Albion Rovers boss assesses Lowland League title hopes as he issues 'bottomed-out' warning

Daily Record

2 days ago

Sandy Clark gives a realistic assessment on ambitions as Coatbridge club cuts costs
Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark says he is realistic enough to know his side won't win the Lowland League this season, but he is also confident that they won't be the worst in the division either.
There is no relegation from the Lowland League this term with reconstruction coming in from the 2026/27 campaign, but cash-strapped Rovers still face a difficult year with budget restraints crippling their ability to attract quality players for the forthcoming season.
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And Clark believes his side, who finished sixth in the fifth tier last season, won't be anywhere near challenging for the title this term and says his target for the team this term is to give it their best shot.
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The Rovers gaffer, who took a pay cut this season to stay in charge, said: 'The target is to be the best we can be. Once we get a squad signed up - which will take a few weeks - all I will ask is that they work as best they can and carry out the tactics we ask of them.
'We won't be the worst team in the league, but it is fair to say we won't be challenging.
'We certainly won't win the league, there's absolutely no doubt about that.
'There is no relegation this season but anyone that I sign to come and work with me, if they think bottom of the league is acceptable, they won't be there for long.
'The one thing we can offer them is a platform. If I can sell them up the way to a bigger club, that is success for me and them.
'I have been in situations like this before at teams in my career where you have little budget. You just have to deal with it, try to get good players as best you can within the budget by being sensible.
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'You have to give one player a bit more and the next player has to take a little bit less. Maybe you bring in an experienced player and then a younger player so the two of them marry up to help you take a step forward.
'That is the way it is going to have to be here. I know exactly what I have to do.'
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A club statement released late last season claimed internal wrangling amongst shareholders has held the club back from finding new revenue streams after their parachute payments for falling out of the SPFL in 2023 ceased.
Rovers are currently in discussions with the SFA about upgrading Cliftonhill to an artificial surface through the Scottish Football Facilities Fund, which would open up the pitch for community use.
Clark says the current situation at the club is frustrating but he will just need to get on with his job as best he can.
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He added: 'I can only focus on the football side of the club.
'There is still the internal stuff with the shareholders that I can't really get my head around.
'Why people can't work together, I don't know, but that has been covered before.
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'The best way to describe things right now is that Albion Rovers have bottomed out. They can't go any lower. If they go any lower with the situation the club is in financially, eventually you find yourself in bother.
'When I look at the players I've lost, every one of them were people I wanted to keep and we couldn't manage it because other clubs recognised they were good players and had the budget to go and make them a financial offer that we couldn't.
'Everyone goes with my best wishes because they gave me everything they had when they were here.'
Meanwhile, Rovers have added two friendlies to their pre-season schedule with Queen of the South reserves and St Mirren B their opponents.
They already face Airdrie this Saturday and were due to host Queen's Park last night.
The clash with the Doonhamers will be played on Saturday, July 12, kick off 3 pm, and on Saturday, July 19 the Saints come calling in a 3pm kick-off.