(31/10/09)

Ref Spoils a Bad Day
Rovers slumped to a 2 - 0 defeat south of the border today which sees them drop from 2nd in the table to 4th. A poor display, especially in the second half wasn't helped by the antics of Mr. Charleston who it seemed at times made the majority of decisions wrongly and applied bookings far too liberally and inconsistently. Although he treated both sides poorly it seemed that Rovers came off worse overall.

(30/10/09)

New Column
 Paul Martin updates us goings on behind the scenes at Cliftonhill.

Find it HERE

Elgin ..... again
For the second time this season Rovers have been paired with Elgin City in a cup draw. The last time ended in a 2nd round win by a margin of 3 - 0 for the highland outfit in the Alba Challenge Cup. This time it's a home tie for Rovers in the Active Nation Scottish Cup 3rd round.

The winner of the tie is put into the hat with the big boys who enter at the 4th round. Should Rovers draw this match it could well mean we play the Borough Briggs men on three successive Saturdays.

(25/10/09)

Cup Draw
As mentioned below the draw for the 3rd round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup takes this week (rumour has it Monday or Wednesday!). As your humble webmaster shall be unavailable to update the site until Friday please check the message board for details of this and any other breaking news!

(24/10/09)

Cup Win
Rovers progressed to the 3rd round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup with a 2 - 0 victory over Lossiemouth. A penalty just five minutes in was converted by Bobby Barr and five from the end Pat Walker settled their nerves.

The draw for the 3rd round which is due to be played on Saturday November 28th takes place this week. The following teams shall be in it with Rovers.

Winners of 2 round ties :
Montrose
Berwick 
Cove Rangers
Deveronvale or Buckie Thistle 
Edinburgh City 
Forfar Athletic 
The Spartans 
Wick Academy 
Huntly or Auchinleck Talbot
Inverurie Loco Works
Elgin City 
Livingston 
Irvine Meadow 
Keith 
Whitehill or Threave Rovers

Entering at this stage :
Alloa Athletic
Arbroath
Brechin City
Clyde
Cowdenbeath
Dumbarton
East Fife
Peterhead
Stenhousemuir
Stirling Albion
Airdrie United
Ayr United
Greenock Morton
Queen of the South
Raith Rovers
Ross County

(22/10/09)

AGM Update
Here are some important nuggets of information from tonight's club AGM.

A few moments were taken to remember fan Jim Wilson and former player Gordon Lennon who died during the year.

Chairman Frank Meade announced that he has been appointed to the League Management Committee.

Departures from the board of directors :

John Cornfield as he is in the process of setting up two new businesses and has a young family.

Donny McIntyre for reasons we need not go into.

Profit retained for the financial year ended 30th June 2009 £34,112 which equates to 15% of turnover. This money has reduced the club debt and the increase from just over £2000 the previous year is due to increased SFL and SFA monies, increased commercial income from events such as the Sportsmans' dinner and golf day. The reduced interest rate on their debt also helped boost the figure.

The club has been nominated for two awards for anti-sectarian projects they ran.

The club thanked various parties but Reigart and BeCogent were prominent amongst the ones mentioned.


Show Racism The Red Card
Welcome to Show Racism The Red Card’s Fortnight of Action, 16 – 31 October 2009. Before kick off this weekend, clubs playing at every IRN-BRU Scottish Football League and Scottish Cup ties, will be united in calling for an end to racism in football and in society. Players in over 40 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network against racism and discrimination.

Since establishing an office in Scotland in October 2003 the anti-racist message that Show Racism The Red Card has been promoting has received excellent support from football clubs, football authorities and football fans the length and breadth of Scotland, we would like to thank you for this. This period has not been without it’s challenges, and we urge fans to continue to support the anti-racist message. We have heard of many instances where real supporters have turned on racist fans making it clear that they are not welcome at their club. 

In society, racism is sadly still on the rise and there has been an increase in fascist activity. In September 2008, the Scottish Government published a bulletin, which showed that the total number of incidents recorded by the Police in Scotland were 4, 543. These figures provide an indication to the amount of racism that our BAME communities are facing every day. We firmly believe that most racist incidents go unrecorded. Irresponsible groups and media outlets continue to encourage racism against citizens from minority faiths, travellers, immigrants from EU-accession countries, and refugees and asylum-seekers. Within football racism has been directed towards players who were born in Scotland and who elected to play for the Republic of Ireland. The campaign will continue to speak to all football clubs, the football authorities and the police to eradicate all forms of racist behaviour.

The SFL and its Clubs deplore all forms of racist behaviour. Any racist behaviour will not be tolerated at IRN-BRU Scottish Football League fixtures. 

David Longmuir, Chief Executive of the Scottish Football League says “The SFL is rooted in its community ethos and that means more than just the local community. Scottish football clubs can and do play an important role in bringing people together, regardless of colour, race or creed. The SFL is firmly committed to supporting Show Racism The Red Card, and our ultimate aim is that clubs, players and fans unite to ensure that racism of any kind has no place in our football family.”

This year we have developed partnerships with a number of local authorities to deliver educational workshops combined with football coaching sessions in a number of regions. The workshops are delivered by professional footballers and professional football clubs, they are a very positive method of educating our young people about the negative impact racism has on Scottish society.

Here’s a brief outline of what’s taking place during the Fortnight of Action this year:
• Love Music, Hate Racism concert in Glasgow (The Classic Grand, Friday 30th October)
• Anti-racist football tournaments and projects in Glasgow, Dingwall, Inverness and Edinburgh
• Over fifty events taking place in communities nationwide to combat racism in our society, including events at Celtic F.C., Dundee United F.C., Falkirk F.C., Heart of Midlothian F.C., Partick Thistle F.C., St Johnstone F.C. and The Spartans F.C.
• Show Racism the Red Card actions at SPL, SFL, SWPL, SWFL, SJFA, SYFA and Scottish Cup matches.
• ‘Unite Against Racism’ actions at UEFA Champions League fixtures.
• Educational workshops in schools and with community groups across Scotland.

Football is a sport that is followed by people across the world, and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or religious background. We hope you enjoy the game today and ask you to support the players’ action before kick- off. We all have a part to play in showing racism the red card.

If you see or hear racism at any level of football, please report it to stewards or police. Our web site also includes updates on Fortnight of Action events and more information on the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign in Scotland.

(20/10/09)

£8
The admission prices to Saturdays cup match in Lossiemouth is £8 for adults and £4 concessions. As stated below under 16's can gain free entry with a paying adult with a voucher obtained from the Sun newspaper.

This makes the trip with admission, transport (around 390 miles round-trip) and sandwiches too just £16 for adults! Hopefully this leaves a few pounds spare for refreshments in the club's social club on arrival!

(18/10/09)

Lossiemouth Bus
The bus to Lossiemouth on Saturday 24th October for the Active Nation Scottish Cup 2nd round tie leaves from St. Andrews bar at 9.30am and from Owens bar around 5 minutes later.

Thanks to a 50% contribution to the costs by the club it shall be a maximum of £8 for adults and £5 for concessions. In addition the supporters' trust shall be providing sandwiches for fans travelling on it!

Free Cup Entry For Kids
The Scottish Government and the SFA are running, in conjunction with The Scottish Sun and participating clubs are operating a "Kids Go Free" promotion.

The promotion will allow free entry for a child under 16 who attends a 2nd round match of The Active Nation Scottish Cup with a full paying
adult. The Scottish Sun will promote the ‘KIDS GO FREE’ promotion for a full week and there will be a launch of the promotion in advance on the
2nd Round with key football personalities and deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

On the day of the 2nd Round Matches (24 October 2009) The Scottish Sun will publish the ‘KIDS GO FREE’ voucher which will be handed to the club on entry.  The promotion will be valid for only one child free entry per full paying adult and kids will be under 16 only.

(16/10/09)

Psychic Night
A reminder that the annual Albion Rovers Supporters' Trust Halloween Psychic Night will be held on Friday 30th October in the Georgian Hotel, Lefroy Street, Coatbridge at 7.30pm.

Contact any trust committee member or email the trust (contact details are on the trust page) to book tickets at £5.00 each! Private readings, if required are £25 per person.

(15/10/09)

Lennon Memorial Match
A memorial match for former Rovers and Dumbarton player Gordon Lennon, who was tragically killed in an accident in June, takes place at Dumbarton's Strathclyde Homes Stadium in Dumbarton on Sunday 15th November with a 2pm kick-off.

A Dumbarton Champions Select comprising players who won the third division championship with Sons last season, will take on a Gordon Lennon Select made up of players that 'Guido' played with at other clubs including Harmony Row, Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir and Partick Thistle.

Memorial Fund chairman Robert Ryan said : "'We are keen to provide a fitting occasion to remember Guido whilst at the same time raising some money for his partner and wee boy.

"I'm delighted to say that thanks to the goodwill of supporters and a previous match at Harmony Row the fund already stands at over £9,000."

Tickets for the game will be offered to the public from Friday (16th) onwards and will be available from Dumbarton FC and from Ryans Pet Centre 157 High Street Dumbarton.

There is no fixed price but a donation of £5 or more is sought per ticket. A limited number of tickets to include a pre match bar and half time snack will be available at a donation of £15 or over.

Tickets will also be available online from 26th October. Any unsold tickets will be on sale on the day but admission will be by ticket only.

(14/10/09)

Club AGM Announced
The Albion Rovers Football Club Ltd. annual general meeting is to be held on Thursday 22nd October at Cliftonhill starting at 7.30pm. The annual accounts report a trading profit for the financial year ended 30th June 2009 helping the club reduce its debt. After the formal AGM is concluded the club shall be holding a discussion with shareholders about the future stadium redevelopment and dormant shareholdings.

(11/10/09)

Lead Extended
Rovers put two points between them and their nearest rivals at the top of the division with a 2 - 0 win at Borough Briggs, Elgin today. McFarlane and Canning were the scorers.

(8/10/09)

Gaston Award
Young Rovers 'keeper Derek Gaston who has only made 11 competitive appearances for the team since signing from youth football in the close-season has been named Irn-Bru SFL Player of the Month for September. He has also signed an extension to his contract tying him up at Cliftonhill until summer 2011.


Gaston saving a penalty against 'Shire last Saturday!

(6/10/09)

Club Statement
The club have issued the following statement regarding the behaviour of "fans" at last Saturdays match.

"It has been drawn to my attention that there was some sectarian singing during Saturday's match with East Stirlingshire. While there is no evidence to suggest that Albion Rovers supporters were involved in this, no one connected with the Club should be in any doubt about the Club's policy on unacceptable behaviour. The singing of sectarian, racist or other songs deemed inappropriate within the ground will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and any supporter of any club who indulges in such behaviour will be banned for life. This is a zero tolerance issue and I would urge all supporters to help the Club police this by reporting any such instances of offensive behaviour to a member of staff or the stewards. The stewards will be instructed on the procedure to be followed should there be any incidents in the future. These instructions will include the involvement of the Police Authorities as appropriate.

The Club has had it's best start to a season for more than 20 years and as a result is enjoying a higher media profile. We are all working hard to promote the good family and community values that Albion Rovers Football Club stands for and I look to our supporters to ensure that the Club's reputation is not tarnished by a few mindless individuals.

Frank Meade
Chairman"

A statement issued by East Stirlingshire themselves can be read here.

Elgin Travel Disruption
Anyone travelling to Elgin this Saturday would be advised to heed this roadwork information kindly supplied by the SFL on their website. Luckily the trip to Lossiemouth should be unaffected!

Quote

M80 Stepps To Haggs DBFO Project

A80 Demolition Of North Road Over Bridge Between Westfield And Condorrat

On Friday 9th of October 2009 Works related to the demolition of North Road Bridge will commence on the A80.

This work will start at 8pm on Friday 9th October 2009 and finish by 6am on Monday 12th October 2009. The work is undertaken as two separate phases for the demolition and it will continue the following weekend again starting at 8pm on Friday 16th October and completing at 6am on Monday 19th October 2009.

In order to allow the safe demolition of the bridge, the A80 will be closed to all traffic during the following periods:

· 8pm Friday 9th October to 7am Saturday 10th October
· 8pm Saturday 10th October to 8am Sunday 11th October
· 8pm Sunday 11th October to 6am Monday 12th October

In order to minimise the impact on road users the A80 will have one lane in each direction operating during the following day time periods.

· 7am to 8pm Saturday 10th October
· 8am to 8pm Sunday 11th October

Appropriate diversion routes will be in place for all vehicles during the full closure, however significant delays to the travelling public are anticipated during these periods and drivers are advised to plan their journeys in advance to accommodate these delays. Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible on the above dates.

Unquote

(3/10/09)

Top!
Rovers climbed to top of the table with a convincing 3 - 0 win over 2nd placed East Stirlingshire. 'Shire were awarded a penalty early in the second half but Derek Gaston was equal to it.

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