Category: News

Jill Leiper Appointed Alloa Athletic Women Player-Manager

Alloa Athletic FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Jill Leiper as Player-Manager of Alloa Athletic Women ahead of the 2026/27 season.

A familiar face at Indodrill Stadium, Jill enters her third season with the Wasps having joined the club two years ago as a commanding centre-back. During her time with the club, she played a key role in one of the most significant moments in the team’s history, helping Alloa Athletic Women secure their first-ever cup triumph.

Jill brings a wealth of experience both on and off the pitch. A UEFA Licensed coach, she has spent the last nine seasons coaching within the Heart of Midlothian Women and Girls pathway, helping develop some of Scotland’s brightest young talents. During her time at Hearts, she played a key role in delivering a historic treble-winning campaign while also supporting the progression of numerous players into senior football and international age-group squads, with several earning Scotland caps.

As a player, Jill also enjoyed considerable success with Falkirk, where she was part of a treble-winning side, adding further winning experience to her footballing CV.

Her appointment mirrors the successful pathway taken by Men’s First Team Manager Andy Graham, who transitioned from centre-back to player-manager and continues to lead from the front. Jill will likewise continue her playing career while taking on managerial responsibilities, bringing leadership, experience and a deep understanding of the club’s culture to the role.

The appointment comes at an exciting time for Alloa Athletic Women. This summer will see the launch of the club’s new Girls’ and Women’s Pathway, creating a clear development route from grassroots football through to the senior women’s side. Jill will play a key role in shaping that vision and helping establish a sustainable future for women’s football at Alloa Athletic.

Everyone at Alloa Athletic FC is excited to welcome Jill into her new position and looks forward to supporting her as she leads the next chapter in the club’s journey.

Jill Leiper expressed her excitement on taking the role:

I am delighted to take on the role here at Alloa. Iโ€™ve loved every minute so far at the club and Iโ€™m excited to lead the next chapter at the club.

We have a fantastic group here and winning the Plate was a great moment for us all. The season ahead is one full of opportunities, so I just canโ€™t wait to get started.

Jill Leiper

Jill will officially begin preparations for the new campaign when pre-season training gets underway on Monday 22 June.

Welcome, Jill.

Season tickets 26/27

Once again, our season ticket offers you the absolute best value to watch Alloa Athletic.
Support your local, get closer to the action at the Recs, and save money on every single home game.

Season tickets will be on sale after Tuesday 16th June:

Adult               Senior (Over 66โ€™s)
Groundยฃ250ยฃ170
Standยฃ260ยฃ180

Single U18โ€™s tickets are ยฃ70 but you may be able to make use of the family option:


Family (1 Adult and 1 U18)ยฃ285
Each additional U18ยฃ50

Your season ticket card grants you entry to every William Hill League 1 home fixture, as well as any home friendlies.


Pay-at-the-gate:

Adults

ยฃ21

Over 66โ€™s / Concession

ยฃ13

Under 18โ€™s

ยฃ7


We look forward to welcoming you through the gates!

Online purchases will again be available but you can buy in person at:

Lime Tree House, North Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EX.
The front reception is open 9:00am-4:30pm.

Stirlingshire Cup 2026

The Stirlingshire FA is delighted to confirm the arrangements for this yearโ€™s Stirlingshire Cup competition. As one of the oldest competitions in world football – and one of the only ones to still use its magnificent original trophy – we are thrilled to bring it back for another exciting edition.

Following the success of last season’s tournament, the six member clubs have agreed to keep the same fast-paced, action-packed format for 2026.

๐Ÿ“… Group Stage Schedule

  • Date: Saturday, 27th June 2026
  • Match Duration: 60 minutes per game.

The tournament is split into two groups, running simultaneously across two venues:

Group A (Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir)

  • 10:00 a.m. โ€“ Stenhousemuir v Stirling Albion
  • 12:00 noon โ€“ Stenhousemuir v Dumbarton
  • 2:00 p.m. โ€“ Dumbarton v Stirling Albion

Group B (Recreation Park, Alloa)

  • 10:00 a.m. โ€“ Alloa Athletic v East Stirlingshire
  • 12:00 noon โ€“ Alloa Athletic v Falkirk
  • 2:00 p.m. โ€“ East Stirlingshire v Falkirk

๐Ÿ† The Final

The winner of Group A and the winner of Group B will advance directly to the final to battle it out for the historic silverware.

  • Date: Tuesday, 7th July 2026
  • Venue: Recreation Park, Alloa
  • Kick-off: 7:45 p.m.

๐ŸŽซ Admission & Tickets: Full details regarding ticket pricing and entry arrangements will be released in due course.

Ross Stewart signs for the Wasps

Alloa Athletic have signed experienced 31-year-old goalkeeper Ross Stewart ahead of the upcoming season, subject to SFA clearance.

The former Motherwell youth product brings over a decade of SPFL experience to the Wasps, including stints at Albion Rovers, St Mirren, Livingston, Hearts, and Partick Thistle.

In the past two years he’s been number 1 in Dumfries as Queen of the South made two third-place finishes in League 1.

We’re looking forward to him collecting his own highlight reel in Alloa colours. Welcome to the Wasps, Ross!

โ€‹Andy Graham to Remain as Alloa Athletic Manager

Alloa Athletic Football Club is delighted to confirm that Andy Graham will remain as Manager for the 2026/27 season.

โ€‹The manager spoke to the Club as he looks ahead to a new campaign:
โ€‹โ€œDelighted to be here for another year. Last seasonโ€™s ending was very tough for everyone to take but what heartened me most was to see the backing from the supporters during the playoffs. As a Club we want to improve all the time and to have success we have to continue to work together.
โ€‹We thank all the players for their efforts last season but letโ€™s refresh and go again.โ€

โ€‹Preparations for the new campaign are already underway, and the Club can confirm that a full squad update will be provided this weekend.

โ€‹Everyone at Alloa Athletic looks forward to continuing the journey with Andy at the helm.

In Memoriam: Peter Horsburgh Smith

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former Alloa Athletic, Dundee United, and Heart of Midlothian player Peter Horsburgh Smith, who passed away on May 25th, 2026, at the age of 88.

Early Career

Born in Dedridge, Livingston on July 18th, 1937, Smith played youth football for Livingston United. On July 24th, 1956, at age 19, he signed for Heart of Midlothian under manager Tommy Walker. He remained with the club until the end of the 1958โ€“59 season but did not make a first-team appearance.

On July 20th, 1959, Smith signed for Dundee United, managed by Jerry Kerr. Playing as a right-half, he made 24 appearances and scored 3 goals. Following a recommendation from Kerr, Smith transferred to Alloa Athletic on June 6th, 1960, under manager Archie โ€œCurlyโ€ Macpherson.

Alloa Athletic (1960โ€“1969)

Smith spent nine seasons at Recreation Park, primarily playing as a wing-half or center-back. He made 303 total appearances and scored 70 goals, placing him 12th on Alloa Athletic’s all-time appearance list.

Though a defender, he was occasionally moved to the forward line. Notably, during a 1961โ€“62 Second Division match against Queenโ€™s Park, Alloa trailed 5โ€“2 at half-time. Manager Macpherson repositioned Smith to center-forward for the second half, where he scored a hat-trick to help secure a 7โ€“5 win. He scored 30 league goals during that single season.

He officially left Alloa Athletic on April 30th, 1969.

Career Statistics (Alloa Athletic)

CompetitionAppearances (Subs)Goals
League239 (6)61
League Cup57 (1)9
Total296 (7)70

Broxburn Athletic

At the start of the 1969โ€“70 season, Smith joined Broxburn Athletic at Albyn Park under manager Jim McKinnon. He played for the club until the end of the 1972โ€“73 season. He later returned to Broxburn Athletic as a coach for the 1981โ€“82 season.

Funeral Details

The funeral service will take place on Thursday, June 18th, 2026, at 11:00 AM at:

Kirk of Calder
Main Street, Mid Calder,
Livingston (EH53 0AN)

Condolences are extended to Peter’s family and friends.

Vacancy – First Team Physiotherapist

Alloa Athletic FC is actively recruiting a First Team Physiotherapist ahead of the 2026/27 season.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified physiotherapist to gain valuable experience within a competitive first-team football environment, working closely with players, coaches, and support staff throughout the campaign.

Role Commitment:
โšฝ One training session per week (Tuesday or Thursday evening)
โšฝ Coverage of the majority of first-team matches on Saturdays
โšฝ Player injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and matchday support
โšฝ Contributing to a first-team medical team that includes an experienced physiotherapist and matchday doctor

While the successful candidate would be expected to cover the majority of first-team fixtures, there is flexibility within the medical team, with some match day cover available from other staff members when required.

With pre-season preparations approaching, we are keen to identify the right candidate as soon as possible.

If you are interested, or know someone who would be a great fit for the role, please get in touch directly for further information.

To express an interest or find out more contact us via email at: fcadmin@alloaathletic.co.uk

Premier Sports Cup Group Stage Draw

The group stage draw for the 2026/27 Premier Sports Cup has been confirmed. Alloa Athletic have been drawn in Group G together with Falkirk, Ayr United, Stranraer, and Edinburgh City.

The group stage matches are scheduled to commence on the weekend of July 11/12, 2026, with subsequent fixtures on:

  • July 14/15
  • July 18/19
  • July 21/22
  • July 25/26

2026-27

The top team from each of the eight groups, along with the three best runners-up, will advance to the last 16. There they will join the five clubs that have qualified for European competitions: Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell, and Hibernian.

The knockout stages will begin with the round of 16 on the weekend of August 15/16, 2026.

Conor Sammon Retires

Striker Conor Sammon has announced his retirement from professional football, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable and enduring two decades in the game. We may have enjoyed the twilight of his playing days, but looking back at the sheer scale of his 20-year journey reminds us of the true depth of his legacy.

The 39-year-old Irish forward hangs up his boots after making over 700 professional appearances, scoring more than 150 goals, and representing 13 different clubs across the Premier League, EFL, League of Ireland, and the Scottish Professional Football League.

Sammonโ€™s journey began in his native Ireland with UCD and Derry City, where his physical presence and tireless work ethic quickly caught the eye of Kilmarnock. In Ayrshire in the 2010 -11 season he would fire 18 goals in just over 27 games to earn a move to the English Premier League with Wigan Athletic in 2011.

His career south of the border also featured prominent spells with Derby County – where he made 90 appearances – as well as Ipswich Town, Rotherham United, and Sheffield United. In 2013, he earned the ultimate honor: 9 senior international caps for the Republic of Ireland, featuring in crucial World Cup qualifiers under Giovanni Trapattoni.

Returning to Scotland, Conor lead the line for Hearts, Partick Thistle, Motherwell, and Falkirk.


In 2021, Conor joined us at Alloa Athletic, where he would go on to spend the final five seasons of his playing career. Becoming an absolute fan favourite at the Recreation Park, Conor made over 200 appearances for the Wasps, scoring 48 goals.

Everyone at Alloa Athletic would like to congratulate Conor on a magnificent career and wish him well in his future endeavours off the pitch.

Support the Girls in ScottishPower Regional League Plate Final

Alloa Athletic Women will contest their first ever cup final this Saturday as they take on Penicuik Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium, 2pm KO.

The side have triumphed over Stonehaven, Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Jeanfield Swifts to earn a place in Saturday’s flagship game.

Members of the Alloa playing and coaching squad were out at four local primary schools this week promoting the event and encouraging young supporters to come along.

You can support the girls this Saturday too by purchasing your tickets below. Under-16s go free, so grab your tickets now to cheer on the team!

Full catering will be open in the Stadium with Joyce’s Pie Hut providing you and the family your matchday fuel!