Latest January 2003

(31/1/03)

Game Off
Tomorrows match at Elgin has been called off due to snow on the pitch!

(30/1/03)

Elgin Weather

A report from Elgin this morning suggested that Saturday's match has a reasonable chance of going ahead. As things stand at the moment, Rovers are still planning to travel north on Friday evening.

Injury-Free Squad

Manager Peter Hetherston reports that he has no injury problems to complicate matters ahead of Saturday's match, with a full squad available.

Transfer News

Although the transfer "window" closes tomorrow, it is looking unlikely that apart from Mark Yardley there will be any more new faces at Cliftonhill in the immediate future. Of course, the "window" does not apply to unattached players, so there is still the possibility that there could be moves on that score at any time.

Hetherston at B&Q

No, our manager hasn't got a job on the side! This morning, Peter was star guest at the official opening of the new B&Q warehouse in Coatbridge to hand over charity cheques, principally one from the new store to Airdrie Hospice. Of course, there was the usual crack about there being more people present than attend Cliftonhill on a Saturday - hardly a novel comment! Nevertheless, having now established contact with the giant DIY company, there could be some significant sponsorship on the way. We'll let you know.

Click to enlarge

(29/1/03)

Possible New Date

Rovers have suggested to Stirling Albion that the match postponed from 21st December be played on Saturday 29th March, the day Scotland play Iceland in a European Championship qualifier. If agreed by all parties - including the SFL - the match is likely to have an early kick-off to allow fans to get home in time to see the international on TV.

(28/1/03)

Reserves Draw
Rovers reserves (including Chazz McLean, Chris Fahey, Lee Duncan and Jock McStay) drew 1-1 with Hamilton Accies at Cliftonhill. Accies went ahead in 78 minutes with a quality individual effort from Darren Gribben, John McCaig equalised in 87 minutes.

Yardley Signs!

Experienced St Mirren striker Mark Yardley today signed for Rovers until the end of the season. It is hoped that Yardley, an unused substitute for Saints at Celtic Park on Saturday, will solve the dearth which has led to only two goals being scored in the last four matches.

Reserves Tonight

Rovers' reserves take on Hamilton Accies at Cliftonhill tonight in the latest of the league matches. Jim Dick, red-carded in last week's reserve defeat by St. Mirren, misses this one, bearing out the rule that a player dismissed from a game is suspended from the next match in that specific competition. Until this rule change, such a sending-off would have meant the player being barred from the next first-team match, as we recently wrongly suggested.

Shearer Sent To Coventry!

Scott Shearer is again on his travels! This week, the goalkeeper is at Coventry City's Highfield Road under the watchful eye of manager and former Scotland internationalist Gary McAllister.

(27/1/03)

Yardley
Mark Yardley while appearing on the Tam Cowan show "Offside" tonight said he wasn't off to the Rovers just yet but to "watch this space". It seems that St. Mirren are offering cash to some players to leave before the transfer window closes on Friday, therefore reducing their wage bill. Whatever happens we wont have to wait long to see.

(26/1/03)

Elgin Turmoil

As Rovers prepare to travel to Elgin on Saturday, the former Highland League club are apparently short of players. Yesterday they failed to muster enough bodies to fulfil a McEwan's Lager North Cup match against Brora Rangers. In addition, manager Harry McFadden is reported to be "infuriated" that at the last minute, former Ross County Alex Bone had reneged on a promise to join the Borough Briggs club, opting instead to join Peterhead. They have however just signed former Rover John Gallagher.

Kerrigan Puzzle

In spite of yesterday's buzz that former player Steve Kerrigan had signed for promotion rivals Morton, today's Sunday Mail reports that Rovers are ready to tie up the Halifax Town striker until the end of the season. The official Stirling website claims he played in a bounce game for them yesterday and was signed afterwards! We'll check it out as soon as possible.

Shearer Update

Also in today's Sunday Mail is the news that Coventry City are the latest club to show interest in Scott Shearer. The report goes on to say that Gary McAllister plans to take the big 'keeper to Highfield Road for a trial with a view to completing a deal. As the transfer window slams shut on Friday, there isn't much time left.

(25/1/03)

Fifers Hold Rovers
Rovers were held to a 0-0 draw (their first since March 30th 2002) by an inferior East Fife team. Rovers outclassed the Fifers for most of the game but couldn't score. Stevie Kerrigan (who today signed for Stirling Albion instead) and Mark Yardley didn't feature in this, Rovers last game before the transfer window closes on Friday.

(24/1/03)

Yardley For Rovers?
According to www.stmirren.com Rovers are talking with Buddies Mark Yardley. The 33 year-old 6'2" striker has been at Love Street since 1995 when they signed him from Cowdenbeath for whom he scored a barrel load of goals, he has also scored a fair number of goals for the Paisley side. Yardley has failed to score so far this season in the 17 games he played in, mostly he has only played part of these matches. Whether we'll see him or Stevie Kerrigan (who could play as a trialist) tomorrow against East Fife remains to be seen.

(23/1/03)

Jim Dick Red-Carded

Confirming a posting on the Message Board, Jim Dick was sent-off in this week's reserve match against St. Mirren (Rovers lost 2-1) and will therefore be unavailable for selection for Saturday's vital match against East Fife.

Transfer News

General Manager John Reynolds reports that nothing official has yet happened regarding players in or out. As John is the person responsible for registrations etc, he would know if anything concrete had taken place.

Youngsters Farmed-Out

Under-18 prospects Chris Mackie and Chic Connelly have been farmed-out to junior side Cumbernauld United to give them more competitive experience.

(22/1/03)

PH at B&Q!

In recognition of his achievements and his standing in the local sports community, Rovers' boss Peter Hetherston - probably accompanied by a few players - will formally open Coatbridge's new B&Q Superstore on Thursday 30th January. Could this "honour" lead to some sponsorship from the store? We hope so.

(21/1/03)

Kerrigan To Return?
30 year old 6'1'' striker Stevie Kerrigan may (according to the Daily Record) be returning to Cliftonhill after a nine year absence. Lastly with Halifax Town (loaned out to Telford United latterly) who were his sixth club since departing Coatbridge Stevie has scored a fair number of goals and was attracting interest from higher league clubs but has suffered a few niggling injuries.

(20/1/03)

East Fife
East Fife will be visiting Cliftonhill on Saturday. They lost 5-3 on penalties (2-2 after 90 mins and 120 mins) to Hamilton Accies tonight in the Scottish cup 2nd round replay at New Bayview. Rovers can get their promotion bid back on track, four points behind but with a game in hand on the league leaders. Rovers will return to second spot if they win as Morton are playing in the cup.

Sportsman's Dinner
Arrangements for this event, scheduled for Airdrie Town Hall on Friday 30th May, have now begun and we'll keep you posted as to their progress - or otherwise.

(19/1/03)

Youths
Rovers under 18's romped home to a 7-0 win over Berwick Rangers at Cliftonhill this afternoon. Chris Mackie bagged 4, Mark Weir 2 and Jamie Valentine got the other one. The under 16's didn't fare as well as the lost 4-1 at Ayr United, Gary Murray got their goal.

Rovers In The Adverts
For an all too modest fee a pic (of Iain Diack with some Airdrie players) taken from this site is being used in a TV advert for Bell's whisky. The advert which can be seen on STV (probably during Scotsport today as well as other unpredictable times) shows a newsagent turning two piles of papers over to the back page to emphasise the importance of football versus news. The headline says Rovers win 3-2 and the pic under it is from the pre-season Airdrie United v Rovers game which of course ended up 0-0.

The same pic along with our match report can also be seen in local newspaper ads for Bell's in a few areas of Scotland (none very near Coatbridge unfortunately) and in bus shelters in the same areas. This ad shows a newspaper front page with the huge headline Albion Rovers draw 0-0 and a small story in the corner of the page saying "Nuclear power station planned for high street", once again showing how important football is compared to other things. Apparently the newspaper/bus shelter ad is one of six featuring "small" clubs in vaguely similar stories.

If you spot the newspaper/bus shelter ads I'd be interested to know where it was and what you thought of it!

Click here to go to match report for Airdrie game (the pic in question is the 5th from the left, which can be clicked to enlarge it).

(18/1/03)

Rovers Lose At Greenock
Played throughout like a cup-tie Rovers went down 2-1 at Cappielow this afternoon. Captain Jim Mercer scored Rovers goal. Manager Peter Hetherston was sent to the stand late on and it seemed that sub goalie Chris Fahey was booked at the same time despite not playing. There has been friction between the two benches on more than one occasion with assistant Jock McStay and Ton manager John McCormick having words.

A full report including pics and a mini-movie of Rovers goal is here.

Ex-Rovers in the News

Midfielder James Coulter, recently released by Rovers, has joined junior club Bellshill Athletic and makes his debut today in the fourth round of the cup against Kelty. Ally McMillan - at Cliftonhill under John McVeigh - has also returned to the lower leagues, having joined Irvine Meadow, managed by another former Rover in Robert Reilly.

McGrillen "No"

According to today's Scotsman newspaper, Peter Hetherston has "failed to attract Paul McGrillen to Cliftonhill". One down, one to go?

(17/1/03)

General Update

Manager Peter Hetherston has no injury problems to complicate his selection for the vital match against Morton at Cappielow tomorrow. On the transfer front, there is nothing concrete to report, although we understand that the boss was today "speaking to a player". The fact that Morton were also reported to be in touch with the same unnamed player adds a degree of intrigue to the situation.

New Column
Charles McLean has written a new edition of his column. Click HERE to read it!

(16/1/03)

Transfer News

Although any deal for Dumbarton's Joe Robertson is now off, the names of Steven McAnespie and Paul McGrillen are still very much in the frame and an announcement about both or either could be imminent.

Dates Poser

The late, late goal scored by East Fife at Hamilton last night has put the rescheduling of matches on the back burner. The situation now looks like this. Should East Fife fail to beat Accies in Monday's replay, they will come to Cliftonhill on Saturday 25th to play the previously-postponed league match. However, should the Fifers win the replay, Rovers will go to Forthbank on 25th to play the outstanding match against Stirling Albion. The only doubt about this latter proposal is that Stirling seem less than willing to make arrangements for a match at comparatively short notice, ie they won't know the situation until Tuesday. Nor will we, of course. We'll let you know as soon as the matter is resolved.

Facelift For Cliftonhill Frontage

To coincide with the launch of the new-look Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, the panels above the Cliftonhill turnstiles have been given something of a fresh look. This was completed on Tuesday but you probably wouldn't have noticed at the cup replay due to the lack of light.

Click to enlarge

(14/1/03)

Cup Exit
Rovers exited the cup by losing 2-0 to Queen's Park in the long awaited replay. Usually fans are happy for the cup to relieve the boredom of the league but this season we'll be glad to get back into league action. On the evidence of tonight fans think a new striker is required ASAP. Before any queries it, yes the official attendance tonight was 404 as on the fixtures page, no it's not my estimate of the crowd either.

A full report including a pic is linked here.

(13/1/03)

Game On!

With the temperature having risen and the frost cleared, the Cliftonhill pitch is now soft and perfectly playable. So, barring a weather disaster, tomorrow night's cup replay will go ahead as planned. General Manager John Reynolds has stated that season tickets WILL be valid for this match which, contrary to the information in some sections of the media, will kick-off at 7.30 pm.

Full Squad

We understand that manager Peter Hetherston has the pleasant task of choosing his sixteen players from a fully available squad, with Todd Lumsden back in contention.

Transfer News

Although certain Message Board postings have suggested otherwise, we are told that no transfers, in or out, are likely to happen in the immediate future. Of course, some managers tend to keep their cards close to their chest in such matters, so we might just be wrong!

(11/1/03)

New Striker?
According to tomorrows Sunday Mail "Albion Rovers are set to hand former Motherwell striker Tom McGrillan a return to senior football." We presume they mean 31 year-old Paul McGrillan who has played for no less than 7 senior teams, last seen with the now defunct Clydebank.

(10/1/03)

Game Off!

Tomorrow's top of the table clash with East Fife as fallen victim to the weather and has been postponed. Referee David Somers visited Cliftonhill around one o'clock today and after a brief inspection had no hesitation in declaring the surface unplayable.

Game On?

Even allowing for the current state of the Cliftonhill surface, the weather forecast gives some hope that Tuesday's scheduled Cup replay against Queen's Park will take place. Conditions will be monitored over the weekend. If the match is postponed again on Tuesday it'll be rescheduled for 24 hours later.

Vacancy At Parkhead

With Celtic goalkeeper Johnathan Gould leaving for Preston, there is presumably a vacancy for another goalkeeper at Parkhead. Could this mean that they will move for Scott Shearer? Because of the well-publicised visits the big lad has made to the SPL club in recent weeks, such a move would be no real surprise.

(9/1/03)

Awards Made
As you can see the Rovers trio were given their awards by Bell's today at Cliftonhill.

They are (l-r) Scott Shearer, Peter Hetherston, Jimmy Lawson

SFA Youth Grants
The SFA today announced its annual youth grants. The grants totalled more than £750,000 with £21,000 being the top grant made to member clubs. The top award went to 22 clubs including all but Partick Thistle of the SPL with Queen's Park and Stirling Albion the only 3rd division teams in the top band. Rovers were among 8 clubs awarded £14,000 which was the second highest band. There were another 27 clubs who got awards ranging between £3,500 and £10,500. Quite why Rovers failed to reach the top award remains to be seen. The full list can be found on the SFA website.

(7/1/03)

Rovers Win Treble!

The success currently being enjoyed at Cliftonhill has at last been recognised! For December, boss Peter Hetherston has been named Bell's Manager of the Month and in-demand goalkeeper Scott Shearer has been selected as Young Player of the Month. Completing a notable trio is long-serving jack-of-all-trades Jimmy Lawson, the Fan of the Month. Three trophies at the one time!

Well done lads!

Carr at Ochilview

Today's Herald reports that Stenhousemuir manager John McVeigh has signed teenage striker David Carr, released by Rovers in November.

(6/1/02)

New Column
Reporter & match commentator on Radio Forth Tom Miller has written a column for the site. Click HERE to see what he's got to say.

Cup Replay Off

Tomorrow's Scottish cup replay against Queen's Park has already been called off due to the freezing conditions. It is now scheduled for next Tuesday, the 14th, with a 7.30 kick-off. As the weather forecast is less than optimistic, even this early in the week Saturday's home match against league leaders East Fife must also come into the extremely doubtful category.

Shearer Update

Although there are undoubtedly moves going on in the background regarding the immediate future of goalkeeper Scott Shearer, we understand that at the moment there is nothing concrete to report. We'll let you know as soon as there is anything to announce.

(5/1/03)

Robertson Wanted

According to today's Sunday Mail, freed Dumbarton midfielder Joe Robertson is being chased by Alloa Athletic and Albion Rovers.

(4/1/03)

Cup
Rovers and Queen's will have to do it all over again on Tuesday at Cliftonhill (weather permitting). Rovers started brightly with Iain Diack scoring with Rovers first attack in just 2 minutes but faded away soon after. With no SPL games and nearly all the other cup matches being postponed this game had live radio coverage and TV cameras for highlights as well as many press photographers. Unfortunately there was little to excite the media. The spiders equalised in 62 minutes and looked more likely than Rovers to snatch a winner.

Many Rovers fans missed the goal due to the Hampden authorities only having two turnstiles open for a (probably larger than expected) crowd of 1117. An unusual occurrence was the half-time substitution of referee Hunter. He had apparently taken an elbow accidentally in the mouth (whose elbow we don't know) and had treatment in the first half. One of his assistants took over as referee while a substitute ran the line.

The 3rd round draw made just after the game has given Rovers (should they win the replay) a home tie against Hamilton Accies or East Fife whose game was postponed today. Their game has been rescheduled for Tuesday at the Ballast Stadium. If either game is postponed or the Accies v East Fife game goes to a replay it shouldn't affect Rovers playing East Fife at Cliftonhill next Saturday in the league. The Accies game (and probably Rovers game too) would be rescheduled for the following Monday.

A full report including pics is linked here. No mini-movies this week as I didn't capture anything too interesting.

Live
Today's cup game at Hampden is being broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland as the game originally being broadcast (Ayr Utd. v St. Johnstone) has been postponed. This channel is not only available in Scotland, it can be heard on Sky digital channel 866 and also on the net click HERE.

Update
With many games off and some still in doubt after 12 noon it's comforting to be going to Hampden with its undersoil heating (paid for by taxpayers and lottery punters). Whatever the result the rewards for the winners will be known before most of us get home from Glasgow as the 3rd round draw is live (ironically from Hampden) from 5.05pm on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC1 and Sky. The 3rd round game will be on Saturday 25th January.

(3/1/03)

Cup News
According to tonight's Evening Times, Queen's Park gaffer (and ex Rovers stalwart) Paul Martin has only 15 fit players for tomorrow's cup clash with Rovers which is said to include some under 18 players. Peter Hetherston on the other hand will have a fully fit squad to chose from, with only the suspended Todd Lumsden is unavailable.

Rovers last Scottish cup match against Queen's was precisely 17 years before (4th January 1986) also at Hampden. Rovers have to avenge the 2-1 defeat that day and even up our cup record against Queen's which will currently stands at won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2.

(1/1/03)

2nd Place
As expected Rovers today slipped to 2nd place, as they weren't playing. They (and Morton) were leapfrogged by East Fife who left it late to beat 9th placed Montrose 2-0. Rovers do have a game in hand over the Fifers and will be able to regain top spot in the next league game when the Fifers visit Cliftonhill on Saturday January 11th.