Latest Archive May 2002

General Manager John Reynolds reports that since the initial relative rush of signatories who sent in money at the end of the season, recent receipts have been NIL. This is your last chance! We know who you are; you know who you are. Do you want everybody to know who you are? If not, make out your cheques without delay and send them to Cliftonhill.

Plans for Rovers' pre-season trip to Dublin on July 19/22 are now proceeding apace. Travel arrangements are being finalised, and although we don't yet know exactly who Rovers' opposition will be, Irish club Home Farm - who are handling that aspect of the trip - will be forwarding the names as soon as possible.

Although a picture of the new "home" strip appears on this site, we can reveal that the illustration does not do it justice. An example of the strip recently arrived at Cliftonhill and the red/yellow colours are much more vibrant than the picture would suggest.

This week's Advertiser quotes new Cliftonhill boss Peter Hetherston as saying that one of his principal tasks is to make sure that local talent is not lost to other clubs. "We have several promising young lads coming through our own youth ranks, thanks to Jimmy Lindsay's work. I am confident that I can identify several others from the youth matches I've seen." The gaffer intends to be at Hampden on Saturday to watch St. Ambrose in the Scottish Schools Under-18 Final.

Following the SFL's refusal to sanction Rovers' original choice of change/away strip on the grounds that it contained too much yellow, the Cliftonhill people again examined the available options and decided to go for the same design, but in two shades of blue.

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Talks with Reigart Demolition, last season's shirt sponsor, are now at an advanced stage and there are positive signs that they will take up their option of a second year's advertising on Rovers' new jerseys. We should be able to let you know the outcome in a matter of days.

We have learned of one Rovers' player who wishes to revert to a part-time contract from the full-time one he previously enjoyed. Fair enough, but when he expects an increase in wages to do so, there would seem to be something seriously wrong with his logic! No, we won't name him. We were going to say "to spare his blushes", but we doubt if they would be visible above his brass neck!

Transfer Windows
The SFA have said that there seem to be no chance of avoiding a FIFA directive on transfers. These measures will mean that no team can sign players outside the transfer windows. There would seem to be no exemptions for circumstances such as injury crisis's or any other reason. The first window closes on 31st August and the next one is in January.

The proposals also dictate that each team can only be involved in one loan deal (in or out!). There will be no trialists at all as all players must be signed and the minimum contract period is 12 months. Another effect is any player not signed by September is out of a job for at least a few months.

League Vacancy
Applications for the vacant league place closed yesterday. The applicants are Airdrie United, Huntly, Gala Fairydean, Edinburgh City, Gretna, Preston Athletic and Cove Rangers.

Go HERE to read a Daily Record article about the likely outcome. Nice of them to get in a dig about Cliftonhill!

Today's sports pages confirm that former Rovers' midfielder Jamie McKenzie - the recipient of a number of red cards during his time at Cliftonhill - has joined up with John McVeigh at Stenhousemuir. As yet, we have no confirmation that Robert Coulter has also gone to Ochilview.

An exhibition going under the above name was formally opened today in the Low Parks Museum in Hamilton. Your correspondent was there in an official capacity, but quite honestly, there was little to get excited about! The exhibition is about the contribution made to the game by Lanarkshire-born football stars, past and present, but mainly the latter, ranging from Jock Shaw to Bobby Flavell to Ian St. John. The McStay and McLean families are also featured are as the four main County football teams.

The exhibition tries hard to capture the mood of the lives and times of the game and its stars, but the confined space and just too many exhibits/information cards at almost floor level tends to detract from the overall effect. There were few recognisable faces present, but I had a word with Jim Chapman ("Chappie"), an ex-Rover whose name will forever be associated with the promotion-winning team of the late eighties.

Running until the end of October, the exhibition is probably worth a visit if you happen to be in the Hamilton area, but a special journey to see it? Maybe not.

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There are no prizes for spotting the mistake in Rovers information (The trophy is the Lanarkshire Cup in case you were wondering)!

Rovers Supporters Summer Debate
Peter McClurg has advised us that he hopes to have the above event arranged for Friday 14th June in the Rovers Lounge. John Reynolds, Peter Hetherston and (hopefully most if not all) board members will be present to participate. He adds that the event will be followed by a Sports Quiz.

This is not a definite date as there are people who need to be available to make it worthwhile. A show of support for the event is necessary (add your name to the message board under the subject Rovers Supporters Summer Debate). This shows that only Rovers fans will turn up and that they can cope with the numbers.

Irish Tour
The Advertiser today mentioned Rovers playing Shelbourne while in Dublin. This seems unlikely (unless it's a youth or reserve team) as their season will be a few weeks old by then defending their title "Eircom League Champions". Celtic are visitors to Tolka Park a few weeks earlier.

Back To The Drawing Board!

Rovers have been contacted by the Scottish League to say that the proposed change/away strip for next season contains just too much yellow and might lead to confusion against certain opposition. The blue and yellow strip, a picture of which is featured on this site, would seem to be different enough to avoid any misunderstanding, but the authorities think otherwise and have vetoed it. Rovers will now urgently scan the alternative options for something suitable. We'll let you know as soon as it's chosen - and agreed.

Boss Peter Hetherston today revealed that striker Iain Diack, scorer of eight competitive goals last season, has already put pen to paper for the next campaign. Although defender Todd Lumsden has yet to do so, it is anticipated that he will also soon commit himself for another season, but goalkeeper Scott Shearer, with nine first team outings last term, is reportedly considering his options.

Further to yesterday's news and pictures on the new strips, replica jerseys will, of course, be available for fans to purchase. That's the good news. Even better news however, is that they are likely to cost only £25, substantially less than those offered by much bigger teams. The only thing we have to do now is make sure that they're available in XXXL sizes for those of us who are not anorexic!

With Airdrie supporters anxiously watching the clock tick down to D-day, today's papers have the latest on the Diamonds' saga. It is reported that liquidators KPMG, having received no offers for the club's official name and their stadium which they planned to sell together, will now listen to offers for the stadium itself.

The report goes on to say that "several groups are still preparing bids as they try to get the club back playing in the Third Division . . . in time for next season." According to an insider, "If Airdrie could gain entry . . . then they could groundshare in the first instance with Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill. That could give them breathing space while an agreement was worked out for both clubs to move (to Airdrie) at a later stage and groundshare there." However, as other reports seem to suggest that any newly formed Airdrie club should/would/ must play at Shyberry/New Broomfield, the location situation is far from clear.

The final day for applications is Friday, but the report concludes with the following puzzling statement. "But several clubs could yet throw a spanner in the works as they want to play next season with just nine teams." The wording suggests that this proposal comes from at least some of the current Third Division outfits. Why would they want to do this? Is there even more intrigue to come into the public domain?

Airdrie Not To Share Cliftonhill?
STV tonight reported that the newly formed Airdrie F.C. will play at Shyberry/New Broomfield. Apparently North Lanarkshire Council believe they own the stadium and have advised the SFL that the club will play there should they be given admission to the league.

New Strips

As previously mentioned on this site, Rovers have been actively engaged in the selection process necessary to choose new strips for the next couple of seasons. We can now exclusively reveal that three different colour schemes have been, or will shortly be, registered with the SFL. The first, or main strip, will remain as red and yellow, the second, or away strip, will be of the same design in blue and yellow and the third is last season's second-choice strip, predominantly white. (See here later tonight for pics).

Scalpel For Silvio

Rovers' midfielder Chris Silvestro yesterday had an operation to clear up the troublesome knee injury which plagued him for much of last season. With a six week rehabilitation period before he can restart meaningful training in preparation for the new season, the op has probably taken place at the best possible time for Chris - and Rovers.

Although no paperwork has been completed, the signs are that Todd Lumsden is prepared to commit himself to another season at Cliftonhill. We understand that although another club has been sounding-out the popular defender, he would be happy to remain with Rovers.

The Scottish League has circularised clubs advising them that the recommended minimum admission charge for next season should be £8 for adults and £4 for youths, OAP's and the unemployed. These figures are the same as recommended for last season when Rovers chose to ignore them and set their level at £1 less. However, in view of escalating costs, it's likely that the new figures will be levied next season. This will naturally have an effect on Season Ticket prices which are likely to rise to £100 and £50 respectively, with no distinction being made between sitting and standing spectators, giving the latter the option of taking a seat in the stand. Compared to other teams (Stirling Albion were £140 for last season) it looks quite reasonable.

Top scorer Charlie McLean is quoted in one of today's tabloids as saying that he wants to quit Rovers because they lack ambition. "We were so close to promotion", he said, "I would have thought the club would want to build on that instead of wiping it out."

So, at last it's official. Seven of last season's Rovers' squad have followed former manager John McVeigh to Stenhousemuir, just as we thought they might. Mark Booth, Stewart Easton, Steve Hamilton, Gerry McKenna and Colin Waldie plus youngsters John Burrows and Kevin Donnelly have now officially joined the Second Division survivors. So much for the bogus declarations of club loyalty spouted by certain of them in recent weeks.

Following last night's bounce game against Glenafton, the weekly meeting of directors was, we understand, quite free of controversy and centered upon the practicalities should Airdrie be admitted to the Third Division and be playing their matches at Cliftonhill. As for the match itself, although the strong Ayrshire outfit won by four goals to nil against a scratch Rovers' team, it was described by Peter Hetherston as "helpful".

Rovers' new boss Peter Hetherston is wasting no time in getting down to business for the new season and has arranged a bounce game against Ayrshire junior cracks Glenafton Athletic - managed by former Rover Jock McStay - for Cliftonhill this evening. However, there are unlikely to be too many new faces on show as the boss is still in the early stages of trying to contact possible signings.

Negotiations surrounding the acquisition of new strips for next season have hit a small snag in that the SFL are unhappy with Rovers' choice of change colours. Although the first team strip will be faithful to the yellow and red, the authorities say that the proposed second (away) jersey contains too much yellow. So, the catalogues are being re-scanned in an attempt to find something which will meet with approval.

The chances of Airdrie being re-admitted to the Scottish League were boosted last night when the group bidding to save the club named former favourite Sandy Stewart as player/manager. Stewart, who will be assisted by Brian Rice, has the unenviable task of assembling a team in just seven days.

Plans for Rovers' pre-season programme are moving on at a most satisfactory rate, and although most proposals are still to be finalised, we can reveal that there will be a game against Stranraer on Wednesday 17th July - probably at Cliftonhill if pitch preparations will allow. In addition, the concept of a pre-season tour has also been resurrected and subject to final confirmation, Rovers will travel to Dublin to take on old rivals St. James's Gate (and probably Home Farm) over the weekend of 19th to 21st July. Other dates have been pencilled-in and we'll let you know the details as soon as they are confirmed.

In the list just published by the Wirral Programme Club, the top four places in the Scottish Third Division (with their points ratings) went to Montrose (123), Queen's Park (121), Brechin City (110) and Albion Rovers (106). So, in spite of the fact that we do not print on glossy paper etc, we did not too badly. As, in the eyes of the reviewers, the perception seems to be at least as important as the content, we have to be happy with our placing. The remainder of the clubs in our division were Stirling Albion (99), Dumbarton (93), East Fife (89), Elgin City (82), Peterhead (78) and East Stirlingshire (65).

It is reported that top scorer Charlie McLean gas been put on the transfer list at his own request. However, if a suitable offer fails to materialise, boss Hetherston is "more than happy to hold on to fans' darling Charlie."

Waldie Waffle

Today's Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser quotes Rovers' Player of the Year Colin Waldie as saying, "The new manager informed myself and six or seven others last week that he would be bringing in his own men. At the time, I was really a bit shocked but now I'm just disappointed." Shocked? Disappointed? This is from a player who during his speech accepting the Player of the Year award following the last game of the season announced that he would not be staying with the club and implied that he would be following John McVeigh to Stenhousemuir!

Silky Stuff!

New Rovers' boss Peter Hetherston has committed his club to playing passing football next season. Although that's the plan, "Silky" realises that there will be times when fighting fire with fire will be the order of the day and a bit of the physical stuff will be required. He says, "The Rovers' job represents a big challenge, but I'm sure I'm ready for it and will give everything to build on what I consider are good foundations."

Today's newspapers report that possible Airdrie saviour Jim Ballantyne has reached agreement with Rovers that the new Diamonds - if elected to the Scottish League - will play at Cliftonhill for at least five years, the minimum period stipulated by the authorities.

Although new Rovers' boss Peter Hetherston has yet to announce any newcomers to the squad for next season, it should not be thought that he's doing nothing about the situation. Indeed, the Cliftonhill phone has been red-hot in recent days as he tries to contact some players on a fairly extensive list of possibles. It could be that the first acquisitions will be identified by the end of the week.

Seven-a-Side Success
Rovers' annual seven-a-side tournament for youngsters took place at Cliftonhill on Saturday and Sunday when a couple of hundred budding football stars took part. In glorious weather, many parents turned out to watch their offspring perform and Rovers personnel were taking note of those with potential.

Those offered terms for the new season are James Coulter (back in the fold after being released a few weeks ago), Iain Diack, Todd Lumsden, Ryan McMullan and Scott Shearer. In addition, David Sutherland, who was farmed out to junior outfit Baillieston for the latter part of the season, has been offered a short-term contract.

Players leaving Cliftonhill for pastures new are Mark Booth, John Burrows, Robert Coulter, Kevin Donnelly, Stewart Easton, Steve Hamilton, Martin Harty, Steve McCormick, Gerry McKenna, Jamie McKenzie, James McLees, Paul Rodden, Billy Struthers, Tom Tait and Colin Waldie. In addition, Frenchman Samuel Leveneur - who never kicked a ball in anger - has departed.

New Rovers' manager Peter Hetherston is burning the midnight oil in his efforts to bring in new players of the right quality and has already spoken to several likely candidates, including, if the Daily Record is to be believed, former Clyde striker, Brian Crawford.

Our rivals live on - at least in name. It is reported that businessman Jim Ballantyne has registered two names - Airdrie FC Ltd and Airdrie Football Club Ltd - and will bid for a place in next season's Third Division, with the club's supporters being heavily represented in the Boardroom. However, they will have opposition from Gretna, Gala Fairydean, Whitehill Welfare, Preston Athletic, Cove Rangers and Huntly who all fancy their chances. Interesting times!

Players Re-Sign
We understand that some players have signed new contracts, they are Diack, McMullan and Shearer. Others who still have a year of their contracts to run include McLean, Fahey and Silvestro.

According to today's Herald, should Airdrie apply to rejoin the Scottish League in the Third Division, the club would need to show that, amongst other things, "it would be able to continue playing at New Broomfield." Conversely, the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser suggests that "to groundshare with another club" (the wording implying that such an arrangement would be at a location other than Airdrie) is a distinct possibility.

To the surprise of probably no-one, former Raith boss Peter Hetherston was last night unveiled as the new Rovers' manager. Even before John McVeigh officially resigned, Hetherston was being touted as his replacement, and the rumours have now been turned into fact.

From all the applicants for the job, the Board narrowed the field down to just two, Hetherston and for Celtic legend Paul McStay, but as the latter had recently signed a contract with the SFA and Glasgow City Council to do some coaching in the city, it was thought that he had enough on his plate and the job went to his rival.

Hetherston has been appointed for a two-year term (not three as reported in the Daily Record) and, like his predecessor, is full-time. He told us today that he will not be appointing an Assistant, but will rely on current Youth Development Officer Jimmy Lindsay to help out in that direction. In due course however, he will be announcing the name of a player/coach who will also be of assistance.

This morning, just hours after his appointment, the new manager was getting to grips with the job as he and Lindsay were examining the list of current players with a view to deciding who will be retained and who will be moving to pastures new. The list should make interesting reading!

Rovers have written a formal letter of complaint to the SFA/SFL about the now confirmed "training" visit to Stenhousemuir by eight players who are still under contract to the club. Although the players initially denied that the visit had taken place, we understand that, confronted with evidence, they then admitted it. For such a thing to happen is completely against the rules (as well as being morally suspect). As former manager John McVeigh is now in charge at the Ochilview club, the response from the authorities is awaited with interest.

The Herald reports that Bury Football Club is auctioning a place in the first team squad to help save the side from ruin. In a move which could find echoes in Scotland, the Greater Manchester club is also offering the chance to sit in the dugout and a seat in the Press Box. Bury was placed into administration two months ago after creditors demanded payment on a £1m mortgage. Could a similar scheme help Rovers? The mind boggles as to the identities of those few who might be sufficiently well-off to win such auctions, especially the one to gain a place in the squad!

The list of applicants for the vacant Manager's job grows day by day. According to today's Sunday Mail, former Airdrie colleagues Gary MacKay and Kenny Black are now in the frame. We mentioned Black last week, but MacKay is a new addition to the list.

A spokesman for Airdrie fans has said that they were represented at a Rovers' Board meeting when a proposal to ground share with the Coatbridge club was outlined - and favourably received. He said, "The idea is to try to gain re-admission into the Bell's Third Division with a pool of fifteen part-time players, some of whom have already indicated an interest in playing for an Airdrie team if we can gain re-entry."

Groundshare
Today's Evening Times mentioned the possibility of a reformed Airdrie playing their home games in the 3rd division at Cliftonhill. They mentioned Rovers' chairman Andrew Dick as being sympathetic and the new club being financed by advanced ticket sales. Broadwood was also mentioned as a possible home, presumably Cliftonhill would be the cheaper option.

7-a-Side Festival
Youth Development Officer Jimmy Lindsay has announced that the annual 7-a-Side Festival will take place at Cliftonhill on Saturday and Sunday, 11th and 12 May. The event - sponsored by Ailsa Construction and Monkland's Soccer 7's - has been extremely successful in the past and is expected to be so again. On the Saturday, the under-8 and under-9 age groups will feature, with the under-10's and under-11's showing their worth on the Sunday. Further information is available from Jimmy at the club.

As no formal bids for the club were received by the deadline, Airdrie FC has today been placed into liquidation, a sorry apparently fatal state of affairs for the troubled Lanarkshire club. Of course, it is possible if not probable that a buyer will now emerge from the woodwork in an attempt to gain control for a relatively small amount, but it is thought that the club, as a football entity, would have to apply for admittance to the Scottish League - and in Division Three. Should this happen, there would be an obvious knock-on effect which just might affect Rovers.

Bhoys For Airdrie?

According to Teletext, KPMG's Blair Nimmo wants Celtic to take over Shyberry/New Broomfield as their training ground.