As one of his former clubs looks ahead to a historic place in the Champions League, former Motherwell, Ross County and Stirling Albion midfielder Darren Smith is eager to kick start his playing career.

Having made his debut with Motherwell at the tender age of sixteen, scored his first senior goal at seventeen and enjoyed representing his country at all age levels through to under 21s, Darren is keen to show that he still has plenty to offer any interested club.

Speaking to PFA Scotland, Darren said “My time at Motherwell ended as a consequence of a bad hip injury, and while further injury hampered my time at Ross County I have just completed a full season with Stirling Albion during which I only missed one game.  Now that I have proven that I am over my injury problems I believe that I could be an asset for any club, especially as my game is based on getting on the ball and driving at defences.  Moving to part time football made me realise just how much I want to try and return to the level at which I started my career, and provided me with a real desire to do so-all I need is a platform to show what I can do.”

Darren is among a number of players who have made their availability known through PFA Scotland.  Any other players wishing to do so please contact:

Jack Ross 07540 636766 jack@pfascotland.co.uk or

Stuart Lovell 07989 330365 stuart@pfascotland.co.uk

PFA Scotland’s Player Availability List has been updated in order for it to be easier to find players who play in a specific position.

Any club wishing to look at the list can now do so by accessing those available goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers and should they require any further information on these players then please contact PFA Scotland.

Jack Ross 07540 636766 or jack@pfascotland.co.uk

Stuart Lovell 07989 330365 or stuart@pfascotland.co.uk

PFA Scotland’s Jack Ross attended the PPF (Professional Players Federation) Sports Betting Integrity Day in Birmingham on Monday 14th May 2012.

The event was organised in support of the PPF led betting education programme which informs players of issues of sporting integrity, therefore protecting sport from illegal and unregulated betting.

Throughout the day the Gambling Commission was invited to discuss how they help police the integrity of British sport and how they are alerted to, and subsequently investigate suspicious activity.  Furthermore there was opportunity to share experiences of sports betting integrity issues across sport with a variety of player associations including the RPA (Rugby Players Association), the PCA (Professional Cricketers Association) and the PFA in England, with the event being closed with a presentation on how the 2012 London Olympics have tackled the issue of preserving sporting integrity.

Commenting on the event Jack said “The PPF has been a valuable supporter of PFA Scotland’s Gambling Awareness Project which focuses on both personal and professional gambling issues, and therefore events like this one are of huge benefit as we continue to educate players in Scotland on matters of sporting integrity.”

The Glasgow Hilton provided a fantastic setting for the PFA Scotland Annual Awards Dinner which was held on Sunday 6th May.

Guests exceeding six hundred enjoyed the presentations of the respective player of the awards and entertainment provided by the hugely talented Kassidy, before moving on the after party held in Corinthian Club.

A full list of Award winners can be seen below:

Player of the Year-Charlie Mulgrew, Celtic

Young Player of the Year-James Forrest, Celtic

Manager of the Year-Derek Adams, Ross County

First Division Player of the Year-Farid El Alagui, Falkirk

Second Division Player of the Year-Jon Robertson, Cowdenbeath

Third Division Player of the Year-Steven May, Alloa

Goal of the Season-Rory Fallon, Aberdeen

Special Merit Award-Scotland Homeless World Cup Winning Team

PFA Scotland would like to offer its appreciation to all players and guests who attended the event and to Cheque Centre for their continued support and sponsorship of this Gala event.

PFA Scotland is offering players the opportunity to list their details on our website should they be looking to secure a new club.  We are regularly approached by individuals, clubs and associations to provide a list of available players and therefore players who wish to beplaced on this are increasing their potential opportunities.

The current list is available on the Player Availability section of the website which can also be accessed by following the link below:

http://pfascotland.co.uk/player-availability/

There is a mixture of experienced and younger players on the list from former apprentice players at clubs such as Falkirk and Livingston to established players such as Iain Davidson and Allan Walker.

Any further information regarding any of the players listed can be accessed via

Jack Ross 07540 636766 or jack@pfascotland.co.uk

Stuart Lovell 07989 330365 or stuart@pfascotland.co.uk

As part of the voting process for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year Awards, players are asked to select a team of the year from their own division.

Each player therefore votes for who they believe has been the most impressive in their respective position and lists their team in a 4-3-3 formation.

It is undoubtedly a tremendous honour for a player to be chosen by their fellow professionals for the divisional team of the year.  Furthermore the team is announced on stage at PFA Scotland’s Annual Awards on Sunday 6th May, is listed in the Dinner Programme and each player receives an engraved medal commemorating their achievement.

As we approach the Awards Dinner, we are delighted to reveal that the PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year as chosen by players in the SPL is as follows:

Darren Randolph Motherwell

Adam Matthews Celtic

Gavin Gunning Dundee United

Charlie Mulgrew Celtic

Paul Dixon Dundee United

James Forrest Celtic

Steven Davis Rangers

Gary Mackay-Steven Dundee United

Johnny Russell Dundee United

Jon Daly Dundee United

Gary Hooper Celtic

PFA Scotland would like to congratulate all of the above players on their selection

PFA Scotland is pleased to announce the Division One Team of the Year as chosen by players of that division.

All players selected should be congratulated on their achievement and along with the team being announced at our Awards Dinner this coming Sunday 6th May, they will each receive an engraved medal commemorating their selection.

The team is as follows:

Michael McGovern Falkirk

Kieran Duffie Falkirk

Scott Boyd Ross County

Grant Munro Ross County

Aaron Sinclair Partick Thistle

Nicky Riley Dundee

Mark Millar Falkirk

Ryan Conroy Dundee

Michael Gardyne Ross County

Farid El Alagui Falkirk

Colin McMenamin Ross County

On Sunday May 6th at our Annual Awards Dinner to be held in the Glasgow Hilton, the winners of all Player of the Year Awards will be announced.  PFA Scotland asked players to not only chose their player of the year but to also select their choice for team of the year (in a 4-3-3 formation) for the respective division they play in.

The team selected will be announced on stage at the Awards Dinner, be listed in the event programme and furthermore players will receive an engraved medal to commemorate their achievement.

PFA Scotland is pleased to announce that the Division Two Team of the Year, as chosen by the players of this division is as follows:

Stephen Grindlay Dumbarton

Mark Baxter Arbroath

Joe Mbu Cowdenbeath

John Armstrong Cowdenbeath

Kenny Adamson Cowdenbeath

Josh Falkingham Arbroath

Jon Robertson Cowdenbeath

Scott Agnew Dumbarton

Ryan Donnelly Airdrie United

Steven Doris Arbroath

Ryan Wallace East Fife

PFA Scotland would like to congratulate all players on their achievement.

As part of the voting process for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year awards, players are asked to select a team of the year from their own division.

Each player therefore votes for who they believe has been most impressive in their respective position, and lists their team in a 4-3-3 formation.

It is undoubtedly a tremendous honour for a player to be chosen by their fellow professionals for the divisional team of the year.  Furthermore  the team is announced on stage at PFA Scotland’s Annual Awards on Sunday 6th May, is listed in the Dinner Programme and furthermore each player selected receives an engraved medal commemorating their achievement.

As we approach the Awards Dinner, we are delighted to reveal that the PFA Scotland Division Three Team of the Year as chosen by players in this league is as follows:

Scott Bain Alloa Athletic

Michael Doyle Alloa Athletic

Ricky Little Queens Park

Ryan Harding Alloa Athletic

Daryll Meggatt Queens Park

Ryan McCord Alloa Athletic

Stephen Stirling Stranraer

Daniel Moore Elgin City

Jamie Longworth Queens Park

Steven May Alloa Athletic

Kevin Cawley Alloa Athletic

PFA Scotland would like to congratulate all of the above players on their selection.

In a modern day football climate where the supply of players can be greater than the demand, it is vital for a footballer to give themselves the best opportunity to try and progress their career and secure employment for the following season(s).

PFA Scotland is regularly asked to provide a list of players who are out of contract by a number of interested clubs and associations from both Scotland and abroad.  Therefore should any player wish to be included on our list then please contact a member of the PFA Scotland team by phone or email, or alternatively complete the Player Availability form in our latest newsletter and send it to us.

The current list of available players can be viewed on the Player Availabilty section of our website or by clicking on the link below:

http://pfascotland.co.uk/player-availability/