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June 2004

(29/6/04)

Meeting Update
About 35 fans turned up at Corsewall Street tonight for the meeting which was chaired by Peter McClurg and former director Eddie Hagerty. Current director Robert Watt was in attendance although it was in a personal capacity not as a representative of the club and therefore he couldn't divulge details of possible deals etc. which shall be revealed to shareholders on Thursday. Catherine Reilly who is company accountant and secretary of family firm Reigart who are shirt sponsors and major shareholders in the club was also in attendance. A fair percentage of the attendees were shareholders.

After introductions the pros and cons of moving to Airdrie were listed. Pros were no maintenance costs, excellent facilities for fans and corporate guests, suitability of the stadium to host matches against any opponents and a boost to club prestige. The cons were the poor location and the effect it would have on the fan base, losing the main asset of the club, rental of the stadium including increased stewarding costs and loss of income from mobile phone masts, advertising boards (both trackside and the ones inside the ground pointing onto Main Street).

The legality of the board of directors signing a deal without the express permission of shareholders was discussed although the board had previously stated they would call an E.G.M. before doing so. The amount estimated to meet the minimum standards to satisfy the authorities and gain a safety certificate was stated as being not as high as presumed and potentially affordable. The possibility of a large capital gains tax bill (a factor in the demise of Airdrieonians) was discussed although there are apparently ways to get round this.

Frustration at the unavailability of a current or even a remotely current balance sheet was expressed by all as any decision may stand or fall on the indebtedness of the club. Amounts currently owing to directors (namely chairman Andrew Dick and financial supremo David Wright) is also unavailable.

The proposed youth training academy in Langloan was mentioned as not having been confirmed and doubts were cast over gaining permission for it hosting matches at any level if a lease was granted. The possibility of a supporters trust being established was briefly discussed without getting into too much detail or any definite plans being mentioned.

Options for the redevelopment of Cliftonhill were raised without any details although we're assured that a few organisations may be interested. These would involve the company using part of the land for other purposes whilst building a new stand for the club.

There was discussion about the possibility of non-shareholders attending Thursday's meeting as proxies for shareholders not attending and also as proxies for some shares of attending shareholders too. Whether non-shareholders would be allowed into the meeting or not remains to be seen.

The general mood of those in attendance was against any sale of Cliftonhill although realisation of the need to provide viable alternatives was evident.

(27/6/04)

Supporters' Meeting
A meeting for supporters (shareholders or not) has been arranged for this Tuesday (29th June) and will be held at Corsewall Street Community Centre starting at 7.30pm. We understand former director Eddie Hagerty is one of the organisers of the meeting and that the purpose is to discuss the probable move to Airdrie.

Busy Schedule
Having added cup dates to the fixture list it has become apparent that August could be a very busy month for Rovers. The team will have seven matches to play if they reach the second round of the Bell's and CIS cups.

(24/6/04)

Fixtures Released
The SFL today released the fixtures for season 2004-2005 and they can be found on the fixture page. One thing that sticks out is the busy schedule around new year with a visit to Gretna scheduled for Monday 27th December and home games against Queen's Park on January 1st and Peterhead on Monday 3rd January.

(23/6/04)

Meeting
Rovers posted letters to shareholders yesterday (your webmaster is still waiting for his) inviting them to an informal meeting on Thursday of next week (1st July) at Cliftonhill to discuss the stadium situation, time 7.30pm.

Silvio
Today's A&C Advertiser had an article about Chris Silvestro not having signed a new contract yet. The article says that the midfield maestro who was given a contract for the whole of last season despite the club knowing he wouldn't feature much due to his cruciate ligament injury has only been offered part-time wages on a full-time contract. The wee man who only featured in the final three games of the season has we understand been offered terms no less favourable that last season and given the option of playing part-time too. Another article in the same edition of the paper quoted Kevin McAllister as hoping to have Silvio signed within the week.

No further player have signed as yet but having seen the thickness of the "frees" list which is circulated to all clubs Crunchie still has plenty of time to boost the squad.  

(10/6/04)

Signings
Youngster Marc McKenzie and captain Jim Mercer signed new 1 year contracts today.

Pre-Season
Kevin McAllister tells us that he has lined up the following friendlies (all away from home)

Bo'ness United on Tuesday 20th July

Camelon Juniors on Thursday 22nd July

Ayr United on Tuesday 27th July (not necessarily at Somerset Park)

In addition Crunchie is looking to arrange matches for the 17th and 24th of July which are both Saturdays. CIS cup winners Livingston had offered to play Rovers on the 24th but changed their minds when the offer was accepted, apparently they prefer to play Brechin City!

Leonardo Da Vinci
Youth supremo Jimmy Lindsay will be jetting off with his under 19 side for three weeks courtesy of the legendary artist/scientist who died in 1519. The great man left money in trust to pay for things that were beneficial to people after his death. The trip will last three weeks comprising of the last week of July and the first two weeks of August. The destination isn't yet known but will be in Austria, Holland, France or the Czech Republic. Once the destination is known Jimmy will make a two day trip to check the facilities.

Stadium Update
Cliftonhill remains unsold at present and no deal has been signed to lease the Airdrie stadium although both deals remain more than likely. Discussions about a training facility with North Lanarkshire Council continue as do discussions about the purchase of land for pitches. A farewell match is a possibility although not certain.

(4/6/04)

Signings
John Bradford and Graeme McCaul have put pen to paper and signed new contracts.

Stadium
John Reynolds tells us that the club shall be announcing proposed plans for the club's future within the next fortnight.

We have learned from sources NOT connected to Albion Rovers that the new owners of the Airdrie stadium are Centenary Group Ltd. who paid £800,000 for it. Apparently the company were given preferred bidder status (as were Dudley Group and Stevie Archibald earlier) on the Friday 7th of May which was (as we understand it) before the Rovers put in their bid.

(2/6/04)

Update
General manager John Reynolds has confirmed that the Advertiser story is essentially correct. Chairman Andrew Dick is exploring a leasing arrangement for the Airdrie stadium with the new owners agents despite not knowing the identity of the buyers. The identity of the new owners will become a matter of public record in the near future.

Although there are disadvantages of leasing as opposed to buying one major advantage of leasing the stadium would be no responsibility for repairs which could be expensive. Also the club would have a cash reserve to spend on the team.

The setting up of a training academy in Coatbridge (which could also be Rovers base of operations) is also being pursued.

Players
A few players are expected to put pen to paper before the week is out, a new defender or two as well as at least one regular from last season. 

Pre-Season
Kevin McAllister has received an invitation from an SPL side for Rovers to play at their ground, provisionally Saturday 24th July has been set aside. We shall let you know when it has been confirmed.

Stadium Bid "Fails"
Today's A & C Advertiser reports that Rovers bid to buy New Broomfield has failed. The paper says that the rival bidder (whose identity is not publicly known) probably won as they could pay much sooner than Rovers who had to wait some months until the deal to sell Cliftonhill was completed. 

Chairman Andrew Dick is quoted as saying "The new owners have been in contact with us and have suggested that we could have a deal to play at the stadium. If it's viable then we will take that option." He went on to say "But the league fixtures are out soon and time is running out and the league need a decision probably within the next week or so. If we can't come to an arrangement, we would have no alternative but to remain at Cliftonhill - I certainly can't see us sharing with Aberdeen!."

He also said "But it has always been our intention to leave Cliftonhill. It is now way beyond repair and has been for a considerable time and is needing massive amounts of money spent on it. We will just have to wait and see but, as I said, time is running out."

Airdrie United have 24 years of a 25 year agreement to play at the stadium remaining.

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