Sandy Clark received the perfect Christmas present after signing a contract extension at Albion Rovers on Saturday.
The Cliftonhill boss and his assistant George Paterson have both penned deals until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The duo – who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cowdenbeath just after the announcement on Saturday – took charge of the Coatbridge club in March when Brian Reid was sacked, but they could not prevent the club falling through the SPFL trap door and into the Lowland League.
It has been a tough start for the club so far, with Rovers sitting 14th at Christmas.
But the Rovers board believe they have seen enough to tell them Clark and Paterson are the men to lead their charge for promotion into next season, having been encouraged by their work on a tight budget.
A statement from Rovers read: “We are delighted to announce that manager Sandy Clark and his assistant George Paterson have signed contract extensions until the end of season 2024/25.
“In the summer, after our subsequent relegation to the Park’s Scottish Lowland Football League via the pyramid play-off, Sandy and George were tasked with not only rebuilding our first-team playing squad – but also with the immediate goal of transforming the atmosphere and general running of our football department.
“Working under a restricted budget, they have recruited talented young players who are giving their all for the Albion Rovers badge. We have been encouraged by how the management team have also engaged with supporters and volunteers – they have truly bought into Albion Rovers and its ethos as a community-first club. “
A spokesperson for the club’s board of directors added: “They have both worked incredibly hard for Albion Rovers and have bought into
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Brian Reid
Albion Rovers