Albion Rovers rebrand to Shamrock Rovers Coatbridge is no silver bullet and bold claims are no act of benevolence

Albion Rovers and Coatbridge – affectionately known as the village of the footballing damned.

With the exception of maybe Bernie Slaven, Cliftonhill was a career port of call that usually suggested things were going badly awry. It’s a lesser known fact that MailSport colleague Mick Gannon’s hopes of making it as a keeper were ended after being rejected by the Wee Rovers and replaced by a far more-agile traffic cone just three weeks into his trial spell.

This former footballer’s own trajectory towards the top suffered a nosedive immediately after a match against Albion Rovers reserves when manager Vinnie Moore asked for a word in his office. His enquiry was over my plans for the following season and whether a move held any appeal. After explaining a return from injury was the reason for a night with Bully Wee stiffs, it was warm thanks but no thanks. I made my excuses and left. Former Rovers boss Jimmy Lindsay sent an emoji last Saturday moments after their exit from the SPFL. A relegation most foul – it read: “Albion Rovers s***.”

A man with a genuine affection for the club and one of many who were shocked that an institution with 120 years in the senior game had fallen through the trap door. Each visit to their ramshackle stadium emboldened a belief the club are servicing a community and have been sustained by their tireless servants.

Which brings us to this week’s revelation that a consortium known as Project Phoenix wants to tap into the Irish heritage in Coatbridge and rebrand Rovers as Shamrock Rovers Coatbridge.

One had to check the calendar – it’s a bit late for it to be April 1st. Anyway, it’s a novel way to save the club – by eradicating its identity while alienating a section of the fanbase if they don’t