STIRLING: Alive with Scotland and Stirling: Alive with Sport kicked off an exciting new partnership with Stirling Albion at a launch event held at the Wallace Monument.

It is aimed at supporting the club’s fantastic, wide-ranging community activities involving primary, secondary schools, community classes and holiday camps across the Stirling area.

Council leader Councillor Scott Farmer and Provost Christine Simpson joined Stuart Brown, Stirling Albion’s chairman; John Hunter, SAFC commercial director with club mascot Bino Bear to launch the big initiative.

Provost Christine Simpson said: "This initiative supports Stirling Council’s aspiration that our citizens of all ages have access to programmes and facilities to promote health and fitness and we look forward to working with the club in this exciting partnership."

Cllr Farmer said: "We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Stirling Albion who have a fantastic range of community outreach activity and sporting programmes from children as young as three right through to the over eighties who participate in the popular Walking Football project."

Stuart Brown, chairman of Stirling Albion Football Club, said: "The club’s relationship with Stirling Council has gone from strength to strength during my time and this new and exciting initiative is another significant step forward in working together to provide community activity across the whole of Stirling District.

"Stirling Sports Village is a magnificent facility and lays great testimony to the council’s commitment to sports and leisure and we are proud to call its centrepiece, Forthbank Stadium, our home.

"Whilst success on the pitch is our top priority, engagement with the Stirling community is vital to the club’s future and I very much look forward to our partnership continuing to develop and flourish to the mutual benefit of ourselves, Stirling Council and, of course, its residents of all ages."

In addition to the back of the club’s new change shirt, the logo will feature on the players and coaches leisure and training clothing wear, to raise awareness of what a great place Stirling to live and work in.