(30/7/08)

Cup Draw
The draw was made today for the 2nd round of the Alba Challenge Cup and Rovers have been given an away tie at Cowdenbeath on Tue 12th or Wednesday 13th August. Rovers also visit Central Park the following Saturday on league business!

The cup is now sponsored by MG Alba formerly called Gaelic Media Service the organisation are launching a Gaelic language TV channel later this year.

Update
The league have issued the following

The Scottish Football League are delighted to welcome MG ALBA as the new title sponsor of the Challenge Cup for season 2008/2009. The Challenge Cup will now be re-named The ALBA Challenge Cup.

This new partnership will run for this season’s competition with options for renewal for further seasons.

This new partnership will allow us to significantly increase the total prize fund for this year’s competition, but more importantly will include two live broadcasts, of one Semi-Final and the Final itself.

Our aim has always been to improve the coverage and profile of the Challenge Cup and to increase the awareness of the true community spirit attached to the competition. By rescheduling most of the rounds to Saturdays or Sundays on international weekends, we are giving the competition its own unique place in the calendar where possible.

This new partnership links the community aims of both organisations and provides live coverage of two very important games in the competition.

I would like to welcome MG ALBA to The Scottish Football League, and look forward to the remainder of The ALBA Challenge Cup.

CEUD MILE FAILTE 
David A. Longmuir
Chief Executive, SFL

(28/7/08)

Cheerleaders
Saturdays league opener at Cliftonhill against Forfar Athletic shall be brightened up by cheerleaders the club have announced.

SFA Warning
Rovers have received a formal warning about their disciplinary record last season. Should no improvement be evident this coming season it's odds-on that a fine would be forthcoming.

Of last years 3rd division sides Forfar Athletic were fined £4000 (£1000 suspended) and Arbroath £1000, impressively champions East Fife received a commendation for their low tally of cards for the season (couldn't they give them a share of the accumulated fines?). Various other penalties and commendations were meted out at all levels of the senior game by the authority, the highest fine being £40,000 (£10,000 suspended) incurred by Hearts.

(25/7/08)

Funeral
The service for Bobby Bell is being held on Tuesday at 2.15pm at Daldowie crematorium. A service will be held in his house for family and friends at 1.15pm.

(24/7/08)

Bobby Bell
We regret to announce that long time Rovers fan and club employee Bobby Bell has died, our sympathy goes to his family. We shall post the funeral details once known.

(22/7/08)

Rovers v Rovers
The draw for the first round of the C.I.S. cup was made at Hampden today and our Rovers have been drawn at home to Rovers of the Raith variety. The game is to be played on Tuesday 5th August or Wednesday 6th. As Tuesdays are our traditional midweek day odds are that it shall be the anointed day but that has yet to be confirmed.

Over recent years many players and indeed managers have moved between Kirkcaldy and Coatbridge (not necessarily directly though) but the only former Cliftonhill favourite on the books at Starks Park is Chris "Silvio" Silvestro.

Board Changes
The following statement has been received

"The Board of Directors wish to announce the following changes:

1) Patrick Rolink has resigned his position as a Director but he will remain as the Club's Commercial Manager. Patrick's business and comedy commitments have placed increasing demands on his time and he is unable to contribute as much as he would wish to mapping out the future direction of the Club. Patrick has done more than anyone to raise the Club's profile in and beyond the local community, and on behalf of the Board I wish to record our thanks for his input over the past 3 years. 

2)Neil Welsh has resigned his position as a Director. Neil has been a good friend of the Club over many years and has contributed significantly through sponsorship and other fund raising activities. On behalf of the Board I wish to record our thanks and wish Neil and his wife, Margaret, every success.

Additions to the Board will be announced in due course.

Frank Meade
Chairman "

Your Webmaster has spoken to Neil Welsh and he has explained that his resignation is due to pressure of business and that he will still be seen at Rovers matches from time to time. Neil has also been a good friend to the supporters trust and our thanks are also forwarded to him.

(20/7/08)

Accies Prices
The admission price for the match against Hamilton Accies on Tuesday (22nd July) has been set at £5.

Tour Summary
Friday evening saw Rovers take on Tow Law Town at their Ironworks Road ground. Rovers took the lead in the second half when McKenna had a header, seconds later the Lawyers equalised from around 30 yards seconds later. The County Durham side bagged the winner with 5 minutes remaining after weak defending.

Rovers starting line-up was along the lines of Mitchell, McGoldrick, McGowan, Rab Walker, Donnelly, ?, Smith, ?, Pollock, McKenna, ?. There were of course several substitutions.

On Sunday at the Brewery Field Spennymoor Town were the opposition. Ten minutes in David Scott saved a penalty, a couple of minutes into the second half Rovers were awarded a penalty which the homesters 'keeper saved from Willie Martin only to see Pat Walker fire the rebound into the net. A corner combined with good play by Pat Walker led to Tommy Coyne putting the ball over the 'keeper from very close range. With five minutes left The Moors grabbed a consolation goal between Scott and his post.

Your webmaster and other travelling fans were made welcome at the grounds and an especially big thanks goes to the fans and officials of  Spennymoor who made for a very enjoyable day.

Starting line-up : Scott, Benton, McGowan, ?, Hughes, Donnelly, Ferry, Wright, Barr, Martin, Pat Walker.

A selection of photos and a couple of videos from these matches shall be on the site tomorrow.

(18/7/08)

Tour Updates
As we shall be on the tour the website shall not be updated until Sunday evening or perhaps Monday. You can find results and some details of the tour games when available on the message board.

Barr Signs
Bobby Barr who was on loan from St. Johnstone last term has signed a contract to keep him at Cliftonhill.

(17/7/08)

Stein Cup
A sell-out crowd at Cliftonhill tonight saw a Celtic side including Dane Thomas Gravesen and Scotland international Derek Riordan, who bagged the visitors fourth, win 4 -1. Rovers were four down when Pat Walker scored a cracker after a long run.

(15/7/08)

Assistant Appointed
Paul Martin has announced that his assistant shall be Paddy Connolly. The 38 year-old had a long and varied playing career starting at Dundee United under legendary manager Jim McLean then Airdrieonians, St. Johnstone, Ayr Utd., Stirling Albion and Brechin City with whom he also held a coaching position.

Ciaran Signs On
Midfielder Ciaran Donnelly has put pen to paper on a new one year contract to keep him at Cliftonhill 

(12/7/08)

Bobby Bell
Long time club employee and fan Bobby Bell is seriously ill in intensive care and we wish him well.

Bounce Game
A Rovers team beat Albion Thistle from Airdrie 4 - 1 at Cliftonhill this afternoon. Rovers used around 20 players during the match which could have easily ended up 10 - 1 although admittedly the best goal of the game was a 35 yarder by the Airdrie side.

New Signings
Paul Martin has added striker Tommy Coyne and Gary McKenna to his squad. Coyne is the son of former Celtic, Motherwell etc. player of the same name. He was released by Dumbarton gaffer Jim Chapman in April. McKenna is the latest player signed from Harmony Row.

(8/7/08)

New Manager
The club have made the following statement.

The Board are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Martin as the new manager of Albion Rovers Football Club.

Paul had indicated his interest in the position while on a business trip from which he returned today. Whilst several excellent candidates applied for the position Paul has been from the outset the Boards first choice. The Board decided no discussions be held with other applicants until after a meeting with Paul to discuss the opportunity.

Paul met with the Chairman today, after brief discussions this evening the Board were delighted to offer and for Paul to accept the position.

Paul has been busy over the past few days sounding out his assistant and scouting contacts. Barry and John will stay on in their coaching and phsyio capacities again the Board are delighted to keep these guys as part of the clubs setup. Their efforts last season were invaluable to the club with this preseasons work well underway many of the players feeling this has been their hardest preseason training in years and they feel at their fittest.

We now look forward to an exciting season with a settled team, a manager who knows all the players having worked with them last season and being involved in bringing the new players to the club.

John Cornfield

Director

Paul Martin was of course assistant to John McCormack who resigned 12 days ago to join Hamilton Accies. A Rovers stalwart easily identified on the pitch by his ponytail, he left around 10 years ago and subsequently joined Queen's Park. He went on to manage Queen's Park on a temporary basis after John McCormack left the Hampden side and was also Dumbarton manager.

(7/7/08)

New Signing
Rovers have signed 21 year-old full-back Martin McGoldrick from Harmony Row who supplied the club with Stephen Donachy and Gordon Lennon a few seasons ago.

(3/7/08)

New Team Elected
Annan Athletic beat the other four contenders to become members of the SFL after a vote at Hampden this afternoon.

ANNAN ATHLETIC
Formed:1942.
Manager: Harry Cairney.
Stadium : Galabank (capacity 3500).
Colours : Black and gold stripes.
Nickname : Black and Golds or Galabankies.
Recent honours : Won SFA Challenge Cup last season, beating Edinburgh City 3-2 in final.  Won East of Scotland Premier League four times.  Tennents Scottish Qualifying Cup (South) winners 2006-2007.
Old boys : Davie Irons, Ryan McGuffie and Colin McMenamin.

The Dumfriesshire found it is second time lucky, having failed in their bid to join the SFL in January 2000 when Peterhead and Elgin won the vote.

They were regarded as the club best equipped to replace former neighbours Gretna. The SFL's main concern was Annan's lack of floodlights but they plan to have them installed for August.

Home  Contact Us  Club Information  Fixtures  League Table