Forfar Athletic v Stranraer - Match Preview

Venue – Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park – ko 3pm.
Saturday 2nd August, 2025
William Hill League2 – Match No 1

Admission Prices
David McGregor Stand – Adults £16, concessions (65 & over/14/17 year olds) £10, under 14’s £5

Terracing - Adults £15, concessions (65 & over/14/17 year olds) £10, under 14’s £5

Tickets can be purchased online in advance at the following link;- https://forfarathletic.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/forfar_athletic_v_stranraer_0825

However CASH ONLY turnstiles are also available on the day.

Forfar Athletic season tickets are of course valid for this fixture.

TRIBUTE TO JOHN MITCHELL
Supporters at Saturday’s fixture will be asked to join with Officials and Players in a period of applause prior to kick-off as we celebrate the life of our former player and friend who passed away on Wednesday. The club flag will also be flown at half mast throughout the day as a mark of respect.

Preview
The much anticipated start of the William Hill League2 campaign has arrived with the visit to the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park on Saturday of our good friends Stranraer. Both sides will enter the fray very hopeful of improving on last season’s performance in the SPFL’s fourth tier inwhere they finished in the two spots immediately above relegated Bonnyrigg.

The ‘Loons’ manager recognizes the anticipation that prevails with the Station Park ‘community’ as the league season approaches, optimism another word that can be levied following more than reasonable performances have whetted the appetite both in pre-season fixtures and the Premier Sports ties. Jim is delighted with the attitude of his players since the first training session back in mid June and with the progress he feels has been made in that period. He has also been very pleased with the way the nine newcomers to the Athies ranks have settled in over that period, though the manager admits he still hopes to bolster that number as the month of August evolves.

The management team and the players were delighted to finish their League Cup campaign last Saturday with a win and send the supporters away on the day with local derby bragging rights against their Championship opponents.

Jim has not hidden his hope that the club will be challenging at the top end of the table this time round but freely admits that he personally at this stage does not see any clear favourite in the title race and anyone of at least half a dozen sides could well be in the mix as the season unfolds. It is important to get off to a good start and that will be no easy task against a Stranraer side who Jim watched against Edinburgh City a couple weeks back and who in the opinion of the Station Park manager have recruited well over the summer months. Incidentally of the dozen or so new faces at Stair Park this term, eight were recruited from West of Scotland League sides. Our Saturday opponents also go into the game also on a high following a 1-0 home success over Queen of the South last weekend.

Back to the home side’s potential starting line-up on the day and no doubt there could be a change or two from last weekend. However it is a real bonus that all eighteen current members of the playing squad are all fully fit and available for selection.

The support the team have had to date this campaign has also been remarkable. Yes there has been a fair smattering of away fans at our main three home games but to have had crowds of just under 1,000 at the two fixtures with the Perth and Paisley ‘Saints’ was to say the least encouraging, prior to the four figure number being breached last weekend. Jim Weir is in no doubt that positivity from the stand and terracing which has been there in abundance since his return at the tail end of last year breeds confidence on the park and becomes an undoubted twelfth man over the ninety minutes of play.

One has seen a real bond developing over the course of Jim’s ‘second coming’ between the management, players and supporters and long may that continue to ‘mature.’

The man in the middle on this occasion is Jordan Curran.

C’mon the ‘Loons.’

Further Match Day Information
50/50 tickets will be on sale pre-match in the 1984 Lounge and from vendors within the stadium. The Refreshment Kiosk and Club Shop both situated within the ground will be open as usual. The 1984 Lounge will be open to supporters from 12.30pm. till kick-off and again on the final whistle till approximately 8pm.

Match Sponsor – Club 1885 Guests

Hospitality Guests – Alan Davie Transport, Arron Myles & Friends, Bill Stirling & Friends, Keith Thomson & Friends

Saturday’s other William Hill League2 fixtures – Annan Athletic v Elgin City, Dumbarton v Clyde, East Kilbride v The Spartans, Edinburgh City v Stirling Albion