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December 2002

(31/12/02)

Hogmanay
With the transfer window opening in a matter of a couple of hours some may be holding their breath to see what happens to Rovers playing squad. Judging by the incredible amount of speculation it'd seem certain Scott Shearer will be leaving (meaning no disrespect to Chris Fahey - hopefully not before Rovers are safely ensconced in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup). Hopefully no other players will be leaving, and some new blood financed by part of a Shearer transfer fee will be signing up.

Rovers may not be top of the league by tomorrow night as third placed East Fife are at home to second bottom Montrose who've only managed one win away from home all season. A win for the Fifers would put them top with a one point lead over Rovers, we would however a game in hand over them.

New Column
Charles "Chazz" McLean has written a new year edition of his column partly looking back at the past year and looking forward too.
Click HERE to read it.

(29/12/02)

Shearer Update
From today's Sunday Mail "Albion Rovers keeper Scott Shearer could be Leicester's first new signing if a consortium led by Gary Lineker takes over the First Division side."

(28/12/02)

Statistics
Some interesting statistics thrown up by today's larger than usual winning margin by a Rovers team. As far as we can see Rovers have only won by six or more clear goals against five current league teams (in league matches). These were against Brechin City (10-0 in 1937/38 season and 7-1 in 1929/30 season), Dumbarton (11-1 in 1925/26 season), Raith Rovers (7-0 in 1920/21 season), against Stenhousemuir (6-0 in 1967/68 season) and on no less than three previous occasions against East Stirlingshire (8-0 in 1958/59 season, 7-0 in 1937/38 season and 7-1 in the 1956/57 season).

Today's stats were as follows
Shots on target         : Rovers 15 'Shire 1
Shots off target        : Rovers 11 'Shire 3
Shots on woodwork  : Rovers 2 'Shire 0
Corners won             : Rovers 15 'Shire 5
Caught offside          : Rovers 8 'Shire 0
Fouls committed       : Rovers 13 'Shire 8
Bookings                  : Rovers 0 'Shire 1

Unlucky Rovers Score 6
Rovers beat a poor East Stirling team 6-0 at Cliftonhill this afternoon, a result which doubled our goal difference to 12. John Bradford opened the scoring getting two before Iain Diack got the first of his hat-trick, Todd Lumsden got also got one. Rovers were unlucky having two "goals" chalked off and two shots hit the crossbar. 'Shire keeper Todd played well and saved another few! Leaders Peterhead lost 1-0 at Cappielow and joint second (with Rovers) East Fife drew with Queen's Park to send Rovers a point clear at the top.

With Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester Utd. scouts in the stands watching Scott Shearer the big man had only a few things to do, but he did well anyway.

A full report including pics and mini-movies of two of the goals are linked here

(27/12/02)

Training Deal Agreed
Rovers have concluded a deal with the administrators of Strathclyde Park which will see the full-timers and the youth squad doing the bulk of their training there instead of the less-than-ideal surroundings of Dunbeth or Espieside. Starting on 6th January, about 30 players will be using the amenities at the Hamilton complex, including the all-weather surface (when required), plus changing and showering facilities. In addition, catering students from Motherwell College will be on hand to attend to dietary requirements. However, to ensure that links with Cliftonhill are maintained, it is thought that every week there will be one night's training at the ground.
 
The arrangement, initially on a trial basis until the end of the season, will be monitored throughout and, if deemed successful, could become a permanent part of the training regime.

(24/12/02)

Break Brings Bonus
Last Saturday's weather-induced break from action means that the injured duo of Jered Stirling and John Bradford will probably be available for selection this week. In addition, long-term crock Paul Bonar might also be fit enough to be considered.
 
Shire Match At Cliftonhill
In spite of what is published in this week's edition of the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, Saturday's match against East Stirlingshire will take place at Cliftonhill, NOT Shire's Firs Park. Also not on Boxing Day as stated in The Metro.
 
Players Prepare Properly
Although Rovers' players will, in common with almost everyone else, have Christmas Day off to spend with their families, the festivities will be cut short as they report for training on the morning of Boxing Day. Any excess of turkey and Christmas pudding will therefore be worked-off fairly quickly.
 
Airdrie United Poser
Claims that Airdrie United are in financial trouble are as yet unsubstantiated, but on the "no smoke without fire" principle, there may well be something simmering away in the background. Certainly, Rovers currently know nothing about any moves to resurrect the deal which would see our neighbours coming to share at Cliftonhill, but it could be an option.

(21/12/02)

Blank Saturday
Rovers slipped to joint second after the game at Forthbank was postponed. Leaders Peterhead were at home to 4th placed East Fife and despite going 2-0 up eventually drew the match 2-2. This was the ideal result for Rovers as either team getting all 3 points would have given them a clear margin at the top.

(20/12/02)

Match Off
Rovers' match against Stirling Albion tomorrow is off, due to a frozen pitch. One of the first of many to be cancelled, it will be rescheduled for a midweek date later in the season.
 
Lumsden Reaches 15!
No, it's nothing to do with the likeable Sassenach's age! Last Saturday's booking in the match against Queen's Park has taken Todd Lumsden's disciplinary points total for the season to fifteen, just three short of the eighteen required for a period of automatic suspension.

(17/12/02)

Reserve Match Off
Tonight's scheduled reserve match against St. Mirren has been postponed due to the condition of the Love Street pitch. Manager Peter Hetherston revealed that had the game gone ahead, long-term injury victim Jered Stirling would have played for at least part of the time. It could be, therefore, that the classy left-sided player will feature in Saturday's squad to play Stirling Albion.

(16/12/02)

Reserves In Action
Rovers' reserves travel to Love Street, Paisley tomorrow night to take on the St. Mirren second string. KO 7.30pm.

(14/12/02)

Rovers Lose The Plot
Rovers relinquished top spot to Peterhead on goal difference this afternoon. Ironically Peterhead were also 2-0 down at half time but managed to win 4-2. Queen's played much better than their 9th place league position suggests they'd be capable of, nevertheless Rovers (Scott Shearer excepted) didn't play well. The 3rd division is now wide open as the top four teams are separated by just a single point, Queen's climbed to 7th.

The busiest people at Cliftonhill seemed to be the St. Andrews Ambulance folk. Their ambulance left for Monklands Hospital with Queen's player Quinn whose leg was broken in a misjudged Silvestro tackle in 11 minutes. Then they had two collapsed fans (at least one of whom was a Queen's fan) to help, the ambulance was back a few minutes later to take them to the hospital too. Right at the end they had yet another Queens player to transport to hospital, we're not sure what happened to him as no free kick was awarded.

(13/12/02)

Coulter Released
Rovers have announced that midfielder James Coulter has been released from his contract. It is understood that a disagreement with management resulted in the player, who had 6+9 appearances this season, being freed.
 
Car Stickers Now Available
General Manager John Reynolds advises us that the Rovers' car stickers have now arrived. The stickers, at £2.50, will be on sale in the Club Shop from tomorrow. The long-awaited club scarves, however, have not yet materialised, so potential purchasers will have to wait a little longer.
 
Stirling Only Absentee?
Manager Peter Hetherston reports that long-term injury victim Jered Stirling is the only regular squad member unlikely to be considered for inclusion in the side to meet Queen's Park at Cliftonhill tomorrow afternoon. As previously stated, the influential Kevin McAllister will resume in midfield. Former Rovers favourite Paul Martin is still in charge of the Spiders until a new manager is appointed.

(12/12/02)

Scorers
Thanks to an email from someone in the know we can tell you that the scorers against Queens Park Reserves were Iain Diack (2) Andy McLeish and Mark Weir.

(11/12/02)

Reserves & Under 18s Win
Rovers' reserves had a comprehensive 4-1 win over Queen's Park at Lesser Hampden last night. Earlier in the day, the under 18s had an equally impressive 5-2 victory over their Greenock Morton counterparts. Sorry, but do not have details of scorers for either match.

(10/12/02)

Reserves In Action Tonight
Rovers' reserves are tonight playing their Queen's Park counterparts at Lesser Hampden, with a 7,30 kick-off. It is expected that manager Peter Hetherston will take the opportunity to assess the fitness of some players in a team which is likely to be a mixture of experience and youth.

(9/12/02)

"Real" Manager of the Month!
Last Thursday Rovers' players and coaching staff presented manager Peter Hetherston with a gallon bottle of whisky in recognition of results during the month of November. They (and many others) considered the award of the official title to East Fife's Jim Moffat as an insult, and made their point in this tangible fashion.
 
Lumsden to Miss Cup-Tie
Because of bookings received in last season's Scottish Cup competition, influential midfielder Todd Lumsden will be ineligible for the tie against Queen's Park at Hampden on Saturday January 4th. While Lumsden - having a great season - will obviously be missed, there is no shortage of back-up available and confidence will still be high.

(8/12/02)

'Tic Opt Out Of Shearer Race
According to a report in today's Sunday Express, Celtic have dropped their interest in Rovers' goalkeeper Scott Shearer. The report states that Martin O'Neill has been sufficiently impressed with his own under-21 'keeper David Marshall - fourth in the Parkhead queue behind Douglas, Hedman and Gould - that he has adequate cover for the position. The report concludes by saying that it now leaves the door clear for Everton to step in for him.

(7/12/02)

Top
Rovers went top of the league with a 2-1 win at Raydale Park, Gretna. Although under par in the first half Rovers second half display was impressive. The ball was cleared off the Gretna goal line several times and Duncan rattled the post too. Chris Silvestro and "Big" Jim Mercer were the scorers. The official crowd of 289 made Rovers (allegedly) inflated figures seem plausible, a good percentage of the crowd being made up with travelling fans who braved the cold and minor games on the TV.

Manager of the Month
Iain Macdonald, Bell's Sponsorship Manager comments: “Jim Moffat has had a very impressive month. He has been instrumental in keeping East Fife at the top of the division for almost three months, as well as driving the team forward towards what could be their first champion title in 55 years.”

Wasn't the award for November, not the season to date?

(6/12/02)

Paterson Out
Any thoughts of Andy Paterson returning to the squad for tomorrow's visit to Gretna have been shattered. The defender's injury has not yet cleared up and he misses the trip.
 
Dugless!
No, we haven't misspelt someone's name! Read on. We're told that a Rovers' fan (so far unidentified) volunteered to represent the club in the talent search on the Tam Cowan "Offside" TV show with a dog who does an impression of Archie McPherson - honest! Arrangements were at an advanced stage (strip and scarf etc ordered) when the fan had to withdraw from the show as his mother refused to let the dog appear! You'll have your own thoughts about the reason!

(5/12/02)

Manager Of The Month
We asked the authorities who it was who chose Jim Moffat over Silky for the accolade and were told the following.

"Every month we ensure that the judging panel is made up of Scottish sports journalists and representatives from the Scottish Licence Trade News.

Representatives from Bell's and the SFL are always present when the judging is made although to remain neutral they do not vote.

This month the judging panel was made up of representatives from Scotsport, the Daily Record, The Sun, The Glasgow Evening Times, Sunday Herald and freelance sport writers."

So it's blame all round then!

Stevenson Released
Craig Stevenson, signed at the start of the season, has been released by the club. He played only once in the first team - against Hamilton Accies in the CIS Cup - and was on the bench another couple of times. With little prospect of more appearances, he asked to be released to further his career elsewhere.

 
Injury Update
The bad news is that Jered Stirling is most unlikely to be fit enough to be included in the squad for Saturday's match with Gretna. Slightly better news is that Andy Paterson is rated 50/50 to make it and that Jim Dick will probably be included.
Complete good news is that Chris Silvestro, now free of suspension, will definitely be in the side.
 
Another Absentee?
Due to a family bereavement, Rovers are likely to be without influential veteran Kevin McAllister on Saturday. Although the final decision will be left to the wee man himself, it is thought that he will miss the trip.
 
Bounce Match in Perth
This afternoon a Rovers' party travelled to take on a St. Johnstone side on the astroturf at the Perth club's stadium. Although it was a primarily youthful Coatbridge side, it included Chris Fahey and Jim Dick.

(4/12/02)

SFL/Bell's Snub Silky
The November Bell's manager of the month award (3rd division) has gone to East Fife manager (also a former Rovers goalie) Jim Moffat. East Fife have done well this season but this award is for the month of November alone. The people who decide these things need to pay a visit to this planet!

Here are the November facts :-

Rovers     : Won  4  Drawn  1  Lost  0  Goals For  10 Goals Against  3  Points 13
East Fife  : Won  3  Drawn  1  Lost  1  Goals For  13 Goals Against  6  Points 10

One other thing the first match of the month of November was at Bayview, Methil and the score was East Fife 0 - 4 Albion Rovers.

McLean Column
The 3rd edition of the much applauded Charles McLean column has been added to the site.

Click HERE

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