Stirling Albion announce under-16s ban following 'hooliganism' outside stadium

Stirling Albion has banned face coverings and unaccompanied under-16s from its stadium following “hooliganism” after their season opener.

The League 2 side hosted Dumbarton FC on Saturday in their season-opening fixture.

Disorder broke out outside Forthbank Stadium after the match, prompting the club to announce strict measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In addition to a ban on unaccompanied under-16s on home matchdays, face coverings will be forbidden, and certain groups will be “detained” inside the stadium after matches.

In a statement published on their website, Stirling Albion said: “We were appalled by the hooliganism that took place outside Forthbank on Saturday afternoon after our match against Dumbarton FC and are currently working to identify those responsible.

“The information we gather will be passed to Police Scotland and criminal charges may follow”.

“Any perpetrators who are subsequently identified will be subject to a lengthy ban.

“This kind of behaviour, and the people who carry it out, are not welcome at our football club.

“We will also be introducing a series of short-term measures to help address the problems we have experienced.

“From today, no unaccompanied under-16s will be allowed into Forthbank Stadium on home matchdays.

“We will also be liaising with our opponents when we are away from home and suggesting that they implement a similar policy.”

The club will introduce a membership scheme for younger supporters that will require registration, parental permission for unaccompanied attendance at matches, and agreement to a code of conduct.

Anyone found breaching the code will be banned from the stadium.

Fans wearing face coverings will be refused entry to the stadium and anyone found inside the stadium on a matchday with a face covering will be immediately ejected, the club said.

“On matchdays, we also reserve the right to detain certain groups within the stadium following the end of the match.

“We recognise that anti-social behaviour is a societal problem that is much wider than football.

“We are actively working with Police Scotland, Stirling Council and other agencies on a range of measures to address matchday safety.

“In the longer term, through our charity arm, the Stirling Albion Foundation, we continue to develop and promote youth initiatives and learning designed to offer young people better alternatives.”

Dumbarton FC has shared the statement on social media, stating: “If anyone has any information that could help their investigation, please get in touch with DFC and we’ll forward it on.”

Inspector Steven McCooey said: “We are working with Stirling Albion FC, Stirling Council, and other partners to identify those involved in the disorder.

“We appeal to those in the local community who have witnessed any disorder, or who have any relevant footage, to contact police via 101 and quote incident number 2287 of August 1, 2026.”