Albion Rovers have shot down Conference League plans as their board spoke of their heartbreak at breaking a 120-year spell in Scottish senior football.
Rovers' new-look board say controversial plans to install a league between League Two and the Lowland/Highland Leagues will hold clubs back ‘at their level’ and won’t help Scottish football as a whole.
The new Conference containing Premiership B teams would slot in between League Two and the Highland/Lowland Leagues, creating a new fifth tier for the start of the 2024/25 season and put another barrier in place for ambitious clubs in the tiers below to reach the SPFL.
But the Cliftonhill club also said they were “shattered and deeply saddened” after a 2-0 aggregate defeat against the Spartans sent Rovers down to the Lowland League next season.
In a statement issued to supporters, the club board said: “We would like to put on record that we do not support the creation of the Conference League.
“At last night’s board meeting this was agreed unanimously by all board members, taking into account the clear opinion of our supporters, who have voiced their concerns online and at our recent AGM. We are listening.
“The proposal is of no benefit to Albion Rovers or to the clubs in and around our level of football.
“This would still have been our position had we retained our SPFL status.”
The statement spoke about their recent ejection from League Two, saying: “Everyone on the board of Albion Rovers Football Club is shattered and deeply saddened with this past season and our subsequent relegation into the Scottish Lowland Football League – ending our proud, unbroken 120-year stay in Scotland’s senior leagues.
“As the board of Albion Rovers, we accept ultimate responsibility for this.
“We began the campaign realistic in the knowledge that with the backdrop of our financial position, it was always going to be difficult, but we have shown previously that the lowest budget in the league can attain a finish, avoiding the dreaded ‘club 42’ position.
“To not avoid that placing can only be seen as a failure, despite our relatively high points total and fair goal difference.
“Despite the difficulties we have faced, our fans have been a shining light.
“They have continued to back the team, which been incredibly humbling to see.
“We are truly sorry that we have not been ab;e to give them the positive outcome such tremendous support deserves.
“There remains a burning desire from within to rebuild and re-invigorate the club.
“It is an institution of Coatbridge that has been at the very heart of its town and community for over 140 years.
“It is through the unstinting support of our fans that Albion Rovers will continue to be Coatbridge’s club.”
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