Superheroes Number 20 - Alex Smith

Alex Smith served Albion in a number of capacities over the years – most notably as Player and manager. He would be the first to admit that the achievements of his playing career were definitely over-shadowed by his spell as manager.

Alex was a competent player in the late 50’s and 60’s, turning out for Kilmarnock, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion and Albion Rovers. He played 60 games for the club, scoring 13 goals.

Alex cut his coaching teeth with Stenhousemuir in the late 60’s and early 70’s and was appointed Manager of Albion in 1974. He inherited an ageing team, and re-built his squad to form a Second Division Championship-winning side in 1976/77. Alex had the ability to pick-up free transfer players and make them into tremendous assets for Stirling Albion.

Albion finished 5^th in Division One in 1978 which was an excellent achievement. Around the same time Alex began to develop his own ideas for brining through young players. In the early 80’s Albion produced a string of talented youngsters who were sold to bring in cash to keep the club afloat. The sale of starlets such as Colquhoun, Philliben, Grant and Irvine probably cost the club promotion, but secured short-term survival.

In 1986 Alex accepted an offer to manage St Mirren – he later took charge of Aberdeen and Clyde as well. In total he gave Albion 15 years of tremendous service, hence his place amongst the superheroes.