|
|
Post by Roy of the Rovers on Dec 23, 2023 12:08:56 GMT
I see that Sandy and George have agreed new deals with the club. No length of agreement mentioned. Were their deals only till end of year?
|
|
|
|
Post by Calum Moore on Dec 23, 2023 12:13:35 GMT
Full club statement is as follows
Albion Rovers are delighted to announce that manager Sandy Clark and his assistant George Paterson have signed contract extensions until the end of season 2024/25.
Sandy and George were appointed in March after the departure of Brian Reid’s management team, during what was a difficult period for the club, with the team sitting bottom of League 2 bereft of confidence and identity on the pitch.
In the summer, after our subsequent relegation to the Park’s Scottish Lowland Football League via the pyramid play-off, Sandy and George were tasked with not only rebuilding our first-team playing squad – but also with the immediate goal of transforming the atmosphere and general running of our football department.
It is fair to say that being in position 14 out of 18 isn’t anywhere near where we want to be at the end of the campaign, but we fully believe in the work that Sandy and George are undertaking, and that having a full season building into the summer transfer window will allow them to implement a medium to long term strategy that allows us to challenge for promotion to the SPFL through intelligent recruitment and a new-look to how we operate.
Working under a restricted budget, they have recruited talented young players who are giving their all for the Albion Rovers badge. We have been encouraged by how the management team have also engaged with supporters and volunteers – they have truly bought into Albion Rovers and its ethos as a community-first club.
They have also created a culture that has seen the playing squad interact with our supporters and build a rapport with our loyal fanbase. At our recent open meeting and Supporters’ Trust quiz night, we saw first-hand Sandy’s strong leadership and willingness to involve himself in all matters related to Albion Rovers.
In terms of our football department, we have seen a complete restructuring in how the playing squad go about their business as top part-time professionals, and thanks to Sandy and George’s standing within the game, we have been able to call upon many different opportunities. They have created an excellent working relationship with Michael Paton acting as a first-team coach alongside the brilliant Gary Johnstone and Jade Shiels (kit manager and physiotherapist).
“We are delighted to have Sandy and George tied down for next season,” a spokesperson for the Board of Directors said. “We believe stability, structure and ambition are key moving into 2024 and we are unanimous in our agreement that the management team are key pillars in how the club moves forward.
“They have both worked incredibly hard for Albion Rovers and have bought into everything the club represents. We have been impressed by Sandy and George’s knowledge and know-how. The job at hand is much more than just putting a team on the park on Saturday and we are excited with the work that Sandy and George have already been carrying out to transform our football department.
“Extending their contracts now, heading into January, allows them ample time to plan and prepare for the upcoming summer window.”
We’ll have further content and reaction from the management team over the festive period – for now, we would like to wish all of our supporters a merry Christmas and a happy New Year when it comes.
As you will have seen in recent weeks, the Board of Directors are now bolstered by the additions of Hugh Morrison and Margaret Rizza, and we are excited to be able to call upon extra hands and vital know-how moving forward.
Let’s get behind the team this afternoon as we take on Cowdenbeath at the Reigart Stadium on league duty (kick-off 3pm).
|
|
|
|
Post by sam on Dec 23, 2023 12:19:03 GMT
Personally think that’s a good decision, if the management team couldn’t be persuaded to stay what would that say to the players… and yes there are a good few I’d like to see there next season.
With the addition of someone with a bit of experience, of a higher level footie than the Lowland League, in the midfield then hopefully this season can be looked at as the preparation for next seasons push.
In case anyone is wondering I haven’t snuck into the ground early and started tanning the ‘trust’ drink
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcdm on Dec 23, 2023 12:21:18 GMT
Time to hit the drink. Can't believe I've just read that.
|
|
|
|
Post by eunan1882 on Dec 23, 2023 12:22:04 GMT
Not a fan of this at all, the football has been terrible, would’ve kept him to the end of the season but I don’t think he’s done anything to merit this new deal till the end of the next season, only time will tell if he’s deserved this new deal
|
|
|
|
Post by fergie on Dec 23, 2023 12:36:22 GMT
I don't agree with this at all sorry. The team looked decent early in season but we have got worse as the season has progressed . We are going backwards fast.A big risk from the board giving them long term contracts as they will need to pay them off if we end up declining even more which is a very strong possibility
|
|
|
|
Post by tommysermanni on Dec 23, 2023 15:45:41 GMT
Have to be honest, when I saw this pop up on Twitter, I thought it was to announce the managers resignation.
Honestly, I dont see any justification for rewarding a new contract when the team is regressing.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottgkc16 on Dec 23, 2023 17:52:18 GMT
Getting rewarded for being 14th in lowland league winning only 5 out of 16 games is beyond me, For me sacking brian reid was a mistake, as the saying goes " the grass isn't always greener" comes to mind.
|
|
|
|
Post by d7 on Dec 23, 2023 18:30:34 GMT
"Excited with the work Sandy and George have already been carrying out to transform our football department" . Christ!
|
|
|
|
Post by scottgkc16 on Dec 23, 2023 18:37:04 GMT
"Excited with the work Sandy and George have already been carrying out to transform our football department" . Christ! How can the board not see the playing squad has got worse its probably up there if not the worst Albion rovers team in history |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2023 18:40:44 GMT
Sacking Reid was never a mistake as he was useless but this deal is just about treading water before we go under or get taken over by the Messiah Riley
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcdm on Dec 23, 2023 18:47:26 GMT
"Excited with the work Sandy and George have already been carrying out to transform our football department" . Christ! How can the board not see the playing squad has got worse its probably up there if not the worst Albion rovers team in history This is the worst. No doubts about that and they get worse every week. Utter crap |
|
|
|
Post by scottgkc16 on Dec 23, 2023 18:54:32 GMT
Sacking Reid was never a mistake as he was useless but this deal is just about treading water before we go under or get taken over by the Messiah Riley But appointing a manager who couldn't keep us up and subsequently has now dropped points in 11 out of 16 games this season in the lowland isn't a mistake and rewarding a new contract in the process, I'm sorry but brian reid is a better manager and had players far better than the current crop |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2023 19:32:49 GMT
Reid was sh*te and should have been dumped much earlier to give a new manager a chance but in the end it was the players who deserted us and got us relegated and many of them are still here and are still equally sh*te. A premiership manager couldn't do anything with this squad.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottgkc16 on Dec 23, 2023 20:24:53 GMT
Reid was sh*te and should have been dumped much earlier to give a new manager a chance but in the end it was the players who deserted us and got us relegated and many of them are still here and are still equally sh*te. A premiership manager couldn't do anything with this squad. Replaced reid with clark earlier what difference would that have made with a depleted injury ridden squad . ( what's the excuse for this season with all of his own signings?? How does the very poor league standing justify new deals? Currently only 3 players capable of playing league 2 ( Bevan,Fagan,connolly) the rest would really struggle, it says a lot that most of the new signings (not all of them) weren't playing much at there respective clubs last season so what albion rovers then do is sign players effectively told there surplus for requirements which really is showing. Players didn't desert last season, the squad was severely affected by injuries for large periods and players having no option but to play through injury. I wouldn't exactly call 6 players staying as many of last season still being here and of the 6 seniors who did stay 3 were long term injuries last season and 1 playing through injury. I also think you'll find the majority of the squad that left are still playing either league 2 or league 1 including the ones who were on loan. 17 players left 11 currently league 1 and 2 ( wouldn't be playing this level if they weren't good enough) 2 currently lowland 2 currently eos and wos 1 currently sjfa Midlands 1 career break. |
|
