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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2018 14:26:25 GMT
2018 is not a year on which I shall look back with any remote sense of pleasure.
Brexit, 12 more months of Trump, a Royal Wedding (always been minded towards a republic myself, but each to their own), and a truly torrid annus horribils at Coatbridge’s home of football.
So, as we take stock of the year, it would be helpful to reflect on where we are and, unfortunately, where we look to be headed. And, to be quite frank, we should really start looking at travel plans for the Lowland League – Prof (the long-suffering Bus Convener) has some homework to do!
We have, I believe, won a shocking 3 competitive fixtures in 2018. The whipping boys of League 1 have now ‘evolved’ into the whipping boys of League 2. And, with this unfortunate turn of events, look set to end our 100+ year relationship with SPFL football.
I firmly believe this entire predicament could have been avoided if those charged with the day-to-day running of the club made decisions based on ambition and not, sadly, on fear or the acceptance of mediocrity. Brian Kerr’s tenure looks positively unblemished when compared with the reign of John Brogan which was, by all accounts, an unmitiaged disaster.
Those who appointed him could have single-handedly rung the football club’s death knell and I do not believe those who follow the club (and spend their hard-end cash) will forgive – or forget – if we cease to exist. The club is a lifeline, in so many ways, for so many people. It provides a safe place of solace, an escape, which we would be genuinely lost without. To think that such a reckless – and ill-thought-through – decision could close the gates for good is unthinkable and, heartbreakingly, a real possibility.
I won’t waffle on, but I will conclude with the following thought: In the space of a few short years we have gone from unparalled footballing success to absolute stick-ons to leave the SPFL for good with something short of a whimper. Who is eventually accountable for our demise is up for debate, but I do recall success with a very limited budget in the past. But to say that our current financial position (which is skint, but debt free…apparently) is not sustainable in the senior game is a lie. A big, fat, dirty lie. And, when we go down (whether it be this year on the next), a few people will have red & yellow blood on their hands.
All the best for 2019, everyone! Jordie.
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Post by tommysermanni on Dec 31, 2018 15:51:00 GMT
Pretty hard to disagree with any of that but nothing will be solved at the moment by blaming exercises.
It's been a shambles. We all know that but some are in denial.
We need to rally and stick together and give Kevin every chance of fielding a team that make a game of the play offs. To me that's where we are. We are absolutely cut off and have zero chance of catching anyone.
I think Saturday is crucial. If we can get any kind of result against QP it will be the first time this season we have picked up points on consecutive Saturdays.
Also good to hear that some players are moving out on loan which will hopefully free up some wages.
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Post by charlestheoptimist on Dec 31, 2018 16:11:41 GMT
I have friends who are Arbroath/Livingston/Alloa fanatics and they are generally perplexed by our dramatic fall in 2018 after matching their sides and bettering them in recent times. I bored them with all the politics and despite their friendly banter about our ground they will genuinely miss visits to Coatbridge if we drop out of senior football. They have stated that they are not alone amongst visiting fans who bond together in times of crisis. We have a long history and a deep affection amongst all aspects of Scottish Football, and whilst no one has a god given right to remain in the league in its present format,there will be a wave of shock and bewilderment if we are despatched. It is not beyond the realms of minor miracles if we could pull off a comeback of epic proportions and survive , but even the hardiest are bracing themselves for the inevitable. After opening Cliftonhill in 1919 - it would be sad that 2019 would see our league status gone. It all still seems so surreal from that heady day in Ibrox in 2014
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Post by Nanook on Dec 31, 2018 18:45:49 GMT
So much to disagree with.
Why throw in the towel so easily?
We ain't dun yet. Yes, we are bottom, does that mean we are going to stay bottom? Does not follow. Give Kevin Harper and the players a break, and your support.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2018 19:21:05 GMT
So much to disagree with. Why throw in the towel so easily? We ain't dun yet. Yes, we are bottom, does that mean we are going to stay bottom? Does not follow. Give Kevin Harper and the players a break, and your support. I'll second that.
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Post by stewmelrover on Dec 31, 2018 20:26:53 GMT
We all know things are bad. No one is in denial; no-one is happy about any of it; but we live in hope. The worst thing to do is to give up. So we keep going.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 0:08:20 GMT
I'll second that as well! Happy New Year!
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Post by sam on Jan 1, 2019 0:21:55 GMT
2018 is not a year on which I shall look back with any remote sense of pleasure. Brexit, 12 more months of Trump, a Royal Wedding (always been minded towards a republic myself, but each to their own), and a truly torrid annus horribils at Coatbridge’s home of football. So, as we take stock of the year, it would be helpful to reflect on where we are and, unfortunately, where we look to be headed. And, to be quite frank, we should really start looking at travel plans for the Lowland League – Prof (the long-suffering Bus Convener) has some homework to do! We have, I believe, won a shocking 3 competitive fixtures in 2018. The whipping boys of League 1 have now ‘evolved’ into the whipping boys of League 2. And, with this unfortunate turn of events, look set to end our 100+ year relationship with SPFL football. I firmly believe this entire predicament could have been avoided if those charged with the day-to-day running of the club made decisions based on ambition and not, sadly, on fear or the acceptance of mediocrity. Brian Kerr’s tenure looks positively unblemished when compared with the reign of John Brogan which was, by all accounts, an unmitiaged disaster. Those who appointed him could have single-handedly rung the football club’s death knell and I do not believe those who follow the club (and spend their hard-end cash) will forgive – or forget – if we cease to exist. The club is a lifeline, in so many ways, for so many people. It provides a safe place of solace, an escape, which we would be genuinely lost without. To think that such a reckless – and ill-thought-through – decision could close the gates for good is unthinkable and, heartbreakingly, a real possibility. I won’t waffle on, but I will conclude with the following thought: In the space of a few short years we have gone from unparalled footballing success to absolute stick-ons to leave the SPFL for good with something short of a whimper. Who is eventually accountable for our demise is up for debate, but I do recall success with a very limited budget in the past. But to say that our current financial position (which is skint, but debt free…apparently) is not sustainable in the senior game is a lie. A big, fat, dirty lie. And, when we go down (whether it be this year on the next), a few people will have red & yellow blood on their hands. All the best for 2019, everyone! Jordie. Aye and a Happy New Year to you to Jordie 😉
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Post by bucky on Jan 1, 2019 13:27:23 GMT
It's not where the club is this now it's the direction it is travelling in that should concern the fans. There are some who stick their head in the sand- last year the 5-4 defeat against EF was clear the club was going down unless action was taken but we were still told to keep the heid. Unfortunately there are some fans whi would gladly swap games against Airdrie to playing Elgin away or Gala Fairydean because their woeful patter has a better chance of being heard.
Yesterday in twitter i noticed a post where you had to guess which team had the fewest wins in all competitions in 2018- you've guessed it , it's Rovers with 3 wins. We are a laughing stock again after all the hard work Frank, Lew and Robert did to keep the club afloat and regain it's reputation.
It's time to get real - relegation from L1 was followed by the craziest appointments the club could have ever made and yet no-one took responsibility for that , just hidung behind 4 men comittees that don't exist. The club needs a miracle and a lot of luck to keep it's league status. It's hard to argue that we deserve to stay up after playing Russian roulette at the start of the season.
Good luck to Kevin, Joe and the players for 2019- they're going to need it.
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Post by marmiteman on Jan 1, 2019 18:14:23 GMT
Hope that's not my legendary patter you refer to Bucky?
Peter
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Post by bucky on Jan 2, 2019 9:10:43 GMT
Hope that's not my legendary patter you refer to Bucky? Peter How did you guess?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2019 12:38:08 GMT
It's not where the club is this now it's the direction it is travelling in that should concern the fans. There are some who stick their head in the sand- last year the 5-4 defeat against EF was clear the club was going down unless action was taken but we were still told to keep the heid. Unfortunately there are some fans whi would gladly swap games against Airdrie to playing Elgin away or Gala Fairydean because their woeful patter has a better chance of being heard. Yesterday in twitter i noticed a post where you had to guess which team had the fewest wins in all competitions in 2018- you've guessed it , it's Rovers with 3 wins. We are a laughing stock again after all the hard work Frank, Lew and Robert did to keep the club afloat and regain it's reputation. It's time to get real - relegation from L1 was followed by the craziest appointments the club could have ever made and yet no-one took responsibility for that , just hidung behind 4 men comittees that don't exist. The club needs a miracle and a lot of luck to keep it's league status. It's hard to argue that we deserve to stay up after playing Russian roulette at the start of the season. Good luck to Kevin, Joe and the players for 2019- they're going to need it. Unfortunately the 4 man committee did exist, although thankfully it’s only at 50% now. I wonder if we will ever get to hear the decision making process from what will most likely be one of the most infamous days in Rovers history.
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Post by bucky on Jan 2, 2019 13:45:13 GMT
It's not where the club is this now it's the direction it is travelling in that should concern the fans. There are some who stick their head in the sand- last year the 5-4 defeat against EF was clear the club was going down unless action was taken but we were still told to keep the heid. Unfortunately there are some fans whi would gladly swap games against Airdrie to playing Elgin away or Gala Fairydean because their woeful patter has a better chance of being heard. Yesterday in twitter i noticed a post where you had to guess which team had the fewest wins in all competitions in 2018- you've guessed it , it's Rovers with 3 wins. We are a laughing stock again after all the hard work Frank, Lew and Robert did to keep the club afloat and regain it's reputation. It's time to get real - relegation from L1 was followed by the craziest appointments the club could have ever made and yet no-one took responsibility for that , just hidung behind 4 men comittees that don't exist. The club needs a miracle and a lot of luck to keep it's league status. It's hard to argue that we deserve to stay up after playing Russian roulette at the start of the season. Good luck to Kevin, Joe and the players for 2019- they're going to need it. Unfortunately the 4 man committee did exist, although thankfully it’s only at 50% now. I wonder if we will ever get to hear the decision making process from what will most likely be one of the most infamous days in Rovers history. A 4 man comittee where no-one takes any resonsibility for the biggest self-inflicted wound the club could ever commit. Perfect.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2019 17:10:40 GMT
The polar opposite from perfect but it should be recognised that the committee did exist. I believe 2 are still involved at the club but what remains to be seen if the departed 2 are a part of any coup at the AGM. If they are and are blowing their trumpets, or getting others to blow it for them as has often been the case, then their part in this shouldn’t be erased from the history books.
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Post by stewmelrover on Jan 2, 2019 19:35:39 GMT
Should make for a most interesting AGM. Quite looking forward to it. David Higgins
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