(28/2/03)
Peter's Pocket Picked!
Boss Peter Hetherston has been fined £250 by the SFA's General
Purposes Committee for his comments to the media following the mini-fracas
during the match against Morton at Cappielow. However, as exclusively revealed
here yesterday, that's only part of the punishment, as on 18th March he will
appear before the organisation's Disciplinary Committee to answer charges
on the original offence.
(27/2/03)
Reserves Lose
A young Rovers' reserve team tonight lost 5-1 to an experienced
Stenhousemuir outfit at Ochilview. Rovers fielded just one first
team player in John McCaig and he scored the visitors' goal. On the bench -
basically helping out and evaluating - was Kevin McAllister and youth
supremo Jimmy Lindsay reports that he, Crunchie, was most impressed by the
performance of some of the Cliftonhill babes.
Manager's Misdemeanours
We're told that Peter Hetherston's visit to HQ today was to appear before
the General Purposes Committee, the body which deals with off-field
matters, in Peter's case his assertions to the media following his sending to
the stand against Morton. As the decisions of such a body are normally
transmitted by letter to the individual or club, it may be a few days before
it is known. As far as we are aware, Peter must also appear before the
Disciplinary Committee at a future date to answer the charges relating to the
actual offence.
Sportsman's Dinner
Sales of corporate tables for this event continue to be made and well over
50% have now been snapped up. Tickets for the "upstairs" supporters'
section should be available soon and those intending to attend are asked to
make a move sooner rather than later.
(26/2/03)
Rovers Survive A Fright
Rovers were 3-0 up and cruising until the
second half. Then 3-1 and 4-1 when a Rowe own goal restored Rovers lead which
was just as well as they lost another two goals. Mark Yardley got his first
competitive goal for his new club and Rovers claimed all three points so the
large Rovers travelling support weren't complaining too much.
Tommy Cooper (Rovers
cameraman) was public enemy number one with the Stirling authorities and had his
camcorder confiscated for the duration of the game. All because he hadn't got permission
from the Stirling chairman.
The BBC had no less than
four people with cameras filming and interviewing the fans (they don't own the
rights to film the play). This may or may not be broadcast sometime in the
future.
A full report including pics is linked here.
(24/2/03)
Blue Toon On 11th
Following Saturday's postponement, Rovers moved quickly to contact
Peterhead and it has been agreed that the match will be played on Tuesday 11th
March with a 7.30 pm kick-off.
Shearer Update
We've contacted Coventry City about the
big man and this is what they said.
"As it stands, we are currently negotiating
about signing Scott in the summer from Albion Rovers, although nothing has
been finalised as yet. Gary McAllister spoke about Scott training with us in
the early part of the week, although I don't know whether this has happened
yet!"
Reserves Share Spoils
This afternoon at Cliftonhill, Rovers' reserves took on their counterparts
from St. Mirren and shared the points in a no-scoring draw. Rovers, with
a sprinkling of first team members on display, were unlucky not to win.
In the first half, they struck the woodwork twice within a few seconds and
after the interval had a shot kicked off the line.
Hetherston D-Day
We hear that manager Peter Hetherston is due to appear before the beaks on
Thursday to answer charges arising from his conduct at Cappielow in the match
against Morton. Could we have seen the last of Silky in the dug-out this
season? We'll let you know.
Mackie Back From Cumbernauld
17 year-old striker Chris Mackie, recently "farmed-out" to
Cumbernauld along with midfielder Chic Connolly, has been recalled to
Cliftonhill from the junior outfit. Although Connolly is playing quite
regularly, Mackie was virtually ignored and played only a total of
ten minutes of one match.
(23/2/03)
Reserves
For those of you with a free afternoon the reserves are again in
action tomorrow (Monday) at 2pm when they meet St. Mirren at Cliftonhill. It
seems almost certain that the pitch will be playable, although it'd seem
unlikely that first team players will be playing as they're due to play on
Wednesday at Stirling.
(22/2/03)
Match Off
Referee Brian Martin (not the match referee) called off today's
match against Peterhead at 12.45. This was shortly before the Blue Toon supporters bus arrived. Understandably the fans were
less than impressed as they headed to Big Owens for a few drinks before heading
back home. An initial pitch inspection at around
11.15 failed to decide if the game was on or off.
Referee inspecting pitch
Click to enlarge
(21/2/03)
Shearer For Coventry
Today's Herald confirms recent rumours about Scott Shearer by reporting
that he will join Coventry City when the transfer window reopens. The fee
quoted is £25,000, but we have it on good authority that various clauses have
been added; clauses which will bring additional revenue if and when Scott
plays a stated number of first team games etc etc. Strangely though, today's
Sun says Scott and the club are in the dark as to when anything is going to
happen!
Injury-Free Squad
Manager Peter Hetherston has the luxury (or is that "problem"?)
of having a full squad from which to select tomorrow's sixteen to face
strong-going Peterhead. The weather in Coatbridge on Friday has been quite
mild so the prospects of the Blue Toon game going ahead looks good - watch
this space!
Under 18s Penalty Nightmare
Although the match took place a couple of weeks ago, we have just learned
that Rovers' Under 18s lost 4-1 away to Cowdenbeath, mainly through
conceding three penalty-kick in just six second-half minutes. No doubt
some of our youngsters have a recurring nightmare about that one!
This Site
We
gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance given by the Board of
Directors towards the upkeep of this site. To retain the domain name and web
space - as well as the necessary data transfer (5-6000 visits a month uses a
fair amount) - costs money, and the contribution means that the site will keep
going for the foreseeable future. The site shall remain unofficial, so we
don't have to take it easy on rogue "men in black", other clubs or
their players (or indeed the Rovers themselves for that matter)!
(20/2/03)
Pitch Playable?
This morning the Cliftonhill pitch was quite hard - not rock hard -
but flat. Groundsman Hugh McBride, having taken note of the weather forecast,
considers that Saturday's match has a better than even money chance of
going ahead. Although the League is generally anxious that inspections should
take place on the Friday - especially for "distance" matches -
such is the increasing backlog, it's thought that this one might be left until
early Saturday morning. We'll keep you posted.
New Awards
In addition to the usual "Supporters' Player of the Year" and
"Players' Player of the Year" awards, Rovers have instigated
incentives at all levels of their youth training scheme. Starting as early as
the Under 8s and continuing up to the Under 18s, there will be recognition for
the player who has shown most improvement during the season. It is likely that
these awards will be presented at the annual Sportsman's Dinner in May.
Sportsman's Dinner
Corporate tables for this event continue to be taken at a satisfactory
rate, the latest being booked by none other than our Monklands rivals,
Airdrie United.
(19/2/03)
Reserves Postponed
Tonight's reserve match at Stenhousemuir was
postponed due to a frozen pitch. It will now be played on Thursday 27th
February.
(18/2/03)
Reserves Draw
This afternoon Rovers' reserves made the short trip to Falkirk and
returned with a share of the points from a creditable 1-1 draw. Rovers' goal
was scored by a Jered Stirling penalty-kick in 30 minutes. The composition of
Rovers' team is not known, but we suspect that there would be a few first-team
squad members on the field
Date Confirmed
Further to yesterday's information on new dates for postponed matches, we
can now confirm that Montrose will visit Cliftonhill on Tuesday 4th March.
Stenny Reserve Match Tomorrow
Youth coach Jimmy Lindsay informs us that the reserve league match due to
take place against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview next week has been brought
forward and will now be played tomorrow night (Wednesday) with a 7.30
kick-off. Because of today's match at Falkirk, Jimmy reports that tomorrow
night's team will comprise mainly youngsters. The reserves are again in
action next week when they will meet St. Mirren at Cliftonhill on Monday
afternoon, KO 2 pm.
(17/2/03)
Dates Change - Again!
Although we can confirm that the away match against Stirling Albion will
definitely take place a week on Wednesday, 26th February, the visit to
Borough Briggs to play Elgin City has reverted to Saturday 29th March,
(the date originally suggested before Tuesday 4th March was proposed as an
alternative) with a 1pm kick-off. As the home club, this change back
is, of course, the prerogative of Elgin City, so those travelling supporters
who wished to attend the Scotland v Iceland match have again been thwarted.
With regard to last Saturday's postponed fixture against Montrose, Rovers
are proposing to use Tuesday 4th March as the new date. We'll confirm this
as soon as possible.
"Weiry" Off
As revealed in the latest edition of Charles McLean column, under 18
player Mark Weir has left the club at his own request. It is understood that
Weir, on the fringes of the first team squad this season, has taken a job
outside the game and wished to revert to part-time status. However,
manager Peter Hetherston considered it unlikely that as a part-timer the
player would develop to the necessary level, as a result of which he has
left the club.
Fans' Forum Postponed
The Fans' Forum scheduled for Thursday 27th February has been postponed.
There is nothing sinister in this decision; it's simply that on that same
evening there are two televised European football matches, one of which
involves Celtic. We'll let you know as soon as the event is rescheduled.
(15/2/03)
New Column
Read the new edition of the Charles McLean column HERE.
Match Off
Today's match against Montrose has been
postponed due to heavy overnight frost.
(14/2/03)
Shearer "To Sign"
According to some of today's papers Scott
Shearer is to sign a pre-contract deal with Coventry City in the next couple of
days. This means he would remain with Rovers till the end of the season
when his contract expires. No transfer fee is applicable in such cases however a
compensation fee would be payable to Rovers as the big man is under 23.
(13/2/03)
New Dates - Again!
It has now been agreed that Rovers' trip to Forthbank to play Stirling
Albion will be on Wednesday 26th February with a 7.30 pm kick-off. In a move
which will please followers of our international team (are there any left after
the most recent fiasco?), the Elgin City officials have apparently rejected
our suggestion that the postponed match between the clubs be played on
Saturday 29th March. They have now suggested the evening of Tuesday 4th March,
and if the League authorities agree, that will be the date. Elgin on a
Tuesday night - doesn't bear thinking about!
(11/2/03)
Reserves Win
Rovers' reserves tonight beat their Hamilton Accies counterparts 3-1 to
progress to the next round of the Reserve League Cup. It was a splendid
display by the Cliftonhill second string which was bolstered by the
inclusion of Jim Dick, Mark Yardley and Charles McLean. Although going
behind to a Mark Keegans goal in the first minute, Rovers refused to panic
and drew level through Yardley in 28 minutes. McLean put them ahead in 57
minutes and Yardley sealed the win from the penalty spot (73) after Andrew
Sinclair had been pulled down in the box. Rovers are away to Brechin City in
the next round.
Diack and McNab
Iain Diack, who missed training on Monday with a shin knock, has
recovered well and will be available for selection on Saturday. However, the
news about under-18 star Willie McNab is not so good. Following today's
examination of the injured hand which diagnosed more bone trouble than
was originally thought, he has been told to do nothing for four weeks. So
instead of resuming training as he expected, the youngster must remain on
the sidelines.
Sportsman's Dinner
General Manager John Reynolds has announced that the principal speakers at
this year's event on Friday 30th May will be sports presenter Tom Miller,
former Motherwell footballer John Gahagan and charismatic Livingston boss Jim
Leishman. Around half of the corporate tables have already been booked
and tickets for the supporters' section will be available soon.
Supporters' Forum
John Reynolds has also proposed that the next Supporters' Forum be held in
the club lounge on Thursday 27th February at 7.30 pm. We should be able to
confirm this date in the next few days.
(10/2/03)
Diack In Gym
The only casualty from Saturday's momentous Hampden encounter is striker
Iain Diack who was unable to join the rest of the squad for training
today. Instead, the pseudo-blond did some gym work more suited to his current
ability.
Another Supporters' Club?
There arrived at Cliftonhill this morning a letter from a gentleman by the
name of R Pemberton who resides in darkest Walsall in the midlands of
England. Mr Pemberton, a long-distance Rovers' supporter for a number of years
(initially converted to the cause through being captivated by our
colours in a collectors' magazine, or similar) has decided to set-up a Walsall
Supporters' Club and is asking for advice. We don't think there's
anything particularly formal he needs to do, but you, of course, may know
different!
Dick Goal?
As more facts begin to emerge from Saturday's dramatic finale at Hampden,
it's beginning to look as if Jim Dick (a 66th minute substitute for Chris
Silvestro) has a valid claim to be entered in the record books as the scorer
of the vital equalising goal. A definitive decision is expected soon.
(9/2/03)
Reserve Fixture
Next Tuesday evening, 11th February, Rovers' reserves are in action at
Cliftonhill against Hamilton Accies in the Reserve Cup, kick-off 7.30 pm.
Following the recent exciting 1-1 draw between the sides, another interesting
encounter is on the cards, with the winners travelling to play
either Brechin City or Raith Rovers in the next round.
Sportsman's Dinner
Arrangements for this eagerly anticipated event are gathering pace, with
half the corporate tables having now been snapped up. One speaker already
booked for the evening is popular broadcaster - and contributor to this site -
Tom Miller, a regular at the dinner and always interesting. Although
other speakers still have to be confirmed, it is hoped that Livingston's Jim
Leishman will also be on the bill.
(8/2/03)
All Square
Referee Hardie cost Rovers two points at the
National Stadium this afternoon. In a poor game with new boy Mark Yardley
contributing virtually nothing Queen's were awarded a penalty when the ball hit
Chris Silvestro on the arm. It was 100% obvious to all but the most moronic
Queen's supporters he could not have moved his arm out of the way.
Queen's Sinclair received his second
yellow and a red for stupidly kicking the ball away in ninety minutes. Rovers
pushed forward with even keeper Scott Shearer entering the fray on two separate
attacks. The equaliser came approximately four minutes into injury time. At this
stage we're not sure who scored it but it may well have been Shearer (watch this
space). As a result of the draw Rovers dropped to 4th with Peterhead taking 3rd
place on goal difference.
A full report including pics
and a mini-video of Rovers goal is linked here.
(7/2/03)
Fit and Raring To Go!
With all his top players free of injury, boss Peter Hetherston has the
pleasant problem of who to leave out for tomorrow's trip to Hampden. As new
acquisition Mark Yardley is certain to play, at least one of the regular squad
strikers is going to be disappointed.
McNab Plastered
On Tuesday, under-18 star Willie McNab broke a scaphoid bone in his
hand and is currently in plaster. We understand that the bone in question is
"very important" and will take some time to heal. In the meantime,
the youngster is banned from training until further notice.
(6/2/03)
Europe Blow For Rovers!
Should Rovers be successful in being chosen to be the Scottish team to try
out the new generation of artificial turf, they would not be allowed to play
anything more than domestic matches on it. Although this would be a real
set-back in that no European matches could take place on the turf, the
Board has decided to press ahead with the application!
(5/2/03)
Must-Win Game
Rovers' boss Peter Hetherston has designated Saturday's match against
Queen's Park at Hampden as a "must-win" game. The fact that Queen's
ousted Rovers from the Scottish Cup adds some extra spice to an already
important clash which Rovers enter with a clean bill of health. New signing
Mark Yardley will certainly feature from the start with his co-striker likely
to be Iain Diack, scorer of eight goals this term.
(3/2/03)
No Transfer
Last Friday's rumour of a late transfer "window" departure from
Cliftonhill appears to have been unfounded. We understand that the playing
staff remains unchanged.
New Elgin Date?
In a move which will further anger those supporters keen to take in next
month's Scotland v Iceland international, Rovers are hoping to persuade
Elgin City to rearrange last Saturday's postponed match for that date, 29th
March. As previously reported here, it was originally suggested that the
outstanding fixture against Stirling Albion be pencilled-in for that
date, but as it is clearly much easier and desirable to go to Stirling than
Elgin on a midweek evening, there has been this rethink. Watch this space!
Sportsman's Dinner
With arrangements for this event now beginning to take shape, it
is pleasing to report that twelve of the thirty corporate tables - each
seating ten - have been booked. With three months still to go before the
evening, the signs of success are already favourable.
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