Hectic Start to 2026 for the ‘Loons’

Jim Weir, his staff and players who have already taken part in a staggering thirty five pre-season and competitive fixtures this season will have an equally hectic start to the New Year especially taking into account the unavailability problems at present. Three games in an eight day period are on the ‘menu’ starting with a trip to New Douglas Park on Saturday first, though thankfully in regard to the current injury and player recruitment scenarios, the squad will also have a weekend break in the middle of January.

The full itinerary for the month is listed below;-

Saturday January 3rd – We head to Lanarkshire for our opening game in the second half of the William Hill League2 campaign, Derek Young’s Clyde outfit the opponents. The ‘Bully Wee’ have in recent weeks slipped almost unnoticed into the top four in the league table. Full information regarding admission prices etc will be available on FAFC social media channels on Tuesday.

Tuesday January 6th – Another trip to the West of Scotland awaits with our round of sixteen tie in the KDM Evolution Trophy against Queens Park. The venue is the City Stadium, formerly Lesser Hampden for what is a vital game for both clubs with a quarter final berth and with it the financial rewards from the sponsors ‘pot’ up for grabs. The ‘Loons’ will certainly go into the game as underdogs against a Championship outfit, unbeaten in their last four competitive outings. Again it is hoped to have full admission arrangements for a tie that will have the normal midweek kick-off time of 7.45pm. available in the next day or two.

Saturday January 10th – Back home to the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park and a visit from Stranraer, on a good run at present, the Athies though having picked up all three points on the opening day of the league season with a 1-0 win on home ‘soil’.

Saturday January 17th – No fixture on the third weekend of the month, our scheduled game with The Spartans in the Capital City postponed due to the Edinburgh side’s participation that afternoon in the fourth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. Though all connected with the ‘Loons’ would have much preferred to have been in cup tie action, it is not to be this time round and the break could be a ‘blessing in disguise’ as we re-group for the remainder of a demanding season.

Saturday January 24th – A second home game on the bounce, as Stirling Albion are the visitors to Forfar on league duty.

Tuesday/Wednesday January 27th/28th – ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ as the song says. The dates set aside in the fixture calendar for the quarter final ties in the KDM Trophy. You never know!

Saturday January 31st – The month comes to a conclusion with a second visit of the season to SPFL newcomers East Kilbride. We have to be fair had a couple of ‘batterings’ in the best sense of the word from Mick Kennedy’s side to date, so revenge will be in the air.

A re-run of our fixtures for the first and hopefully successful first month of the New Year;-

Saturday January 3rd - Clyde - Away
Tuesday January 6th - Queens Park - Away
Saturday January 10th - Stranraer - Home
Saturday January 24th - Stirling Albion - Home
Saturday January 31st - East Kilbride - Away