Travellers Notebook - Albion Rovers
By Allan Grieve
November 16 2003
Saturday November the 29th 2003, Bell’s League Division Three, V Albion Rovers, at Cliftonhill Stadium, Kick off 3pm. Our first visit of the season to North Lanarkshire's premier fotballing venue as the Binos aim to regain their form.

The locale...Allegedly Coatbridge benefited from the “Monklands Scandal” when money was supposed to have been pumped into the town by a Catholic-dominated Labour administration on Monklands District Council. This was all at the expense of neighbouring Airdrie. If this is Coatbridge after such massive favouritism then it must have been some place beforehand. Take time out to visit the Time Capsule or Summerlee Museum if these things enthuse you.

The ground...All the fans are clustered under the roof of the stand and enclosure making for a better atmosphere than expected. Leg room in the stand is extremely limited-you are probably better standing. Terracing only opened for really big games these days and we’ll not come into that category.

The travel...Down the M80 and A80 to the Auchenkilns Roundabout. Follow the signs for Airdrie and as you enter the town take the right exit from the Fourways Roundabout. Follow thew road for about one and a half miles to the big war memorial near Monklands General Hospital. From there take the Coatbridge signs. Cliftonhill will appear on the right after you have passed Big Owen’s Bar. If you are going b train then Coatdyke is the nearest stop.

The fans...Rovers have a passionate bunch of hard core supporters. Disappointing results have seen gates dip below the 300 mark on occasions. Vocal in their support for their team but seldom belligerent

The team...Missed out on promotion on the last day of 2001/2; missed out on promotion on the last day of 2002/3. A little off the pace this season but still one of the more likely promotion candidates. New players since we last played them include goalkeeper Neil Bennett(a pre season trialist for ourselves) and experienced defender Sean Sweeney. Targets of abuse for the Albion fans are likely to include Mark Yardley. Respect as always to Andy Paterson, right back of our distinguished 1995/6 Second Division Championship winning side.

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