We’re pleased to welcome the loan signing of Dundee United youngster Charlie Dewar. The 17 year old defender makes his first foray into professional league football after featuring three times for the Dundee United B team in this year’s challenge cup.

Charlie has trained with us for the last few sessions and really impressed. He’s strong and aggressive and covers the ground well. Dave McKay has been a mainstay in the team this season and it’s disappointing to lose him to injury but Charlie has all the attributes to come in and fill that void.

Ultimately at Alloa we want players to improve and develop and both Charlie and Josh will provide healthy competition at both ends of the pitch and we’re delighted to have them both available for this weekend’s match.

Andy Graham, Alloa Manager

We’re pleased to confirm the loan signing of Rangers Academy player Josh Gentles. The Rangers B centre forward is also part of the Wales U18 international squad.

Andy Graham, Alloa manager was delighted to make his first signing of the window:

Josh is one that a few different clubs were after so it was great he decided to come to Alloa to hopefully showcase his talents. He will bring something different to the strikers already here which we felt was important to have for the rest of the season.

Welcome to the Wasps, Josh!

Sadly, former Alloa player Alex Hodge passed away on Saturday 18th January 2025 aged 83.
Alex was born in Lochgelly and began his footballing career with Ballingry Rovers Juveniles before joining Blairhall Colliery in 1959.

Alloa Athletic manager Archie “Curly” McPherson signed Alex from Blairhall Colliery in February 1962 after making his first start as “Trialist” against Clyde on 3rd February 1962, a game “The Wasps” lost 7-2 at Recreation Park to a Clyde side who would win Promotion to First Division as Champions.
Alex Hodge consolidated himself in an Alloa defence at the time which included goalkeeper Adam Hodge, no relation, Bobby Gray, Drew Rogerson, Jim Ireland, Andy Campbell & Brian McGarry.

Alex went on to make 286 appearances with “The Wasps” scoring 12 goals, most of them from the penalty spot. Which made him the player thirteenth in the lists of Alloa Athletic players who have made the most appearances since the end of World War 2.

Alex’s funeral will take place Tuesday 11th February at Kirkcaldy Crematorium.

Everyone at Alloa Athletic FC would like to send condolences to Alex’s family at this sad time.

Alloa Athletic FC, in conjunction with its community partner, Wasp Community Club, is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Club Lotto, designed to raise vital funds to support the continued development of our youth and women’s and girls’ pathways, and other community projects.

Our first draw is scheduled to take place on January 1^st 2025, and to kick off the New Year, we have a massive jackpot of £2000 up for grabs.

We will then be moving to weekly draws which take place on Wednesdays at 8.15PM, with £50 being added to the jackpot each week.

Buy your tickets and enter the draw here: https://bit.ly/waspslotto

The postponed game on 23rd November has been rearranged for Tuesday 3rd December at 19:45.

Today we welcome most of the players who won the Bell’s Challenge Cup, on 21^st November 1999, it is difficult to believe that these events took place now 25 years ago at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, between two teams who were a division apart and on the day only looked to score one goal more than the opposition. “The Wasps” took the game to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, straight from the kick-off and at no point in the game were behind, even extending this to the penalty shootout.

First Division Inverness Caledonian Thistle were favourites to win the trophy, indeed on route to the final Alloa Athletic had won all their ties away from home – Cowdenbeath, Airdrie, Ross County and beating local rivals Stirling Albion in the Semi-final. It was Alloa Athletics first national cup final in 121 years at that time.

As an Alloa Athletic fan it was a dream to have “The Wasps” in a national cup final which took place on a rain sodden pitch, providing a high-powered game which kept the fans spellbound, having been ahead four times in the match, the game had to be settled by a penalty kick shoot-out, which itself was to produce another twist.

With the penalty shoot-out deadlocked at 4-4, we then entered sudden death. Alloa Athletic goalkeeper Mark Cairns took hold of the match ball and marched towards the penalty spot. Alloa manager Terry Christie, along with the Alloa Athletic supporters in the stands looked on in disbelief as Mark Carins confidently fired home his penalty past Les Fridge to put “The Wasps” 5-4 ahead on penalty kicks. He then returned, back between the posts and saved Mike Teasdale’s penalty, winning the Bell’s Challenge Cup for Alloa Athletic.

The Alloa Athletic fans in the stands were hugging each other and many a tear was shed coming to terms with what they had just witnessed.

Alloa Athletic, a part-time football club had won the cup by beating four full-time clubs all away from home. Inverness Caledonian Thistle kept coming back, after “The Wasps” had taken the lead on four occasions but the Alloa Athletic players showed tremendous resilience by hanging on and winning the trophy on merit. It was a great result for the club and Clackmannanshire but the game was also a great advert for football. 

Today, we can confirm that most of the players who played for Alloa Athletic in 1999/2000 Bell’s Challenge Cup have accepted the club’s invitation to join us today and celebrate with the Alloa Athletic supporters. The players and back room staff will be introduced on the pitch to the fans at half-time accompanied by the Bell’s Challenge Cup Trophy.

Mark Cairns, Derek Clark, Davie Beaton, Craig Valentine, Paul McAneny, Mark Nelson, Ian Little, Gary Clark, Max Christie, Mark Wilson, Martin Cameron and Gregor McKechnie have accepted the invitation, plus, Jim Law (Physiotherapist), Dr Clarke Mullen & Nicol Campbell (Kit Man), we are delighted to have them with us today to celebrate such a historic achievement for the club. 

At the end of today’s game against Dumbarton, the Alloa Athletic players from the victorious Bell’s Challenge Cup winners 25 year ago, will be in the “Wasps Lounge”, in the portacabin at the railway end of the ground to meet supporters and recollect memories from that never to be forgotten day.

John Glencross

Alloa Athletic FC

Club Historian

Terry Christie, Alloa Athletic FC Manager (at time of winning Bell’s Challenge Cup)

I have very happy memories of Alloa Athletics’ victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. It was one of the most exciting matches I ever was involved in. That day the Alloa Athletic team did everybody proud. All the players gave of their best and we were fortunate to have strikers Martin Cameron and Willie Irvine in top form. They gave the Inverness Caledonian Thistle defence a torrid time. Willie Irvine was one of the most talented players I managed and was a huge positive influence on the team. At the end of 90 minutes, the game was drawn at 3-3 and so we went to extra-time. Both teams scored in the additional 30 minutes, ending 4-4, and now it was a penalty shoot-out. After each team had taken five penalties the score was again tied at 4-4 and so it was on to Sudden Death. As was always I had nominated only five penalty takers assuming a sixth would not be necessary. But wait, what was happening, I remember running out of the dug out trying to stop Mark Cairns taking the match winning penalty. Fortunately, I was too sluggish to succeed. Great memories and happy times. I had taken Alloa Athletic to their first ever national trophy and was now returning home with the trophy.

Unfortunately, Terry can’t be with us today as he is currently on holiday in Portugal.

At the time, manager Terry Christie said after taking possession of the Bell’s Challenge Cup, “This has been an amazing match, we are a part-time team and yet we have won this cup by beating four full-time clubs all away from home.”

2 November 2024 5 – 0 Full Time

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• Highlights
• Match Info
• Lineups
• Past Meetings
• Ground

Highlights

Reaction

Alloa Athletic

31	PJ Morrison Goalkeeper
17	Kane Thomson Defender	93′
6	Morgyn Neill Defender
15	David McKay Defender
2	Scott Taggart Defender
14	Miko Virtanen Midfielder
12	Stefan Scougall 22 Midfielder
20	Cameron O’Donnell 7 Midfielder	13′
9	Luke Donnelly 11 Forward	45′, 55′
19	Steven Buchanan 10 Midfielder
24	Luke Rankin 18 Forward	23′
1	Tochukwu Ogayi Goalkeeper
16	Luke Watkins Defender
22	Reece Mullen 12 Midfielder
11	Shay Nevans 9 Forward
7	Kevin Cawley 20 Midfielder
10	Scott Honeyman 19 Midfielder
18	Conor Sammon 24 Forward	92′
5	Andy Graham Defender

Annan Athletic

1	Jamie SMITH Goalkeeper
4	Josh Dixon Midfielder	36′
5	Tommy Muir Defender
6	Rhys Breen Defender
7	Paul McGowan Forward
9	Aidan Smith	46′
11	Malik Zaid
14	Ryan Muir 2 Defender
18	Kyle Fleming 20 Midfielder
21	Ji Stevenson Midfielder
33	William Gibson Defender
12	Greg Fleming Goalkeeper
2	Scott Hooper 14 Defender	78′
3	Rico Quitongo Defender
12	Max Kilsby Defender
16	Paul Smith Midfielder
17	Charlie Barnes Midfielder
19	Charlie Maxwell Midfielder
20	Aaron Quigg 18 Midfielder
22	Gallagher Lennon Midfielder

Past Meetings

24 August 2024 0 – 1 William Hill League 1 N/A Annan Athletic v Alloa Athletic Attendance: 494
30 March 2024 1 – 1 William Hill League 1 N/A Alloa Athletic v Annan Athletic Attendance: 634
13 February 2024 2 – 1 William Hill League 1 N/A Alloa Athletic v Annan Athletic Attendance: 511
3 February 2024 2 – 3 William Hill League 1 N/A Annan Athletic v Alloa Athletic Attendance: 396
23 September 2023 1 – 1 William Hill League 1 N/A Annan Athletic v Alloa Athletic Attendance: 396

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Ground

Indodrill Stadium
Leaflet | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Indodrill Stadium, Alloa

As it stood

William Hill League 1 2024-25

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Cove Rangers	12	6	2	4	21	15	6	20
2	Alloa Athletic	12	5	5	2	16	10	6	20
3	Arbroath	12	5	3	4	14	14	0	18
4	Stenhousemuir	12	5	2	5	15	14	1	17
5	Queen of the South	12	6	2	4	10	12	-2	17
6	Kelty Hearts	12	4	4	4	19	13	6	16
7	Montrose	12	4	4	4	11	9	2	16
8	Annan Athletic	12	4	1	7	8	21	-13	13
9	Dumbarton	12	2	6	4	17	21	-4	12
10	Inverness CT	12	2	7	3	7	11	-4	-2

Goals—and plenty of them—are what the supporters want, and that is exactly what they received in the 1999-2000 Bell’s Challenge Cup Final. It’s hard to believe that these events took place 25 years ago, on Sunday, November 21, 1999, at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, in a match between two teams from different divisions, where each side was simply trying to score one more goal than the other. “The Wasps” took the game to Inverness Caledonian Thistle from the kickoff and never once fell behind, even extending their dominance into the penalty shootout.

First Division Inverness Caledonian Thistle were the favorites to win the trophy. On their way to the final, Alloa Athletic had won all their ties away from home—against Cowdenbeath, Airdrie, Ross County, and local rivals Stirling Albion in the semi-final. This was Alloa Athletic’s first national cup final in 121 years at that time.

As an Alloa Athletic fan, it was a dream to see “The Wasps” in a national cup final, which was held on a rain-soaked pitch. The high-energy game captivated fans, with Alloa taking the lead four times, only for the game to be ultimately decided by a penalty shootout that would bring one final twist.

With the penalty shootout tied at 4-4, it entered sudden death. Alloa Athletic goalkeeper Mark Cairns took control of the match ball and walked confidently to the penalty spot. Alloa manager Terry Christie, along with the supporters, watched in disbelief as Cairns confidently slotted his penalty past Les Fridge, putting “The Wasps” up 5-4. Cairns then returned to the goal and saved Mike Teasdale’s penalty, winning the Bell’s Challenge Cup for Alloa Athletic.

Alloa Athletic fans in the stands embraced each other, with many shedding tears as they processed what they had just witnessed. A part-time football club had won the cup, defeating four full-time clubs, all away from home. Inverness Caledonian Thistle had equalized four times, but Alloa’s players showed tremendous resilience, holding on and winning the trophy on merit. It was a great result for the club and for Clackmannanshire, and the game itself was a fantastic advert for football.

John Glencross
Alloa Athletic FC Club Historian

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Alloa Athletic FC winning the Bell’s Challenge Cup in an epic final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on November 21, 1999, I have produced a book to commemorate the occasion. For those who have spent their lives following the “wee team” from Alloa across the country, November 21, 1999, will always be remembered as a pinnacle moment. The book, in full color and 60 pages long, is now available for purchase at the club shop today or at the Alloa Athletic Football Memorabilia Exhibition, Glasstown House, Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EU. The exhibition is open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or the book can be ordered directly from John Glencross via email at jgxalloafc@aol.com. The cost is £5 plus postage for delivery. Relive the memories of the game and what it meant for Clackmannanshire—Alloa will always be Alloa.