The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New chairman hopes for tears of joy next season
Clark admits that agonising play-off defeat to Alloa was ‘difficult afternoon’
New Raith Rovers chairman Bill Clark admits he wept as he watched their promotion bid collapse in Kirkcaldy.
However he is determined to ensure they are tears of joy this time next year.
Rovers were condemned to another season in League 1 as Alloa Athletic claimed a 2-1 win at Stark’s Park this month, the Wasps progressing 4-1 on aggregate before seeing off Dumbarton in the play-off final to ascend to the Championship.
The consequences were immediate. Within an hour of the full-time whistle, chairman Alan Young had taken “full responsibility” for the failure and resigned his post.
Clark, previously the company secretary at the club, was swiftly named his successor.
While a daunting challenge, the role is a huge honour for the Dysart lad-comegood and he is driven to guide Rovers back to where they belong after missing out on the title by one point this term.
“It was a very difficult afternoon against Alloa,” he said. “In fact, I was in tears afterwards, I’ll admit to that.
“I’m as big a supporter of this club as anyone else sitting in the stand and it was a painful defeat. What people have tended to forget is that one goal in the final league game would have seen us go up as champions and the picture would be very different. It was the breadth of a post that cost us.
“So we are ready for the challenge of building again over the summer to ensure we have a team, with new faces and some old faces, that is ready to push for promotion.”
That title charge will be led by manager Barry Smith after Clark emphasised the need for continuity at the club.
The former Dundee and East Fife boss was their fourth different manager in two years when he was appointed last summer, following Ray McKinnon, Gary Locke and John Hughes.
“We need a bit of stability at the club, it is too easy to simply sack the manager, shift the blame and get rid of him,” he said.
“You are not guaranteed that whoever you bring in will be any more successful. It’s a challenge for Barry. He took us so close this season and he deserves the opportunity to see what he can do next season.”
The squad charged with achieving that goal will look very different after the club confirmed the exits of 12 players this week, with the likes of Greig Spence, Bobby Barr and Kevin McHattie the headline names among those departing.
Clark is adamant that, despite the financial restrictions of life in the third tier, Smith will be backed in his bid to rebuild the squad.
“There is a very limited budget to do the business required and the last two seasons have cost us dear,” Clark said.
“Nevertheless, there is investment there and we are optimistic. There were a few players who had a big reputation and did not deliver this season, particularly up front.
“So a number of new players will come into the club and we will support Barry in that regard.”
Clark, a Scottish FA referee up until 1994, added wryly of his background: “I know what fans think of referees, so I’ll not be mentioning it too often.”
However, it is his pedigree in the education sector which is perhaps more pertinent.
Clark served as rector of Galashiels Academy, chief inspector of schools for Scotland and director of education in Islington in London, and after a career defined by his work with young people, he has assured supporters Rovers’ faith in youth will continue.
The return of the Reserve League will require their academy ranks to be streamlined, while head of youth development Craig Easton has been linked with Dundee United, but the club which produced David Bates, Ross Callachan and Lewis Vaughan remains committed to developing talent.
Jamie Watson and David McKay are youngsters expected to make their mark next term.
“We don’t quite know the shape our youth programme will take,” he said.
“However, I want to assure all supporters that we will still be committed to bringing through young players.”
Meanwhile, with work beginning on Rovers’ £650,000 synthetic pitch this week, Clark finds further cause for cheer.
The project is being funded by Stark’s Park Properties Ltd, the company run by Raith’s majority shareholder John Sim, and will not impact on the football club’s finances.