A BOOK chronicling the history of Alloa Athletic was released last week.

The History of Alloa Athletic, written by Stuart Latham and John Glencross, was launched before the Wasps defeated Kelty Hearts at the Indodrill Stadium on Saturday, August 6.

Celebrating the club’s 100 years in the Scottish leagues, it features more than 600 pages detailing league tables, results and player appearances going back to 1921.

The book has been 40 years in the making. Stuart wrote a handbook to celebrate the club's 60th year in the Scottish League in 1981 which was some 64 pages at that time.

Stuart was the editor of the club’s matchday programme between 1979 and 1982 before moving to Wokingham with his father.

John, who has been in charge of the programme since 1989, reconnected with Stuart in 2020 and the pair finished the book.

He said: “As to the book the early years are still in need of further research but for now we are delighted with the completion of the most comprehensive book produced by any Scottish Football Club at 667 pages.

“A book like this not only allows us all to recognise and relive our many memories of the team and those fantastic characters who have been involved in the club, but also to learn of much of what went on before our time.”

Alloa season ticket holder Brian Roach, who commentated for the club throughout the pandemic, added: “All the details you’ll ever need are now within the confines of this book.

“Every stat you ever needed to know – from player profiles, season by season results, team lines, top goalscorers, final league tables...it’s all covered from the club's early days right up to the end of last season.

“The staggering volume of stats is broken up by lengthier profiles of legendary players, from Willie Crilley all the way up to Iain Flannigan and Kevin Cawley in the present day.

"Memories of supporting Alloa in their younger years from both authors make the whole book relatable to the reader.

“Information on key figures behind the scenes are also included, such as the Ormiston family involvement in the club through the years.

“There is genuinely no other book like this on the market in Scottish football, certainly for teams within the lower leagues - this is a real success story for the club.

“When I visited my dad, who’s in his 70s, I brought the book along to show him. And I struggled to get it back from him."

The book is available via the club for a price of £29.95 with all profits going back to the club.

Contact fcadmin@alloaathletic.co.uk to order a copy.