Ayr Advertiser | Sport | Ayr swoop for Stirling skipper

Saturday, 11th October, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 6th May, 2008 10:00

Ayr swoop for Stirling skipper

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HIGHLY ambitious Ayr United boss Brian Reid pulled off a major coup on Wednesday when he landed the prize signature of highly-rated Stirling Albion captain and midfield ace Chris Aitken.

The midfielder signed a pre-contract agreement to join Ayr in the summer with a two-year deal being agreed and delighted Reid feels his first capture of the close season will be a crucial player in the planned promotion push.

And after bulging the net some 40 times in the past three seasons he looks destined to become a terracing favourite.

Reid said: “I am absolutely delighted that Chris has agreed to join us. He is a vastly experienced player and was Stirling Albion’s top scorer last season with 15 goals. He is a very experienced player and a potential captain although I have not yet made the decision on the captaincy. Chris also carries a goal threat and should do well for us.”

Signed in the January 2005 window, Aitken played a major role in the Binos’ promotion to the First Division two season ago and he previously played for Morton, Clyde and Hamilton Accies.

Sportscene can reveal that star midfielder Ryan Stevenson, who still has two years of a three-year contract remaining, enjoyed a successful two-day trial with English League One side Hartlepool United.

The player told Sportscene before heading on holiday: “The trial went well and I am hoping that the club will make me an offer. My agent will keep me informed.”

Meanwhile, as predicted by Sportscene before the end of the season there was a mass clearout at Somerset Park last week.

Heading for the exit doors are goalkeeper Mark McGeown, Chris Robertson, Craig Pettigrew, David Lowing, David Dunn, Jerome Vareille and Iain Anderson, who has been plagued by injury and could hang up his boots, and Gareth Wardlaw.