Latest July 2003

We hear that manager Peter Hetherston is tracking a former young Rover currently plying his trade in the junior ranks and if the money side of things can be sorted out, he could well re-appear in the Coatbridge colours. We'll keep you posted.

Manager Peter Hetherston declared himself well satisfied with Tuesday night's performance and result against First Division Raith Rovers. "It just shows how far we've improved in a week ", he said, "because the overall showing was much better than against Airdrie United last Wednesday." The boss refused to let the late red-carding of Mark Yardley deflect him from his aim of being ready for Saturday's Bell's Cup match against East Fife, and he is confident that the rest of his squad will adequately compensate for the striker's absence.

Elgin
As expected the game against Elgin at Cliftonhill scheduled for 27th December has been switched to 6th September. This Saturday was free as Scotland play that day, the kick-off is likely to be 1pm to avoid a direct clash.

Albion Beat Rovers
Rovers (of the Albion variety) turned in a very good second half performance to beat Raith 2-0 tonight. Outstanding performances from many, Crunchie McAllister & Fahey especially pleased the home fans. Kevin McAllister scored his first (in public at least) goal for Rovers and David Farrell got the other. One black spot was Mark Yardley getting a red card from infamous referee Cammy Melville in the dying seconds, which will, we understand, keep him on the sidelines on Saturday.

In their first match of the season, Rovers' under-19s lost by 2-1 to a strong Hearts team yesterday afternoon. Goalkeeper Swain was outstanding for Rovers whose goal was scored by Selkirk.

Former Rovers' goalkeeper Scott Shearer, now finding his feet at Coventry City, seems to be quickly making a name for himself. Playing in the Bill Halsey Memorial Cup for his new club at the weekend, his match (against Oxford) went to straight to penalties after a goalless ninety minutes to find a winner. He emerged as the star, not only saving two opposition spot kicks earlier in the shootout, but also scoring what turned out to be the winner when he saved the next one (fittingly taken by the opposition goalie)! Final score 9-8 can't be bad!

Striker Signs?
According to some of today's papers Paul McManus has signed for Rovers. The 20 year old who was with Raith Rovers last season was involved in a controversial transfer from East Fife last August. Raith offered around £10000 for him while East Fife wanted something much more substantial. In the end Raith signed the player and a fee of £15000 was decided upon later by a tribunal.

Raith fans were shocked when manager Antonio Calderon released the player halfway through a two year contract a couple of weeks ago. Assuming he comes straight into the team his first two matches are against his old teams, Raith on Tuesday and East Fife on Saturday both at Cliftonhill.

According to a report in today's press, Stranraer (and Queen of the South) have withdrawn from the Scottish Reserve League to compete in a South of Scotland League. This could mean that they will not now take part in the Reserve League Cup, giving Rovers a bye into the Second Round where they will meet either Hamilton or Gretna.

The following clip appeared in today's Herald. "Permission to stand in the technical area will be granted this week by the SFA, but only to managers. Everyone else must take a seat in the dug-out. Clubs will be alerted by letter that referees have been told to impose the FIFA rule that only one person should stand, as lack of space has led to problems at some grounds in various countries."

Former Rovers' striker Steve McCormick, who left Cliftonhill with former boss John McVeigh, has signed for Elgin City where he links up with a number of former colleagues.

Kilmarnock and Harthill Juniors are the latest clubs to contact Rovers about playing pre-season friendlies. However, although a match against the Rugby Park side is an attractive proposition, commitments already in place might possibly rule it out.

General Manager John Reynolds reports a "healthy interest" from fans wishing to purchase Season Tickets for the forthcoming campaign. Although actual figures are obviously not available, it seems as if the exploits of the last couple of seasons have fired the imagination.

Defeat
Rovers lost 1-0 tonight at Cliftonhill in a tight game against Airdrie United.

Airdrie Game
Please note that season tickets are not valid for tomorrows match, admission is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

In spite of what we wee told a few weeks ago, it now transpires that midfielder Chris Silvestro might after all require an operation to repair his damaged knee. Speaking to the player in Dublin, he told us that the operation-or-not decision is delayed until 4th September. So, although he is doing some light training at the moment, it may be in vain.

As mentioned in the Dublin report, striker John Bradford lasted only three minutes of the first tour match before an awkward tackle led to him being carted off. In obvious discomfort - and on crutches - it's clear that Braddo will miss the opening matches of the new campaign.

The Undefeated
Both Rovers teams will return from Dublin tomorrow undefeated. The first team beat Malahide 3-0 at Dalymount Stadium (home of Bohemian F.C.) on Friday night. New signing David Farrell got the 1st and Mark Yardley got the 3rd. The 2nd was an own goal.

On Saturday the youth/reserve (really just the youths with Jock McStay added) team drew 0-0 and the first team drew 1-1 both against Belgrove United teams. Mark Yardley got the Rovers goal. This morning our youth team beat Manortown United 4-2.

On a sour note, striker John Bradford picked up a nasty knock on Friday which saw him spend the weekend on crutches. He's expected to be out of action for a few weeks.

Full tour report with pics will be on the site tomorrow (once we get a good sleep to recover from the Dublin traffic).

Tour
If you're desperate to know the scores from Dublin keep an eye on the message board. We don't anticipate any scores being on it till Saturday evening, by which time three of the four matches (two for the first team and one for the reserve/youth team) will have been completed. The Sunday reserve/youth game result will be up that afternoon or evening. Today's match against Belgrove United will take place at Bohemians ground Dalymount Stadium, at 15000 capacity it's a bit larger than we're used to.

We anticipate a reasonably comprehensive report of the matches and of course pics to be on the site sometime on Monday.

Now that the scratchcards have reached (or indeed, exceeded) their useful life, Rovers are re-introducing the 50/50 draw scheme on a limited scale. Although this system of generating funds has previously been tried, this time it will be a more modest affair, with sales confined to fans on match days.

Airdrie United
Admission to the game against Airdrie next Wednesday will be £5 adults and £2 concessions.

Tour
Tour opponents Belgrove United have just completed an amazing season, League Champions, FAI Intermediate Cup winners and the Whynn Cup winners in a space of ten months, the Dublin side drew 0-0 with Carlisle United last night. Therefore they should provide a reasonable test for Rovers.

With another full-scale practice match tomorrow before heading off to Dublin on Thursday, Rovers' preparations for the new season are proceeding according to plan. As far as we are aware, only newcomer David Farrell has actually signed a contract, but we expect things to hot-up following the weekend's exertions.

Scott Shearer
The big man had a winning debut for Coventry City on their tour of Germany when they beat Suhler SV 2-0. The Coventry website had this to say "New ‘keeper Scott Shearer made a good start to his City career, looking competent in between the sticks, with quick thinking and good kicking. The Scot pulled off a great save in the first half, throwing himself full stretch to push striker Andre Klien’s shot round the post as he moved in one-on-one."

He did blot his copybook slightly by giving away a penalty later in the match which was blasted over the bar. He didn't play in the second match of the tour when City were beaten 5-1.

Foreign Invasion?

We hear that training with Rovers are an American and a Canadian, with the latter apparently something of a Bobo Balde look-alike. Although it's obviously early days, and it may not come to anything, to have such a presence in a Third Division defence would be something special. We also hear that new signing David Farrell impressed in Saturday's bounce game.

We can now confirm that the player who joined yesterday was David Farrell, the defender/midfielder who has seen service with Oxford United, Hibs, Partick Thistle, Airdrie and Stranraer, At Stair Park last season, Farrell is an experienced performer who may have been brought-in to fill the role vacated by the departed Todd Lumsden.

Rovers have added another new coach to the Cliftonhill staff, but this time it has nothing to do with the playing side, being instead a replacement mini-bus! The old vehicle - veteran of many a trip to the outposts of Scotland - had a very high mileage on its clock and may not have seen out another season. So, it has been retired and a new one acquired.

The new mini-bus provides an exciting opportunity for some enterprising firm to have their name spread the length and breadth of the country as the vehicle is on its travels. Rovers would not be too hard to deal with as far as cost is concerned, so there must be some company out there who would benefit. Contact the club before someone beats you to it!

We understand that a player (whose name must remain confidential for the moment) was due to visit Cliftonhill to put pen to paper for the new season. Assuming that there were no hitches, the player - with SPL experience - will be the first addition to the squad, with more expected to follow.

In spite of a disappointing series of results in last week's Shell Foyle Cup in Londonderry, Rovers' youth supremo Jimmy Lindsay is adamant that the exercise was worthwhile. Through a general policy decision to play lads at least one year younger than their opponents, Rovers won only one of the matches in their various age groups. Nevertheless, Jimmy is not downhearted as the same squads can play at similar levels next year - only older and wiser!

The renovation of the Boardroom and Guestroom areas of Cliftonhill continues apace, with the structural work now completed and the first coats of paint drying. There's no doubt that the changes will look good and will hopefully serve their purpose of attracting more match-day sponsorship to the club. Watch out for pics of the revamped facilities.

Manager Peter Hetherston today declared himself "well satisfied" with progress towards ensuring the fitness of his squad for the approaching season. On Saturday the lads spent the day at the Westerwood complex in Cumbernauld where training, sauna and a balanced meal were supplied. According to the boss, the training was wholeheartedly entered into by all the participants.

Although the entire complement of last year's retained players have now formally signed, new faces are still being sought. The manager admits to being in earnest discussion with a number of potential acquisitions but is playing his cards so close to his chest that he hasn't yet even told the Board who they are!

Season Tickets
General Manager John Reynolds has now taken delivery of the new season tickets. These can be purchased from Cliftonhill at the usual times. For prices click HERE.

Game Off
Now that Rovers are playing Airdrie United on the 23rd of the month, the match which was pencilled-in for the 12th has been scrapped.

Foyle Cup Update
Things have not gone well thus far for the two Rovers teams taking part in this youth tournament in Northern Ireland. Following their first match defeat the under 14 team lost 3-0 to Stockport County and 3-1 to Tobermore United. The under 16 team haven't fared any better losing 2-1 to Derry and District Youth and 4-1 to Shankhill Youth.

Further Update
The under 14 team lost to Ballinamallard 5-4 on penalties after their match ended 1-1. The under 16 team lost 1-0 to Armagh City in their match. Both teams will play tomorrow and Saturday when the tournament closes. Take a look at www.foylecup.com for further information.

The Shell Foyle Cup
The annual international youth tournament got underway in Northern Ireland today. Rovers have two teams participating this year, an under 16 outfit and an under 14 one too. Unfortunately the under 16's were beaten 5-0 by Ardmore Rovers this afternoon, the under 14 team were also beaten 5-0 this time by Down & Connor.