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Archive Latest March 2005

(31/3/05)

Darran Thomson
Alloa Athletic have signed Darran who played the last 3 Rovers games as a trialist - it was reported that Jimmy Lindsay was trying to sign the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle player.

(30/3/05)

Sportsman's Dinner
The club has confirmed details for the Dinner which is being held on Friday 13th May at Drumpellier Golf Club. The main speaker for the evening will be John Robertson the current Hearts manager and football legend. The second speaker will be Tom Paterson, manager of a whisky bond and for 25 years was the no. 1 commentator on the Highland Games circuit. The evening will be chaired by Fraser Elder the well known sports journalist and broadcaster. Tickets for what promises to be a great evening are £30 each or £300 for a table of ten. Tables normally go quickly so if anyone wishes a ticket or indeed knows a company who would take a table please let John Reynolds know as soon as possible (between 10 and 2 weekdays are best) on 01236 606334.

Daily Record
It's nice to see the website gain some positive comments in the weekly football pull-out today. They couldn't resist poking fun at the song (singular) section but overall a decent review.

(22/3/05)

Rovers Destroyed
In a six-pointer against East Fife at Cliftonhill Rovers were lucky to only lose 6 goals. The first goal came in just 2 minutes and they were 4 -0 down by the half-hour. The pre-match talk was about the omission of Mark Peat from the squad after his mistake at Stenhousemuir on Saturday. Chris Fahey regained the No. 1 jersey while Carr was the substitute 'keeper on the bench.

Supporters Trust
A mini-update on the supporters trust is available here.

Silence
The club will hold a minute of silence tonight in memory of former Rovers managers who later became directors Sam Goodwin and Bobby Flavell.

Injuries
John Bradford and Chris Silvestro remain doubtful for tonight's match due to injury.

Darran Thomson
Thomson is likely to play tonight which would take him up to the limit of 3 matches allowed without signing. It seems manager Jimmy Lindsay is keen to get the youngster to put pen to paper but it remains to be seen whether this will happen.

(19/3/05)

Stenny Injury Time Leveller
Just as a Lee Wilson goal within 30 seconds of the second half restarting looked like giving Rovers all 3 points a goal 2 minutes into injury time gave Stenhousemuir a point. Jim Mercer returned from injury.

As East Stirlingshire won for the 3rd game in a row narrowing the gap at the bottom to 5 points a win is essential at home to East Fife on Tuesday. If Rovers win that game they'll draw level with the Fifers on 30 points although (barring a big win) Rovers will be behind on goal difference.

A full match report will be on the site tomorrow!

Bobby Flavell Dies
Former Albion Rovers manager and director Bobby Flavell has died at the age of 83. Bobby had a distinguished playing career for Airdrieonians, St. Mirren amongst others and for Bogota in South America. He retired from playing in 1958 when he became manager at Ayr United but resigned after 17 days to return to Love Street in a coaching capacity - eventually becoming manager.

He was the Rovers manager in the mid 1960's where his most notable signing was Tony Green who was sold to Blackpool and then Newcastle United. He later became a Rovers director.

Second Chance Saturday
League sponsors Bell's are to hold a "Second Chance Saturday" on April 30th when Rovers visit Methil in the penultimate league match of the season. They are giving a "grown-up fan the chance of a lifetime" which is the opportunity to be the club mascot for the day. They will chip in a couple of free tickets to the match and a club strip and possibly transport to (and hopefully back from) Fife.

The club will be asked to nominate "a fanatical fan" that they think deserves the chance to be the club mascot and the scheme will be publicised through local radio. The winner will be picked by a representative from the club, Bell's and a local radio station.

This scheme is covering all Bell's League teams not just Rovers, so get your thinking caps on and think who deserves the "honour".

(15/3/05)

Tuesday Match Off
Tonight's match against East Fife at Cliftonhill has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The match has been rescheduled for next Tuesday (22nd) with a 7.45 kick-off.

Bus
Rovers supporters' bus leaves from Owens at 1.30pm on Saturday - the cost is £5 a head (no concessions). Please e-mail JJ at wearingshades@hotmail.com or text 07866 481272 stating how many seats you'd like to book.

(13/3/05)

Fresh Injuries
Lee Wilson and Chris Silvestro are doubtful for Tuesday's due to injuries. Wilson picked up a knock at Balmoor and Silvestro had a recurrence of blisters.

(12/3/05)

Surprise Win
The Rovers players applauded their recently promoted hosts onto the park and then proceeded to beat them 3 - 2. Defender Darran Thomson released by Inverness C. T. played as a trialist, Jim Mercer and John Bradford missed the match due to their injuries and Chris Fahey sat on the bench as he's not quite 100% recovered.

Although Peterhead had more possession it was Rovers who had the killer instinct Gordon, McCaul and Fleming bagging the goals.

A full match report will be on the site on Sunday.

(10/3/05)

Sam Goodwin Dies
Former Albion Rovers manager and director Sam Goodwin died yesterday, our sympathies go to his family.

Sam's first senior club was Airdrieonians and he was such a hit there that he soon attracted Scouts from the English First Division. He impressed so much that he was to make a big money move to Crystal Palace in 1971. He never really settled there and when he indicated that he would like to return to Scotland Manager Bobby Howitt took him to Motherwell.

During his three seasons at Motherwell he played in 65 games scoring two goals in the process. But he the appearance he will be remembered for will be his shortest! The game was a Scottish Cup Third round tie at Fir Park against Partick Thistle on 25th Jan 1975. Inside the first minute Sam was involved in a challenge with John Hansen he took unkindly to the challenge he lashed out and was sent off within the first minute. The story goes he was so disgusted with himself he was home by half time.

After his spell at Motherwell he moved to Clydebank.

Manager of the Month
Probably for the first time since its inception the Bell's manager of the month for the 3rd division goes to a caretaker gaffer - Jimmy Lindsay. A month in which Rovers went unbeaten after a long run without a win under Kevin McAllister won the votes of the deciding panel over the likes of Gretna who won all of their games in February.

Jimmy will be awarded the trophy and some of the sponsors product in a ceremony at Hampden today!

(9/3/05)

Injuries
Neither Ricky Patrick (ankle) or John Bradford (calf) are likely to have recovered for Saturday's match at Peterhead. Chris Fahey is given a 50/50 chance for a return and Jim Mercer is ok but as is standard in these situations has a 7 day period out due to his concussion received against Montrose.

Yardley
We understand that Mark Yardley could be on his way from Cliftonhill shortly if he (with the aid of the Players Union) can agree a package with the club.

(8/3/05)

Tough Point
Although Rovers took the lead through Lee Wilson it seemed inevitable that Stenhousemuir would at least draw level and in the end it seemed they'd snatch all 3 points but Rovers held on for the draw.

Assistant referee Andy Davis, the subject of unprecedented coverage for his penalty decision in a Hearts v Rangers game recently had a quiet game, the only incident of note he was involved in was when he awarded Stenny a corner only to see referee Tumilty overrule him and give Rovers a goal-kick.

Peterhead
The Blue Toon secured promotion tonight with a 2-2 draw at Elgin, no doubt they'll have a bumper crowd on Saturday when Rovers visit Balmoor Stadium.

(5/3/05)

Injury Time Blues
Rovers lost 2-1 to an injury time winner from Montrose at Cliftonhill today. Lee Wilson scored Rovers goal in a match which saw Chris Fahey apparently injure his ankle and Jim Mercer take a head-knock forcing both to be replaced. Fahey was seen standing near the tunnel late on in the match so is presumably not seriously injured and Mercer didn't receive any immediate treatment when he came off dazed.

Trust
The steering committee of the proposed Albion Rovers Supporters Trust met today and the committee members distributed leaflets prior to the match. A copy of the leaflet can be found on the trust page.

Gretna
As expected Gretna gained promotion to the 2nd division today by winning at Cowdenbeath. Depending on midweek results Peterhead will have been promoted by next Saturday when Rovers visit the Blue Toon or looking for points from our game to secure a place in the 2nd division next season.

(4/3/05)

Gordon Parks
The failed striker (well he gets a tenner a week from East Stirlingshire and has scored 1 goal this season) has proved that his journalistic integrity is also suspect. In this week's SportsWeek West Edition issued in the Daily Record on Wednesday the regular quiz of footballers "No Brain No gain" questioned Davie King of Forfar and Chris Silvestro of Rovers.

Both were asked 10 questions and Chris was credited with 4 correct answers failing on such posers as "Name the first man to reach the South Pole" - Walter Scott (the famous Scottish writer rather than the correct answer Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen) the answer being attributed to Silvio. The summary at the end of the quiz poked fun at Silvio for thinking John Wayne's real name was Shane rather than Marion Michael Morrison.

So what? you may say - well Chris was not contacted by Parks or the Record. After the typical hatchet job Parks did in his column on Cliftonhill (we know it's far from perfect but I didn't notice him having a go at Firs park) after 'Shire played there a few weeks ago perhaps we shouldn't be surprised.

Fixture Update
The match against East Fife which was postponed last Saturday has been rescheduled for Tuesday 15th March at Cliftonhill with a 7.30 kick-off. 
The postponed "home" reserve match against Partick Thistle will now go ahead on Wednesday 16th March with a 2pm kick-off at Petershill juniors ground. The reserves also take on Stranraer at Cliftonhill on Tuesday 22nd March with a 7.30 kick-off.

Joe Boyle
Joe who is one of only two (if my arithmetic is correct) part-timers still on the books at Cliftonhill excepting the ones who actually train full-time has turned down the chance to sign for a West of Scotland junior club despite having virtually no chance of playing again before his contract expires at the end of the season.

(1/3/05)

Outclassed
Rovers got precisely what they deserved out of tonight's match against Queen's Park - absolutely nothing going down as they did 4 - 0! If Queen's had been more proficient at finishing it could have been 5 - 0 at half-time but it was still level at 45 mins.

Andy Paterson
He hear that Andy Paterson has been released.