Latest news with #AlbionRovers
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe: 7-0 derby win wasn't as important as building fitness
Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe shrugged off a 7-0 Monklands derby win over Albion Rovers and insists the result is irrelevant at this stage of the summer. A sparkling performance from the Diamonds saw them run riot at New Broomfield, with goals from Lewis McGrattan, Sean McGinty, Craig Ross, Chris Mochrie, Cammy Cooper (2) and Dylan MacDonald. Advertisement But McCabe says coming through another game unscathed – following a 2-1 defeat against Welsh side Penybont last week – was m ore important than defeating their neighbours from the Lowland League. He said: 'At this time of the season the result is irrelevant. 'I was pleased to get boys minutes, to get through the game with no injuries is a big plus, and it was a well worthy exercise, especially in that first half. Lewis McGrattan (left) sent Airdrie on their way to a comprehensive win -Credit:SNS Group 'I know [Rovers boss] Sandy Clark really well, and he has a young, energetic side, with a lot of trialist who had a lot to prove, so in terms of the intensity of the game and how it was played I was really pleased. Advertisement READ MORE: Ex-Rangers defender handed captain's armband at Airdrie READ MORE: Airdrie 7, Albion Rovers 0: Sparkling Diamonds rack up comfortable friendly win 'We looked to improve on last week, which was our first game back after the summer, after loading the boys' legs, in terms of their fatigue levels, and then building on that again – could we add a bit more quality. 'We knew the fitness has been pretty much drilled into them from pre-season, so I thought there were loads of good things, the young boys came on and kept that freshness really well.' McCabe added: 'The result, for me, is irrelevant, but I was really happy with the performance levels, energy levels, and everything that we had targeted before the game. Dylan MacDonald fired in a spectacular sixth to complete the scoring -Credit:SNS Group 'It's probably a good guide for our young boys, to experience what a match tempo is like and how quickly the ball needs to move, as opposed to academy or in training. Advertisement 'It was a really good exercise for both teams. Albion Rovers' boys will have sen the level we're operating at, and that's something they're trying to strive towards. 'But in terms of the game itself, it never really felt like a pre-season game,. I've played enough of them in my career where it's a bit slow and lethargic, but I think there was great intensity in the game and for both sides it was a worthy exercise.' Airdrie have a bounce game against Premiership side St Mirren on Tuesday, and McCabe said: 'Hopefully that will get the boys a little bit sharper than what they were on Saturday, which was really good, and gradually improve every week.'
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Clyde boss takes 'plenty of positives' from sinking Queen's Park in Glasgow Cup clash
The Bully Wee ran out narrow winners at the Hamilton Community Stadium on Saturday Darren Young reckons there are plenty of positives to take after Clyde made it back-to-back pre-season wins with Saturday's Glasgow Cup victory over Queen's Park. Clyde beat Championship side Spiders 1-0, courtesy of a strike from former Queen's Park man Scott Williamson at the Hamilton Community Stadium. That followed on from a 2-0 win at Lowland League club Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill, with Redfern and a trialist on target. Clyde will continue their programme at Kelty Hearts on Tuesday, ahead of their Premier Sports Cup kick-off. On Saturday's win, boss Young said: 'It was a worthwhile run-out. We were struggling for bodies – we've got a few boys away, a few with wee niggles that we're not taking any chances with, but for the boys who played it was a really good, strong performance. 'I thought the shape was really good, the work-rate and desire from the boys is exactly what you're needing. 'The bonus is that we get the clean sheet at the 1-0 win. We had a couple of other wee chances that we could have done better with, but with rustiness that will happen, and by the time the League Cup section an the league come around, that will be out the system. 'There were a lot of positives to take, and from [last] Wednesday night's game against Albion Rovers as well, a 2-0 win there, and it's a case of getting boys game-time. 'The boys have come back in good shape, they've got the bit between their teeth, which is good to see, and there were a few trialists in who have shown up well, too. 'It has been a good week, a strong week, and the main thing is getting minutes into the boys' legs and making sure niggles don't become strains or pulls or anything, so it's positive.' With Hamilton Accies having moved to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, Clyde will train at the Hamilton Community Stadium, which was formerly known as New Douglas Park. Young said: 'It's always good to be able to train on the park that you're playing on. I've had that with a few different teams, and it does make a difference. 'It's good to be here, that we have a base, as such, and that we're not chopping and changing, and it's good for players for that wee bit of stability. 'Under the circumstances that have happened, we've managed to profit from it, being able to play and train here. It just gives you that wee bit of security.' Meanwhile, Queen's Park boss Sean Crighton was disappointed with his side's 1-0 defeat against Clyde, but happy with their attitude. Crighton got 90 minutes in captain Euan Murray, vice-captain Charlie Fox, who missed nine months of last season, and Louis Longridge. But he was annoyed as a Scott Williamson strike gave Clyde the pre-season Glasgow Cup win. That followed a 2-0 win over Annan Athletic at the City Stadium the previous Tuesday, and Crighton said: 'I'm obviously disappointed in the result. There was a lot of good stuff in the game, but also stuff that we'll look back at and try and make it better. 'I thought it was a really poor goal that we lost. 'The big thing for me is results in pre-season, you can look at what you want,but the most important thing is that you get minutes in the legs. 'I've had Euan Murray and Charlie Fox getting 90 minutes, Louis Longridge got 90 minutes. 'There are ones that got good minutes in their legs that I'm going to need to get good minutes, so it was a good exercise again. 'But I'm really disappointed with the result. 'We had a couple of chances, but nothing really clear-cut, and poor decision making in the final third and all over is stuff that we need to tidy up on. 'We gave Clyde something to hang onto, we lost a poor goal. In the final third we need to be better with our decisions, but it's basically a new group. 'On Tuesday night there were a lot of things I was happy with, and [on Saturday] there was a lot of stuff that I was happy with as well. 'It's going to come, it's just that we need to make sure the guys are getting fitness in their legs and getting what they need out of pre-season as well.'
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Albion Rovers boss assesses Lowland League title hopes as he issues 'bottomed-out' warning
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. 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. 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. '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.' 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. 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. '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.
Daily Record
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
New Albion Rovers kit thanks fans in writing as Rovers Return backers take centre stage on retro kit
The Coatbridge club have taken a different approach to this season's kit design Albion Rovers have revealed a bespoke new home kit – featuring the names of those who have backed the club through a tough few months. The Lowland League club launched a Rovers Return fundraiser last season amid financial difficulties and the backers' chosen names adorn the new yellow top, which features a smart red collar, a subtle lined trim and special ARFC-themed cuffs. The club says it is 'a nod to our past, taking inspiration from our home tops of yesteryear, namely throughout the 1980s.' The new home kit will be worn for the first time when the competitive action gets underway on Saturday, July 26 for the club's Lowland League opener, the opponents for which will be revealed on Tuesday when the fixtures are released. Albion Rovers director Ben Kearney said: 'I'd like to thank every backer who has made the Rovers Return a real success. 'The initiative has helped support the club immensely and the pinnacle of the idea was based around this special home shirt. Thanks also go to the small project group who made the Rovers Return happen, and those other people who have contributed to getting the kit here in plenty of time before the season start. 'Finally, another thanks goes to Iain McLean for his fantastic pictures.' A spokesperson for kit supplier RJM Sports added: 'We're absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with Albion Rovers. "Collaborating on this kit has been a real pleasure – the design pays tribute to the club's proud heritage and incorporating the names of the supporters makes it all the more special. We can't wait to see it in action.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chasing East Kilbride to title cost Albion Rovers, admits boss
Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark says foolishly chasing East Kilbride for the Lowland League title over the past two season, following a devastating relegation from League Two, has left the club in a financial black hole. Advertisement But he says Rovers have a strategy, largely based on the prospect of creating an astroturf-based community hub. The Wee Rovers fell into the fifth tier in 2023 and hoped to earn an immediate return by splashing the cash they had from SPFL parachute payments for going down. However, EK romped to the league title in both of the last two campaigns, finally gaining promotion through the play-offs at the second attempt last month, and with Rovers failing to get up, they now face a season with very limited funds now the two-year support package from the SPFL has ceased. Clark and assistant George Paterson have had to take pay cuts to stay on for next season, while the playing budget has been completely slashed to the point the club will only be able to pay expenses this coming season. Rovers boss Sandy Clark says mistakes have been made at every level in the last two seasons -Credit:Ciaran Reid The club is in the early stages of trying to change Cliftonhill's surface from grass to artificial, with the support of the SFA, to create a revenue stream but that won't be a quick process. Advertisement READ MORE: Airdrie have point to prove after last season's relegation scare, says Frizzell READ MORE: Lowland League shake-up confirmed as clubs vote for revamp And Clark admits trying to challenge big-spending EK has come back to bite them. He said: 'Relegation was an absolute kick in the teeth. Other clubs who have been down the same pathway, it's hard to get back out when you take that drop, and that's where we find ourselves now. 'In the two years we've been in the Lowland, mistakes have been made at every level. We looked at trying to get back up with a fairly decent budget, but in hindsight, East Kilbride have been so far ahead for two years that it was a real challenge to get there. Rovers will lose most of their players from last season as they go to an expenses-only model -Credit:Ciaran Reid 'We found ourselves at the end of last season in a financial position where the club had to bottom out. Advertisement 'Hopefully with the budget we have, we can't go any lower now. This is where it has to stop, and we need to have a foundation and build on the next little bit, as we go along and learn from mistakes in the past. 'I kept believing for the past year we were going to have an astroturf pitch out there, that hasn't come to fruition yet and that really frustrates me, because I think that might well be the focal point where this club can kick on. 'I think when that starts it changes the whole structure of this club and gives it a chance to progress.'
