Terrace Talk: Fans need to be considered in call-offs debate

Feb 3 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

FOR the third time this season, Albion Rovers’ supporters were already travelling to an away match when they heard the news that the game was off, writes Sam Tennent.

On the previous two occasions, there was at least some mitigation with regards the late call-offs.

The trip to Livingston, for an early kick-off at Almondvale, was called off in enough time for the supporters’ bus to turn around at the Shawhead roundabout, while the trip to East Stirling fell victim to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.

However, Saturday’s trip to Annan was not postponed until 1.30pm, by which time many fans were already well down the M74.

I can certainly understand that clubs want to give games every chance to go ahead, especially when facing a substantial fixture pile-up.

But fans really must be given more consideration.

It costs time and money to follow your team to the furthest outposts of the Scottish game and the least fans should expect is that inspections are scheduled such that decisions can be made before travelling fans set out on their journeys.

Speaking of the furthest outposts, Rovers’ next game is another away trip, this time up north at Elgin, and this is again a match that could fall foul of the weather and add to the current total of six fixtures which must be re-scheduled.

It seems incredible to think that Rovers have played just three times since mid-December, with all of those games played in a hectic six-day period.

There was much to enjoy in Rovers’ performances in the two Scottish Cup games against Stirling Albion, especially in the away tie, when they produced some of the best football I’ve seen in five or six seasons.

Unfortunately, it was not quite enough to overcome their Second Division opponents and Rovers’ interest in the cup this season is over.

It was hoped that the boys could reproduce those cup performances in the league game against Forfar Athletic and, to some extent, they did.

However, once again they failed to turn good play into a positive result and must now try to put together a string of good results to haul themselves back into play-off contention.

As a consequence of this sudden burst of activity, Rovers now have something resembling an injury crisis, given that several players were doubtful for last Saturday’s match.

Added to this is another long-term injury, with young striker Marc Pollock out for 12 months.

It’s a huge blow for the player, who has produced some excellent performances this year, and I’m sure all Rovers fans will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

With Rovers now entering a critical phase of the season, the biggest challenge facing the team remains converting good performances into points.

Let’s hope we can start doing this with a victory at Elgin this Saturday.