Pies, Pride, and a Perfectly Chaotic Saturday at Forthbank
Some Saturdays are just built different. You can feel it in the air. The crispness, the anticipation. This wasn't just another weekend for us; we were heading to Forthbank Stadium with a mission: To be thanked for sponsoring the U20's team, be shown around the stadious by Fraser Mcintyre and be presented with our branded shirt that the club had made up for us.
Our Ops Manager, Duncan, and I rocked up to watch the Binos take on Dumbarton. There was no corporate fanfare, no stuffy handshakes. Just the low hum of chatter from the diehard fans, the clack of turnstiles, and the imposing view of the Wallace Monument keeping a watchful eye over the pitch.
Football the Way It’s Meant to Be
Forget the glitz of the big leagues for a moment. This is where football's heart truly beats. We grabbed a coffee, found our spot among the regulars, and settled in. You could smell the pride, hear the satisfying thud of a 50/50 challenge, and feel the collective groan and cheer of a crowd that lives and breathes for their club. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s brilliant.
Half-time arrived, and with it, a chance to meet one of the club's legends – and I’m not talking about a player. We got chatting to Frank, a volunteer who’s seen it all. He was sorting the teas and coffees with the kind of easy going humour that only comes from years of service. He had me laughing about how some fans take longer debating a coffee order than they do the first half tactics. People like Frank are the lifeblood of clubs like this, the unsung heroes who keep the whole thing running on passion, pies, and a bit of good natured banter.
A Proper See-Saw Battle on the Pitch
As for the game? It was a cracker. A proper, gritty, end-to-end affair. Dumbarton, to their credit, came out swinging and took the lead not once, but twice. But Stirling Albion just wasn't in the mood to roll over. Both times they were knocked down, they got right back up, digging deep to find an equaliser.
When that second goal went in, the roar from the stands was something special. It wasn’t just a cheer; it was a release of pure, unfiltered pride. It might have ended 2-2, but this was one of those draws that feels more like a statement. It was a game about fight, spirit, and a refusal to be beaten – the kind of performance that sticks with you long after you've forgotten the final score.
The World’s Most Awkward Shirt Presentation
With the match done, it was time for the official handover. As Fraser McIntyre from the club presented Duncan with our sponsored shirt, my own role quickly devolved into a frantic juggling act. I was trying to hold three coats, keep the camera from shaking in my cold hands, and sidestep players doing their post-match warm-downs, all with the Wallace Monument photobombing us majestically in the background. It was a beautiful, chaotic mess, but we managed to get the shot.
That shirt is now hanging proudly in our office, and it feels earned. Fraser himself is a top bloke – exactly the kind of person you hope to meet. When he’s not at the club, he’s running his own fantastic business, The Biscuit Baron. We ended up talking about everything from business and biscuits to the beautiful madness of local football. He’s got that sleeves-rolled-up, get-stuck-in attitude that defines the spirit of it all.
It’s More Than Just a Logo
For us at First Vehicle Leasing, this was never about just sticking our logo on a shirt. It’s about connecting with something that genuinely matters to the community. It’s about supporting the Franks who pour the tea, the Frasers who juggle a hundred different roles, and the fans who turn up every single week, rain or shine. That’s the real foundation of football.
We left Forthbank with freezing hands, full stomachs, and the kind of warmth that has nothing to do with the weather. Every time I walk past that framed shirt in the office, I’ll remember the chaos, the comeback, and the brilliant character of it all.
A massive thank you to everyone at Stirling Albion for making us feel so welcome. We’ll be back for another game soon. And next time, I’m definitely bringing fewer coats.
Here's to the Binos and a great season ahead! ⚽
