A Season of Pride: Alloa Athletic 23/24 Reflection

A 10-men Alloa side ended their season after play-off heartbreak in the scorching sun in Hamilton. Sound familiar? It was a narrative that many could draw upon several parallels to last season, however, the conclusion of the 2023/24 season felt very different to the conclusion of the previous.  

It has been another rollercoaster of a season for Alloa Athletic. We have witnessed the very highs and lows with the team this season, gone through managerial change, and been treated to some special talents in the famous black and gold. This article will look to dive into a memorable season for the club and offer some reflection now the dust has settled. 

This campaign had the most fitting of starts as we celebrated the testimonial of Wasp Legend, Kevin Cawley. Over 450 appearances for the club, Kev has been involved in multiple promotions and iconic moments over the years. So, this season began in June as welcome Alloa legends of the past, such as Jim Goodwin, Jason Marr, Graeme Holmes, the McCord’s, Darren Young and many more, to take on the current Alloa team. It was a brilliant summer afternoon as the Legends rolled back the years to draw 2-2, Cawley getting the goal of the day. As the fans poured onto the pitch at full-time to show their appreciation, there felt like a real community and team spirit amongst everyone as we embarked on another campaign. 

Kevin Cawley Testimonial - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

13 players joined that summer, and we lost some notable names, like George Stanger and Mark Durnan. That changeover possibly effected the start of the campaign as we crashed out the League Cup, with a solitary victory. That came against eventual League 2 champions, Stenhousemuir, and in a nice moment for the Alloa Academy, Steven Buchanan bagged his first goal for the club. A reward for the direct winger who has been at the club since the age of 12.  

As we travelled down to Queen of the South for opening day, there was an air of excitement and trepidation. After a stuttering start in the cup, and a slight hangover feeling from the play-offs, few would predict what was to follow. In quite possibly the most chaotic game of the season, on the opening day, Alloa triumphed over the Doonhamers 4-3 at Palmerston. Brian Rice’s free-flowing Alloa were back amongst the goals as the Wasps secured their first opening day win since 2016. Suddenly, the mood had shifted, and optimism was the feeling as we started the push for promotion.  

Unfortunately for Alloa, it wouldn’t be the dream start to the campaign that we all hoped for. Just a single victory followed in the next 9 games and pressure began to build on Brian Rice’s side. As we looked to turn the corner, stepping up was the first loan story of the season as Ally Roy kept Alloa’s head above water scoring in his first 4 games for Alloa, the first Alloa player to do this for 58 years. In a season where many other names grabbed the headlines, it is important to reflect back and acknowledge Roy’s goalscoring spree that kept us picking up points at a hard point in the season between managers.  

Ally Roy - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

As touched upon, we did experience a change in the dugout, despite coming out of that poor run of form with good victories. In a complete performance, the Wasps notched their first derby win over Stirling this season, 2-0 at Forthbank. Buchanan and Roy putting Stirling to the sword and that day was a defining moment of the season as Alloa’s fortunes truly changed at full-time. Throughout the 90-minutes, Alloa controlled the game in front of a strong away support and the connection that we felt back in the testimonial had returned.  

Brian Rice saw that moment as the one to take up a full-time role at Livingston as assistant manager and has since been relegated to the Championship with the Lions. Rice left the club with an overall win rate of 45%, very commendable, and the foundations of a very strong group of players.  

There was very little thinking time and debate for what was to come next for Alloa. The stars had aligned, and it was finally time to pass the reigns to Andy Graham. Since joining in the summer of 2016, Graham has given his all to this club, a quality player, who’s commitment and effort could never be put into question. Whether off the park, or on it, Graham oozes class and the support were unified behind their new manager.  

It is fair to say that after the excitement that followed on social media, the first game didn’t live up to expectations, losing out to eventual bottom place outfit, Edinburgh City. However, unlike before, the air of negativity had left amongst supporters and still positivity reigned supreme going into the festive period.  

New Alloa Boss, Andy Graham - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

The Andy Graham era truly started a few weeks later with a last-minute winner away to Cove through Scott Taggart. Just another example of the skipper stepping up when it mattered for the club, 6 goals in a season he hit 300 Alloa appearances. Also, the club’s first ever victory at the Balmoral showing the character of this renewed Alloa side under Graham. Following on from that day, things started to fall into place for the Wasps.  

Scott Taggart 92nd winner, vs Cove - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

Our new management had given the freedom for our young loan stars Bobby Wales and Taylor Steven to express themselves, and once they got started in the goal scoring charts in December, there was no looking back. After strong performances, with no reward, once the first went in, Alloa had some of the most potent threats in the lower leagues at their disposable. We were left to nervously wait to hear news of renewals but when Bobby Wales returned from Kilmarnock in January, joined with Ethan Sutherland, to reunite with Taylor Steven, Alloa fans could buckle in for an exciting second half of the season.  

From February onwards, Alloa went on their longest winning streak in the last 5-years, which propelled them from flirting in mid-table, to serious play-off contenders. During that run, our young stars continued to rise to the occasion, as Wales bagged goals in 3 consecutive games. It wasn’t just the ‘young team’ that grabbed the headlines as the heartbeat of midfield, Kurtis Roberts, stepped up to the plate with big performances. An eventual, Director’s Player of the Year, got his first goal for the club in spectacular fashion in a 2-1 victory over Hamilton. A just reward for his relentless work rate and quality. That strike would ultimately take top prize in the Goal of the Season competition at the end of the season. Roberts would scoop plenty of awards that night as his first season at the club was acknowledged for the roaring success it was.   

It was no surprise that Alloa did the double, Manager and Player of the Month, awards that month. As well as Graham taking to management like a duck to water, Steven was becoming a star in Alloa colours. 5 goals and 5 assists, in 9 games shot him up to the favourite for the SPFL Player’s award, just pipping Wales who scored 8 in 10.  

Taylor Steven and Andy Graham, February SPFL Awards - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

Attention and eyes started to turn to this Alloa side. Media outlets, supporters, and opponents started to clock that something special could be brewing at Alloa. A frontline of teenagers, an energetic midfield, and defenders rising to challenge, like David McKay coming in out the cold, meant that play-offs were edging closer.  

Before we sealed the play-offs, we capped off improved results against Stirling Albion with a 5-star performance at Forthbank, winning 5-1. Our biggest victory since the famous 7-0 in 1998, and if Alloa had hit 7 that day, there could have been no complaints. In what looks like it could be our last derby in a while, following the Binos relegation, the improved results of 3 consecutive wins will taste sweet for Alloa fans.  

Stirling 1-5 Alloa Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

PJ Morrison clinched his 10th clean sheet for Alloa in a 0-0 draw with Montrose, before Bobby Wales last minute header at Cove secured all the points and ultimately the play-offs. A crucial double header against our rivals and Alloa rose to it. Andy Graham took over with the team average 1.23 points per game and flipped our fortunes to finish 3rd with 1.86 points per game and a 52%-win rate. Alloa didn’t scrape through it either, the style of play and quality of goals was getting all supporters off their seats in excitement.  

Bobby Wales secures 3rd at Cove - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

Before diving into the play-offs, the old guard reminded us that they still have to plenty to offer with a solid point away to Falkirk, on the day the Bairns lifted an invincible title trophy. Conor Sammon, who has been praised so much for his influence on Bobby Wales, reached double figures for his goal tally and gaffer, Andy Graham, played out 90 minutes to make his 255th Alloa appearance. Testament to his leadership skills, giving his side a well-earned rest before a gruelling double header with Hamilton. 

The semi-final against Hamilton went exactly as expected with plenty goals and heart in the mouth moments for both set of supporters. Despite the significant points gap between the sides, Alloa played with a belief of promotion and with the continued swagger and confidence that we had seen in the season. Alloa would ultimately lose out 5-4 on aggregate, in the cruellest of fashions.  

What will last long in the memory was the spirited performance of Alloa in the scorching heat with 10-men in the final 45 minutes of the tie. A goal and a man down, many may have expected Alloa to go out with a whimper, but Graham’s men stood tall in the face of adversity and gave everything they had to overcome a mountain. Hetherington and Roberts, who scored in the opening leg, drove the team on from midfield, Wales and Steven put in enough running for 2 games of football, and experienced, Sammon, led the line expertly before getting his 11th goal of the season. 

Kurtis Roberts goal in 2-2 1st leg - Photo by David Glencross (@dgxwasp)

Headlines could surround the red-card incident, which did leave Alloa in a precarious position, but it feels much more fitting to focus on the players who did play the 2nd half and the manner they played it. 

We came up short that afternoon but despite a feeling of a missed opportunity, pride was the word that echoed round the stands as fans described their post-match feelings. Unlike last season where it came to what was a sad ending, this season felt different as the Alloa players continued to boldly battle for the club. 

Our loanees leave this season with memories to last a lifetime and statistics to be proud of at the beginning of what will no doubt a successful career. As a crop of loan players, it is hard to remember a better for Alloa. Many of the stars from this season, such as Kurtis Roberts and captain Scott Taggart are signed up already to do it all again in 2024/25. A core has already been established that recruitment can be worked around. It is not wholesale changes that face Alloa but just a sprinkling of quality, as we look to replace the outgoings and strengthen in some key areas.  

The future is bright under Andy Graham. This season’s sample size is enough to show that we have a forward-thinking manager, a born winner, who wants to play football in an attractive manner.  

Last season, we sat in mourning as our wounded Alloa team dusted themselves off to go again. This season, we triumphantly hold our heads high as we look to attack the next campaign from the off.