Stirling Albion facing renewed eviction calls over debt

Sitrling Albion have been struggling with financial problems for over a year

By Phil Goodlad

Debt-ridden Stirling Albion are again under threat of eviction from their ground if they do not pay £100,000 owed to Stirling Council.

The newly promoted First Division club rent Forthbank Stadium from the local council, which claims it is owed rent and other dues.

A preliminary hearing is set for 8 June at Stirling Sheriff Court.

Albion are about £1.5m in debt and have survived two winding-up orders over unpaid tax in the 12 months.

It is the second time in four months that the council has threatened to evict Stirling Albion over unpaid rent.

A plan to sell Albion's naming rights for £50,000 a year was rejected by the Scottish Football Association in January.

Stirling have been up for sale since June, when owner and chairman Peter McKenzie announced plans to step down.

Nobody from the club was available to comment on this latest claim for unpaid rent.

However, a spokesman for Stirling Council said that the local authority is "willing to talk to any prospective bidders and is still in communication with the owner Mr Peter Mackenzie for a sustainable solution".

The council-owned stadium is managed by the local authority's arms-length sports development company Active Stirling.