I would hazard a guess that it's just a move to get some game time in the short term. He left outside the local transfer window, so that limits the level in which he could sign for.
"Go on then. George Stanger was released by Hamilton Academical a little while back and then resurfaced playing down the divisions at University of Stirling FC. Not the highest standard out there but it did smell like an in-between move at the time. And that still stocks up because he’s just gone out on loan to Dumbarton to play out the rest of the season, a leap up two divisions from where he had been. From the Lowland League (tier five) to League One (tier three).
Manager Stevie Farrell: “George is only 21 and has a lot of time on his side to progress further in the game. We're delighted to have him on board and he gives us another option in defence as we enter the business end of the season.”
Task here is to help Dumbarton avoid relegation. First step was against Alloa Athletic and Stanger was immediately into the team, playing 78 minutes at right back. Not his ideal position but he did get shoehorned in there for the Accies a bit before he was released so not entirely unfamiliar. Anyway, it was 1-1 when he was subbed off but a few mins later they conceded the winner. Lost 2-1. This was that winning goal, yikes... https://twitter.com/spfl/status/1495805689461186564
Means they get overtaken on the ladder by Alloa, still two points clear of the relegation playoff spot but Peterhead have played two fewer games so it’s gonna get frisky. As it happens they play Peterhead next.
Hey and how’s this for a funky fact. George Stanger had never played League One in Scotland prior to that game, it was his debut in the division. However he did spent some time out on loan with Stirling Albion earlier in his career at League Two level. Chuck in his six appearances for Hamilton Academical in the Premiership and a couple in the Championship at the start of this season after they were relegated and before he was released (the right back games), along with his Lowlands stint and George Stanger has now played in each of the top five levels in Scotland. And he’s done it by age 21.
"Go on then. George Stanger was released by Hamilton Academical a little while back and then resurfaced playing down the divisions at University of Stirling FC. Not the highest standard out there but it did smell like an in-between move at the time. And that still stocks up because he’s just gone out on loan to Dumbarton to play out the rest of the season, a leap up two divisions from where he had been. From the Lowland League (tier five) to League One (tier three).
Manager Stevie Farrell: “George is only 21 and has a lot of time on his side to progress further in the game. We're delighted to have him on board and he gives us another option in defence as we enter the business end of the season.”
Task here is to help Dumbarton avoid relegation. First step was against Alloa Athletic and Stanger was immediately into the team, playing 78 minutes at right back. Not his ideal position but he did get shoehorned in there for the Accies a bit before he was released so not entirely unfamiliar. Anyway, it was 1-1 when he was subbed off but a few mins later they conceded the winner. Lost 2-1. This was that winning goal, yikes... https://twitter.com/spfl/status/1495805689461186564
Means they get overtaken on the ladder by Alloa, still two points clear of the relegation playoff spot but Peterhead have played two fewer games so it’s gonna get frisky. As it happens they play Peterhead next.
Hey and how’s this for a funky fact. George Stanger had never played League One in Scotland prior to that game, it was his debut in the division. However he did spent some time out on loan with Stirling Albion earlier in his career at League Two level. Chuck in his six appearances for Hamilton Academical in the Premiership and a couple in the Championship at the start of this season after they were relegated and before he was released (the right back games), along with his Lowlands stint and George Stanger has now played in each of the top five levels in Scotland. And he’s done it by age 21.
I've seen some pitches in some states, but jesus wept at the sight of that one.
Goal for George Stanger. Although they still lost 3-2 against Airdrieonians which means that they finished ninth out of ten teams in League One, a fact that’s now guaranteed with two games remaining. Eight points clear of last but seven points behind eighth... hence they’ll be taking on the fourth-placed team in League Two in the promotion/relegation playoff semi-finals as they attempt to preserve their place in the third tier.
Stanger began by getting some right back minutes when he first joined the club but has seemingly locked in a starting CB spot in more recent weeks. This was his first goal for Dumbarton.
Up Next: Cove Rangers vs Dumbarton on Sunday at 2am (NZT)
So Dumbarton finished 2nd last in Scottish League One (3rd tier) and ended up in a pro/rel series against Edinburgh City who were 4th in League Two (4th tier).
Dumbarton lost (agg 2-5)! So down to the 4th tier they go. Stanger played both legs of the pro/rel series. Hopefully he can find a club somewhere higher up the Scottish football pyramid!!
You'd hope he has aspirations to play at a higher level... Just reading through the (interesting) player bios on your link... It mentions a player who couldn't feature due to 'work commitments' - and that was in the third division, imagine what the 4th one would be like.
You'd hope he has aspirations to play at a higher level... Just reading through the (interesting) player bios on your link... It mentions a player who couldn't feature due to 'work commitments' - and that was in the third division, imagine what the 4th one would be like.
Based on the pitches he's played on since he's got there and from what I've read in match reports it seems the ground staff around the place have other jobs too...😭
New agents for the fella... and straight away a new contract on the table. George Stanger had been playing down the grades for Stirling University after his release from Hamilton Academical early on in the season. But in February he popped up on loan with Dumbarton in League One (third tier) where he was able to complete a sneaky set of having played in each of the top four divisions in Scotland already aged just 21.
For Dumbarton he featured 10 times in league play with a goal to his name. Unfortunately the club wasn’t up to a whole lot and they ended up going down 5-2 over two legs against Edinburgh City in a relegation playoff meaning they’ll dip into League Two next time around. Stanger played both legs although it was his poor backpass that led to the first goal that they conceded. Overall he seems to have impressed though and there’s a contract on the table for him to stick with the club if he wants it. The release only says that it’s been offered, not that it’s been signed, so we’ll see how it goes.
Wise move for his career that one. Fourth tier Scottish footy... I can't imagine too many players would be able to make a name for themselves all the way down there.
Alloa at least will have eyes on bigger and better things, as they were relegated from the Scottish Championship the season prior (2020/21). Who knows, maybe they'll be hoping for a promotion push in 22/23 after a stabilizing season this year.
Edit - another 2-0 loss suffered by a 'Kiwi' today in the Scottish League Cup. But this time the SPL team beats their 3rd opponent away. Ross County with a 2-0 win.
2-1 win for Alloa, who move up to 3rd in Scottish League One - 4 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses. But they have managed to win their last three on the bounce.
Good start to the season for Stanger too. Excellent returns in the goals/assists columns for a CB. I guess it's good that they've started winning again too!
7 appearances in the league - 2 goals/1 assist 4 appearances in the league cup - 0 goals/2 assists.
Hopefully he can keep up the decent start and kick on as the season moves along.
