Confessions of a Kit Man
T 30
he changing room is a sacrosanct place. If I didn’t know that before I became Kit Man for Stirling Albion or turned it down, then I would have never experienced this inner-sanctum. Having been a supporter of Stirling Albion for almost 18 years, it has been a privilege and an eye-opening opportunity to become part of the essential fabric of the undergarments of a football team for which I hold such a passion. It is this very sanctity that makes the role a difficult one. Since stepping into the role mid-way through last season there is very little I feel that I have gathered and of that I could transmit to anyone out of the trusted circle. If I did, then I would be hung, drawn, quartered or possibly just kicked up and down the corridors of the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium. I‘m wary that saying this may give you the image of me thumbing my nose proclaiming that ‘I know something that you don’t’. I’m sure that my fellow supporters will appreciate and respect the fact that for a healthy changing room to exist it must be like Las Vegas – what happens there, stays there. This leaves me in the unenviable position of having dozens of stories to tell but no one to tell them to. There is also the awkward (but perhaps powerful?) position of not being able to tell my Dad (Exec Board Member, Stuart Brown) anything either.
I was handed the opportunity to take up the role in January of this year. In retrospect, it may actually have been thrust upon me. Someone was required to take up the reins and I was willing and available. Already being well aware of the aforementioned quasi-religious importance of the changing room, the first day in the job was always going to be daunting. There is a certain kind of nervousness which surrounds trying to break into an already established group. I needn't have been concerned, although it would be foolish to claim that I was welcomed with open arms, I certainly wasn't ever made to feel unwelcome. From there the work began. I would like to note, now that the job description Kit Man is simplistic in the extreme, and is probably akin to describing a Swiss Army Knife, as a knife. It is an all-encompassing role, and my job roles include the following: Cleaner, Courier, Confidant, Counsellor and Contract Administrator. I considered adding Conjurer to that list following on from my successful efforts at accommodating the entire first team playing kit, training kit, physio equipment, balls (and other football related paraphernalia) into the back of a 3-door Toyota Yaris. Away trips are cramped for the Kit Man. Regrettably, I took up work in what was an extremely difficult time for the Albion on the field. The less said about this the better perhaps. However, it might be comforting to note that the emotions within the dressing room in those dark days reflected, to an extent, that on the terraces. I'm not suggesting that the passion of the players for the club