Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Boyd needs the support of fans Rovers chairman calls for locals to back their side
Albion Rovers chairman Ronnie Boyd says being a supporter of the club is a “rollercoaster”, but has urged fans to “stick with us” as they aim to bounce back to League One at the first time of asking.
A cloud of negativity has shrouded Cliftonhill after the club’s relegation, with many punters tipping John Brogan’s side to become involved in a basement battle rather than a promotion one.
Brogan’s vast squad rebuilding job has seen more than a dozen players recruited from the junior leagues and a tough Betfred Cup group left Rovers without a goal, or point, to their name.
But after the opening day loss against Edinburgh City, Boyd insists the club is a “positive place to be” going forward.
He told the Advertiser: “Relegation from League One was a huge blow and it took the club a while to get over it.
“We hadn’t envisaged such a rebulding job but the beauty of football is that there’s always a next season to put things right.
“John is an ambitious manager and our number one priority this season is to be promoted.
“I get no enjoyment from seeing people slate our budget or compare us to a junior team.
“Our intention is to have a senior club representing Coatbridge and we want that to continue.
“It’s a rollercoaster being a supporter here but Cliftonhill is a very positive place and we’re proud of what we do.
“Everything will be done on and off the field to keep the club going in a positive direction so please stick with us, as always.”
Boyd has supported Rovers for more than 60 years and says he had his “eyes-opened” when he joined the club’s board
But he believes the way the club and community come together in the face of financial adversity proves it is “being looked after in the proper manner”.
He continued: “People don’t realise how much work goes into running a football club and I certainly had my eyes opened when I came on board here.
“We have challenges with the budget, a 99- year- old stadium that needs looking after and we need to stay up- to- date with all legislation.
“We are heavily involved in the community and there’s a lot going on here to be positive about.
“We’re currently working with Dementia Scotland to make Rovers the first dementia-friendly club in the country.
“We have summer, easter and October camps for kids where we give them somewhere to kick a ball and get good coaching
“The club is being looked after in the proper manner.”