New chief has big plans

Chief executive David Douglas has high hopes for securing Albion Rovers place at the heart of the community after a successful round of summer camps.

Youngsters took to the pitch at Cliftonhill last week with boss Brian Kerr and player/coach Sean Higgins leading training.

The incoming chief hopes to take these camps on the road and into schools throughout North Lanarkshire in the next year.

The Coatbridge local man and former Clyde exec wants to introduce the likes of walking football teams for the elderly and to increase work with social work and care services.

“The summer camps are part of a vision we have for the club,” he said.“We want this to be a club that matters to the community in Coatbridge.

“We hope by connecting with different groups, whether it’s working with disadvantaged kids or working with health services, or part of a schools programme, we want to build up the credibility and the identity of Albion Rovers.

“We believe that if we can get people involved in theses groups we will see people return as fans.

“My experience with Clyde is what I am trying to replicate here. I want to make the club more than a football club.”

He continued:“There is huge potential. We are a club that a lot of people have genuine goodwill and fondness for.

“We need to become a smarter club, become more relevant and make things happen for businesses and the town of Coatbridge.

“We have a bright, energetic young manager with huge ideas about the type of football he wants to play.

“People don’t want to listen to a guy with a shirt and tie who tells them how to change their life - but a footballer can make a real positive impact.”