Stirling University manager Chris Geddes has paid tribute to former Scotland manager Craig Brown, whose death was announced this week at the age of 82.
The former Motherwell and Aberdeen coach was a supporter of the university’s football programme in its later years – with grandson Craig also turning out for the students for four years between 2017 and 2021.
Brown was also one of the figures across football who offered words of advice and support for the students as they prepared for their big Scottish Cup fixture against Dundee United last season.
Geddes this week told the Observer: “Every interaction I had with him was very complimentary of the things we are doing here and he was at a few games as well so I managed to speak to him a few times.
“I spoke to him in the lead-up to the United game and he gave me some advice for that and I know that not many people get that opportunity.
“He is a big loss and he did so much for Scottish football; I still speak to Craig and I’m just thinking of his family at this time.”
It’s a busy time for Geddes as he prepares his side for another gruelling campaign after a season of unprecedented success which saw them scoop three trophies, as well as a fourth-place finish in the Lowland League.
The students returned to pre-season on Monday as they get ready to compete in ten competitions next season, with their performances last season earning them a first-ever spot in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
But it will be, as ever, an off-season of rebuilding – with six of last season’s squad already having departed for pastures new.
Geddes said: “We work differently to other teams, we don’t buy players – we just have students and one non-student for next year who has graduated just there but will stay with us.
“It happens every year for us and next year, we will have seven or eight leave and so that’s one of the biggest disappointments we have is that we’re never really able to build on a season like last year but we are used to it.”
It is set to be a Lowland League season which will be tougher than ever, with East of Scotland League winners Linlithgow Rose joining a division increasingly populated with big-money clubs throwing everything into securing a coveted SPFL berth.
Geddes admits matching last year’s heroics will be a tall test for his young side, but stresses his players will take it one game at a time.
“There is a lot of strength in depth in the Lowland League this season and some of these clubs are paying fees for players so that shows the carrot that it is to get up into the leagues.
“It is really hard to set expectations in the LL because it is so strong and competitive, some of the teams who didn’t do well last year have strengthened and others have kicked on so it is going to be difficult.
“If we can win more games than we lose then that is a good goal to set for ourselves.
“We are playing in ten competitions this year and if we start setting expectations at the start of the season for ten competitions, then we will end up disappointed.”
