Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Comic book star brings streaming service to Rovers
Coatbridge comic writer Mark Millar’s £18,000 investment in a revolutionary new live-streaming service for hometown club Albion Rovers has scored approval at the Scottish Parliament.
The Cliftonhill club’s celebrity supporter – who created blockbusters Kick-Ass, Wanted and Kingsman – has funded new technology which will allow the League Two outfit to show games to paying fans at home while crowds are still unable to attend.
Now the Hollywood star has earned Holyrood praise after MSP Fulton MacGregor tabled a special motion commending the generous donation and its potential for the club.
The Coatbridge politician’s motion notes that the Pixellot streaming system, set to be used for the first time at next month’s season opener against Stenhousemuir,“is a first in Scottish football”.
It adds that“with help from the football authorities, other clubs are due to follow this lead; [and] that this initiative will allow clubs in the lower professional leagues to continue to generate income and for fans able to take in live games while restrictions are still in place”– and “thanks Mark for his initiative that has the potential to bring positives to fans, clubs and communities”.
Mr MacGregor’s statement has been supported by a dozen fellow MSPs, including predecessor Elaine Smith, who now represents Central Scotland.
Launching the cash injection and new technology, funded for three years, Netflix executive Mark told the Advertiser:“I wanted to help with investment – if there are no fans coming through the door you’re going to struggle.
“When it came to Covid and the future of Rovers I was a bit nervous, as all clubs are really going to struggle. You need money to pay people’s wages, so I felt I had to come up with a plan to help.
“Nobody is going to restart a club like Albion Rovers; it was too important and I couldn’t not get involved.
“I think this will be a game-changer for football. A rescue package was the original idea, but I believe we could make it a global thing. It will open the club up to ex-pats and fans who can’t go to games.”
He added:“My dad was a big Rovers fan so I grew up with this romantic idea of Rovers and the community side of it. You come to a game and you bump into 200 people you know – it takes half an hour to get out of the stadium.
“I’ve always loved it.”