Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Chairman’s attendance challenge
New Albion Rovers chairman Eddie Hagerty is aiming to double the matchday attendance at Cliftonhill.
The 68-year-old took over the role from Ronnie Boyd earlier this month.
Hagerty is a lifelong supporter of the club and has been going to Rovers games sfor almost 60 years.
The retired school teacher has been involved with Rovers since the early 1990s and had a previous spell on the board from 1992 to 1994.
In 2016, when Ronnie Boyd was announced as chairman, Hagerty accepted his friend’s invitation to join the board once again.
Now, he’s happy to step into his predecessor’s shoes due to the“stable financial situation”at the club.
Mr Hagerty told the Advertiser:“I’ve been a devoted Rovers fan since my childhood.
“The main reason I became involved with the club and the board is because of the sense of community.
“Coatbridge gets a rough time and we want to bring something to the town that the local people can celebrate.
“The club is something we can really develop.
“There’s a very stable financial situation at the club and I’m happy to take over because of that.
“We need to have success on the field and what that will develop off the park is the profile of the club and its connection with the community.
“We want to get people in the stadium.
“Our attendance just now on a matchday is in the high 200s.
“That isn’t at the level we want it to be – it should be double that.
“But the only way to do so is have a successful team on the field.”
And Hagerty is certain new manager Kevin Harper can deliver that.
The former Hibs midfielder was appointed Rovers’manager last week – his first job in management.
Eddie continued: “There’s an element of risk involved in any appointment but we feel we’ve got this right.
“Kevin has a great personality and experience in the game.
“He has lots of connections and is someone the board feel has the ability to take control of the dressing room.
“He’ll get the best out of the players here.”
With regards to improving the squad during the January transfer window, he continued:“As chairman, the first thing I want to do is keep the club financially viable.
“To say we will be spending lots of money in January would be a lie, but we’re conscious of our position and need to develop a squad that is of a certain quality.
“We are about three-quarters of the way there but we’ll maybe need a couple of experienced players in January.”
Meanwhile, new gaffer Harper has moved quickly to appoint his assistant manager.
Joe McLaughlin will line-up alongside Harper in the Cliftonhill dugout.
McLaughlin is a former teammate of Harper’s from their time at Hibernian, and the boss is confident his right-hand man will be a“big boost” to the Rovers cause.
Harper said:“Joe has got great experience and I know exactly what he will bring to the team.
“I interviewed Joe and I’m confident the two of us will work very well together.
“He has a lot of good contacts within the game and will help increase the profile of the club.”
The new manager added:“Joe and I will both give our all to make sure Rovers move in the right direction.”