University of Stirling Football Club are a football club based in Stirling, Scotland. They are associated with the University of Stirling and have played in the Lowland Football League since 2013. The club operates six teams which compete in a combination of BUCS Football League (British university competitions) and in senior and amateur leagues across Scotland.
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Full name | University of Stirling Football Club | ||
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Founded | 1969 | ||
Ground | Forthbank Stadium, Stirling | ||
Capacity | 3,808[1] (2,508 Seated) | ||
Manager | Chris Geddes | ||
League | Lowland League | ||
2021–22 | Lowland League, 10th of 18 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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The club currently have five teams in the BUCS Football League and also a team in the Lowland Football League, East of Scotland Football League, Lowlands U20 Development League and the Caledonian Amateur Football League.
The university deliver a High Performance Football Programme which provides players to the first team. As part of this programme, students can be offered football scholarships to study for a degree and play football at the university.[2] The football scholarship programme is named after Craig Gowans, a talented Falkirk player who died in 2005 while training with the university.[3]
The club was admitted to the First Division of the East of Scotland Football League in 2008, after Berwick Rangers withdrew their reserve team. The 2009–10 season was one of great success for the students, as they won the First Division title in only the team's second season in the East of Scotland League. They also won the Scottish Universities Championship and reached the King Cup final, losing to East of Scotland Premier Division champions Spartans 0–2 at Ferguson Park, Rosewell. In the 2010–11 season, in their first season in the East of Scotland Premier Division, the students secured a second-place finish and also suffered defeat in the King Cup final at the hands of Spartans at the Falkirk Stadium. They were successful in the Alex Jack Cup, winning the final 7–0 against Lothian Thistle at the Falkirk Stadium.
In 2012, Stirling University again won the Alex Jack Cup, beating Gretna 2008 in the final. In March 2012, the university's first year scholar Stephen Hoyle left the program to sign for ASB Premiership side Hawke's Bay United in New Zealand. Stirling University had a remarkable 2011–12 season, bringing three trophies back to the university, including the East of Scotland Premier Division title for the first time.[4]
This saw the university compete in the 2012–13 Scottish Cup, participating in the Scottish Cup for the first time in the club's history. Stirling University were drawn against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in the second round, with the university losing 0–1.[5]
It was announced in 2013 that Stirling University would be admitted to the Lowland League as a founding member.[6] The University would use Stirling Albion's Forthbank Stadium for their home fixtures.[7] In August 2014, the University of Stirling became the first senior club in Britain to appoint a female manager when Shelley Kerr took charge,[8] Kerr took over as Scotland women's head coach on 13 April 2017.[9] Following her departure, long-serving striker Chris Geddes was promoted to the role of first team coach after assisting Kerr throughout previous seasons.[10]
Many of the University Scholars have gone on to play professionally in recent seasons. At the end of the 2012–13 season, goalkeeper Kevin Walker left the university to sign a one-year professional contract with Scottish Championship side Livingston.[11] More recently, two of the first team players during the 2018-19 season signed pre-contracts with professional clubs. Lewis Hunter and Blair Lyons signed professional terms with Scottish League One sides East Fife F.C. and Montrose F.C. respectively.[12][13] Former club captain, Angus Mailer signed a pre-contract with Elgin City ahead of the 2020-21 season,[14] joining up with former Uni teammate Rory MacEwan, who signed for Elgin the season prior.[15]
Since 2013 the University's first team have played their Lowland League matches at Forthbank Stadium, groundsharing with Stirling Albion (apart from the 2017–18 season when they played at the Falkirk Stadium). Prior to this they played at Gannochy Sports Centre, which is still used by their second team playing in the East of Scotland League.[16]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Position | Name |
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Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping Coach | ![]() |
Analyst | ![]() |
In 2014 the women's team joined forces with Falkirk L.F.C. and compete as Stirling University and Falkirk L.F.C.[18][19]
Season | Division | Position | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GD | Points | Scottish Cup |
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Stirling University | |||||||||
2013–14 | Lowland League | 2nd | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | +22 | 45 | Did Not Participate |
2014–15 | Lowland League | 6th | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | +8 | 42 | Second round, losing to Albion Rovers |
2015–16 | Lowland League | 3rd | 28 | 17 | 5 | 6 | +33 | 56 | Second round, losing to Queen's Park |
2016–17 | Lowland League | 4th | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | +7 | 53 | Second round, losing to Arbroath |
2017–18 | Lowland League | 9th | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | -4 | 38 | Second round, losing to Montrose |
2018–19 | Lowland League | 10th | 28 | 7 | 10 | 11 | -7 | 31 | Third round, losing to Elgin City |
2019–20 | Lowland League | 10th† | 25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | -16 | 31 | Second round, losing to Linlithgow Rose |
2020–21 | Lowland League | 9th† | 15 | 7 | 1 | 7 | +6 | 22 | Preliminary round two, losing to Jeanfield Swifts |
2021–22 | Lowland League | 10th | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | -2 | 45 | Second round, losing to East Kilbride |
† Season curtailed due to coronavirus pandemic.
Below is a list of honours won by the first team squad of Stirling University Football Club.[20]
League
Cup
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As students (1st XI only)
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Lowland Football League | |
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2022–23 teams |
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Former teams | |
Seasons |
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