November 11, ARFC v Caley Braves

[Nanook]

A few games before this one, but I have been asked to try to find out how many might turn up to a service to be held to commemorate the 8 Albion Rovers who lost their lives in World War 1.

November 11 is Armistice Day.

An obvious day to hold such a service.

It will start at 13.20, and last approximately 10 minutes.

Afterwards, the plan is to adjourn to the lounge for reflection, chat and some catering.

There will be no cost to the football club or either of the Trusts.

Some folk are making donations to meet costs, I stress that there is no charge for attending the service.

So, in the next few days, let's say by Friday midnight, can you let me know if you will be attending this service?

[Rovergrant]

Well done for organising this, Brian

[hugh]

Without a doubt a time of reflection for so many who fell in WW1 and later. A service for the 8 Albion Rovers in the Great War is something we would like to attend 2 places. A very respectful concept, thank you Brian

[Roy of the Rovers]

From the Daily Record website:

A Lanarkshire football club are honouring eight former players who were killed in action during World War I by creating a memorial area at their ground, to be opened on Armistice Day.

Plaques bearing the names of wartime heroes connected to Albion Rovers will be dedicated in a poignant ceremony at the Coatbridge club’s Cliftonhill home before their league fixture on Saturday, November 11.

They include an England international who was once the world’s most expensive player, two teammates who died on the same day and a soldier who wrote home from the front line sharing memories of his old club just two months before he died.
Rovers’ war memorial project has been led by club historian Brian Nugent, who specialises in researching the team’s first four decades and has written a series of matchday programme articles about the former players who gave their lives during the 1914-1918 conflict.

He has painstakingly found information on war memorials in Coatbridge, Airdrie and abroad, through online newspaper archives and by making use of the comprehensive Coatbridge and the Great War website.

All eight players will now be permanently commemorated at their former club with plaques bearing their names, and poppies and crosses wll be placed in the ground at the stadium’s existing memorial garden area.

They include Private Jimmy Conlin, a left winger and goalscorer during Rovers’ winning “purple patch” from 1901 to 1904, who later played for England in their 2-1 defeat of Scotland before a world record crowd of 102,741 at Ibrox, and became only the second £1000 player in transfer history with a subsequent move to Manchester City.

He will be remembered alongside footballers Lance Corporal Frank O’Hara, who had two spells at Rovers sandwiching playing for Chelsea in their inaugural season, and league-winning centre forward Sapper John O’Rourke – both of whom were killed at Gallipoli on July 12 1915.

Also being permanently commemorated at their old club are outside-right Serjeant Patrick Slavin, James Greenchan of the Highland Light Infantry, Archibald Campbell of the Royal Field Artillery, former Airdrie Academy pupil Serjeant William Smith, and left-back Private Patrick McWilliams, who wrote home from the trenches about his interest in his former team – just two months before he was killed at the Somme.

Brian said: “We stumbled across the first few by accident; we thought there were two former Rovers players who had been killed in the war, but that then became eight and there might even be more that we’re just not aware of yet.

“I’ve been doing programme articles and finding out about each individual since November 2021, recording where they’re buried and where they’re remembered on war memorials.

“There’s an area at Cliftonhill with plaques for Rovers supporters who have passed away and I then spoke to the directors about having something similar for the players who died in World War I – and when I saw that November 11 was a Saturday this year and that we had a game at Cliftonhill, that seemed the obvious time to do this.”

Rovers manager Sandy Clark and his players are expected to attend the poignant unveiling service, which will take place at 1.20pm on November 11 ahead of the team’s Lowland League match against fellow Lanarkshire side Caledonian Braves.

It will be led by club chaplain David Shaw and include readings, prayers and the Act of Remembrance as the wartime memorial is unveiled.

Brian has supported Rovers for more than five decades since being brought up on nearby Albion Street and has continued following their fortunes since moving to Shetland for work, and he added: “It’s been really interesting to research the players’ stories and unveiling the plaques will be a nice occasion.

[Rovergrant]

Thanks for posting, David, good to see my old pal Brian getting the credit he deserves

[charlestheoptimist]

Well done to all involved in this and at a most important and troubled time in the world that we can reflect on.

[marmiteman]

I'll be there.
Well done on organising.
Peter

[Roy of the Rovers]

Myself and Chuckles shall go too.

[melstewrover]

I’m sorry I can’t make this, may be sending some Coatbridge locals in my place, hope this goes well. Rovers Surrey supporters club.

[jordancampbell]

Brian has put a huge amount of thought and effort into this event and I’m sure it will be well attended.

Jordan.

[bawhead]

Andy Milligan will be there.

[bucky]

Well done for organising Brian. I’m not into the poppy politics and find the “where’s yer poppy brigade “ hilarious. But I do think it’s important to remember those and particularly those Rovers players who served and died.