When I was younger, about 9 or 10 years old, I always wondered how Stirling Albion were one of the youngest teams in the Scottish League (Clydebank, now defunct, were formed in 1967 if I remember correctly). I learned that before Stirling Albion were formed in 1945, the professional team in the (then) town was King's Park F.C. All I really knew was that the only bomb to fall on Stirling during World War 2 fell on their ground, and they subsequently went out of business. Sounds simple really, but there was more to it!
According to Wiki, their ground, Forthbank Park, was used in the late 19th century, and the club entered the Scottish League in the 1921/22 season. They weren't that great, a bit like modern day Stirling Albion, not the worst team but certainly not topping the upper leagues. Apparently there were some alleged financial irregularities as the bomb landed on Forthside making it easier to go out of business and start again under another name. This caused a bit of a stir, however Stirling had a professional team once more.
I set out on a quest to find out where exactly Forthbank Park was. The home of Stirling Albion, Forthbank Stadium, is named in honour (as well as being built on the banks of the Forth)! Annfield, Stirling's home from 1945 to 1991 was easy to find, but I could find no remnants of the old ground.
Thankfully, someone came up with an Ordnance Survey map of 1896 showing a football ground to the east of the railway tracks at KFC, where the John Player's Bowling Green is/was found (not sure if it still exists). First question answered, I know where this team played. There isn't much that I can find on the history of this club, so now I hope to find out more!
Monday 27 September 2010
Friday 24 September 2010
Bangin' Tune from Mark Ronson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt_aKauLrjA&feature=related
Mark Ronson - The Bike Song
I first heard this tune about a month ago, I believe it was on Radio 2. I've caught bits of it over time, then yesterday I heard it twice in 3 hours. I liked it as it brings with it an air of familiarity; opening with Ronson's trademark klaxon-sound, it lets the listener know it's him even though other folk are doing the singing! I thought the vocals rang a few bells, and I was right, they are sung by Kyle from The View. They have went off the radar big style but it looks like a comeback is on. At the end, there is a hint at a sample from Third World - Now That We Found Love (although you may be more familiar with the Heavy D and the Boyz version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNEgUPKxk7A&feature=related)
Favourite part is at 2:05, the bell rings. A nice retro trip!
I would embed the video but YouTube aren't letting me!
Mark Ronson - The Bike Song
I first heard this tune about a month ago, I believe it was on Radio 2. I've caught bits of it over time, then yesterday I heard it twice in 3 hours. I liked it as it brings with it an air of familiarity; opening with Ronson's trademark klaxon-sound, it lets the listener know it's him even though other folk are doing the singing! I thought the vocals rang a few bells, and I was right, they are sung by Kyle from The View. They have went off the radar big style but it looks like a comeback is on. At the end, there is a hint at a sample from Third World - Now That We Found Love (although you may be more familiar with the Heavy D and the Boyz version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNEgUPKxk7A&feature=related)
Favourite part is at 2:05, the bell rings. A nice retro trip!
I would embed the video but YouTube aren't letting me!
Friday 10 September 2010
Uni, Ten Years On
Sunday, September 10th 2000, was my first day at the University of Stirling. I remember the day very well. Rangers Drew with Dundee the previous day and the number one song was 'Lady' by Modjo, an old favourite.
I remember standing in the entrance to Macrobert Theatre, waiting on my induction, thinking how strange the whole experience would be, and in reflection, I was right. I was originally signed up to do modules in environmental science, sociology and economics, however the economics was swiftly dropped for history. I never fully understood the other side of university until I was well into my first semester, and I reckon if I'd had attended at least one open day, I would have been enlightened on the social aspect of uni life.
However, the years trundled along, as did the graduations, and now, ten years later, I am (or at least think I am) approaching the final straight. It has been such an enormous part of my life, and it would be difficult to imagine life without it, a stark contrast to that sunny day back in September 2000!
I remember standing in the entrance to Macrobert Theatre, waiting on my induction, thinking how strange the whole experience would be, and in reflection, I was right. I was originally signed up to do modules in environmental science, sociology and economics, however the economics was swiftly dropped for history. I never fully understood the other side of university until I was well into my first semester, and I reckon if I'd had attended at least one open day, I would have been enlightened on the social aspect of uni life.
However, the years trundled along, as did the graduations, and now, ten years later, I am (or at least think I am) approaching the final straight. It has been such an enormous part of my life, and it would be difficult to imagine life without it, a stark contrast to that sunny day back in September 2000!
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