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Archive Latest March 2006

(31/3/06)

Nouveau Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat is available in English and French and has been written by Jim himself.

(30/3/06)

5000th Goal Imminent
With the club currently having scored 4994 goals in league competition since joining in 1903, the landmark event is not far away and could just happen this Saturday. If you haven't entered the Supporters' Trust 5000th goal prediction competition you'd better look lively. Entries can be emailed or handed over to Trust committee members right up to kick-off of the game in which you've predicted the goal to be scored.

Click HERE for details and entry forms!

Patrick Rolink
This week's A & C Advertiser has an article about the clubs recently appointed commercial manager Patrick Rolink. In it he reveals some ambitious plans for Rovers.

He'd like to arrange a Jock Stein memorial trophy tournament involving Rovers, Celtic, Dunfermline and Hibs all of whom have Stein connections. Also on the drawing board is a rock concert at Cliftonhill, possibly with the Proclaimers being the headline act. Summer classes for local kids are also on the agenda, not only in football but also in golf and basketball!

In a few years time Patrick hopes that crowds of 1000 would be the norm rather than the exception and getting Old Firm fans to come along to see their local team when not following them. This Saturday against East Stirlingshire local pop singer Adrianna shall be providing entertainment and free passes each covering 2 adults and 4 children have been distributed to local schools, children can only gain free admission when accompanied by an adult.

Food and nutrition classes for kids are also on the agenda and Scottish actor David Hayman shall be making an appearance at Cliftonhill in the near future.

As you may know Patrick's other "job" is as a stand-up comedian, a brief snippet of his routine went down well at the Supporters' Trust dog racing evening recently. He admits to having supported his home town team of Airdrieonians before gravitating to Celtic but is now committed to all things Albion Rovers. His interest was first sparked by his friend the late great Joe Baker who was involved at various times in management roles at Cliftonhill. He is also a friend of former Cliftonhill gaffer John McVeigh who enticed him along to watch matches during his reign.

Patrick is 42 and married to Russian Svetlana and they have 2 children of their own. Pat is a former psychiatric nurse and has performed at places such as Carnegie Hall in New York, The Comedy Store in London as well as the Cliftonhill lounge!

Reserves News
Rovers second string defeated Stenhousemuir 4-3 at Cliftonhill on Tuesday evening. Rovers were 1-0 up very early on and soon 2-1 down. Graham McGhee scored a screamer from a 25 yard free-kick around 10 mins before half-time to level scores.

George Wallace was playing in defence, also on the park were Quinn, Friel, Sim, Abou, Sichi, Young and Lennox. Watching the game or more correctly watching the referee from the terracing was Hugh Dallas MBE.

The remaining reserve fixtures this season are both at Cliftonhill and are as follows

V St. Mirren on Thursday 13th April 7.30pm

V Queen's Park on Tuesday 18th April 7.30PM

Admission is as always free to these matches.

(26/3/06)

Praise Indeed
Sir Bobby Robson had the following to say after the Berwick match "You wouldn't believe which team was second bottom and (referring to Rovers' Gordon Lennon) your no. 4 is something special with a bit of work he could go on to be a very good player"

Reserves
Rovers reserves take on Stenhousemuir on Tuesday evening at Cliftonhill with a 7.30 kick-off, entry is as always for such matches free!

(25/3/06)

Berwick Streak To Win
The game had Sir Bobby Robson in the stand and a female streaker (albeit in her undies) of which we have no photo as she was too quickly off the park. The match itself was regrettably disappointing and Rovers lost 2 - 1.

A match report shall be on the site tomorrow.

(24/3/06)

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat has been written by Jim and he's in a philosophical mood! 

Programme Recognised

Rovers programme was 9th last term and has dramatically improved thanks to backing from the Supporters' Trust. The design is down to Stephen "Tee" McEwan and the main editor is Bill Walker, aided by David Herd, Donald Ashwood and Jane Knox.

The ratings (to the right of the team names) are awarded by a representative of each 3rd division club who are of course not allowed to rate their own publication.

Thanks to weerover for scanning the programme - the actual print quality is better than this but reduced it comes out like this!

(22/3/06)

Bus To Berwick
Contrary to previous reports there shall be a bus to Berwick on Saturday which leaves from Owens at 11am, book your place on it by calling JJ on 07866 481272.

Chairman Takes To The Airwaves
Club chairman Frank Meade shall be interviewed live on L107 radio station tomorrow (Thursday) around 10.30am, tune in on 107 FM in the Lanarkshire area or click here to listen online.

(21/3/06)

Derby Win
Thanks to a Young goal 8 minutes from time Rovers won the hotly contested derby match against Queen's Park tonight. It ends a disappointing run of 10 matches without a win and propels Rovers 6 points ahead of East Stirlingshire on the bottom and a single point behind Montrose in 8th.

Jamie Doyle was stretchered off although after some treatment in the ambulance he managed (with help) to go down the tunnel.

Players Re-Sign
Jim Chapman today made public his first sign of preparations for next season by revealing that several players have signed new contracts keeping them at Cliftonhill next season. The players in question are Gordon Lennon, Jamie Ewings, Ciaran Donnelly, Stephen Donachy and Jamie Doyle. Other players have been offered contracts and have until the end of March to agree terms. This shall make the task of hunting for fresh talent in April that much easier for Chappie as the nucleus of the squad is in place.

The gaffer acknowledges the recent run of results has been disappointing despite the otherwise decent displays and that Rovers have not been on the end of a thumping all season. As Chappie said at the start of the season the campaign wasn't going to be easy with limited resources and little time to organise a squad. Next season however shall still see him deal with limited resources but at least there can be plenty of preparation in pre-season.

(18/3/06)

Familiar Story
It was an all too familiar story at Cliftonhill today when Elgin City took away all 3 points we Rovers had taken the lead but were unable to do it again and referee denying at least one stonewall penalty claim. In addition to the normal contingent of ex-Rovers men in their line-up Jed Stirling appeared as a trialist after hi short-term deal at Raith expired.

The club held a minutes silence before kick-off for club servant Hughie Thompson and Celtic and Scotland legend Jimmy Johnstone.

Former boxing champion Ian McLeod made the half-time draw. Also in the interval Tam McQuillan had his head shaved in aid of charity and the supporters bus.

A match report with pics shall be on the site later.

(17/3/06)

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat has been written by Jim and his assistant Derek Ferguson.

Trust Update
The supporters' trust has tallied the income from the dog racing event and it comes to an impressive £806, thanks to all who turned up and to those who sponsored dogs and races as well as put up raffle prizes etc. The club also made a tidy sum from profits at the bar. Although the trust AGM date is yet to be set any member who wishes to see the accounts for the year ended 31st December may do so by arrangement.

(13/3/06)

Free Entry
This Saturday at Cliftonhill friends and neighbours of Albion Rovers Supporters' Trust members shall be admitted free of charge for the match against Elgin City.

(11/3/06)

Fife Blues
Rovers went down 1 - 0 today in Methil in another display where they were unable to score. The team coach and many fans arrived later than hoped due to roadworks and accidents closing Fife roads.

Competition
New club commercial manager Patrick Rolink has come up with this competition to win tickets for his comedy show next Saturday (18th March) evening in Glasgow and an Albion Rovers Versus Stranraer League cup programme from 1975.

For details of the show click here and I think it's safe to say that his show is for adults only!

The not so easy question is :

Who was the Albion Rovers keeper in the above match?

Send your answers to Patrick via email at patrick [at] albionrovers . com

(10/3/06)

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat is relatively brief as the head coach has lots to do!

Hughie Thomson
Long time Rovers fan and catering supremo at Cliftonhill Hughie died on Wednesday, he hadn't been seen much due to health problems. His funeral is being held on Monday 13th, 1pm at McLaren's on Sunnyside Road and then to Daldowie Crematorium. 

(7/3/06)

Arbroath Win
Rovers lost 2 - 0 to Arbroath tonight on a dreech Coatbridge night and you can read the report later tonight.

(6/3/06)

Date Set
Saturday's postponed match at home to Queen's Park has been rescheduled for Tuesday 21st March.

(5/3/06)

Dogs
A report with pics from the supporters' trust race-night has been placed on the trust page.

Police

Pictured with PC Bob Jamieson is Peter McClurg, announcer at Cliftonhill.

Peter presented Bob with a retirement gift on Saturday 4th March. The gift was on behalf of all the Rovers fans and was a token of appreciation for Bob's faithful service at the Rovers home games over many years!

Bob was due to be in charge at the game against Queens Park but the weather put paid to that plan. Not to be undone, Peter hot-footed down to the local Nick to present Bob with the gift.

Peter said, "Who knows, Bob might take up football and then we'll see him back again at Cliftonhill some day!! Seriously, we have built up a great
friendship with the local officers and Bob was a well kent face at the Rovers Tunnel each home game. He will be missed by all at the Rovers!"

Report by Peter McClurg

(4/3/06)

New Chat
This week's Chappie's Chat has in fact been written by Jim himself and the 2 Stenhousemuir matches are on his mind.

Dogs
The supporters' trust dog racing event last night was a great success (socially and financially) and a report with pics shall be on the site later!

(3/3/06)

Queen's Match Off
Due to the freezing conditions prevailing in the country at the moment tomorrow's match at home to Queen's Park has been postponed.