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'{{short description|Association football club in Scotland}} {{Use British English|date=May 2015}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = East Stirlingshire | image = File:East Stirlingshire Logo.png | fullname = East Stirlingshire Football Club | nickname = The Shire | current = | founded = {{Start date and age|1881|df=yes}} | ground = [[Falkirk Stadium]], [[Falkirk]] | capacity = 7,937 | chrtitle = Honorary President | chairman = Robert Jack | manager = Derek Ure | league = {{Scottish football updater|EStrling}} | season = {{Scottish football updater|EStrling2}} | position = {{Scottish football updater|EStrling3}} <!-- Home kit -->| pattern_la1 = _eaststirling2021h | pattern_b1 = _eaststirling2021h | pattern_ra1 = _eaststirling2021h | pattern_sh1 = _whitesides | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = | body1 = | rightarm1 = | shorts1 = 000000 | socks1 = FFFFFF <!-- Away kit -->| pattern_la2 = _eaststirling2021a | pattern_b2 = _eaststirling2021a | pattern_ra2 = _eaststirling2021a | pattern_sh2 = _blacksides | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = FF7F00 | body2 = BEBEBE | rightarm2 = FF7F00 | shorts2 = 7ba2cd | socks2 = 7ba2cd | website = https://eaststirlingshirefc.co.uk/ }} '''East Stirlingshire Football Club''' is a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[association football]] club based in the town of [[Falkirk]]. The club was founded in 1881 and competes in the {{Scottish football updater|EStrling}}, in the fifth tier of the [[Scottish football league system]]. The club's origins can be traced to 1880 when a local cricket club formed a football team under the name ''Britannia'', based in the village of [[Bainsford]]. They are NOT a professional team Greg! <ref name="FH_Shire_Mettle">[http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/community/nostalgia/shire-s-fans-show-mettle-1-2394037 Shire's fans show mettle], ''[[Falkirk Herald]]''. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2013.</ref> The club was elected to the [[Scottish Football League]] in [[1900–01 in Scottish football|1900–01]] and has competed in the league system for most of its existence. East Stirlingshire has [[List of winners of the Scottish First Division and predecessors|won the second tier]] of Scottish football once and finished runners-up once, earning promotion to the top-flight on both occasions. The club's highest league ranking came during the two solitary seasons it competed in the top flight in [[1932–33 in Scottish football|1932–33]] and [[1963–64 in Scottish football|1963–64]]. In 2016, East Stirlingshire became the first club ever to be relegated out of the national league system. East Stirlingshire first entered in the [[Scottish Cup]] in [[1882–83 Scottish Cup|1882]], its best result reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, the last in [[1980–81 Scottish Cup|1981]]. The club's best result in a national cup competition was in the [[2000–01 Scottish Challenge Cup|2000–01 season]] when it reached the semi-finals of the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]], losing to [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]] for a place in the final.<ref name="BBC_Livingston_preview">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/943942.stm Livingston 2–1 East Stirlingshire], ''BBC Sport''. 26 September 2000. Retrieved 19 August 2011.</ref> In [[2007–08 in Scottish football|2008]], the club left [[Firs Park]] and moved to [[Ochilview Park]] to [[groundshare|ground-share]] with local rivals [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]].<ref name="History 2000-Present">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/2000-present-day/ Club history&nbsp;– 2000&nbsp;– present Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006042258/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/2000-present-day/ |date=6 October 2011 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. Retrieved 19 August 2011.</ref><ref name="Firs_Park_departure">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_stirlingshire/7376220.stm Shire explain Firs Park departure], [[BBC Sport]]. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2011.</ref> Since the start of the [[2018–19 in Scottish football|2018–19 season]] the club have ground-shared with their neighbour club [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] at the [[Falkirk Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/football/east-stirlingshire-fc/east-stirlingshire-are-back-in-town-after-decade-at-stenhousemuir-1-4718500 |title=East Stirlingshire are back in town after decade at Stenhousemuir |first=David |last=Oliver |work=Falkirk Herald |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |date=4 April 2018 |access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> ==History== {{main|History of East Stirlingshire F.C.}} {{see also|List of East Stirlingshire F.C. seasons}} East Stirlingshire's official date of formation was in 1881,<ref name="East_Stirlingshire_SPFL">[http://spfl.co.uk/clubs/east-stirlingshire/ East Stirlingshire Football Club] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031165434/https://spfl.co.uk/clubs/east-stirlingshire/ |date=31 October 2017 }}, ''spfl.co.uk''. [[Scottish Professional Football League]]. Retrieved 16 February 2014.</ref> but its origins can be traced to the previous year when a local cricket club called Bainsford Bluebonnets formed a football team under the name Britannia.<ref name="History_1880-1900">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1880-1900/ Club History&nbsp;– 1880–1900] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006051514/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1880-1900/ |date=6 October 2011 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. Retrieved 28 February 2013.</ref> The team's first recorded match was a [[exhibition match|friendly]] against [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]'s second eleven in December 1880 and resulted in a 7–0 defeat while its first match as East Stirlingshire was against the same opponent in August 1881.<ref name="Falkirk_FC_matches">[http://www.oocities.org/br1anmccoll/falkirkfc18771891.pdf Falkirk FC Matches 1882–83], ''oocities.org''. Retrieved 28 February 2013.</ref> The club's nickname is "The Shire", which refers to the Stirlingshire part of the club name.<ref name="East_Stirlingshire_SPFL" /> After joining the [[Scottish Football Association]], the club became eligible to compete in the [[Scottish Cup]], [[Scotland]]'s main association football [[Single-elimination tournament|knock-out competition]], eliminated in its first game in 1882. In December 1883, the Stirlingshire Football Association was founded, with membership open to clubs exclusively from the county of [[Stirlingshire]]. It resulted in the establishment of a new regional tournament called the [[Stirlingshire Cup]], with the club reaching the final in its first season.<ref name="Stirlingshire_Cup">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/stirlingcup.htm Stirlingshire Cup 1883–] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130171412/http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/stirlingcup.htm |date=30 January 2013 }}, Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> East Stirlingshire dominated the tournament in its early years, winning it for a record four years in a row between 1885 and 1889,<ref name="Stirlingshire_Cup" /> including an emphatic 9–0 victory against Falkirk in the 1888 final.<ref name="Stirlingshire_Cup_Final_1888">[http://bettermeddle.org.uk/archive/match.php?season=1888&id=406&type=3 Results&nbsp;– Stirlingshire Cup Final&nbsp;– 1888], ''bettermeddle.org.uk''. Retrieved 2 March 2013.</ref> Two goals came from Lawrence McLachlan who was an influential goalscorer in the club's early successes; scoring more times than any other East Stirlingshire player with 135 known goals.<ref name="History_1880-1900" /> [[File:East Stirlingshire F.C. team 1891.jpg|left |thumb |280px |alt= |East Stirlingshire squad in [[1890–91 in Scottish football|1891]] with several trophies won by the club including the [[Stirlingshire Cup]].]] The latter years of the 19th century was East Stirlingshire's most successful era in the Scottish Cup. In the [[1888–89 Scottish Cup|1888–89]] and [[1890–91 Scottish Cup|1890–91]] tournaments, the club reached the quarter-finals in what was to be the last time for 91 years, losing to [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] respectively.<ref name="History_1880-1900" /> In the 1888–89 tournament, the club recorded its highest win and equalled it in successive rounds with a 10–1 victory against local rivals [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]] in the first round and an 11–2 win over [[Vale of Bannock F.C.|Vale of Bannock]] in the second round. It was during this period that four East Stirlingshire players earned international caps for their countries. The first was the [[Wales national football team|Wales national team]] captain, [[Humphrey Jones]], who earned five caps whilst with the club. Three other players, [[David Alexander (footballer)|David Alexander]], [[Archibald Ritchie (footballer, born 1872)|Archibald Ritchie]], and [[James McKee (footballer)|James McKee]] made appearances for the [[Scotland national football team|Scotland national team]] from 1891 to 1898.<ref name="London_Hearts_Shire_Scotland">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/clubs/eaststirlingshire.html Scotland football record with players from East Stirlingshire], ''londonhearts.com''. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 17 March 2013.</ref> Between 1891 and 1899, the club competed in regional leagues, including winning the [[Midland Football League in Scotland|Midland Football League]]<ref name="SFHA_Midland_League">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/midlandleague1.htm Midland Football League] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924214203/http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/midlandleague1.htm |date=24 September 2013 }}, ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> and [[Central Football Combination]],<ref name="SFHA_Central_Combination">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/centralcombination.htm Central Football Combination] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706110201/http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/centralcombination.htm |date=6 July 2015 }}, ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> before being elected to the [[Scottish Football League Division Two|second tier]] of Scotland's main national league competition&nbsp;– the [[Scottish Football League]]&nbsp;– in [[1900–01 in Scottish football|1900–01]], ending its first season ranked 7th from ten.<ref name="SFL_Elections">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/elections.htm Scottish Football League&nbsp;– Elections 1893–2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129065422/http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/elections.htm |date=29 January 2013 }}, Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref><ref name="FCHD_East_Stirlingshire">[http://www.fchd.info/E-STIRLI.HTM East Stirlingshire], ''www.fchd.info''. Football Club History Database. Retrieved 16 March 2013.</ref> In March 1905, a proposal was raised for the club to merge with neighbours Falkirk with an aim to creating a bigger and more financially stable club, which Falkirk accepted in a vote. However, East Stirlingshire's vote was not in favour and the club rejected the proposal.<ref name="Better_meddle_Falkirk_merger">[http://bettermeddle.org.uk/museum/story3.php A Brief History&nbsp;– Part Three&nbsp;– Early Success], ''bettermeddle.org.uk''. Retrieved 4 March 2013.</ref> The years following included finishing bottom of the league in [[1905–06 in Scottish football|1905–06]], recording only one win from 22 games, contrasting with finishing as high as third in table in [[1912–13 in Scottish football|1912–13]], narrowly missing out on winning the championship by two points.<ref name="FCHD_East_Stirlingshire" /><ref name="SFL_League_table_1912/13">[http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/stats/records/league-championship/league-tables/1910-1919/191213/ Scottish Football League Championship Tables&nbsp;– Season 1912/13] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603145152/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/stats/records/league-championship/league-tables/1910-1919/191213/ |date=3 June 2013 }}, [[Scottish Football League]]. Retrieved 17 March 2013.</ref> The club remained in Division Two until [[1914–15 in Scottish football|1914–15]] when it, and the [[Scottish Cup]], were both suspended due to [[World War I]].<ref name="Scottish_FA_Cup_History">[http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?page=3132 Scottish Cup&nbsp;– The History], ''scottishfa.co.uk''. [[Scottish Football Association]]. Retrieved 4 March 2013.</ref> [[File:East Stirlingshire FC league rankings 1900 to 2012.png|thumb |275px |alt=refer to caption |Chart showing the progress of East Stirlingshire F.C. through the [[Scottish football league system]] from [[1900–01 in Scottish football|1900–01]] to [[2011–12 in Scottish football|2011–12]]]] At the end of World War I, the club was re-elected to the old Division Two which was re-established in the [[1921–22 in Scottish football|1921–22 season]].<ref name="SFL_Elections" /> The year beforehand saw the club move to [[Firs Park]] after leaving their old ground of [[Merchiston Park]] in 1920. In the same year, a [[Scottish football attendance records|record home attendance]] of 12,000 was set when the club played eventual champions, [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]], in the Scottish Cup in February 1921. The club was relegated to the newly created, but short lived, [[Scottish Football League Division Three|Division Three]] in [[1922–23 in Scottish football|1922–23]], earning promotion back to Division Two after one season; setting a record of 23 home games without a loss.<ref name="statto_records">[http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/records East Stirlingshire : Records] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530010459/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/records |date=30 May 2012 }}, ''statto.com''. Retrieved 8 February 2012.</ref> A decade later, East Stirlingshire won promotion to [[Scottish Football League Division One|Division One]], Scotland's [[Scottish football league system|top flight]], for the first time. En route to promotion, the club spent 32 weeks at the top of Division Two, ending the season equal on 55 points with [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]], with East Stirlingshire winning the championship on a superior [[goal average]].<ref name="Statto_1931-32">[http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/1931-1932 East Stirlingshire 1931–1932] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406043848/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/1931-1932 |date=6 April 2015 }}, ''statto.com''. Retrieved 4 March 2013.</ref> East Stirlingshire spent one season in its first spell in the top flight, ending the year bottom of the league in 20th with seventeen points.<ref name="LondonHearts_1932-33">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/a1930/eaststirlingshire1933.htm Results for East Stirlingshire for 1932–33], ''londonhearts.com''. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 4 March 2013.</ref> Back in Division Two in the [[1935–36 in Scottish football|1935–36 season]], the club's heaviest league defeat of 12–1 was inflicted by [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] in April 1936.<ref name="statto_records" /><ref name="ArabArchive">[http://www.arabarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=4304 Dundee United 12&nbsp;– 1 East Stirlingshire], ''arabarchive.co.uk''. Arab Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2013.</ref> In [[1938–39 in Scottish football|1938–39]], the final season before the league was suspended due to [[World War II]], East Stirlingshire finished second-bottom of the league, ahead of only [[Edinburgh City F.C.|Edinburgh City]], but despite finishing low, Malcolm Morrison became the club's highest league goalscorer in a single season with 36 goals.<ref name="Soccerbase_records">[http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=928&comp_id=15&teamTabs=records All time records], ''soccerbase.com''. Retrieved 17 March 2013.</ref> The club was excluded from a [[Association football during World War II|wartime league]] in 1939 and was also denied re-entry to the Scottish Football League Division Two at the end of World War II, along with six other small league clubs.<ref name="SFL_Elections" /><ref name="SFL_Division_C">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/cdiv.htm/elections.htm Scottish Football League&nbsp;– C Division]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref> As a result, the clubs competed in a newly created [[Scottish Football League Division C|Division C]] along with the [[reserve team]]s of some of Scotland's top clubs. In the second season in Division C, East Stirlingshire won the league and was promoted back to Division Two, now renamed "Division B", but finished last after one season in [[1948–49 in Scottish football|1948–49]], and were relegated back to the "C Division". After another six seasons competing in "Division C" the club rejoined Division Two in [[1955–56 in Scottish football|1955–56]] when the " C Division" was abolished and the number of teams in the Scottish Football League was expanded. The club sold many young players to larger clubs, including [[Defender (association football)|defender]] [[Eddie McCreadie]] to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in 1962 who earned 23 international caps for Scotland and is tenth in Chelsea's all-time appearance list with 410.<ref name="SFA_McCreadie">[http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=2492&playerID=113363&squadID=1 Profiles&nbsp;– Eddie McCreadie], [[Scottish Football Association]]. Retrieved 28 March 2013.</ref><ref name="First_Touch_McCreadie">[http://www.firsttouchonline.com/2009/09/spotlight-on-chelsea-legend-eddie-mccreadie/ Spotlight On Chelsea Legend Eddie McCreadie] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214061212/http://www.firsttouchonline.com/2009/09/spotlight-on-chelsea-legend-eddie-mccreadie/ |date=14 December 2012 }}, ''firsttouchonline.com''. 15 September 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2013.</ref> The money earned from the transfer helped attract new players and in the [[1962–63 in Scottish football|1962–63 season]], the club won promotion to the top flight for a second time, as runners-up in Division Two behind St Johnstone.<ref name="History_1940-1970" /> Like the previous occasion in [[1932–33 in Scottish football|1932–33]], East Stirlingshire spent one solitary season in the top tier before being relegated. After relegation from Scotland's top flight, East Stirlingshire was controversially merged with [[Clydebank Juniors F.C.|Clydebank Juniors]] in [[1964–65 in Scottish football|1964]]. The new club was renamed ''East Stirlingshire Clydebank''&nbsp;– often E.S. Clydebank for short&nbsp;– and relocated to [[Kilbowie Park]] in [[Clydebank]] against fans' wishes.<ref name="History_1940-1970">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1940-1970/ Club History&nbsp;– 1940–1970] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325012812/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1940-1970/ |date=25 March 2013 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref><ref name="Historical_Kits_Clydebank">[http://www.clydebankprogrammesonline.co.uk/E.S.Clydebank%2064-65.html Clydebank&nbsp;– Background], ''historicalkits.co.uk''. Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref> However, the merge lasted only one season, with East Stirlingshire [[shareholder]]s winning several court cases against it and thus the club reverted to its original legal status and moved back to [[Falkirk]].<ref name="SFHA_Directory">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/clublist.htm All-time Scottish Football Club Directory 1829–2009&nbsp;– East Stirlingshire] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120012802/http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/clublist.htm |date=20 November 2011 }}, Scottish Football Historical Football Archive. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref><ref name="Historical_Kits_East_Stirlingshire">[http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/East_Stirlingshire/East_Stirlingshire.htm East Stirlingshire&nbsp;– Background], ''historicalkits.co.uk''. Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref><ref name="BBC_Bankies">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2079740.stm Demise of the Bankies], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 1 July 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2013.</ref> During the single season as E.S. Clydebank, the club set a [[Scottish football attendance records|record attendance]] at Kilbowie Park when 14,900 spectators attended a Scottish Cup first round replay against [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in February 1965.<ref name="ESClydebank_programmes">[http://www.clydebankprogrammesonline.co.uk/E.S.Clydebank%2064-65.html E.S. Clydebank 1964–65], ''clydebankprogrammesonline.co.uk''. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref><ref name="ESClydebank_Hibernian">[http://www.clydebankprogrammesonline.co.uk/Hibs%20Sc%2064-65.html E.S. Clydebank versus Hibernian], ''clydebankprogrammesonline.co.uk''. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref> In 1966, [[Lawrence Binnie]] became the club's first official [[Coach (sport)|manager]], prior to his appointment the board of directors took responsibility for management roles.<ref name="History_1940-1970" /> After de-merging with Clydebank Juniors, the club spent ten seasons in Division Two before being moved by league reconstruction to a new [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]] for the [[1975–76 in Scottish football|1975–76 season]], now the third tier with the creation of the [[Scottish Football League Premier Division|Premier Division]] at the top of the Scottish Football League. During this period, the club progressed past the group stage of [[Scottish League Cup]] for the first time since it was inaugurated in 1947.<ref name="Shire_League_Cup_LondonHearts">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/lc/eaststirlingshire.html East Stirlingshire&nbsp;– League Cup Results], ''londonhearts.com''. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 11 March 2013.</ref> The year beforehand saw the club appoint its most famous manager, [[Alex Ferguson]], who was at the club during 1974 before moving to [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]].<ref name="History_1970-2000">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1970-2000/ Club History&nbsp;– 1970–2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822102319/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1970-2000/ |date=22 August 2012 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> In [[1979–80 in Scottish football|1979–80]], East Stirlingshire won promotion to the [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]], which is the last time the club was promoted in the league. Managed by [[Billy Lamont]], the club finished runners-up by one point to rivals [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] in the Second Division.<ref name="History_1970-2000" /><ref name="SFL_League_table_1979/80">[http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/stats/records/league-championship/league-tables/1970-1979/197980/ Scottish Football League Championship Tables&nbsp;– Season 1979/80] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603163748/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/stats/records/league-championship/league-tables/1970-1979/197980/ |date=3 June 2013 }}, [[Scottish Football League]]. Retrieved 11 March 2013.</ref> The clubs shared the top two spots in the league for most of the season and entered the final match equal on points, with East Stirlingshire required to better Falkirk's result to win the championship due to an inferior goal difference. However, Falkirk won its match and East Stirlingshire drew and so finished second.<ref name="History_1970-2000" /> [[File:EastStirlingvDundeeUnited-20090111.jpg|thumb |left |250px |alt=Photograph of players on a football pitch taken from a spectator stand. |Warm up before a [[Scottish Cup]] match between East Stirlingshire and [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] at [[Ochilview Park]] in 2009]] In the [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1994–95 season]], the Scottish Football League was again restructured and East Stirlingshire was moved to a new [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]], now the fourth-tier. The club finished its first season in the Third Division ranked fourth from ten and repeated it again in [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]. With these exceptions East Stirlingshire generally finished below mid-table, including a final day victory against [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]] in the [[1996–97 in Scottish football|1996–97 season]] to avoid finishing last. In [[2000–01 in Scottish football|2000–01]], the club reached the semi-final of a national cup competition for the first time in its history, losing 2–1 to [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]] for a place in the final of the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]].<ref name="BBC_Livingston_preview" /><ref name="BBC_Livingston_result">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/941994.stm Livingston v East Stirlingshire preview], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 25 September 2000. Retrieved 12 March 2013.</ref> At the start of the 21st century the club struggled financially, paying players [[Pound sterling|£]]10-a-week and manager Dennis Newall became the first unpaid manager at senior level in Scottish football.<ref name="BBC_Boss_nothing">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_stirlingshire/3573761.stm Boss for nothing at Shire], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 27 March 2004. Retrieved 28 March 2013.</ref> As a result, the club ranked last in the Scottish Football League for five consecutive seasons from [[2002–03 in Scottish football|2002–03]] to [[2006–07 in Scottish football|2006–07]], losing 24 consecutive league games in the [[2003–04 in Scottish football|2003–04 season]], recording only 8 points from two wins and two draws in 36 games.<ref name="statto_results_2003/04">[http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/2003-2004/results East Stirlingshire 2003–2004 : Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414082746/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/2003-2004/results |date=14 April 2014 }}, ''statto.com''. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref><ref name="BBC_windfall">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_stirlingshire/3652757.stm Shire set for windfall], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 12 March 2013.</ref><ref name="BBC_Elgin25">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3712361.stm E Stirlingshire 2–1 Elgin], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 12 March 2013.</ref> From the [[2005–06 in Scottish football|2005–06 season]], it was determined if a club finished bottom of the Third Division twice in successive years, it would face the risk of being reduced to associate member status, meaning the loss of voting rights.<ref name="BBC_uncertain_future">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_stirlingshire/6561107.stm Shire facing an uncertain future], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 16 April 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> In East Stirlingshire's case, a league vote was held and concluded in favour of the club retaining full member status with the condition that it did not finish last the following season in 2008.<ref name="BBC_year_to_improve">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_stirlingshire/6622035.stm Shire given one year to improve], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> The club won its final game of the season to move off the bottom of the table in a 3–1 win against [[Montrose F.C.|Montrose]], which was also the last game at [[Firs Park]].<ref name="BBC_3-1_Montrose">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/east_stirlingshire/7374559.stm McInally looks forward for Shire], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> The following season, retaining full member status, the club moved to [[Ochilview Park]] in a [[groundshare|ground-share]] agreement with neighbours [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]]. Under manager [[Jim McInally]], the club finished third in successive years to qualify for the [[Playoffs#Scotland|promotion play-offs]] to the [[Scottish Football League Second Division#Introduction of Play-Offs|Second Division]]. However, a second-bottom place finish in the 2010–11 season saw McInally sacked and replaced by [[John Coughlin (footballer)|John Coughlin]]. The club would subsequently post another two bottom-place finishes in the seasons to follow, which could have again put them in danger of reduction to associate member status, but due to ongoing negotiations about league restructuring for the [[2013–14 in Scottish football|2013–14 season]], the league opted not to enforce the rule. The negotiations ultimately saw the formation of a new governing body, the [[Scottish Professional Football League]], following the merger of the Scottish Football League and [[Scottish Premier League]]. East Stirlingshire joined the [[Scottish League Two]], the successor to the old Third Division.<ref name="BBC_new_leagues">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23435136 SPFL: New Scottish league brands unveiled], ''[[BBC Sport]]''. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.</ref> In October 2015, on loan [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] forward Jonny Court scored the [[Scottish Professional Football League|SPFL]]'s 5000th goal (across all four divisions, but not including [[play-offs]]), in a 2–0 home win over [[Elgin City F.C.|Elgin City]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/court-claims-5000th-spfl-goal/ | title=Court claims 5,000th SPFL goal | publisher=[[Scottish Professional Football League|SPFL]] | date=19 October 2015 | access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> Having finished bottom of [[2015&ndash;16 Scottish League Two]], East Stirlingshire faced a play-off against [[Edinburgh City F.C.|Edinburgh City]] for a place in [[2016&ndash;17 Scottish League Two]]. Edinburgh City won 2&ndash;1 on aggregate, relegating East Stirlingshire to the [[Lowland Football League|Lowland League]] and ending their 61-year tenure in the Scottish national league set-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36234801 |title=East Stirlingshire 0&ndash;1 Edinburgh City |first=Brian |last=McLauchlin |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=14 May 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref> {{clear}} ==Colours and crest== {{Football kit box |align=right |pattern_la=_thin_black_hoops |pattern_b=_inch_blackhoops |pattern_ra=_thin_black_hoops |pattern_so=_band_white |leftarm= |body = |rightarm = |shorts = FFFFFF |socks = 000000 |alt= A football strip with a thin black and white striped jersey, white shorts, and black socks with white edges. |title =Black and white hoops from 1882}} East Stirlingshire's home colours have been black and white hoops for most of its existence since 1882.<ref name="History_1880-1900" /> The club's first strip was thin blue and white hoops between 1880 and 1882, before changing to colours similar to the present day. An all-black shirt was introduced between 1960 and 1962, and again between 2008 and 2010, while the club's centenary strip in 1981 was all-white. In [[1996–97 in Scottish football|1996–97]], the stripes were changed from horizontal to vertical for a full season; a similar design featured for one month in August 1982 before changing back.<ref name="Historical_Kits_East_Stirlingshire" /> The first company to supply kits for East Stirlingshire was [[Bukta]] between 1979 and 1987.<ref name="Historical_Kits_East_Stirlingshire" /> For the [[1998–99 in Scottish football|1998–99 season]], the club signed a deal with French kit supplier [[Le Coq Sportif]] who failed to deliver the kits in time for the start of the season so sent a set of [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]] strips with East Stirlingshire's crest and sponsors ironed on top of the original.<ref name="Historical_Kits_East_Stirlingshire" /> The supplier for the [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13 season]] is [[Jako]]. Past suppliers include [[Hummel International|Hummel]], [[Umbro]] and [[Joma]].<ref name="Historical_Kits_East_Stirlingshire" /> The club crest is a shield with black and white stripes and a stylised football, with a banner displaying the club name at the top. It has several variations with the football and banner coloured black, white or orange in different versions.<ref name="East_Stirlingshire_SPFL" /><ref name="Historical_Kits_East_Stirlingshire" /><ref name="East_Stirlingshire_Store_Crests">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/shire-store/ Shire Store] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325012742/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/shire-store/ |date=25 March 2013 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. Retrieved 16 March 2013.</ref> ===Sponsorship and manufacturers=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF;"| Period ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF;"| Kit manufacturer ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF;"| Shirt sponsor |- | 1979–1987 | rowspan="2"| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bukta]] | <small>''none''</small> |- | 1983–1987 | Sunlife of Canada |- | 1987–1988 | {{flagicon|JPN}} Matsudo | rowspan="2"| Lynben Ltd |- | 1988–1999 | {{flagicon|ISL}} Henson |- | 1990–1991 | {{flagicon|ENG}} Spall | <small>''none''</small> |- | 1991–1992 | {{flagicon|ENG}} Umbro | GJ Sports |- | 1992–1993 | {{flagicon|ENG}} Ellgren | Reebok |- | 1993–1994 | Alpa Sportswear | Greenaway of Falkirk |- | 1994–1995 | rowspan="2"| Ideal Sports | [[Central 103.1 FM]] |- | 1995–1996 | J.G. Kelly Watchmaker |- | 1996–1997 | rowspan="2"| {{flagicon|ENG}} Prostar | Angus Williamson Therapy Clinic |- | 1997–1998 | J. Rae & Son |- | 1998–1999 | rowspan="2"| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Le Coq Sportif]] | Richmond Park Hotel |- | 1999–2000 | Euro Environmental Contracts Ltd |- | 2000–2004 | Secca | Finewood |- | 2004–2005 | rowspan="3"| {{flagicon|ENG}} Prostar | McFadden's Timber |- | 2005–2006 | [[Littlewoods|Littlewoods Football Pools]] |- | 2006–2007 | SX Records |- | 2007–2008 | {{flagicon|SPA}} [[Joma]] | Northern Blue Ltd |- | 2008–2009 | rowspan="2"| {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Hummel International|Hummel]] | Chicago Shire Supporters |- | 2009–2010 | Eas-Sup Shire |- | 2010–2011 | {{flagicon|ENG}} Prostar | rowspan="2"| Foxlane Garden Centre |- | 2011–2013 | rowspan="4"| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Jako]] |- | 2013–2014 | Larbert Mortgage Centre |- | 2014–2015 | LK Galaxy Sports |- | 2015–2016 | AiiB Consulting |- | 2016–2017 | rowspan="2 "| {{flagicon|SPA}} [[Joma]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eaststirlingshirefc.co.uk/archives/1905 |title=Hoops away |publisher=East Stirlingshire FC |date=2 June 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> | [[Ladbrokes]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2016/07/21/east-stirling-captain-derek-ure-doubts-whether-rangers-star-joey-barton-even-heard-shire/ |title=East Stirling captain Derek Ure doubts whether Rangers star Joey Barton has even heard of Shire |first=Darren |last=Johnstone |publisher=Deadline News |date=21 July 2016 |access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> |- |style="text-align: left" |2017–2019 | Independent Asbestos<ref name="2017–18 sponsor">{{cite web |url=http://eaststirlingshirefc.co.uk/archives/2119 |title=Kit sponsors join team |publisher=East Stirlingshire FC |date=28 July 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> ''(Home)''<br /> AiiB Consulting<ref name="2017–18 sponsor"/> ''(Away)'' |- | 2019–2020 | rowspan="2 "| {{flagicon|ENG}} EV2 Sportswear | Central Industrial Services (Home) |- | 2020– | EV2SPORTSWEAR.COM |- |} ==Grounds== East Stirlingshire has played at several grounds over its history. In the club's early existence as ''Britannia'', it played one of its first known matches at Burnhouse<ref name="Falkirk_FC_matches" /> against a [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk 2nd XI]], which ended in a 7–0 defeat for the team.<ref name="History_1880-1900" /> Burnhouse is thought to be the location that was to become Merchiston Park, where the club played many of its matches in the late 19th century.<ref name="Falkirk_FC_matches" /> Some home matches were also played at Randyford Park in the town.<ref name="History_1880-1900" /> [[File:Firs Park.JPG|thumb |right |210px |alt=A football match with players and a referee on the pitch. A small spectator stand full of people is in the background. |[[Firs Park]]'s final match, showing the main stand in the background]] [[Merchiston Park]] was a football ground located in the village of [[Bainsford]], approximately {{convert|1|mi|km|1}} north of [[Falkirk]]. It was situated on the northern bank of the [[Forth and Clyde Canal]] near to present day Main Street in Bainsford. The ground hosted East Stirlingshire's first [[Scottish Football League]] match in [[1900–01 Scottish Second Division|1900–01]] which ended in a 3–2 defeat to [[Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)|Airdrieonians]].<ref name="History_1900-1940">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1900-1940/ Club History&nbsp;– 1900–1940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231214847/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/the-club/club-history/1900-1940/ |date=31 December 2012 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. Retrieved 28 February 2013.</ref><ref name="London_Hearts_1900">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/a1900/eaststirlingshire1901.htm Results for East Stirlingshire for 1900–01], ''londonhearts.com''. Retrieved 28 February 2013.</ref> Merchiston Park remained the club's home until 1921 when a nearby iron works acquired the ground for expansion and the club moved to Firs Park.<ref name="Merchiston_1907">Easton, T. (1907). [http://collections.falkirk.gov.uk/search.do?id=181683&db=object&page=1&view=detail Museum & Archives Collection], Falkirk Community Trust. Retrieved 28 February 2013.</ref> [[Firs Park]] was located to the south of the canal in the centre of Falkirk, named after the street in which it was situated, Firs Street.<ref name="FH_Shire_Mettle" /> The club moved to the ground in 1921 and in the same year, the club's [[Scottish football attendance records|record attendance]] was set at a [[Scottish Cup]] match against [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]] when 12,000 spectators attended.<ref name="Record_attendance">[http://www.scottishgrounds.co.uk/east_stirlingshire.htm Scottish Football Ground Guide&nbsp;– East Stirlingshire], ''scottishgrounds.co.uk''. Retrieved 28 February 2013.</ref> Firs Park was East Stirlingshire's home for 87 years, except a solitary season in 1964 when the club played at [[Kilbowie Park]] in [[Clydebank]] after being controversially merged with [[Clydebank Juniors F.C.|Clydebank Juniors]]. As a result of the merger, Firs Park was closed, however, after only one season, the merger was disbanded and East Stirlingshire moved back to the ground, where it remained until the end of the [[2007–08 in Scottish football|2007–08 season]]. The decision was taken by the club to close Firs Park due to the prohibitive costs of potential refurbishing to meet new [[Scottish Football Association]] stadium criteria.<ref name="Firs_Park_departure" /> At the time of closure, the ground had a capacity of 1,800 with 200 seated in the main stand. After leaving Firs Park in 2008 they played their home matches at [[Ochilview Park]] the home of local rivals [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]]; the club entered a [[groundshare]] agreement with Stenhousemuir, originally intended to be for a period of five years, during which the club planned to develop a new stadium in Falkirk.<ref name="Firs_Park_departure" /> Since summer 2018, East Stirlingshire plays its home matches at [[Falkirk Stadium]] which is the home ground of local rivals [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]].<ref name=backin/> In May 2014, the club entered into a partnership with LK Galaxy Sports and others to develop a new playing facility at the former BP Club site at Little Kerse, between [[Grangemouth]] and [[Polmont]].<ref>[https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/shire-join-forces-with-lk-galaxy-for-new-community-programme-1-3573920 Shire join forces with LK Galaxy for new community programme], Falkirk Herald, 15 October 2014</ref> The site would also host other sports in due course. Planning was approved by Falkirk Council, but did not proceed at the time due to a lack of funds. The club trained at Little Kerse until the 2018 switch to the Falkirk Stadium, when all operations were moved to that venue.<ref name=backin>[https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/football/east-stirlingshire-fc/east-stirlingshire-are-back-in-town-after-decade-at-stenhousemuir-1-4718500/amp East Stirlingshire are ‘back in town’ after decade at Stenhousemuir], Falkirk Herald, 4 April 2018</ref> ==Rivalries== {{See also|East Stirlingshire F.C.–Falkirk F.C. rivalry}} East Stirlingshire's traditional rival is [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]].<ref name="Real_Derby">[http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/2011/09/06/the-real-derby-is-back/ The Real Derby Is Back] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116214809/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/2011/09/06/the-real-derby-is-back/ |date=16 January 2014 }}, East Stirlingshire F.C.. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref><ref name="Scotsman_Dangerously">Wright, Angus. "Top Teams Living Dangerously", ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 19 August 1999.</ref> The club's first match known as both ''Britannia'' and ''East Stirlingshire'' were friendly games against Falkirk in 1880 and 1881. Both clubs are based in [[Falkirk]] and have competed against each other in competitions such as [[Stirlingshire Cup]] since the late 19th century. East Stirlingshire was elected to the bottom tier of the Scottish Football League in 1900, closely followed by Falkirk two seasons later in [[1902–03 in Scottish football|1902–03]]. The first competitive league meeting between the clubs ended in a 2–0 win for Falkirk at [[Merchiston Park]] in August 1902.<ref name="Statto_H2H_Falkirk">[http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/head-to-head East Stirlingshire : Head-to-Head vs Falkirk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202203503/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/east-stirlingshire/head-to-head |date=2 February 2014 }}, ''statto.com''. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> The two clubs' old grounds of [[Firs Park]] and [[Brockville Park]] were geographically close, separated by less than half a mile (0.8&nbsp;km). On a regional scale, East Stirlingshire has rivalries with football clubs from the historical county of [[Stirlingshire]], who have competed in the [[Stirlingshire Cup]] against each other since the early 1880s such as [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]]<ref name="Stenhousemuir_v_Shire">[http://www.stenhousemuirfc.com/fixtures/results/2008/28/east-stirlingshire/ Stenhousemuir 1 v 1 East Stirlingshire], [[Stenhousemuir F.C.]]. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref><ref name="FH_Derby_Stenny_Shire">[http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/local-sport/derby-day-for-stenny-and-shire-1-286366 Derby day for Stenny and Shire], ''[[Falkirk Herald]]''. 21 April 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2013.</ref> and since 1945, [[Stirling Albion F.C.|Stirling Albion]]<ref name="Stirling_doubt">[http://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/2012/11/29/derby-match-in-doubt/ Derby match in doubt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003125553/http://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/2012/11/29/derby-match-in-doubt/ |date=3 October 2017 }}, [[Stirling Albion F.C.]]. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref><ref name="Stirlingshire_derby_STV">[http://sport.stv.tv/blog/217375-stirling-albion-could-push-for-the-play-offs-after-campaign-turnaround/ Stirling Albion could push for the play-offs after campaign turnaround] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314210820/http://sport.stv.tv/blog/217375-stirling-albion-could-push-for-the-play-offs-after-campaign-turnaround/ |date=14 March 2013 }}, ''sport.stv.tv''. [[STV (TV network)|STV]]. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> and [[Alloa Athletic F.C.|Alloa Athletic]].<ref name="Herald_Numbers_Game">Paul, Ian. "Numbers game not so healthy", ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]'', Glasgow, 19 March 1996.</ref> East Stirlingshire played its home matches in a [[groundshare|ground-share]] agreement with rivals Stenhousemuir at their [[Ochilview Park]] home until 2018. ==Club officials== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Board=== *Honorary President: Robert Jack *Club Secretary: Andy Williamson *Matchday Director: Ian Fleming {{col-2}} ===Coaching staff=== *Manager: Derek Ure *Assistant Manager: [[John Brownlie]] *Coach: Andy Shirra *Goalkeeping Coach: Norrie Bremner *Physiotherapist: Shona Tait *Kitman: Alan Faulds *Assistant Kitman: Iain Munro Johnston {{col-end}} ==Current squad== As of 4 January 2021<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020/21 - Players|url=https://eaststirlingshirefc.co.uk/archives/list/201617-players|access-date=2020-07-08|website=East Stirlingshire FC|language=en-GB}}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Iain Ure}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Ross Connelly}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Adam Murray}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[Eddie Malone]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|vice-captain]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Greg McColm}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jordan Tapping}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Martin Orr}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Scott Gray}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Gregg Wylde]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Andy Shirra}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Craig Henderson}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Derek Ure}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Jamie Dishington}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Kieran Gibbons]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Nicky Low]]|other=[[captain (association football)|captain]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Reis Peggie]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Robbie Young}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Ronan Kearney}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=Sean Brown}} {{Fs end}} ==Notable players== {{main|List of East Stirlingshire F.C. players}} {{For|a list of all East Stirlingshire players with a Wikipedia article|Category:East Stirlingshire F.C. players}} Gordon Russell holds the record for the most number of [[Scottish Football League]] appearances for East Stirlingshire with 415 between 1983 and 2002. He also went on to become the manager of the club for a short period in 2002.<ref name="Gordon_Russell_apps">[http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player4/gordonrussell.html Gordon Russell], ''neilbrown.newcastlefans.com''. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref><ref name="Cult_heroes_BBC">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/4536099.stm East Stirlingshire's cult heroes], [[BBC Sport]]. 14 May 2005. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> East Stirlingshire players have been [[Cap (sport)|capped]] for their country at full international level 9 times by four players. The first person to do so was [[Humphrey Jones]], who captained the [[Wales national football team|Wales national team]] four times out of the five caps he earned whilst at East Stirlingshire. His first came in a [[British Home Championship]] match against [[England national football team|England]] in [[1888–89 British Home Championship|1889]].<ref name="Jones_Shire_Debut">[http://www.11v11.com/matches/england-v-wales-23-february-1889-222548/ England v Wales, 23 February 1889], ''11v11.com''. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref><ref name="WalesVEngland_Jones">[http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_index.php Welsh International Matches&nbsp;– 23 February 1889] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721215519/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_index.php |date=21 July 2013 }}, ''wfda.co.uk''. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> The three other players to make an appearance for their country are [[Archibald Ritchie (footballer, born 1872)|Archibald Ritchie]], [[David Alexander (footballer)|David Alexander]] and [[James McKee (footballer)|James McKee]], all for the [[Scotland national football team|Scotland national team]] at the British Championship. Each of them made their début against Wales, although in different seasons. Archibald Ritchie's one and only Scotland cap came in March [[1890–91 British Home Championship|1891]] against Wales,<ref name="Ritchie_London_Hearts">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/players/archibaldritchie.html Archibald Ritchie], ''londonhearts.com''. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 17 September 2011.</ref> who were captained by former East Stirlingshire player Humphrey Jones.<ref name="Ritchie_Shire_Debut">[http://www.11v11.com/matches/wales-v-scotland-21-march-1891-222563/ Wales v Scotland, 21 March 1891], ''11v11.com''. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> David Alexander made two appearances, one against [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]] and scoring against Wales at the [[1893–94 British Home Championship|1894 British Home Championship]] which Scotland won.<ref name="Alexander_London_Hearts">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/players/davidalexander.html David Alexander], ''londonhearts.com''. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> James McKee scored twice during his only appearance for Scotland, in a 5–2 victory over Wales in [[1897–98 British Home Championship|1898]]. He is the last East Stirlingshire player to be capped by his country. Murray Brown was a steadfast defender during the late 90s having performed to a high standard at West Bromwich Albion during his teenage years.<ref name="McKie_London_Hearts">[http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/players/jamesmckie.html James McKie], ''londonhearts.com''. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 17 September 2011.</ref> ==Notable managers== [[File:Alex Ferguson 02.jpg|thumb |right |135px |alt=A portrait of Alex Ferguson. |[[Alex Ferguson]]'s first managerial role was at East Stirlingshire in 1974.]] {{main|List of East Stirlingshire F.C. managers}} East Stirlingshire did not officially appoint a manager until 1966. Before then, all management decisions were taken by the board of directors at the club. The first person to manage the club was Lawrence Binnie in 1966.<ref name="History_1940-1970" /> The club's most famous manager is former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] manager, [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]], who in his first position as manager, stayed at East Stirlingshire during 1974 before moving to [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]].<ref name="History_1970-2000" /> No manager has won a league title with the club, however, [[Billy Lamont]] managed East Stirlingshire to promotion to the [[1980–81 Scottish First Division]] after finishing runners-up in Division Two, one point behind rivals [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]. He also took East Stirlingshire to the quarter-finals of the [[1980–81 Scottish Cup|Scottish Cup]], the furthest stage of the tournament the club has reached since reaching the same stage 91 years beforehand in [[1889–90 Scottish Cup|1889–90]].<ref name="History_1970-2000" /> After five consecutive seasons finishing bottom of the [[Scottish Football League]] in the mid-2000s, [[Jim McInally]] also changed fortunes at the club, managing East Stirlingshire to successive third-place finishes in the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]] between 2008 and 2010 to qualify for the [[Playoffs#Scotland|promotion play-offs]].<ref name="Jim_McInally_BBC">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13417427 Head coach Jim McInally resigns from East Stirlingshire], [[BBC Sport]]. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2013.</ref> ==Honours== '''League''' * '''[[Scottish Football League Division Two|Division Two]]''' (before 1975) and '''[[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]]''' (after 1975): **'''[[List of winners of the Scottish First Division and predecessors|Winners]] (1)''': [[1931–32 in Scottish football|1931–32]] **'''Runners-up (1)''': [[1962–63 in Scottish football|1962–63]] *'''[[Scottish Football League Division Three|Division Three]]''' (1923 to 1926), '''[[Scottish Football League Division C|Division C]]''' (1946 to 1949) and '''[[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]]''' (after 1975): **'''[[List of winners of the Scottish Second Division and predecessors|Winners]] (1)''': [[1947–48 in Scottish football|1947–48]] **'''Runners-up (2)''': [[1923–24 in Scottish football|1923–24]], [[1979–80 in Scottish football|1979–80]] '''Cup''' *'''[[Scottish Qualifying Cup]]''':<ref name="RSSSF_Qualifying_Cup">[http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scotqualcuphist.html#r1931s Scotland&nbsp;– List of Qualifying Cup Finals], ''rsssf.com''. [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF]]. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> **'''Winners (2)''': 1888–89, 1910–11 **'''Runners-up (3)''': 1895–96, 1897–98, 1900–01 *'''[[Scottish Qualifying Cup|Scottish Qualifying Cup Midlands]]''':<ref name="RSSSF_Qualifying_Cup" /> **'''Runners-up (2)''': 1946–47, 1947–48 * '''Lowland League Cup''' ** Runners-up: 2018–19 {{hidden begin |toggle = left |title = Other minor honours }} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''League''' *'''[[Midland Football League in Scotland|Midland Football League]]''':<ref name="SFHA_Midland_League"/> **'''Winners (1)''': 1893–94 *'''[[Central Football Combination]]''':<ref name="SFHA_Central_Combination"/> **'''Winners (1)''': 1897–98 **'''Runners-up (1)''': 1898–99 *'''Falkirk District Football League''': **'''Winners (1)''': 1888–99 **'''Runners-up (1)''': 1899–1900 {{col-2}} '''Cup''' *'''[[Stirlingshire Cup]]''':<ref name="Stirlingshire_Cup" /> **'''Winners (21)''': 1885–86 1886–87, 1887–88, 1888–89, 1890–91, 1892–93, 1893–94, 1896–97, 1900–01, 1902–03, 1906–07, 1913–14, 1923–24, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1931–32, 1935–36, 1961–62, 1968–69, 1984–85, 2000–01 **'''Runners-up (16)''': 1883–84, 1903–04, 1904–05, 1907–08, 1919–20, 1924–25, 1933–34, 1952–53, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1990–91, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2005–06 *'''Dewar Shield''':<ref name="SFHA_Dewar_Shield">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/dewarshield.htm Dewar Shield], ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> **'''Winners (1)''': 1929–30 **'''Runners-up (2)''': 1900–01, 1949–50 *'''Falkirk and District Charity Cup''':<ref name="SFHA_Falkirk_Charity_Cup">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/falkirkcharitycup.htm Falkirk & District Charity Cup], ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> **'''Winners (6)''': 1884–85, 1885–86, 1886–87, 1887–88, 1890–91, 1895–96 **'''Runners-up (4)''': 1888–89, 1889–90, 1891–92, 1913–14 *'''Falkirk Infirmary Shield''' (known as '''Falkirk Cottage Hospitals Shield''' from 1889 to 1905):<ref name="SFHA_Falkirk_Infirmary_Shield">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/falkirkinfirmaryshield.htm Falkirk Infirmary Shield], ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> **'''Winners (9)''': 1889–90, 1890–91, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1903–04, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1928–29, 1931–32 **'''Runners-up (16)''': 1891–92, 1892–93, 1893–94, 1896–97, 1901–02, 1904–05, 1911–12, 1913–14, 1915–16, 1916–17, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1923–24, 1929–30, 1935–36, 1936–37 *'''Victory Qualifying Cup''' (preliminary competition):<ref name="SFHA_Victory_Cup">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/victorycup1945.htm Victory Cup], ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> **'''Winners (1)''': 1945–46 *'''Stirlingshire Coronation Tournament''':<ref name="SFHA_Stirlingshire_Coronation">[http://scottish-football-historical-archive.com/stirlingshirecoronationtrophy.htm Stirlingshire Coronation Tournament], ''scottish-football-historical-archive.com''. Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2013.</ref> **'''Winners (1)''': 1902–03 {{col-end}} {{hidden end}} ==Records and statistics== {{details|List of East Stirlingshire F.C. records and statistics}} [[File:East Stirlingshire FC average league attendances 1900 to 2012.png|thumb|right |275px |alt=refer to caption |Chart showing East Stirlingshire's average home league attendance from 1900 to 2012]] The club's record Scottish Football League victory is 8–0 against [[Arthurlie F.C.|Arthurlie]] in August 1927 in [[1927–28 Scottish Second Division|Division Two]] and its record defeat is 12–1 to [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] in April 1936 in the same division.<ref name="statto_records" /> In the Scottish Cup, the club's record winning margin is 9 goals which it achieved in consecutive rounds of the [[1888–89 Scottish Cup]] tournament: 10–1 against [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]] in the first round on 1 September 1888 and 11–2 against [[Vale of Bannock F.C.|Vale of Bannock]] in the second round on 22 September 1888.<ref name="statto_records" /> In only its second season of competing in the cup, East Stirlingshire recorded its greatest loss: 2–10 to [[Renton F.C.|Renton]] in October 1884.<ref name="statto_records" /> East Stirlingshire's [[Scottish football attendance records|record home attendance]] is 12,000 for a third round Scottish Cup match against [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]] on 19 February 1921 at [[Firs Park]].{{efn|During the solitary season that East Stirlingshire was merged with Clydebank Juniors, a crowd of 14,900 attended a Scottish Cup game against Hibernian at Kilbowie Park on 10 February 1965; a record for the ground.}} Gordon Russell holds the record for East Stirlingshire league appearances, playing 445 first-team matches between [[1983–84 in Scottish football|1983–84]] and [[2000–01 in Scottish football|2000–01]].<ref name="Cult_heroes_BBC"/> The record for most league goals in a single season is 41 by [[Andy Rodgers]] in the [[2016-17 Lowland Football League]]. [[Humphrey Jones]] holds the record number of international [[cap (sport)|caps]] earned as an East Stirlingshire player with 5 for the [[Wales national football team]] between 1889 and 1890. The highest transfer fee received for an East Stirlingshire player is [[Pound sterling|£]]35,000 from English club [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] for [[Jim Docherty]] in 1978,<ref name="Cult_heroes_BBC"/> while the most paid by the club is the compensation development fee paid to [[Spartans F.C.|Spartans]] for Jamie Dishington. The amount was higher than the previous record, £6,000 for the transfer of Colin McKinnon from [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TheShireFC/status/1195081871186702344|title=Player update - Jamie Dishington|last=FC|first=East Stirlingshire|date=2019-11-14|website=@TheShireFC|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{commons category|East Stirlingshire F.C.}} * {{Official website|https://eaststirlingshirefc.co.uk/}} {{East Stirlingshire F.C.}} {{Scottish Professional Football League}} {{Scottish Football League}} {{Lowland League}} [[Category:East Stirlingshire F.C.| ]] [[Category:Football clubs in Scotland]] [[Category:Sport in Falkirk]] [[Category:Association football clubs established in 1881]] [[Category:1881 establishments in Scotland]] [[Category:Scottish Football League teams]] [[Category:Scottish Professional Football League teams]] [[Category:Lowland Football League teams]]'