Rovers pull out all the stops to secure cup win for grieving chairman

Oct 29 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

PAUL MARTIN has dedicated Albion Rovers’ Scottish Cup triumph to chairman Frank Meade.

The grief-stricken Cliftonhill supremo missed his side’s 2-1 second round victory at Berwick Rangers following the death of his father.

Boss Martin told the Advertiser he was thrilled to get a win for Meade and described Saturday as one of mixed emotions for both himself and the squad.

He said: “We were all really pleased to get the victory for Frank. He is a constant at this club.

“Frank doesn’t miss a game and the fact that he wasn’t there on Saturday was noticed by all the boys.

“He was being kept updated by phone and we were just delighted to get a result that might have put a smile on his face.

“It was a tough weekend for everybody. Myself and some of the boys went to a tribute dinner in memory of Paul Borland who a few of us played alongside at Queen’s Park.

“He sadly took his own life at the end of July so we went to Lesser Hampden as part of an event to raise funds for his son.

“It brought back a lot of memories.”

Rovers host Cowdenbeath this weekend and Martin revealed he has been presented with a welcome selection headache.

He added: “These are nice decisions to make, not hard ones. When you have competition for places, it shows you are going in the right direction.

“I am delighted players like Robert Walker came into the team against Berwick and did well and Saturday can’t come quick enough for me.

“Selection problems are when you haven’t got 11 good players to put on the park. At this moment in time, I have 17 or 18 I could put in the team.”

Meanwhile, Martin has sent Chris Hughes to Oakley United and Brian Smith to Clydebank on a month’s loan.

Midfielder Stevie Canning, on loan from Brechin City, has extended his stay at Cliftonhill by another month.

l THE Albion Rovers Supporters’ Trust are holding a psychic night in a bid to raise funds for the club’s women’s team on Friday.

The event is taking place at the Horseshoe Bar in Airdrie and entry is £5.