Squad

Contract update

The following players are under contract for the 2023/24 season.

Goalkeepers

• Martin McDonald (Hurlford United)
• Lewis Budinauckas (Rangers, loan)
• George O’Connor

Defenders

• Sean McIntosh
• Scott Robertson
• Craig Ross
• Kyle Girvan
• Cammy Williamson (Annan Athletic)

Midfielders

• Grant Gallagher
• Dean Hawkshaw
• Josh Walker
• Dylan Forrest
• Matty Grant
• Ben Hughes (East Kilbride)
• James Dolan (Ayr United)
• Kyle Fleming (Albion Rovers)
• Mackenzie Strachan (Rangers, loan)

Strikers

• Thomas Orr (Stenhousemuir)
• Ben Armour (Forfar Athletic)
• Deryn Lang (Lanark United)
• Olly McDonald (Clyde)

Released

The following players have been released, or have opted not to renew their contract:

• Luke Scullion (Broomhill)
• Luke Watt
• Anton Brady (St Cadoc’s)
• Ikechi Eze
• Craig Malcolm (St Cadoc’s)
• James Hilton (Dumbarton)

Loans ended

The following players have returned to their parent clubs following a loan spell:

• Matthew Connelly (Motherwell)
• Finn Ecrepont (Ayr United)
• Jonny Ngandu (Hamilton Accies)
• Aaron Brown (Kilmarnock)

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Player profiles

1 – Martin McDonald

Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Irvine Victoria, Hurlford United

Home: Mike McLean
Away: Alistair Duff
3rd: Available

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Martin McDonald joined us on a two year contract in May 2023, having spent four years at West of Scotland League challengers Hurlford United.

The 6 foot 3 keeper was a standout for Hurlford after making the switch from Irvine Victoria in 2019, and helped the Blair Park side lift the West of Scotland League Cup in 2021/22.

2 – Scott Robertson

Position: Defender or midfielder
Date of birth: 26/11/87
Place of birth: Irvine
Previous clubs: Arbroath, Partick Thistle, Fram Reykjavic, Stirling Albion, Queen of the South, Airdrieonians

Home: Claire Fergusson
Away: Euan Wilson and Brendan Todd
3rd: Jackie Gilchrist

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Comfortable in any defensive role or in the heart of midfield, Scott Robertson scooped up several Player of the Year Awards in his lengthy first spell at the club, and his consistency and versatility saw him become a firm favourite with supporters over many years.

The experienced defender returned from Airdrie in summer 2019 and has completed nine seasons at Stair Park, recording his 300th appearance at Ochilview in September 2022.

3 – Cammy Williamson

Position: Defender
Date of birth: 5 March 2003
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Motherwell, Falkirk, Annan Athletic

Home: Lorna Campbell
Away: Andrew Barber
3rd: Available

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Left back Cammy Williamson joined us in June 2023 following his departure from Annan Athletic, where he made 28 appearances last season to help the Galabankies to promotion.

The young prospect was previously with Falkirk, making six appearances for the Bairns after rising through the youth system at Motherwell.

4 – Kyle Girvan

Position: Defender
Date of birth: 12 September 2001
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: St Mirren, Kilbirnie Ladeside

Home: Denise Girvan
Away: Stuart Coulman
3rd: Raymond Bruce

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Kyle Girvan signed for a development fee from Kilbirnie Ladeside in June 2022.

The young centre back rose through the St Mirren youth academy before spending two years with the Blasties, making a name for himself in the West of Scotland League.

Kyle picked up the Player of the Season award in 2022/23 having made 34 appearances in his debut year for the Blues.

5 – Craig Ross

Position: Defender
Date of birth: 9 June 2002
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Kilmarnock, Kilwinning Rangers

Home: Pogo and Rhys Paterson
Away: ADD ONE
3rd: Available

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Craig Ross joined us from Kilmarnock in June 2021, having spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Kilwinning Rangers.

The centre back showed consistency and composure early on to become a first team regular, demonstrating his threat in the box from set pieces with a series of excellent goals.

Craig scooped the Player of the Year award in his first season of senior football and recorded 30 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign.

When available for selection, the talented young defender is assured both in and out of possession and an important player for the Blues.

6 – Ben Hughes

Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 24 August 2004
Place of birth: Ayr
Previous clubs: Kilmarnock, East Kilbride

Home: Mark Harries
Away: Available
3rd: K M Stewart & Co

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Ben Hughes is a left footed central midfielder who joined the Blues in June 2023.

Hughes made the move to Stranraer following a season with East Kilbride, where he featured over 25 times for the Lowland League contenders.

The former Kilmarnock youth prospect is gaining his first SPFL experience at Stair Park.

7 – Ben Armour

Position: Striker
Date of birth: 17 April 1998
Place of birth: Glasgow
Previous clubs: Queen’s Park, Greenock Morton, Annan Athletic, Dumbarton, Peterhead, Alloa Athletic, Forfar Athletic

Home: Alex Smith
Away: Available
3rd: Billy Robb

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Ben Armour joined us in June 2023 after a season which saw him finish as Forfar’s top scorer.

The striker rose through the youth ranks at Queen’s Park before earning his professional debut during his two year spell at Morton, where he also spent time on loan at Annan and Dumbarton.

A further two year stint at Peterhead followed, before single seasons with Alloa and Forfar.

Ben has noted that he’s happier than ever with his fitness this time around, and the evidence of this has been demonstrated on the park.

8 – Grant Gallagher (captain)

Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 11 January 1991
Place of birth: Irvine
Previous clubs: Celtic, Dumbarton, Airdrieonians

Home: Bill Paton
Away: Jackie Gilchrist
3rd: Dave Bell

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A popular figure around the club with nearly 300 appearances to his name, Grant Gallagher is in his second spell at Stranraer having returned in summer 2019.

Gal originally joined us in 2010 and spent five seasons with the Blues, narrowly missing out on promotion before leaving for Dumbarton in 2015.

The defender turned midfielder scored his only goal of 2018/19 against us for Airdrieonians at Stair Park, before missing the 2019/20 season through injury.

Overcame this setback to become a first team regular again for the Blues, and accepted the captaincy ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Deserves great credit for battling a long-term injury and returning to regular football.

9 – Thomas Orr

Position: Striker
Date of birth: 13 March 1997
Place of birth: Livingston
Previous clubs: St Mirren, Greenock Morton, East Stirlingshire, Livingston, Queen’s Park, BSC Glasgow, Stenhousemuir

Home: Martin, Catrina and Alastair Young
Away: Matthew Bell
3rd: Steven Hardie

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Tam Orr initially joined us in summer 2020 after two prolific seasons at BSC Glasgow in the Lowland League, which saw him score 43 goals in total.

Having turned out for Morton, East Stirlingshire, Livingston and Queen’s Park as a youngster, Orr made his mark on League Two with 11 goals in his first season at Stair Park.

Returned in summer 2023 as Scott Agnew’s first signing.

10 – Josh Walker

Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 21 June 2001
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Kilmarnock

Home: Janet Thomson
Away: David Walker
3rd: Martin McLelland

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A skilful and creative midfielder, Josh Walker joined Stranraer in November 2020.

Full of tricks and capable from set pieces, the son of former Blues player David ‘Pele’ Walker rose through the youth setup at Kilmarnock.

Josh built on an injury-hit first season at Stair Park with regular first team appearances in 2021/22, scoring three, and added a further six goals in an impressive 2022/23 campaign.

11 – James Dolan

Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 28 May 2003
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Ayr United, Cumnock

Home: Peter Gerrard
Away: Available
3rd: Available

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Former Ayr United youngster James Dolan made the move down the A77 to Stranraer in summer 2023.

A left winger, James likes to run at the opposition backline and joins us having spent time on loan with Cumnock last season, making regular appearances for the Townhead Park side.

The wide man is off to a promising start as he bids to make his mark in the SPFL.

24 – Deryn Lang

Position: Striker
Date of birth: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Royal Albert, Lanark United

Home: Michael Frosdick
Away: Available
3rd: Available

Deryn Lang joined us in July 2023, after impressing during a trial period which saw him score twice in a 4-1 friendly win at Kilwinning Rangers.

The striker has represented West of Scotland League clubs Royal Albert and Lanark United.

13 – George O’Connor

14 – Dean Hawkshaw

Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 24 April 1997
Place of birth: Kilmarnock
Previous clubs: Kilmarnock, Airdrieonians, Glenafton Athletic

Home: Duncan Kerr
Away: Available
3rd: Available

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Dean Hawkshaw rejoined the club in July 2021, having spent time at the Blues on loan in the 2017/18 season.

The creative midfielder made 21 appearances for Kilmarnock before his first spell on loan at Stair Park, before turning out for Airdrieonians and Glenafton Athletic.

Dean notched up a total of five assists and one goal in his return season at Stair Park, but injury curtailed his 2022/23 campaign which saw two goals in 20 appearances.

22 – Sean McIntosh

Position: Defender
Date of birth: 10 January 1997
Place of birth: N/A
Previous clubs: Celtic, Airdrieonians, Brechin City

Home: oldfootballshirts.com
Away: Available
3rd: Available

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Predominantly a right back, Sean McIntosh joined us in June 2021 following two years at Brechin City and three seasons at Airdrieonians.

Sean rose through the youth ranks at Celtic, and has been a first team regular since arriving at Stair Park.

Now in his third season with the Blues, ‘Shifty’ picked up the Player’s Player of the Year award from his team mates for his efforts in the 2022/23 season.

23 – Matty Grant

Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 16 November 2001
Place of birth: –
Previous clubs: Bellshill Athletic, St Mirren, Pollok

Home: Janet Thomson
Away: G&M Motors and Kayleigh Gray
3rd: Andrew and Laurence Nelson

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Pollok’s Player of the Year for 2021/22, Matty Grant joined us in August 2022 after a development fee was agreed with the Newlandsfield club.

Matty is comfortable in all right sided positions but likes to drive forward, and scored five goals in the 2022/23 season.

Has largely featured on the right side of midfield for Stranraer.