their continued commitment throughout the season and look forward to what the next chapter brings.

An era has come to a close at Alloa Athletic FC as club legend Kevin Cawley has officially retired from professional football after reaching a monumental 502 appearances for the club—426 starts and 76 as a substitute—scoring 80 goals across his Alloa career.

Cawley made his landmark 500th appearance on Saturday 4th January 2025, coming on as a second-half substitute in Alloa’s 3–1 victory over Arbroath at the Greenversity Stadium, Gayfield. An unbelievable total of professional games that highlights Kevin’s consistency, quality and inimitableness over his career.

A Career of Loyalty and Excellence

Kevin’s journey with Alloa began in 2011, when he joined the club under Paul Hartley after spells with East Stirling, Stranraer, and Ayr United. From that point forward, he became a fixture at the heart of the team’s success. Across 14 seasons, Cawley not only displayed unwavering commitment on the pitch but became a leader, mentor, and fan favourite—known affectionately as ‘Wee Kev’.

In total, including his time with other clubs, Cawley amassed 613 Scottish League appearances and scored 99 goals—a remarkable testament to his durability and quality over time.

Early Years and Development

Born on 17th March 1989, Cawley began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of Glasgow Celtic, where he was capped multiple times for Scotland U16 and U17 between 2004 and 2008. While at Celtic, he was part of the Youth Cup runner-up squads in 2007 and 2008 under Gordon Strachan’s tenure.

Loan spells at Ayr United and Stranraer gave him his first senior experience, before a productive season with East Stirling in 2010/11 (42 appearances, 14 goals) laid the foundation for his Alloa career.

The Alloa Years – Triumphs, Heartbreak, and Legacy

Kevin joined Alloa ahead of the 2011/12 season, kicking off one of the club’s most successful periods:

• 2011/12: Promotion as Third Division Champions
• 2012/13: Back-to-back promotion via Play-Offs vs Dunfermline
• 2014/15: Survival via Play-Offs against Forfar Athletic
• 2017/18: Promotion again through Play-Offs vs Dumbarton

His time at Alloa was interspersed with a brief spell at Dumbarton in 2015/16, before he was brought back to the club by Jack Ross, reaffirming his connection to Alloa.

Even in the challenging years—including pandemic-affected seasons and eventual relegation in 2020/21—Cawley’s leadership and consistency stood out.

Life Off the Pitch

In the latter part of his career, Kevin found balance and joy off the pitch. He married Gillian on 1st July 2022, and the couple welcomed their son Luca on 4th January 2024—a day which now holds double meaning, as it coincided with Kevin’s final professional match.

He was awarded a testimonial match on 24th June 2023, a 2–2 draw in which he scored the goal of the game, a fitting celebration for a man who gave so much to the club and community.

What others said about Kevin:

• Paul Hartley: “He was a terrific signing for me. I loved working with him. He’s been a brilliant servant to Alloa, and I really can’t speak highly enough of him.”
• Jack Ross: Brought Kevin back from Dumbarton, saying he’d long admired him.
• Jim Goodwin: “We could all do with more Kevin Cawleys. He’s a pleasure to work with, and the boys love him.”
• Peter Grant: “He was a great player for me. It was a joy and a pleasure to work with him.”
• Stevie Hetherington: “He demands high standards. He’s a top, top player and incredibly hard-working. He’s been a great servant to the club.”
• Andy Graham (former captain and current manager): “His attitude is brilliant. He looks after himself, is unassuming, and is hilarious in the dressing room. He deserves all the plaudits for what he’s brought to Alloa.”

Kevin Cawley retires not just as a player, but as a symbol of loyalty, professionalism, and passion. His career, defined by grit, goals, and greatness, has left an indelible mark on Alloa Athletic FC and Scottish football.

Thank you, Kevin. You’ll always be ‘Wee Kev’—but your legacy is anything but small.

Alloa Athletic Football Club is pleased to confirm that Andy Graham will remain as first-team manager for the 2025/26 season.

A familiar and respected figure at the Indodrill Stadium, Graham has been at the heart of Alloa’s journey for almost a decade – first as a player and captain, and now as manager. While it was disappointing to narrowly miss out on William Hill League One play-off qualification on the final day of the season, Graham’s leadership provides the strongest foundation to build upon for next season.

Planning for pre-season and squad development is already underway, with updates to follow in the coming weeks.

🔸 Morrison Named Directors’ Player of the Year

Alloa’s goalkeeper Morrison earned the Directors’ Player of the Year award after a consistent season between the posts. He delivered standout performances, including crucial penalty saves that secured points for the team.

“It’s a big accolade to get… To get all the games under my belt in itself is an achievement.”

“The more you play, the more confident you get.”

🔸 O’Donnell Earns Double Honours

Midfielder Cameron O’Donnell was awarded both the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Goal of the Season for his stunning strike against Montrose. His return to midfield revitalized his form, showing strength and precision in every appearance.

“It’s a surprise to be fair… There’s more to come but I’m absolutely delighted.”

“It was probably the best I’ve ever hit a football.”

🔸 Rankin Secures Young Player and Top Scorer Awards

Luke Rankin enjoyed a breakout campaign, finishing the season with 13 goals in 34 appearances to earn both the Young Player of the Year and Top Scorer honours. The 20-year-old forward became a vital part of Alloa’s attack, showcasing sharp finishing and intelligent movement.

Rankin’s performances underlined his potential as one of the brightest young prospects at the club and set the stage for further progress next season.