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Archive Latest March 2002
(30/3/02)
5.00pm Rovers
failed to convert several chances at Cliftonhill to draw 0-0 with Montrose. If
Rovers had managed to score they'd have gone equal second with Dumbarton who
lost 2-0 at Elgin and overtaken Peterhead who drew 1-1 at Brechin.
That draw was enough for Brechin to
clinch the championship. Although a couple of 0-0 draws this week were
disappointing Rovers still have an outside chance of promotion - a win at
Peterhead next Saturday would certainly help!
9.30am It has been reported today that John
McVeigh may sign Samuel Leveneur recommended to him by the players cousin
(Frenchman Didier Agath of Celtic). McVeigh signed Agath while with Raith Rovers
and has stayed in touch ever since. The Scottish signing deadline is imminent so
they will be little time to mull over the decision.
Paul Bonar and Chris Silvestro are doubtful
for the Montrose game due to injury while Jamie McKenzie is still suspended.
Todd Lumsden should be available for selection after his suspension has been
served.
(27/3/02)
Rovers came away with a point from Elgin a few hours ago.
Click HERE
for a report and photos.
(26/3/02)
Please note that due to the travelling
time from Elgin there will not be any mention of the result on the site until
after midnight (maybe even tomorrow evening depending on tiredness etc. although
the message board may have something).
Confirmation has been received from Elgin City that there is absolutely no
problem with their pitch and that tonight's match will go ahead as scheduled.
Incidentally, there has been a change of referee for the fixture, with Craig
Mackay replacing Alan Freeland.
Injury Update
From information received, it would seem that only Chris Silvestro and Paul
Bonar comprise the current injury list. Manager John McVeigh must be relieved
that what at one time was quite a lengthy catalogue of patients has now been
reduced to a more manageable size
(25/3/02)
Under-18's Win
Rovers' under-18's yesterday beat Stenhousemuir for a morale-boosting
victory in their mini league cup section. Described by coach Jimmy Lindsay as
a "comfortable" 2-1 win secured by goals from David Carr and
Michael Fulton. The youngsters' next match is this Friday when they take on
Hamilton Accies at the Ibrox astroturf complex with an 11am kick-off.
(23/3/02)
With Montrose and Peterhead both losing today Rovers comeback
from a goal down at Firs Park today boosted hopes of promotion quite
significantly. Rovers now stand fourth in the table, two points behind Peterhead
and four behind Dumbarton. Elgin City who are hosts to Rovers on Tuesday beat
Champions elect Brechin City 3-1.
Click HERE
for a report and photos.
(21/3/02)
Saturday's Bus
Because of the early kick-off in Saturday's East Stirling v Rovers match,
the supporters' bus will be leaving an hour earlier than usual, ie at 1pm.
Last Day "Do"
With the end of the season fast approaching, there have been talks about
the form of the reception for sponsors - Quidders and otherwise - at the
final competitive match against Elgin City on Saturday 27th April. Although
the affair will probably be quite low-key, it would greatly assist if those
intending to be present would let us (or John Reynolds at the club) know as
soon as possible.
(19/3/02)
Late
News Semi-final Defeat
Rovers slumped to a 3-0 defeat at
Gayfield tonight in the reserve league cup. We don't yet know if Arbroath did
field most of their first team as previously suggested but will no doubt find
out.
Late
News Promotion Hopes Dented
Wins for Dumbarton and Peterhead tonight severely dented Rovers chance of
promotion. Rovers are now 5 points adrift of 2nd placed Peterhead although now
level on games played. Congratulations to Brechin City who clinched promotion
tonight, there's no doubt they'll clinch the championship before long.
Early Start On Saturday
We can confirm that Saturday's match away to East Stirlingshire will
kick-off at 2 pm. Shire, still having problems with their floodlights, are
taking no chances with the weather (at least from an overcast point of view)
and have therefore arranged the one hour advance.
Under 18's News
Last Sunday Rovers' youngsters travelled to play East Stirlingshire and
came away with a creditable 2-2 draw. Scorers for Rovers were Buchanan and
Connolly. This coming weekend they will be in action against
Stenhousemuir, probably at Cliftonhill. We'll try to confirm the venue and
time later this week.
Reserve League Cup
Tonight (Tuesday) Rovers' reserves are at Gayfield Park, Arbroath to play
the Angus team in the semi-final of this competition. We wish them good luck
and hope to have the result on this site later tonight.
(17/3/02)
Cup Semi at Arbroath
In spite of initial information to the contrary, Rovers' Reserve League Cup
semi-final against Arbroath will now be played at the Angus club's Gayfield
Park on Tuesday 19th March. We understand that because the Red Lichties had a
blank day yesterday (they were due to play Ayr United) they will be fielding a
virtual first eleven in the match. Is that cheating? No, not quite, but surely
it's against the spirit of the competition? So, let's hope that the boys in
yellow see off their hosts and make it through to the final.
(16/3/02)
Rovers promotion hopes took a dent today as they dropped to
fifth in the league when they drew 1-1 with Dumbarton at Cliftonhill. Although a
setback rovers are just two points from that vital second place. Martin Harty
was the scorer of Rovers goal. Both sides ended up with 10 men, Stewart Easton
was Rovers bad boy with a double booking.
Click HERE
for a report and photos.
(15/03/02)
Personnel Problems Persist
For tomorrow's vital game against Dumbarton, boss John McVeigh's
selection nightmare continues as Todd Lumsden, Jamie McKenzie and Steve
Hamilton are all suspended while Paul Bonar and Ryan McMullan are sidelined
through injury. With Steve McCormick also rated as doubtful, it's easy to see
why the gaffer might just have a sleepless night.
Oldie For Oldham!
It is reported that English outfit Oldham Athletic have signed former
internationalist Andy Goram until the end of the season. Although they had a
look at Rovers' Scott Shearer last month, they have obviously gone for the
short-term solution to their goalkeeping problem rather than prepare for the
future.
Stone-Faced McVeigh?
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson is to have a statue of himself erected in
his home town in Sweden. If Rovers get promotion, could we see an effigy of
John McVeigh at Coatbridge fountain?
(14/03/02) Old Boy Found
Through thorough investigation (ok, by accident) we've found
that former Rover Alex Nesovic is now playing for Dundalk. Although he was only
with Rovers for a short time in 1999 he was well regarded by some. It's his
third Irish club to date.
(12/03/02)
Under-18's Go Down
Rovers' youngsters lost by 4-2 to local rivals Hamilton Accies at the
weekend. Played on the astroturf opposite the front door of Ibrox Stadium,
Rovers were well in contention until Accies netted twice against the run of
play to take the points. Scorer of both Rovers' goals was Michael Fulton.
(11/03/02)
Elgin Game Off
Tomorrow's game at Elgin was postponed this afternoon.
Not surprising when you read about snow drift up north! It's
expected to be rescheduled for Tuesday 26th March.
Silvio Junior!
It's congratulations to midfielder Chris Silvestro who
this morning became the proud father of the proverbial
bouncing boy.
The newcomer weighed in at 7lb 3oz, and it's rumoured
that Jimmy Lindsay has already pencilled him in for this
weekend's youth team!
Injury Update
John McVeigh reports that Steve McCormick, Ryan
McMullan and Paul Bonar would have been missing from the
squad for Elgin on Tuesday. It could be, however, that at
least one of them will be ready to resume against
Dumbarton in Saturday's vital promotion battle. The
manager also confirmed that Scott Murdoch, who flirted
with a first-team place around the turn of the year, is no
longer part of the Cliftonhill scene.
Sportsman's Dinner
General Manager John Reynolds reports that Friday
evening's dinner was a great success. Scheduled speaker
Jimmy Nicholl was unable to fulfill his engagement due to
duties with his current club, Dunfermline. However,
Dundee United boss Alex Smith and referee Bobby Orr
stepped in at the last moment to join broadcaster Tom
Miller and comedian Joe Cammy at the top table. The
evening's auction brought in a significant amount of
money, with one diner paying £1,000 for an autographed
Pierre van Hooijdonk shirt.
At Last
Well here it is www.albionrovers.com is live. A couple
of things aren't there yet but there should be enough for
the moment. I shall be adding last seasons information and
photos soon. I'll also be adding some completely new
features too. If you spot any broken links to other pages of
missing pics etc. please let me know by EMAIL.
Programme Plea
Wanted by a collector is a Programme from the East Fife
v Albion Rovers Cup replay of December 2000. Anyone
willing to part with a copy should contact Andy Morrison
(in person) or us via EMAIL
(09/03/02) Win at
Hampden
An emphatic 3-0 victory against Queen's Park today saw
Rovers leapfrog Montrose to go equal 3rd with Peterhead.
They're just one point behind next week's opponents
Dumbarton who are in 2nd place.
Click HERE
for a report and photos.
The End Is Nigh
This site will cease to be sometime this weekend but
don't panic AlbionRovers.com will take over at the same
time. It's taken a long time to get the paperwork finalised
and get the site up and running but hopefully will be worth
it. It shall have a few features not on this site, such as
player profiles although not everything will be there
initially we shall be adding to it over the next few weeks.
PremierChamps.com will still be present to point people to
the new site but the name is for sale at the right price if
you're interested.
(08/03/02) Rovers' Rage
At Ref
Following last Saturday's Cliftonhill debacle when
there were three cards of red, eight of yellow and
a total of 58 fouls, Rovers have lodged an official
complaint against referee Cammy Melville. Totally unhappy
with the standard of refereeing, Rovers now await a reply
from the authorities.
(07/03/02) McVeigh Wins -
and Loses!
Today's Herald reports as follows :- "John McVeigh
believes he has restored his reputation in football despite
losing a £45,000 compensation claim against Raith Rovers.
Club directors contested McVeigh's claim for the pay-off,
saying they asked him to quit as manager because he had
assaulted former goalkeeper Guido van de Kamp and bullied
members of the youth team. However, McVeigh was awarded £4,000
at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in lieu of a month's wages and
unpaid bonuses after the allegations were thrown out and
McVeigh was judged not to have resigned".
So, our manager's reputation is indeed restored, and that's very
important for him and his current employers. The fact that he will
not receive the claimed compensation is obviously disappointing
for him as an individual, but that blow will obviously be
softened by the basic result of the protracted action.
Today's Daily Record fails to mention this clearing of
John's reputation. However, given the anti-McVeigh bias displayed
in their reports of the early days of the action, it's
hardly surprising.
(06/03/02) Elgin Trip Next
Week
Although the official letter has still to arrive at
Cliftonhill, it has been confirmed that Rovers' match away to
Elgin City - originally due on 23rd February - will now be
played next Tuesday, 12th March.
(05/03/02) McLean Does It
Again
Charlie McLean was on the bench for 63 of the 90 minutes
tonight. He still managed to win the game for Rovers by scoring
both goals in their win over Queen's Park to take his tally to
eleven for the season.
Referee Conroy managed to avoid booking any Rovers players
who committed 23 fouls during the game despite booking two Queen's
players who committed only 7 fouls in the game. Fortune was on
Rovers side when the ref missed a stonewall penalty for Queen's
late on.
Suspensions Hit Hard
In the wake of Saturday's controversial match against
Brechin City, the three Rovers' players red-carded will
naturally miss tonight's game against Queen's Park. Worse news,
however, is that Jamie McKenzie will miss another five matches,
Todd Lumsden three more and Steve Hamilton one more.
Video View Sought
As reported on 14th February Rovers have invited the
SFA's Donald McVicar to visit Cliftonhill to have a look at
video footage of some incidents which have made the club one
of the biggest recipients of this season's red and yellow cards.
"Mr McVicar and another member of staff will be visiting
Albion Rovers at a date still to be decided", says the SFA.
(03/03/02) Reserve Cup Date
Rovers' reserves will meet their Arbroath counterparts in the
semi-final of the Reserve League Cup in a match to be played before
20th March. Although the Red Lichties were actually drawn at home,
the match will be played here. It might not actually be Cliftonhill,
but we'll let you know.
Message Board Etc.
Bravenet, the provider of our message board, guest book and
counter are currently sorting out some problems. This is expected to
take "a few days" and these features will be unavailable
in the meantime. You'll just have to keep your comments about Mr
Melville until then.
(02/03/02) Worst Referee Ever
Cammy Melville today proved that although there are some bad
referees in Scottish football he is undoubtedly the worst! He awarded
21 free-kicks to Brechin in the 1st half alone (12 to Rovers in same
period), the majority of which had fans wondering if he was watching
the same match! Brechin scored in 5 minutes.
The ref. sent off three Rovers players near the end which
brought accusations of bribery and corruption from the crowd. Firstly
Steve Hamilton in 78 minutes for an alleged kick then Jamie McKenzie
picked up his 5th red of the season in 82 minutes for a second yellow
(the linesman reported the incident which got him his second yellow).
Most ridiculously Todd Lumsden was red carded for a perfectly fair
challenge in 86 minutes. Despite finishing with 8 men Rovers
tried hard at could have managed an equaliser in last ten minutes.
The Cliftonhill pitch was vandalised (presumably last night).
"Come on Brechin" was painted on it and also on the
goalposts by some morons.
Melville with police protection as he leaves the
pitch - click on photo to see full size version.
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