(27/10/03)

Scottish Cup Draw
The draw for the 1st and 2nd rounds of this seasons Tennents Scottish cup were made at Hampden today. Rovers will play Montrose away in the first round on Saturday 22nd November.

The second round would see Rovers play Threave Rovers of the south of Scotland league at Cliftonhill on Saturday 20th December. Rovers have never (as far as we can tell) played a competitive match against Threave Rovers although we've played them at Castle Douglas at least once in pre-season match in recent years. Their last foray into the Scottish cup was 2001/02 season when they famously made the horrendously long trip to Wick where they beat the locals 3-2 only to lose at Forfar in the 2nd round.

(25/10/03)

Fifers Revenge
Cowdenbeath avenged their 4-1 defeat at Central Park earlier in the season with a 2-1 win at Cliftonhill. With two goals in four minutes of the restart Cowdenbeath made it an uphill second half for Rovers. Substitute Kevin McBride did grab a goal but it wasn't enough. Although match statistics were broadly similar for both teams Rovers had nine corners while Cowdenbeath had none.

(20/10/03)

Player Update
The word from Cliftonhill is that striker John Bradford, injured way back in July while the club was on tour in Dublin is close to regaining full match fitness.  He should be back in contention for a place in the team soon. We hear that Chris Fahey will not automatically regain the number one jersey from Neil Bennett who has only lost one goal in three matches, all of which Rovers won.

(18/10/03)

5 Star Rovers
Rovers climbed to third place in the table when five different players scored a goal apiece to humble Elgin 5-1. Much vaunted trialist keeper Andy Goram took all of two minutes to lose a goal when a Crunchie McAllister corner whizzed by him rooted to the spot for Paul McManus to put into the net. It seemed that the only player with any real skill in a black and white jersey (until Ogboke came on anyway) was that man Ryan McMullan who equalised for City. The 41 year-old (in three weeks time) Kevin McAllister showed the mere 39 year-old Andy Goram how things should be done grabbing a goal himself and being very unlucky with a long-range shot.

A full report with pics will is linked from the fixture page.

Elgin Update
As suspected it seems likely that Andy Goram will make his debut for his tenth club against Rovers today at Borough Briggs.  Elgin this week signed former Linfield defender Hugh Dickson who recently featured as a trialist for them incurring a £250 fine from the SFL for not having the required international clearance. Former Rovers players Chazz McLean (still injured) and Ally McMillan (suspended) wont feature for Elgin today.

Rovers' manager Peter Hetherston and assistant Jock McStay will both spend the ninety minutes in the stand as Silky has five of his eight match touchline ban to serve and McStay starts his six match ban. Youth supremo Jimmy Lindsay shall take over in the dugout.

(16/10/03)

Site News
This site's own roving reporter is currently in Monklands hospital. Hopefully his stay in hospital will be a short one, in the meantime however the news on this page is likely to be a bit more sparse than usual. The report from Elgin on Saturday may not be quite up to its usual standard and the number of pics may be reduced due to the increased responsibility on your webmaster.

(14/10/03)

It's Friday 14th!
As we suggested, Rovers have moved quickly to rearrange the home match against Gretna, scheduled for Saturday 15th November - the day of the international play-off. However, instead of opting for the Sunday, the teams have agreed to play on the Friday evening, with a 7.30 kick off. As usual, the move will not suit everyone, but it seems to us to be a reasonable compromise which should not attract too much criticism.
 
McStay Accepts Ban 
After due consideration, Assistant Manager Jock McStay has decided not to appeal against the six-match dug-out ban imposed yesterday. Although Rovers are still unhappy about certain aspects of the disciplinary hearing, and will be putting them in writing to the committee, they have little option but to accept the decision. Just out of interest, former manager John McVeigh - now at Stenhousemuir, of course - has been banned for four matches for a breach of touchline protocol.

(13/10/03)

Six Match Ban for McStay
Following his sending to the stand during the match at Gretna, Rovers' Assistant Manager Jock McStay has today been banned from the dugout for six matches. When added to the fact that Manager Peter Hetherston is already in the middle of a similar eight-match exclusion, it means that neither of the top two will be in a position to direct things from the touchlines in the immediate future. It is not yet known if McStay intends to appeal the sentence.
 
International Play-Off Dates
Now that the opposition and home dates (15th or 16th November) are known, it is expected that Rovers - and all other teams - will be looking at alternative dates for their scheduled matches. Rovers are due to play Gretna at Cliftonhill on the Saturday, but assuming that the international will take place on that day, why don't we ask Gretna if they would be willing to play on the Sunday? Maybe that's just too sensible, but let's wait and see.

(12/10/03)

Cup Success for Youths
Rovers' under-19s today eased into the Third Round of the SFA Youth Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over East of Scotland outfit Spartans at Cliftonhill. Goals from Kerr Potter (2) and Chic Connolly did the damage for the young Rovers.

(11/10/03)

SFA Youth Cup
Missing your regular fill of live action? Then, don't forget that Rovers' youths are in action tomorrow in the second round of the SFA Youth Cup! The venue is Cliftonhill, the opponents are Spartans, and the match gets under way at 2 pm.

(9/10/03)

Bounce Match Tomorrow
Rovers have arranged a bounce match against Celtic for tomorrow. The match, at the Parkhead club's Barrowfield training ground, will give practice to some of those players who have not featured in recent weeks; Jed Stirling and Jordan Smith, for instance.
 
Robbo's Ribs OK
Youth striker Gary Robertson, who injured ribs at Dingwall a couple of weeks ago, played at the weekend and will be fit to take his place against Spartans in this Sunday's SFA Youth Cup match at Cliftonhill.

Training Tonight
Peter Hetherston reports that his squad (with the obvious two exceptions) is fit and raring to go. A full-scale training session is being held tonight.

(8/10/03)

Record Catches Up
Today's Daily Record announces that Rovers have signed goalkeeper Neil Bennett until the end of the season. Not exactly hot off the press!
 
Shearer Tip
Also in the Record, it is reported that goalkeeping guru (should everyone have on of those?) Alan Hodgkinson has tipped former Rovers' number one Scott Shearer to graduate to the full Scotland side. "He's an articulate and confident goalkeeper who has a great future." Few people at Cliftonhill would argue with that one.
 
Rovers Could Face Goram
Still on goalkeepers, it's reported that former Scotland international Andy Goram will be training with Elgin City from tomorrow, with City boss David Robertson making an assessment of the veteran's fitness. Although he hasn't played since January, it could be that "The Goalie" will be between the sticks when Rovers travel to Borough Briggs a week on Saturday.

(6/10/03)

Joe Baker Dies
Former Rovers assistant manager Joe Baker, in his early sixties, died today. Joe was assistant to Davie Provan during second division championship winning season 1988-1989 and part of the triumvirate management team a while before that.

Joe suffered a suspected heart attack during a celebrity golf tournament at the Lanark Golf Club where former referee David Syme tried to resuscitate him. Joe was the first player outside the Football League to be capped by England and enjoyed a glittering playing career with Hibs, Arsenal and Torino. 

Joe was a likeable guy who was happy to tell stories such as the taxi driver taking him to the England team hotel in London who wouldn't believe that he was in the squad with his Scottish accent, until that is Joe produced a newspaper as proof. The taxi driver then remarked that England must be in a bad way to be picking him.

New Job for Silvio

Crocked midfielder Chris Silvestro will shortly be starting a new career away from football, but fans should not worry as it is under the auspices of architect Richard Moss who has been heavily involved in the preparation of plans for the proposed new Rovers' stadium. The arrangement will  not only allow Chris to begin his apprenticeship, but will also see him have as much time off as is necessary to complete his rehabilitation and get back to full fitness. 

No Injuries
We understand that there are no injuries to report following Saturday's demolition of East Stirlingshire. Although Iain Diack lasted only 27 minutes, there is no problem and he will be available for the next match.
 
Bennett Signs
Goalkeeper Neil Bennett, who kept clean sheets in the last two matches, has now put pen to paper for, as we understand it, the rest of the season. The experienced stopper certainly gives Rovers another option for the number one position.
 
Rovers Join Internet Revolution!
At long last, Rovers are about to move into the 21st century by becoming hooked up to the internet. Youth coach Jimmy Lindsay seems to be the man who will be most involved, beginning with learning about the basic email facilities. They have no plans to start an official website as far as we're aware.
 
Youth Lose -and Win!
Rovers' Under 19s made the long trip to Peterhead at the weekend where by all accounts they were most unfortunate to lose to their hosts by the odd goal in five. Scorers for Rovers in a match in which the team played very well were Andy McLeish and Andrew Selkirk. At the same time, the Under 17s took on their St. Mirren counterparts and won 2-1, the vital strikes both coming from a young man by the name of O'Hara.
 
Youth Cup Match
On Sunday, that's the 12th, the Under 19s will be in action in the second round of the SFA Youth Cup when they take on East of Scotland outfit Spartans at Cliftonhill, with a 2 pm kick-off. This is your opportunity to see the stars of the future in action, so come along and cheer the lads into the next round. 

(5/10/03)

College Sponsors Youths
Stewart McKillop, Principal of South Lanarkshire College, presents sponsored strips to Rovers Under 17s. This gesture is greatly appreciated by those in charge of the team.


Click to enlarge

(4/10/03)

Youths v Spartans
Contrary to information received, we now learn that this match will take place next Sunday, 12th October, and not tomorrow as thought.
 
Silky Drops Appeal
Peter Hetherston today confirmed that he will not be appealing further against his eight-match dug-out ban. Having now sat-out three matches, he has decided to thole the remainder. He did add that if results continued to go our way, he might consider banning himself from the touchline.
 
13th For McStay
Assistant manager Jock McStay, sent to the stand at Gretna, has been asked to appear before the beaks next Monday, 13th October, to explain his actions.   

Marc Anthony
Despite being mentioned in the press and some club officials apparently confirming that Marc had signed for Rovers, Peter Hetherston tells us he hasn't and didn't even have any contact with the gaffer.  

'Shire Demolished
Rovers climbed to fourth place in the league after demolishing East Stirlingshire 5-0 at Cliftonhill this afternoon. On top for most of the match Rovers looked up for it the whole 90 minutes. McManus was once more impressive bagging two goals, Yardley, McCaul and McBride also scoring.

(3/10/03)

Fahey Still Doubtful
According to information, goalkeeper Chris Fahey is rated at no more than a 50/50 chance of being able to resume his position against East Stirlingshire tomorrow. However, we understand that if he doesn't make it, Neil Bennett, last week's competent replacement, will again step in. As far as we are aware, there are no injury problems (apart from the Silvio and Braddo situations) which need bother manager Peter Hetherston's selection.
 
New Strips Arrive
Following something of a bottleneck at the suppliers, we are told that the new supply of replica strips have now reached Cliftonhill. As the quantity and quality have still to be verified, however, don't necessarily expect to be able to purchase one tomorrow. When general manager John Reynolds returns to his desk on Monday, one of his first tasks will undoubtedly be to have them ready for sale.

(2/10/03)

Shearer Gets Call-Up
Rainer Bonhof has selected former Cliftonhill favourite Scott Shearer for the Scotland Under 21 squad to face Lithuania at Perth in the final UEFA qualifying match on Friday 10th October. A win will see Scotland top their group and go into next month's play-offs. Shearer is actually 22 and therefore is classed as one of the over-age players allowed in such tournaments. Shearer only left for Coventry City in July and this call-up shows how respected he is.

(1/10/03)

Classic Signing
It was announced today that Rovers have signed experienced midfielder Marc Antony until the end of the season. Antony, who has been with Celtic, Berwick Rangers and Forfar Athletic, is a classy player whose promptings might just make all the difference to the Cliftonhill midfield. 

However, with these new acquisitions now added to the weekly wage bill, might some departures be required to balance the books? If so, who might be on THAT list?

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