Former Ireland international takes reins at Stirling Albion after chaotic weekend in manager hunt

Alan Maybury will be the 32nd man to take the reins at Stirling Albion after agreeing a deal following a chaotic weekend at Forthbank.

The 45-year-old former Leeds United, Leicester City, Hearts, Aberdeen and Hibernian defender will have to get to work straight away building a squad and coaching staff for the upcoming season.

His most recent position saw him lead Edinburgh City to success in the League Two playoffs in the 2022/23 season and he has also held coaching roles at Hibs, St Johnstone, Falkirk and Kilmarnock.

The road into the appointment was not a smooth one for the Binos board – with sources confirming to the Observer that Maybury was on a four-man shortlist which also included Stirling legend and Kilwinning Rangers manager Chris Aitken.

According to the source, the shortlist drawn up by the four-man selection panel to fill the position was rounded out by current Kelty Hearts defender Thomas O’Ware and Irishman Patrick Cregg, who last held the position of assistant boss at Dundalk.

News then emerged on Friday afternoon that Aitken, who turned out 132 times for Albion in two successful spells, had been offered the role – and was set to be joined by brother and former Dumbarton boss Stevie, as well as coach Ian Durrant.

Aitken’s appointment appeared to be moving a step closer on Friday evening when West of Scotland First Division side Kilwinning announced the former Binos skipper’s resignation to “take a managerial opportunity at another club”.

But with the news of the appointment leaving Stirling fans underwhelmed, rumours began to swirl that the offer had been revoked from Aitken as the Binos hierarchy switched targets.

It appeared to be confirmed when Aitken posted a frustrated message on his own Facebook page.

In it, Aitken wrote: “Wow where do I start, what a change in fortunes in the last few hours that now leaves me in the football wilderness. People will have there say on many things but never will my integrity and honesty be in question.”

After paying tribute to his family, Aitken described himself as “gutted” and described it as a “setback”.

Meanwhile, Binos fans were left wondering what was next for the managerial vacancy left after previous boss Darren Young was dismissed following Stirling’s relegation back into League Two.

The questions were answered on Sunday afternoon when the club announced the arrival of Maybury as first team manager.

In a statement, the club said the appointment had been rubber-stamped by the selection committee and approved by both the club and Supporters Trust boards.

They confirmed discussions had taken place with Aitken over the position – but claimed that “matters came to light” during discussions over the role which had led the club to go in a different direction.

Attentions will now turn to preparing Stirling for a fourth-tier campaign, with more departures from last season’s squad now officially confirmed.

Left-back Cammy Clark, who turned out 39 times for the club across all competitions in League One, will join Dumbarton for next season, while forward Greig Spence has signed for Lowland League side East Stirlingshire after departing the Binos.

Meanwhile, defender/midfielder Aaron Dunsmore will link up with former team-mate Paul McLean at Cowdenbeath.