The two years I have had to start off my managing career at Rovers have been absolutely incredible. To win a title and then have the best finish in the clubs history is an absolutely tremendous achievement for everyone associated with the club.
It probably hasn’t really sunk in yet as we’re still gutted to not have made the play-offs, however, I’m sure we’ll all look back on it one day with great pride in the job we’ve done in getting Rovers to where we are.
Overall, as a club, if someone had said at the start of the season we’d finish sixth I think we’d have taken it. We are delighted with how well we have performed and how high we’ve finished in the table, but having said that, the players were still sat in the changing room at the end of the game at Stenhousemuir absolutely gutted not to have made it into the top four. That just shows a measure of how far we have come in the past two years that we are sitting disappointed thinking and believing that we should have been fighting in the play-offs to get into the Championship!
The fans that turn up to our games week in week out have been magnificent and I’m sure after such another successful season this they’ll continue to do so, whilst also bringing a friend or two with them.
In order for the club to reach the next level, continue to expand and to consistently mount a challenge at the top end of the table, the club really needs an increase in supporters to come along to the games and back the team. A strong Rovers support really does do wonders in pushing the boys on for victory. I’d ask new fans to come along and watch us play. There is a great feel good factor and spirit about the club right now and we’re hoping that it spreads out into the local community with the camps, school visits and the time that coach Tony McMinn is putting in behind the scenes to improve our reputation within Coatbridge.
Now for next season. First of all, it has the potential to be a really exciting season. The aims will be to consolidate again and to try and improve on this seasons finish. We hope to get the majority of the players signed back up again and improve our squad all over the park with some exciting signings.
Many thanks for your continued support throughout the season.
Albion Rovers Manager
Darren Young