Albion Rovers chairman praises SFA

Jan 6 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

CHAIRMAN Frank Meade has praised the SFA after they handed Albion Rovers a five-figure cash boost

The club have been given £10,000 by the governing body.

Every full member outfit, including Airdrie, has been awarded a cash sum by the SFA who have dished out the money on a one-off discretionary basis.

With SFL clubs facing the grim prospect of being unable to play due to the dreadful weather, the financial injection could not have come at a better time.

And Meade reckons the SFA deserve credit for recognising the difficult plight of clubs as they cope with the freezing conditions.

He said: “This sort of weather doesn’t help cashflow but we manage our budget on the basis that games may be off.

“We factor that into managing our accounts but there will probably be one or two clubs out there feeling that they are sailing close to the wind.

“The SFA do get a lot of criticism but I take my hat off to them on this one.

“It is to their great credit that they have taken positive action to help clubs out at a time like this.”

Meade admits the current cold snap has been the worst he’s known and will have Cliftonhill inspected today ahead of this Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash with Stirling Albion.

He added: “I don’t ever recall having to endure a spell of weather as severe as this.

“We have spoken to the SFA about this weekend’s game and we want the inspection to be carried out as early as possible.

“It is pretty clear that unless there is a thaw of biblical proportions, the match will be off.

“And as I speak now, there would have to be a doubt on whether we could reschedule the tie for next Tuesday night.”

Rovers were idle on Saturday after their trip to Queen’s Park bit the dust and Meade told the Advertiser that the correct decision had been made.

“It was unfortunate for everybody,” said the chairman. “But you can’t take any chances with public safety.”