We’re pleased to welcome the signings of Reece Mullen, Shay Nevans and Kane Thomson.

Reece Mullen flirted with the first team at the end of last season with a few sub appearances while still on amateur terms before a short and successful loan spell to Camelon Juniors. An impressive start to this preseason schedule for the central midfielder has seen Reece handed his first professional contract.

Shay Nevans and Kane Thomson were two standouts in the recent PFA Scotland Exit trial exhibition match where both caught Andy Graham’s eye. Nevans, 18, is a former Motherwell youth forward who has featured heavily in the friendlies with eye-catching performances while out on the wing. Thomson, 20, was previously at Queen’s Park from the age of 9 has already shown off his drive with winning a penalty and assisting in recent friendlies.

Welcome to the Wasps! The three prospects will all be available for the Premier Cup group stage campaign starting tomorrow against East Fife.

We can confirm assistant manager, Paddy Connolly, steps down after an incredible 13 years of dedicated service to Alloa Athletic FC. Throughout the years Paddy has been a pillar of support and a common denominator in a golden era of success.

Paddy joined his ex St Johnstone teammate Paul Hartley as Alloa would go on to win the Third Division and gain promotion the next year to the Scottish Championship. He would take over the first of his interim charges of the squad after Paul’s departure and continued to assist Barry Smith, Danny Lennon, Jack Ross, Jim Goodwin, Peter Grant, Barry Ferguson, Brian Rice and last season Andy Graham.

To have spent 13 years at one club in football is an outstanding achievement for anyone, especially when you consider the ‘job security’ in today’s game. That alone speaks to the character and ability of Paddy, never mind the outstanding results on the park that has seen Alloa punch above its weight in the period of time Paddy has been with us. Paddy told us that his day job had given him more responsibilities and he couldn’t balance time watching his son with all his current commitments so it is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to a certified Alloa legend.

Andy Allan, Alloa Chairman

To be in the dugout for well over 500 games, 13 years at one club in this day and age is absolutely incredible and that’s testament to Paddy’s character. He has worked under so many different managers but I can only speak from my own personal experience and losing Paddy will be a big blow. Paddy was extremely loyal and someone who would always give his opinion but most importantly would then wholeheartedly support the final decision whether it agreed with him or not, a skill that’s isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Paddy informed me of his change of his circumstances just before pre season and whilst we are gutted to lose him it’s also important we respect his decision especially after the service he’s shown to Alloa Athletic. On behalf of everyone connected with Alloa we thank Paddy for everything he has done for Alloa in his time and wish him all the best for the future

We have to now look forward and I’m delighted to announce that a familiar face to many Alloa fans Graeme Holmes will become a part of the coaching staff.

Niall Marshall, Graeme Holmes and Neil Parry will be a very good team for me to work with and hopefully be part of a successful season.

Andy Graham, Alloa Manager

Andy Graham’s backroom team. Graeme Holmes, Neil Parry, Niall Marshall.

The Wasp 2000 Prize pool has been reduced further to reflect player numbers. As such one of the £25 weekly prizes has been removed from the pool.

Player numbers have reduced in recent years especially after Covid and we no longer have a 50/50 lottery on matchdays to cover any deficit in the main draw.

If player numbers increase we can return the pot to previous levels and help contribute to the running expenses of Alloa Athletic so if you would like to participate in the Wasp 2000 draw please contact fcadmin@alloaathletic.co.uk.

We’re pleased to welcome back Calum Waters who last played for the club in 2016-17 before going on to have spells with Kilmarnock, Sligo Rovers, St Mirren, and Greenock Morton.

Left-back Calum, now 28, made 51 appearances and scored 3 goals as Alloa narrowly missed out on promotion in his only season at the Wasps but made a lasting impression in his time at Alloa.

We can now confirm admission and season ticket prices for Season 2024-25.

Admission Prices

Adults

£20

Over 66’s * / Disabled / Carer

£12

Under 16’s

£6

_{* The qualifying age is in line with the current UK retirement age. 66 years of age. Proof of age may be requested.}

Season Tickets:

Season Tickets apply for any home friendlies we may host and William Hill League One games. Season Tickets will go on sale from Monday 17th June 2024.

Stand Season ticket holders have up until the first home game of the season to renew their seat after that it will be released.

Premier Sports Prices

We have agreed the following prices for the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup:

Adults

£15

Over 66’s * / Disabled / Carer

£12

Under 16’s

£6

We’ve been drawn alongside St Johnstone, Greenock Morton, East Fife and Brechin City in the Premier Sports Cup Group Stage.

If fixtures follow the same format of previous years then they will be in this format:

Weekend July 13/14 – Free matchday
Weekday July 16/17 – East Fife (H)
Weekend July 20/21 – St Johnstone (H)
Weekday July 23/24 – Brechin City (A)
Weekend July 27/28 – Greenock Morton (A)

We will confirm these match dates in the near future.

As the season draws to a close, we would like to provide an update on the status of our first-team squad. It’s always a bittersweet time of year when we look forward to new faces and say goodbye to old friends.

Retained Players

The following players are signed for 2024-25

Discussions are still taking place with:

• Quinn Coulson
• Tochukwu Ogayi

Released Players

We regret to announce that the following players will be leaving the club upon the expiration of their contracts.

• Jon Robertson
• Euan Deveney (has been offered physio support and training facilities to help with his rehab)
• Paul McLaren
• Nathan Cannon
• Keir Burt

In particular I’d like to thank Jon Robertson on behalf of the Alloa board and management team for his efforts over the last 8 seasons. From his iconic play off volley against Airdrie to his winner against Hamilton this season, Robbo has been nothing but a fantastic servant to Alloa making over 250 appearances for the club. He has been a top professional and a great example to any players around him. ‘Robbo’ will be a great asset to any team and I wish him all the best.

Andy Graham

We can also confirm goalkeeping coach, Robert Glen, who joined Brian Rice’s backroom staff as Alloa narrowly missed out on the playoffs in 2022 will be leaving this summer.

I’d personally like to thank Robert for the support he’s given me since I took the job in November and I wish him all the best for the future.

Andy Graham

We thank them for their contributions and wish them the best in their future endeavours:

Loan

Our loan players have also made an unforgettable impact this season and we wish them all the best as they return to their parent clubs:

• Ethan Sutherland – St Mirren
• Taylor Steven – St Johnstone
• Bobby Wales – Kilmarnock
• Alistair Roy – East Kilbride

Again I’d like thank all the players for the contribution they made over the season and wish them all the best in the future.

Andy Graham

Goalkeeping Coach

An individual that needs no introduction to Alloa fans, despite an almost three year absence, we’re pleased to welcome Neil Parry’s return as goalkeeping coach.

On Saturday after the Falkirk game the fans recognised the achievements of the players this season with awards handed out at the Tillicoultry Golf Course after an open fan vote for Goal of the Season, and Player of the Season. The Alloa Advertiser also gave out their award for Advertiser Sport POTY

The Alloa Director’s had previously presented Kurtis Roberts with the club’s Player of the Season award and Bobby Wales was recognised as the Young Player of the Season.

The fans were much in agreement and Bobby Wales picked up the Fan’s Player of the Season award after a goal every other game in his 25 appearances for the club while on loan from Kilmarnock, narrowly pipping Kurtis Roberts to the title.

The Goal of the Season was no surprise either as Kurtis Roberts magnificent double turn and rifle-shot at Hamilton voted as the Goal of the Season. Kit Manager Pat Dunne also picked up an award for his long service at Alloa Athletic.

Andy Graham said on the night:

It’s really important as a club that we get everyone together and that includes the fanbase.

We need to get support for everybody and I told the players when I got the job that if we were going to achieve anything in life or in football, you’ve got to be in it together.

We need to try and get that back and get everyone together. I thank the guys that have stepped up to the plate and organised the night, it’s been fantastic.

It’s important to me that, moving forward, we get more and more fans to these events because the turn out from the players speaks volumes.

It’s a fantastic turn out from them especially when we’ve got a game on Tuesday but I thought it was good that as many of them came as they could and you saw that tonight.

It speaks volumes about the squad and about their attitude towards Alloa, they’re all here and they’re all in it together.

Bobby said in his speech that he feels we can achieve something if we’re all in it together and that’s the mantra I’m trying to get over.

Nights like this are hopefully the start of doing that and getting everybody together and everyone on board on the same level at the club.

Thanks to Scott Barron at https://www.sbeventphotography.co.uk/ for his captures of a great night. You can follow Scott on instagram at @sbsportsandeventsphotography

7 May 2024 7:45 pm Preview

⚠️Roadworks

Please note if driving the A907 main road into Alloa has major resurfacing works going on. If driving from Hamilton it may be wiser to use the alternative route from Stirling.

Tickets

Pay at the gate will be available on the day (Cash Only) but tickets can be bought in advance here:

Season Tickets

Season tickets are valid for the playoff games.

Pay Bar

The pay bar will be open for home fans before the game.

Programme

Streaming

PPV will be available with no broadcast restrictions on Tuesday night’s tie while Saturday will be blocked only those within Scotland. In the event we reach the final both fixtures are televised on BBC Alba on Wednesday and Saturday evening in the UK but WaspTV will stream to those outside the UK.