Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Club of the week
AC Rovers boys’ club
AC Rovers under-14s made memories this season by securing a fantastic league and cup double.
The Monklands side won the Central Scotland C-division this campaign, despite only being promoted to it 12 months previously.
They then made it a memorable double by adding the divisional cup to their cabinet.
As our club of the week, we spoke to their coach Stuart Donald to find out more about what makes them tick.
How did the club get started?
My brother Stephen started the older age group in 2014 and it began well for them.
The season after, some of his players’ younger brothers were keen to play for a team so I offered to do the 2004 age group.
I’m now going into my fourth season of coaching them and it’s brilliant.
Where did the name come from?
Well, we originated in Airdrie but we see ourselves as a club for the area so AC means Airdrie and Coatbridge.
Tell us about your success this season
We won the league and cup double which was a tremendous reward for the boys’efforts throughout the year.
We played 20 games in the league and won 18 of them, which meant we won the title with a seven point gap.
We won the cup against Larkhall, who are in our league, in a 3-0 win and all credit must go to the boys.
To achieve this in our first season since being promoted to the C-League is great .
The squad put the work in at training, they listen to instructions and go out and perform.
It’s been a long season but they’ve got through it with very few moans and groans.
It still doesn’t feel real to be honest, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet!
How can somebody get involved at the club?
We train at Airdrie Leisure Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We don’t judge new players on one night of training.
As long as we have an age group to accommodate someone who is interested then we’ll welcome them along.
We’re trying to work on creating age groups that suit everyone as we want all potential players to have an opportunity.
We have six age groups in total with the oldest one being the 2002 team.
Training costs are £30 a month and that covers two training sessions, plus a match, every week.
What challenges do you face as a club?
Our biggest challenge without doubt is facilities.
We’re fortunate we have the sports centre with a couple of lets but the cost is huge.
If we want it for three hours a week it’s £60, then £40 for a game on Saturday.
So, before a ball is even kicked at the weekend we’ve paid £100.
Youth football is a massive cost and that’s why a lot of teams disappear – they just can’t afford to keep themselves going.
We do bagpacking and race nights to keep the costs ticking over. They’re a big earner for us but it’s still a huge challenge.
Who else coaches the team with you?
Alongside me I have Craig Agnew and Paul Moir.
I got to know them through their boys playing with the team. Paul’s son, Connor, is our captain. When I started coaching here, I didn’t realise how important a role it is.
We’re not just coaches, we’re counsellors and father-figures too.
Us coaches have a big influence on the boys and if I can keep them on the right path and watch them smile as they play then that’s my reward.
I went through a stage when I thought about packing it in but when you get texts from the parents and some of the boys saying how important it is to them then you realise this isn’t just a boys’club.
Do you have any former players who have gone on to achieve success?
We’ve only been around for a few years so we’re not at that stage yet.
Hopefully over the next wee while some of our lads are picked up by teams and they can go on to try and make a career in the game.
There is a boy from the 2002 squad called Jack Cumming who is heading to America to do a scholarship.
What pleases you the most about the success your team has had?
What never fails to impress me is the fact the boys can take on, and use, information you’ve given them, and then go and translate that onto the pitch.
The success is down to the guys who perform every week.
We give them guidance but they have to go on and deliver, and they do it.
They’ve not let themselves down often and the rewards are there for them.