University to host new SFA base

Peter Bilsborough from Stirling and the SFA's Andy Gilchrist

The Scottish Football Association is to base its new regional office for central Scotland at Stirling University to improve accessibility to the game.

The move is part of a five-year plan to give young fans from across the Forth Valley the chance to take part in team play and join quality local clubs.

The SFA said the project could help improve overall standards of the game.

The organisation also aims to boost opportunities for disabled players and improve the level of coaching offered.

Andy Gilchrist, the SFA's Central Region football development manager, said the plan aimed to "truly localise" football.

'Overall standard'

"Quite simply, everyone in the central belt should be able to find a club local to them that they can play for and the teams of these clubs should be able to play against similar local teams within the region.

"Improving the infrastructure of leagues and the quality of its member clubs will greatly enhance the number of footballing opportunities for local people and ultimately improve the overall standard of the game in Central Scotland."

The new regional plan, created in partnership with councils in Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, East and West Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire will run from 2007 to 2011.