NEW DEAL FOR ALBION BOSS Management team sign up again
Stirling Albion manager Kevin Rutkiewicz and the rest of his management team have all signed new contracts for the 2021/22 campaign.
The 40-year-old former Aberdeen and St Johnstone defender (left) took over from Dave Mackay in October 2018 after a spell as No.2 at Annan Athletic when Albion were struggling near the foot of League 2, and he steered them to fifth place in his first season in charge. Stirling were on the fringes of the play-off race when the 2019/20 campaign was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the improvement has continued this term.
Albion went into last night’s home game with Stenhousemuir sitting third in the table and having lost just once in 11 League 2 matches.
They look on course to make the promotion play-offs for only the second time since being relegated from League 1 at the end of 2014/15.
Player/assistant James Creaney, goalkeeping coach Kevin Budinauckas, physio Kenny Crichton and head of performance analysis Bill Orr have also put pen to paper for 2021/22.
Chairman Stuart Brown said: “The on-field results are clear for all to see but what very few witness is the hard work and endless hours they put in behind the scenes to achieve those outcomes.
“Kevin’s work ethic is infectious, and his backroom team have followed suit, spending endless hours scouting, recruiting, analysing our performances and those of our upcoming opposition. To call any of them part-time would be doing their commitment a disservice.
“James Creaney’s appointment as assistant manager at the beginning of this season was a masterstroke, acting as the perfect link between the players and the manager.”
Rutkiewicz said: “I’m delighted to get things done. I feel the club is in a very good place on and off the pitch and there is a lot to look forward to. I believe we have made progress each year I’ve been here and hopefully the fans can see that.
“We are desperate for success this season but it’s also important to try to build something and that’s why I’m so pleased to get four of the guys signed up for next season, with hopefully more to follow.
“We have a strong squad here with quality in every area, and you saw the way they all celebrated together when we scored at Elgin on Saturday that there is a real unity there.”
On Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Borough Briggs, he added: “It’s a good away point but it was frustrating to concede a poor goal from a set-piece after going 1-0 up. It was a lovely finish from Andy Ryan.”