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 2006

(30/4/06)

Charity Match
A crowd of several hundred saw an Albion Rovers XI beat local hostelry Enigma 2 - 1 at Cliftonhill. Rovers went one down when an Enigma player had no difficulty rounding Richard Moss in the Rovers goal. Jim Chapman scored both Rovers goals his teammates included Todd Lumsden, Chris Silvestro, Derek Kelly, Jimmy Lindsay, Richard Moss, Kevin McBride, David Shanks, Peter Allan. Chris Fahey and Jim Mercer didn't feature as Stenhousemuir are in the play-offs in a few days time but they were in attendance.

Click to enlarge

                                       
Video 1 - Jimmy Lindsay takes a tumble                    Video 2 - a Chappie free-kick

(29/4/06)

5000th Scored!
The milestone of Albion Rovers all-time 5000th league goal was reached today and it was a cracker from Craig Young, scoring our second goal of the day who bagged the glory. See HERE for details.

Referee In Spotlight
Poor refereeing dogged Rovers throughout this match and the odd decision to segregate fans in a "crowd" of just 412 sticks out too. Rovers fans were put in the terracing behind the left-hand goal which was coincidentally the best place to see the Craig Young wonder goal. Rovers end the season in 8th place which is a improvement of 1 place on last season.

Report with pics will be on the website tomorrow!

Charity Match
A wee reminder that the Albion Rovers XI v Enigma match kicks-off at 1.30pm tomorrow at Cliftonhill. Come along for what should be a fun day with folk such as Jim Chapman and Chris Silvestro turning out! Entrance is a minimum donation of £2 and the bar opens an hour before kick-off.

(25/4/06)

New Chat
A special Chappie's Chat has been written by Jim covering the question and answer session he held after the Montrose match. 

(23/4/06)

Montrose Stalemate
Yesterday saw Rovers draw 1-1 with Montrose at Cliftonhill in a match where they could have guaranteed 8th place had they won. The draw leaves Rovers looking for league goal numbers 4999 and 5000 next week at Stenhousemuir otherwise the competition rolls over until next season.

Paul Rose played to the bumper 825 crowd before kick-off and comedian Gary Little had the fans laughing after the match before manager Jim Chapman assisted by chairman Frank Meade held a question and answer session. Regrettably David Hayman couldn't make the match due to family illness.

A full math report shall be on the site later today!

Player of the Year
There was no surprise whatsoever that Gordon Lennon received the £100 note, bottle of champagne and trophy from 3 generations of the Smith family John, Buchanan and Kyran going from oldest downwards. The voting was almost completely unanimous in the favour of the 23 year old!

Player Of The Year Function
The Club are holding a small Player of the Year function on Sunday April 30th in Owens Bar. There are 30 tickets available for supporters who wish to attend. The event will start at 8.00p.m. and is a presentation ceremony, followed by a buffet and some after/dinner/buffet comedians. The cost is £10.00 per person and if there are more than 30 wanting to attend a ballot will be held.

Please contact Patrick Rolink patrick [at] albionrovers . com  before 12 noon on Tuesday if you wish to attends and state how many tickets you require.

Charity Match
Before the function there will be a charity match held at Cliftonhill with a 1.30p.m. kick-off. It comprises an Albion Rovers XI v Enigma (local establishment) with admission a minimum £2 donation to the charities. Confirmed players thus far are Jim Chapman, Chris Silvestro, David Shanks, Peter Allan, Paul Taylor, Chris Fahey, Richard Moss, Jimmy Lindsay, Todd Lumsden, Jim Mercer, Kevin McBride and Jordan Smith.

(21/4/06)

Gala Day
Rab Bannen who is the man who runs much respected Coatbridge boxing club "The Barn" and boxer Ricky Burns shall be there. The Actor David Hayman will make a short appeal before the match on behalf of SpiritAid and there will be a bucket collection on the way out after full time. 

At full time the team will be kicking footballs into the stand for kids to take away and the supporters' player of the year shall also be getting his just rewards too!

Added to the appearance by singer Paul Rose and comedian Gary Little who we've already mentioned, and Jim Chapman's' Q & A the day (with the possible exception of the weather) should be a good one. As to the match itself a win shall see Rovers guaranteed 8th place ahead of tomorrows rivals Montrose.

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat has been written by Jim and also a guest who has helped out the club! 

(17/4/06)

Entertainment
The pre-match entertainment on Saturday (2.15 - 2.45) is being provided by guitarist Paul Rose from Newcastle Upon Tyne, click on his name for as many details about him as you could possibly wish!

Help Required
A message from Pat Rolink pat [at] albionrovers . com would anyone who can help him distribute free tickets for next Saturday's match come along to Cliftonhill on Thursday at 10.30am. Car owners preferred and he says it will only take around half an hour of your time!

The club could also do with a couple of "sensible fans" to act as unpaid stewards during the pre-match entertainment at the Montrose game.

(15/6/06)

Edged Out Again
Albion Rovers today lost 1 - 0 at Gayfield in a somewhat scrappy game. Goalkeeper Gary McGlynn picked up an injury in the first half and didn't appear for the second period although it seems likely he'll be fit for next Saturdays showdown at Cliftonhill to decide 8th place.

A full match report shall be on the site later!

(14/4/06)

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat has been written by Jim and mentions people such as the Queen! 

(13/4/06)

Reserves Win
Albion Rovers reserves beat their St. Mirren counterparts 4 - 2 at Cliftonhill tonight.

Docherty of St. Mirren had a penalty saved by Quinn only to be awarded another go at it by the referee for some infraction, this time he sent it over the bar! In 25 minutes Craig Young hit the ball into the roof of the net after a long run with the 'keeper helpless.

3 minutes later Young scored again when he latched onto a cross. In 37 minutes a McLay cross allowed Docherty to head home and he did it again in 54 minutes!

A minute later Stephen Reid chipped the ball over the 'keeper from 25 yards to make it 3 - 2. Andy Selkirk scrambled the ball over the line in injury time.

Rovers team was : Quinn, Baird, Noble, Alan Reid, Abou, Trialist, Love, Middleton, Young, Selkirk, Stephen Reid. Subs : Friel, Chisholm, Sim, Sichi, McGlynn.

(11/4/06)

5000th Goal
With just 3 goals left till the milestone is reached you have only a short time to get your entry in with a minimum of £150 to win! Remember this goal could be scored on Saturday at Arbroath.

Click HERE for details and entry forms!

Bus
To ensure you see the 5000th Albion Rovers league goal if scored this Saturday at Arbroath the bus leaves from Owens at 11am, giving you plenty of time to admire the scenery or enjoy a drink at Tutties Neuk on arrival!

(9/4/06)

Stand-Up
Club commercial supremo and stand-up comic himself Patrick Rolink has announced that after the home match against Montrose on 22nd April (the final home match of the season) Gary Little shall do a 25 minute comedy routine followed by Jim Chapman holding a question and answer session for fans.

(8/4/06)

Officials Blamed
With Rovers a goal up at Central Park the officials didn't seem to think (like many other people at the match) that Cowdenbeath had anywhere between 3 and 5 players offside when a ball was played through which led to an equaliser. Cowden were buoyed by the first and pushed forward gaining a second.

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat has been written by Jim and it is later than usual due to various circumstances! 

(2/4/06)

For the benefit of those who weren't there or turned up too late to buy a programme (and those who wouldn't shell out £1) we reprint the "Ask Jimmy" column.

"It's now time for that wise old man of Scottish fitba, the immortal Jimmy Lawson, to answer a few of our readers queries.

Q. Why does St Johnstone have the nickname of the ’Chauffeurs’? (Big Ian, Macrahanish)

A. In his youth, celebrity fan Ian Krankie was a taxi driver in and around Crieff.


Q. What was the reason for the ‘sine die’ ban given to Vale of Leven keeper J P Campbell? (The Helensburgh Kid)

A. Campbell took to the field of play with his regulation club knickers ending scandalously only 3 inches below the knee. The SFA minutes of 1879 accuse him of “wanton licentiousness” – the only possible greater crime would have been professionalism.


Q. Did Pele ever play in Scotland? My mate says no, but I think he might have done. (The Whitburn Two)

A. You are correct – Pele made several guest appearances for East Stirling during the Second World War. He remains to this day the only player to lift both the World Cup and the Stirlingshire (Wartime) Cup.

Q. Why do no Scottish teams ever play in green and purple? (Colour-blind Jim, Partick)

A. They used to. After several abominations during the mid-90s, particularly from Hibernian and East Stirlingshire, the SFA wisely updated Rule 4, section D, paragraph 2 of their ‘Laws of the Game’ to state (amendment in bold): 

“Both teams shall wear tasteful on-field uniforms that are easily distinguishable from each other and the match officials”.

Q. Which player has won the Scottish Cup most times? (Jock, Cathkin)

A. An easy one. That great stalwart Trialist has 9 winners medals, won between 1908 and 1926.

Q. Why did Stranraer wait until 1981 to purchase permanent floodlighting? (Jose Canervo-Lopez, Strathaven)

A. Their chairman during the late sixties and seventies, Francis Pendragon, was a notorious puritan, who believed that playing under artificial light was a “degradation of God’s natural luminescence” (i.e., the Sun). Morris even lobbied the SFA to ban floodlights from all Scottish grounds, but without any success. 

Q. Please supply the details of Meadowbank Thistle’s UEFA Cup Final appearance. (The Mad Shagger, Monifieth)

A. The team that lost the 1952 UEFA Final was: McCulloch (A), Kasule, McAllister, Murdoch, Aguilera, Armstrong, Bauld, McCulloch (P), Trialist, Prodan and Boyle. They went down 2-0 in the Maltese Olympic Stadium to Dynamo-CSKA Zaporizhia from the Ukraine. Att. 247,125.76. 

Q. How did your own illustrious playing career come to an end, Jimmy? (Shug the sook, Brigadoon)

A. After winning 6 Scotland caps and the 1922-3 ‘Graphite Boot’ (Gold being far too expensive in those days – 6d a quarter!), I knocked myself out on one of the wooden corner flags at Crawick Holm, Nithsdale. The damage caused prevented me from continuing my playing career. Interestingly, that very same corner flag is now an MSP. 

See you all next time.

Jimmy."

The more astute of you will have realised that this was an April Fool joke as was the front cover of the programme mentioning Roman Abramovich as match sponsor and this website's claim that Rovers and Red Star 93 of France were swapping places for next season. The interesting facts published below however are true!

(1/4/06)

Win Elevates Rovers
A bumper crowd of 803 which was largely down to free entry tickets handed to local schools gave this game quite an atmosphere. There followed a free-flowing all-out attacking game by both sides. The 2 - 0 win thrust Rovers to 8th place in the league as Montrose who had occupied that place lost, they're now 9 points off bottom. Rovers were dominant although 'Shire did have their moments. Scott Chaplain was outstanding as evidenced by him scoring both goals.

Gordon Lennon wasn't in quite as much demand at the back as usual so decided to come forward more often coming close on a  few occasions including one shot which hit the visitors crossbar. Local singer Adrianna gave us a couple of songs which were appreciated at half time, once Peter McClurg could be persuaded to give her the opportunity.

A group of 5 from Walsall comprising 3 Walsall, a Wolves and an Aston Villa fan made the long trip to support Rovers and left happy at the overall experience.

A full match report with pics shall be on the site tomorrow.

Rovers - Interesting Facts
We have discovered the following about your favourite team (Rovers of course).

The first ever goal to be scored direct from a corner in British and possibly world football was by Alston of St. Bernard's against Albion Rovers on 21 August 1924. Cliftonhill stadium is or was at one time designated as an airport due to a helicopter landing there (we believe in the 1970's).

Although severely limited these days Rovers record attendance at Cliftonhill is 27,381 although 95,600 saw Rovers lose in the Scottish cup final at Hampden in 1920.

Famous folk who've seen Rovers in the flesh include :

The Queen Mum before she became Queen Mum, watched the Rovers play at Forfar (not too far from her family home Glamis Castle).

Legendary screen actor Robert Duvall visited Cliftonhill with John McVeigh and his Raith Rovers team in a pre-season friendly 1999. John McVeigh stars as assistant manager in the film "A Shot at Glory" with Duvall as Manager and Ally McCoist as a player for a small Scottish football team on a cup run. Release date late 2001.

Rt. Hon. John Smith QC MP (the Labour Party leader until his untimely death, was tipped to be the next Prime Minister) visited Cliftonhill on occasion as ball sponsor. His constituency was Monklands East (more or less Airdrie) just up the road!

Footballer Jordi (son of the even more legendary Johan) Cruyff took in a Rovers v Motherwell pre-season friendly a few seasons ago.

Most recently Irish assistant manager and famous English national side and club manager Sir Bobby Robson who saw us at Berwick last Saturday.

Rovers French Swap Deal
Albion Rovers are changing places, we understand it's certain to be Red Star 93 who will be the other team involved. They come from Saint-Ouen which is on the right bank of the river Seine bordering Paris, they play in the CFA division 2. This is of course not permanent and will be for season 2006-2007 only.

Visit the website of Red Star 93 www.allezredstar.com in French language version or visit their English language version. Here at www.albionrovers.com we hope to have a similar dual French/English service up and running by June and Chappie’s Chat is already running in that format.

The scheme has been funded by the SFA, FFF (French Football Federation), UEFA as well as the Scottish Executive but the bulk of the cash is coming from the European Union.

Manager Jim Chapman and many players have gained leave of absence from their employers. Rovers shall still compete in the Scottish Cup and have been given special dispensation to join at the 3rd round stage, which coincides, with the French Cup  It’s expected that around 2 or 3 players of each side shall remain in their own country and play with their counterparts. Although their website claims only 22 players shall be allowed in squads in addition to 3 "jokers" we understand Jim Chapman wants this restriction lifted as it could be problematic as some players may need to spend time in Scotland for family reasons.

Rovers shall have use of a local colleges training camp which has an artificial pitch, grass pitch in addition to a pool & gym. In return Red Star 93 shall have use of Cliftonhill, the Time Capsule/Indoor Sports Centre, and Langloan Outdoor Sports centre as well as the state of the art facilities at St. Margaret's High School in Airdrie.

Fans of their respective teams shall not be forgotten as a couple of flights shall be laid during the season from Prestwick to one of the minor Paris airports which is a reasonably brief coach ride from Saint-Ouen. The price of these shall be a subsidised £15 return including coach from Coatbridge to Prestwick and from the Parisian airport to Saint Ouen.

For the keener fans discounts of up to 50% of train and some flights tariffs shall be available throughout the season. Of course fans of Red Star 93 shall also have access to similar arrangements and as their crowds are of similar proportions they should feel at home in Cliftonhill.

For those fans staying at home buses to away games shall also be subsidised with £7 or 10 Euros expected to be the charge to each game no matter the destination. It’s expected that a few keen Frenchman will be spending the duration of the season in the Coatbridge area to be near their team.

Although not fully consulted yet it’s hoped that the Albion Rovers Supporters’ Trust shall give their ok to the scheme despite some misgivings, as it shall be advantageous for the club and therefore the fans.

Cliftonhill Stadium shall also benefit as the fund allocated several thousand Euros for cosmetic improvements, the French authorities have been a tad more generous in awarding Red Star 500,000 Euros to do up their ground Stade Bauer. To foster closer relations entry to matches shall be set at 10 Euros fixed at £7 which closely approximates the exchange rate.

In addition to pies, Bovril and the standard fare, baguettes and other items shall be on sale in the pie shop although there is no suggestion that snails or frog’s legs shall be on the menu. Due to the vagaries of French law some of the ingredients of a Scotch pie may be illegal and guidance is being sought from the French authorities, their website mentions Haggis being available at Rovers matches in France which is odd as you cannot buy it at Cliftonhill.

One major mover of this deal is Monsieur Alfrèd Grenáte, a bigwig in the French consulate in Edinburgh who grew up a few kilometers from Saint-Ouen. Rovers' chairman Frank Meade and Red Star president Bruno Davoine have been holding meetings for several months since the idea was first mooted. On March 16th the two chairmen, met to put the final touches to the scheme along with representatives from the FFF and various other bodies.

Both sides are expected to meet in a pre-season match at Cliftonhill in a gala atmosphere (their website suggests 3rd June but more likely sometime in July) and another match to be played in Paris around Christmas. Red Star's colours are listed as green and white and we believe they shall in honour of Rovers have a yellow and red change kit. Rovers shall of course reciprocate by utilising a green & white change kit!

Scottish MEP William Galbraith welcomed the scheme when he met up with French counterpart Simone Moreau in Brussels.

The fund covers just about all expenses incurred by the clubs including some of the wages for staff and players (believed to be the 90% of the first 300 Euros per week).

One matter remains to be ironed out and that is promotion & relegation. Shall Rovers gain promotion or demotion for their hosts and vice-versa could Red Star gain promotion for Rovers should they do well enough.

Representatives from Red Star 93 shall be at the Rovers v East Stirlingshire match later today where small niggly details shall be ironed out.

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