The opening-round league phase of the new format will comprise of 10 William Hill League 1 clubs, 10 William Hill League 2 clubs and 10 William Hill Premiership B teams. Each club will play six league phase matches on a broadly regionalised basis, with the top 22 progressing to the knock-out stage, where they will be joined by the 10 William Hill Championship clubs.

The league phase will kick off on the midweek of August 12/13 and conclude with matchday six on Tuesday November 11. The knock-out stages begin with the Round of 32 on December 9/10 and the final will take place on the weekend of March 28/29 or April 4/5, 2026.

Alloa’s fixtures for the competition are this:

League phase 
MD1: Midweek of August 12/13, 2025   
MD2: Midweek of August 26/27, 2025 
MD3: Weekend of September 6/7, 2025   
MD4: Midweek of September 23/24, 2025 
MD5: Weekend of October 11/12, 2025 
MD6: Tuesday November 11, 2025

Round of 32 
Midweek of December 9/10, 2025

Round of 16 
Midweek of January 6/7, 2026

Quarter-finals 
Midweek of January 27/28, 2026

Semi-finals 
Midweek of February 24/25, 2026

Final 
Weekend of March 28/29 or April 4/5, 2026

Alloa Athletic FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Andrew Clarke, a 22-year-old midfielder from Northern Ireland.

Clarke made his Northern Irish League debut at 18 with Crusaders FC, signing a professional contract soon after with Linfield and making 43 appearances across two seasons, scoring 7 goals. During his time at Linfield, he won the Premiership and the League Cup, and featured in Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League qualifying.

In 2023, Clarke paused his professional career to begin a medical degree at the University of St Andrews, a story that was widely reported in the Northern Irish media but he hasn’t given up his hopes for a high level football career just yet. While studying, he played for the university’s first team, scoring 36 goals in 15 games during his first year and helping the team win both the League and Conference Cup.

Clarke returned to Irish League football in January 2025 with Queen’s University Belfast, contributing to their promotion to the NIFL Championship via the playoffs.

Now as he balances football and study – he’s pinpointed Alloa as the perfect place to continue his career.

Welcome to the Wasps, Andy!

With the departures of long-serving figures like Michael Gardyne and Paul Watson, Montrose manager Stewart Petrie has used the summer window to refresh his squad. His side ended up getting drawn into the murky end of season relegation battle but League One’s longest serving team stayed up with four points to spare over eventual playoff losers Annan.

Key Signings to Watch

Ross Clark – Midfielder, 19
Clark, a product of Dundee’s Youth Academy, has been full time at Dens Park for the past 3 years and last season enjoyed a loan spell with Highland League outfit Formartine United.

He told the club website “My Dundee teammates Lyall Cameron and Luke Graham both loved their loans spells here, saying it was a well run club with a good setup and would be a great place to learn, develop and really kick-start my career.”

Kieran Freeman – Right-Back, 24
The 24-year-old joined Stewart Petrie’s side in January as part of a loan from Raith Rovers and featured 16 times for the Gable Endies as they successfully fought to secure their League 1 status. He’s had plenty of Premiership experience with Dundee United before a stint in Ireland with St Pat’s and his return to Scotland.

Craig Wighton – Striker, 27
Another January loanee made permanent the 27-year-old, who was capped for Scotland, all the way up to the U21s, has amassed 27 appearances for Hearts, 92 for Dundee and 119 for Dunfermline, winning both the Championship and League 1, as well as featuring in the Scottish Cup Final.

Ewan Loudon – Forward, 21
Signed from Brechin City, Loudon has featured 136 times in his four Highland League seasons and in the last two seasons has 33 goals and 31 assists next to his name, including a vital opening goal just minutes from time in a title deciding win against Buckie Thistle in 2023. It’s a big step up to League One but one manager Stewart Petrie is confident it’s one Loudon can land.

While Alloa mounted a late comeback to overturn Montrose’s lead at the end of April, thanks to late goals from Conor Sammon and Luke Rankin, it’s been hard work against the Angus side in recent seasons. That result ended a run of seven games unbeaten for Montrose against Alloa, with the Gable Endies winning three of those encounters.

Will this new-look team continue to dominate, or have Andy Graham’s men finally turned a corner against their bogey team? We’ll find out in the first of what could be a minimum of five meetings between the sides this season.

Alloa vs Montrose – Home Support

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Alloa vs Montrose – Away Support

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An intriguing season opener as Alloa travel to Rosewell to face Bonnyrigg Rose

New Dundas Park is still being left to bed in so the East Lothian side have moved into Ferguson Park just down the road from their home haunt.

It’ll be a new ground for many Alloa fans of the newer vintages as we visit the home of Whitehill Welfare, but Alloa have had history here. The then East of Scotland league side held Alloa in January 2000 when Terry Christie’s men stumbled twice from leading positions. Willie Irvine’s first half strike was cancelled out by John Bird’s direct goal from a corner, and Gregor McKechnie was denied a winner by Dougie Samuel’s late equaliser. Alloa recovered in the replay to win 2-0 but it’ll not be a visit fondly remembered.

THE BOSS

Long serving players stepping up to management positions? It’ll never catch on. Jonny Stewart is Andy Graham’s opposite number. He cemented himself as a Bonnyrigg Rose legend during his 10 year playing career before leaving to manage Tranent. He couldn’t resist the draw of managing here after former Alloa striker Calum Eliot departed the hotseat in March 2025 with the club facing a relegation scrap.

“It’s no secret my love for the club and I hope to install that passion into the squad,”
— Jonny Stewart, on his appointment via the club website

Though Rose ultimately dropped into the Lowland League after a Pyramid Play-off loss to East Kilbride, they’ll be looking to rekindle an impressive Lowland League record that has never seen the Rosey Posey finish worse than 3rd.

PLAYER TO WATCH – KALLUM HIGGINBOTHAM

No stranger as an Alloa opponent, Kallum Higginbotham has now racked up over 580 games of professional football with notable stints at Dunfermline, Kelty and Partick Thistle. The Englishman has turned out in every division in the top 5 leagues in Scotland — but does the 36-year-old still have the legs to produce the magic of earlier in career?

STAR MAN – BILLY KING

The brother of former Alloa player Adam King, Billy King’s career started brightly with the midfielder breaking into the Hearts team at just the tender age of 18. He was a Scotland youth international up to U21 level but has become a bit of a journeyman after his Hearts career ended, playing for 9 clubs in as many years across Scotland, England, Ireland, and the U.S.

Last year’s endeavors at Arbroath did see him join in the title celebration as the Angus side won League 1 — but Billy made just 7 appearances after signing in January and scored just the single goal in a 5-1 defeat to eventually relegated Annan.

His last three clubs have seen him pick up:

• 🏆 the USL League One with Northern Colorado
• 🏆 the FAI Cup with St Patrick’s Athletic
• 🏆 and most recently, League 1 with Arbroath

Will he make it 4 titles in 4 years with Bonnyrigg?

Previous meetings

The Rose’s 2021–22 Scottish Cup run hit a brick wall — more like a speeding train — in the third round with a bruising 5-0 loss to Alloa Athletic.

Things started brightly, with hundreds of noisy traveling fans and a golden chance in the opening 20 seconds… which George Hunter and Ross Gray politely left for each other.

That generosity didn’t last long.

Alloa struck first with what can only be described as a FIFA Street backheel flick from Mouhamed Niang. That was just the start.

Hearts loanee Euan Henderson decided to ruin the Rose’s day with a clinical hat-trick, showing pace, power, and no mercy.

‘Sena’ Niang would bag his brace in closing after Conor Sammon played him through — it marked a day to forget for the Lowland League leaders who had started out with high hopes of a 14th consecutive win.

Alloa will be looking to emulate that dominant performance.

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We’re pleased to welcome the signature of Owen Foster after the expiry of his contract with St Mirren in the summer.

Owen, 19, earned plaudits during his loan spell with Cumbernauld Colts in the Lowland League last season after his significant impact—earned him both the Management Player of the Year and Committee Player of the Year awards at the club.

“Owen is a promising young player who we believe will bring healthy competition to the defensive area of the pitch. He’s very composed on the ball, and his versatility could prove vital for us.”
— Andy Graham

Welcome to the club, Owen!

†

We’re pleased to welcome the return of Daniel Church to Alloa Athletic.

During his first spell at the club, Daniel made 66 appearances for the Wasps, establishing himself as a dynamic and influential presence down the left flank. Feared for his whipped deliveries and attacking intent from full back, he not only contributed creatively but also netted his first professional goals in black and gold.

After a period away in full time football with Queen of the South, it was fitting to see him back on the scoresheet on Saturday against Civil Service, rounding off a busy pre-season with a reminder of the quality he brings. Daniel adds versatility and depth to our squad — capable of playing as a full back, wing back or even stepping into a centre back role when needed. Whether he reclaims the team DJ duties remains to be seen — but we know he can hit the right notes when it matters most.

“Churchy is a player who has had a tough time of it in the last few years since leaving Alloa to pursue a full time opportunity. This is an opportunity for Churchy to get his career back on track and he will provide good competition at left back as well as being able to cover central defence and wingback as well.”
— Andy Graham

Alloa Athletic are delighted to confirm the loan signing of 20-year-old goalkeeper Liam McFarlane from Heart of Midlothian for the duration of the 2025/26 season, subject to Scottish FA approval.

Last season, the Hearts Academy product was a standout performer for East Fife as they secured promotion to League 1. After making 39 appearances and keeping 14 clean sheets for the Methil side, McFarlane was named East Fife’s Young Player of the Year and was voted into the PFA Scotland Team of the Season by his fellow professionals as the best goalkeeper in League 2.

Welcome to the Wasps!

Alloa Athletic FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Ross as the new Chairman of the Club, succeeding Andy Allan, who while he has stepped down to take on the role of Vice-Chairman and Managing Director remains fully committed to Alloa Athletic FC.

Martin Ross brings with him a deep-rooted passion for sport and a longstanding connection to the local community. Having joined the Board in 2005, Mr. Ross has served the Club with dedication for nearly two decades, most recently as Vice-Chairman.

“My first love was always Rugby,” said Mr. Ross. “I played for Alloa Rugby Club from the early 1960s until I retired in 1995, and also as I lived locally in Tillicoultry for Hillfoots Rugby Club. While I supported Dundee FC, our company, Sterling Precast, had always sponsored Alloa and taken hospitality here.”

“In 2005, my good friend Ewen Cameron, the Club Secretary, approached me about joining the Board. That invitation came shortly after Mike Mulraney had also become involved with the Club.”

Ross became Vice-Chairman in 2010, coinciding with Mike Mulraney’s appointment as Chairman. Reflecting on his unique sporting journey, he added, “I’m honoured to now serve as Chairman of Alloa FC. Having previously been President of both Alloa Rugby Club and Hillfoots Rugby Club, I believe this is a fairly rare and proud achievement.”

“My goal is always to see Alloa FC promoted to the Championship and to be recognised as the best part-time side in the SPFL. I also want to see the Ladies Team, the Academy, Youths, and Community Teams thrive — and for the whole Club to continue moving forward.”

He also emphasized the importance of community engagement and modernization: “We must raise the Club’s profile within the community and step confidently into the social and digital age. I’m confident that others, far more competent in those areas, will help us achieve that.”

A key part of the new Chairman’s vision: “I’d love to see the Club become a focal point for the area once again — especially through the Hive project — to grow the next generation of support but also reconnect with the older fans who may have drifted away.”

Reflecting on the recent past, Mr. Ross celebrated the Club’s achievements: “The last 15 years have been incredibly exciting — with promotions, relegations, cup finals, and several enjoyable seasons in the Championship. We’ve also seen some excellent managers develop their careers with us.”

As the Club enters a new chapter, Mr. Ross concluded with optimism: “We are all looking forward to a very enjoyable and successful season.”