Stirling Albion bolstered as six players re-sign for next season and six are released

Stirling Albion have announced the departure of six players and six re-signings as manager Darren Young begins to rebuild his squad for next season.

Strikers Akeel Francis and Dylan Mackin, midfielders Ray Grant, Marc Laird and Kurtis Roberts and utility player James Grant are all moving on following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign.

Captain Ross McGeachie, who made his debut 10 years ago this week, top scorer Dale Carrick and midfielder Jack Leitch have all put pen to paper for 2022/23. Winger Kieran Moore, centre-half Jordan McGregor and goalkeeper Callum Law have also signed new contracts.

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Loan players Dylan Paterson (Arbroath) and Mason Hancock (Aberdeen) have returned to their parent clubs while discussions are ongoing with other members of the squad.

The surprise departure is probably that of Roberts, who wasn’t in the squad at the weekend but had featured in the previous 35 league matches. He joined the club in the summer of 2020 from Airdrieonians, having previously played for Queen’s Park.

Ray Grant was a high-profile recruit from Alloa Athletic 12 months ago. The former Clyde man was hampered by a couple of injuries, although his quality was evident when he was on his game.

Laird, now 36, showed his class in spells but the former Edinburgh City man had a couple of stints on the sidelines and was limited to 15 starts in cinch League 2.

James Grant was signed in the spring to provide cover to an injury-hit squad after leaving Cumbernauld Colts in January and only made a handful of substitute appearances.

Mackin contributed eight goals in total but after scoring a double in the 4-0 Scottish Cup win over Tranent in November he managed just one more –