Stirling University scholars Ben MacIver-Redwood and Cameron McKinley have landed moves to SPFL teams after impressing throughout their journey with the uni’s football team.
Maciver-Redwood was snapped up by Montrose FC, while McKinley secured a move to Stirling Albion. Both teams play in League One and will be welcoming their new signings in the summer.
These moves are testament to the hard work they and their team have put in during their time at the university.
This season the team became BUCS North Premier champions for the fourth consecutive year, as well as winning the East of Scotland Cup last month against League One side Edinburgh City.
Ben and Cammy were also involved in the historic cup tie at Dundee United last season, which drew many eyes towards the football programme at the uni.
Maciver-Redwood becomes the third player from Stirling University to move to Montrose FC following Craig Brown and Blair Lyons. Coming from Torquay United’s youth team he joined the University in 2020 to begin his studies. He played for the U20s in his first two years before making the move up to the first team last season.
Montrose’s assistant manager, Ross Campbell said: “We are delighted Ben has agreed to join us. We believe he is good enough to make the step up to League One and are very excited about what he can potentially bring to our group.”
Cammy McKinley achieved the unique feat of playing for every Uni team from the 5s all to way to the 1st team in his five seasons at the University. This season, he was the top goal scorer in all competitions including 14 goals in the Lowland League.
Albion manager, Darren Young said: “We’re delighted to get Cammy on board. We have been watching him develop for the past few seasons now and he’s always impressed us.
“He’s strong, tall, quick and knows where the goal is. He will complement the squad we already have and will be great around the changing room. We look forward to working with him.”
Reacting to the news, Stirling University Head Coach, Chris Geddes said: “It’s a great opportunity for them stepping up into the league. They both deserve an opportunity and thankfully two teams have signed them. It’ll be a massive step up but they are looing forward to it. They have both done great for the University and have represented themselves very well.”
Head of Performance Sport at the university, David Bond, also heaped praise on MacIver- Redwood and McKinley. He said: “I am absolutely delighted, but not surprised that Ben and Cammy have been signed up by SPFL sides. Both players have given everything during their time on the scholarship programme – and have played a key role in the University’s success.
“They leave here with a host of honours – including multiple BUCS Premier North titles and trophies in the East of Scotland Cup and Queens Park Shield. Of course, both players also featured in the historic Scottish Cup match against Dundee United last year – a game that will live long in their memory, and ours.
“Ben and Cammy have earned these moves and we wish them all the very best in their future careers – and hope to see them back on campus again soon.”
The two strikers may be lining up against each other next season, providing both Montrose and Stirling Albion remain in League One.
MacIver-Redwood’s Montrose currently occupy fourth place in the league, meaning they would qualify for the promotion playoffs. Stirling sit in ninth however and remain in danger of relegation to league two.
The two players had their final send off on Saturday, as the uni played their final Lowland League of the season away to Bo’ness United, losing 3-2.
Featured image credit: George Vekic
4th year Journalism student. Covering Stirling Uni FC for the 23/24 season.
