📉 Their first NON LEAGUE season in 120 YEARS!!!

I visited Coatbridge to watch Albion Rovers v University of Stirling in the Lowland League of Scotland.
Albion Rovers once beat Rangers in a Scottish Cup semi final and even played in the top tier of Scottish football for a number of years. They now compete in the non leagues for the first time in well over a century!
#football #soccer #scotland

[@FootyAdventures]

Will Albion Rovers ever get back to the SPFL?

[@arranmacintyre377]

Yes

[@Daniyal731]

no be relistic san marino has mroe chance of wining th eueros@@arranmacintyre377

[@depekthegreat359]

Hopefully yes,good friend Sam!!!🏋‍♂️

[@markdevlin4232]

If I remember correctly, no club who has been relegated from League Two to non-league, under the SPFL format, has managed to get promoted back into the professional pyramid. Hopefully the Rovers change that, a good community-driven club

[@deltic1964]

No they have a lot to do if they are to achieve it Sam

[@JuliusSeizure-tw6mi]

Even though i’m english, the work you have done broadcasting scottish football has been fantastic, you’ve done a better job than anything Sky or BT have ever done, fairplay

[@malahammer]

Sky and BT will never do anything like this.

[@sandersson2813]

Why would they? It's not up to Sky to pump money into a league with zero commercial returns. If the Scottish Football league want a better deal, they need to make a better product. Simple as that. Sky don't owe you a TV deal. You need to attract them to your league by producing a better league.

[@JuliusSeizure-tw6mi]

@@sandersson2813 How can they make a better product if they have very little money to begin with? None of the “elite” clubs would be where they are if it hadn’t have been for an unfair financial advantage. It’s a negative feedback loop.

[@JuliusSeizure-tw6mi]

@@sandersson2813 If they don’t get any coverage, then less people know who they are they then get left further behind resulting in less views.

[@sandersson2813]

@@JuliusSeizure-tw6mi You aren't getting it. TV is a business. They don't owe Scotland TV coverage. TV deals are given on the basis of whether they are a good financial investment from which a company can make money. If Scotland want a better TV deal, the league HAS to be reformed to make it a product that TV companies want to invest in. I don't see why you have a problem understanding this. Even Norway gets a deal which is worth twice of Scotland. The Scottish Premier League is the least competitive league in the history of world football, and therein lies your problem. Clubs like Celtic and Rangers need to use their influence to make changes but as usual they do nothing.

[@guyjiminjapan9824]

Went to an Albion Rovers vs Thistle game maybe 15 years ago (maybe a Cup game). Loved the bar below the stand, welcoming all supporters, and enjoyed chatting with relatives of an Albion player. For them it was the biggest match in many years. And they play in red and yellow, like the Jags, so I can only have a soft spot for them.

[@briankearney1619]

Thank you for this video. I watched Albion from 1980 till 1989. I saw every single game that decade, home, away, cup and league, including many friendlies. I didn't miss a single game. I even invented Albion,s famous chant. A.R.ARF.ARFC. O.K. I left Coatbridge in 1989 and still have my shirt when they won the league that year for the first time in 40 years. Up the Vers.❤

[@8busby]

I played against the Rovers in 1989 Scottish cup, v Coldstream, we took Albion to a replay , beat us 1.0, but us being an East of Scotland side, were produced good performances, especially as Albion Rovers won the second division that season.

[@briankearney1619]

@@8busby I remember going to Coldstream but not the year, circumstances or result. Your memory is better than mine 😀

[@8busby]

@@briankearney1619 1-1 at Home park Coldstream, our goal scored by highly acclaimed after dinner speaker Eric Davidson !!

[@briankearney1619]

@@8busby all I remember is getting back onto the bus after the game and not being too pleased with the result 😂

[@LeedsUnited19]

Watch your videos from here in Australia and it’s great too see some of the low leagues and teams get covered , a real breathe of fresh air compared to hearing about Celtic and Rangers or Englands top 6 all the time , keep up the good work mate!

[@YeOldeHamiltonian]

As an Accies man I have a lot of time for The Rovers as they allowed us to play at Cliftonhill for two seasons during our homeless seven seasons. Coatbridge is a bigger town than the likes of Perth or Kilmarnock but is probably the worst town in Scotland for the amount of glory hunters- especially to Parkhead. Hope they get back up in The Leagues as folk who support Albion Rovers in Coatbridge are the real deal surrounded by sheep.

[@depekthegreat359]

I was totally devastated with one of my favourites ever in this world Albion Rovers but I hope to see them back to the Scottish Football League as soon as possible,good friends!!!LONG LIVE ALBION ROVERS!!!🏋‍♂️

[@colincgc]

As a lifelong supporter of the only Rovers’ now left in the SPFL, I’ve visited Cliftonhill a number of times down the years, it certainly has its charm’s! There isn’t a lot between sides in Scotland in terms of quality these days from League 2, to Lowland/Highland and even lower down the pyramid so introducing more opportunity for promotion is a must. There are ambitious amateur clubs struggling to progress several levels below where Albion are too, promotion into the Lowland league itself is super difficult due to lack of promotion/relegation. Good luck to the Wee Rovers in future!

[@weealpha64]

Used to love going to Cliftonhill when they were the home team for the old Lanarkshire Cup many years ago. Many years later my dad went to see two games in a row and was amazed when the steward remembered him with a warm welcome back sir Where else do you get that nowadays

[@willbee6785]

Brilliant!

[@Watfordfc2030]

Outstanding channel I love this , mrs is from Cowdenbeath so I follow them when I can even though I’m English and Watford , blue Brazil will always be my Scottish team

[@FootyAdventures]

The best nickname in Scottish football by far!

[@Watfordfc2030]

@@FootyAdventures I’m 52 and that may ply apart in my opinions but these grounds are completely on another level absolutely fantastic proper old school and I love that

[@sicr7373]

I'm Nottingham born and bred and follow Nottingham Forest, but I really enjoy learning about the Scottish clubs at the lower end of the game. I love the atomosphere at the grounds and the interviews with the fans, and although you may not believe me, I'll say it anyway and that is I would honestly be watching a game like this, warts and all than an international. Sending my best to Albion Rovers and hope they get back in the league soon.

[@orbitalforest]

Agreed .

[@MichaelCook84]

Forest are magic.

[@Disorder1889]

Trajic​@@MichaelCook84

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Sam, Very informative vlog, back in the 1980s we thought there was a place called Albion and Albion Rovers played there, I think it was my sister convinced me of that, but now I know the town is called Coatbridge, I hope Albion Rovers get back into SPFL, maybe next season, I hope Berwick Rangers get back into The SPFL this season, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

[@sophdog1678]

I liked the bit with the lorry load of flatcaps 2:22

[@dontpanicblink]

i remember an albion rover game v stranraer in about 86/87 it was a night game and the attendance was 100,, they have never had large crowds

[@arranmacintyre377]

Was class getting to be in the video great content as always Sam

[@chrisbaker7136]

From a Rangers fan who are my local club btw, I hope that the Rovers can get promoted back up to league football again 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽

[@AberdeenFanEdtiz1983]

I respect everyone of the fans that support their local team rather than being a glory hunter 👍

[@tonyguyan9559]

Fun fact about Albion Rovers! There’s a book called Return of the Busby Babes where the Albion Rovers players are possessed by the spirits/ghosts of that 1958 Man Utd team and they go on to win the Scottish Cup! Also I’ve been there once where I was at an Albion Rovers v St Johnstone (my Scottish team) & Saints went 2-0 down with 13 minutes to go & Saints went on to win the game 5-2 & go on to clinch the old Scottish Div One title!

[@brianquinn6014]

Tony Green started of at Albion then played for Newcastle where he was a fan’s favourite also played for Scotland until a bad injury sent him of to be a teacher. Lost touch a long time ago but enjoyed playing beside him, Christ where has the time gone 😢😢😢

[@bazscott]

Growing up in Airdrie in the 80s/90s we didn’t play the Rovers that often, but it was always special when we did. By the gods there was some fights on those old terraces in those days too 😂

[@andrewobrien8325]

3:02 what I find interesting as a Dunfermline fan is that our goal difference was a lot better than theirs and it was close. Only a single point in it…..and I mean Arbroath’s goal difference was also better and again they were on 44 points too. That sounds like an intense season

[@Alphoric]

Northampton town had the biggest rise and fall in probably the entirety of football in the 1960s they went from 4th tier to the top tier and back to 4th tier within like 7 years

[@randombloke8802]

I watch Bolton, but never miss your videos of Scottish football, even went to an Inverness game last year. Brilliant work mate, keep going 👍

[@MadderMel]

Lovely show ! This is what football is all about ! The bread and butter teams ! It's great !

[@kevinmatthews3958]

Thank you so much for the insight into Albion Rovers,they are a team I follow in Scotland and always look for their results,even though I'm a West Ham supporter from Kent I even bought one of their shirts

[@grahamwood9428]

Rather strangely ,as a Tottenham fan, used to take an interest in Berwick Rangers and now Kelty Hearts. Have no idea why but my sons and myself send texts to each other re Kelty matches. Hope to visit one day.

[@PleasantvilleLad]

Great and interesting video .............. Always good content.

[@neilsmith6092]

Throughly enjoyed this video listening to proper football people thank you chaps

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one SAN Top vlog dude 🇾🇪✌️🔰

[@c_hanley]

Highlight of the game was 16:02 "where's that goin ya fookin donut"

[@PottsV1]

Have you ever looked at Achilles 29 from Netherlands? They were relegated from the 2nd tier in 2017 and are currently playing in the 6th tier! They got relegated in 2018 and again in 2019. In 2020 they were bottom of the 5th tier with 1pt but saved from relegation due to the league suspending due to Covid. They finally got relegated in 2022 to the 6th tier where they currently play.

[@joshmore7175]

Sandy Clark was East Stirlingshires manager until he moved to Albion Rovers in March, hes also in that 4th tier victory photo as assistant. They also took some of Shires best players with them over the summer. Especially Ross Connolly, hes an excellent talent.

[@mikee1613]

great content bro keep it up so happy i got in the video thansk bro

[@adamtaylor9829]

Brilliant job mate

[@Wichitaguy77]

Anyone remember when they did Speedway racing regularly at Cliftonhill back in the day?

[@jm-np4mu]

Oh yes, like at Berwick Rangers. Another sad story of a team slipping out of the league into the non-league

[@skadforlife3817]

My dad used to take me and my brother to watch Albion Rovers amongst others back in the mid 70's to early 80's when we lived at Longriggend ( now called Upperton ). Nothing much has changed to the stadium since then, i remember they used to have a cracking wee programme shop at the back of the stand , i wonder if its still there? Anyway good luck to the Wee Rovers in the lowland league on going forward 👍🏻

[@2AMdot]

Loves bringing it back to himself this fella, sickner

[@raymondporter2094]

Albion Rovers will always be remembered by Middlesbrough fans because it was Bernie Slaven's club. Slave wrote letters to (I think) ALL the English league clubs and only Boro replied. Good job they did as Slaven ended up as Boro's top scorer for several seasons afterwards and is still held in high regard by Boro fans. In fact he still lives hereabouts and his Range Rover went past me at a Stokesley roundabout two days ago (I was waiting to join the roundabout, having been shopping at the big Co-op)!

[@johnbruce2868]

I saw the name of my father's home town team, Brechin City, on the 1933-34 Div. 2 results table. Not as high achieving as Albion Rovers, they're now in the Highland League. Scottish boys used to be a far hardier lot than their English counter-parts. The name Caledonia being from Old Irish, Caladh = Hard + Latin -ia = land of and so, "Hard Land", it being cold, snowy, windy and full of wolves. Now they watch TV, play computer games and have gone "saft", preferring drug taking and wearing make-up in their youth to ticking a football about in the sleet which is what made Scottish football so competitive in bygone years. Damn sad, if you ask me. "Once were Warriors", indeed.

[@apachemart]

When next in England you need to visit Hednesford Town. They were in danger of going out of business over the summer. But they were 'saved' and now play in the Northern Premier League West and are getting huge gates for that level.

[@paulguise698]

Is Workington in the Northern Premier League

[@apachemart]

@@paulguise698 yes mate they are 👍

[@jimmycburfield5997]

Nice example at the Pie Shop! Manners maketh the man! Albion Rovers keeping it real.

[@GaryTurpie]

This is what I would do for the play offs between the lowland/highland leagues and league 2. First of all the team finishing 10th would be relegated, I would then keep the play off between the winners of the highland league and the lowland league with the winners taking that spot in league 2. The next change is that the team finishing 9th will play the losers from the highland/lowland tie with the winners taking the final place in league 2 I'm aware this could make one of the divisions huge

[@FariesWearBoots]

When he cut the guy off as he was interviewing him 😂😂.

[@Irvingks19]

I totally agree liking this grounds more than the new ones

[@Kozec]

I was here with Stirling Albion on the last day of the season in 22/23

[@malcolmclarke3033]

Your videos are really interesting

[@Alfred_51]

Thanks for this Sam

[@ronmac9522]

I was actually surprised to see Edinburgh city at the bottom of leave two 1933-34. I had no idea they were a league club. Can you imagine having to travel to away games on that rickety old cart. You don’t want to sit behind the horses.

[@stevenmcghee6649]

Not the same club as the present-day Edinburgh City who were originally Meadowbank Thistle who, in turn, were originally Ferranti Thistle.

[@bluegeo649]

That can’t be true surely Ferranti became Meadowbank became Livingston??

[@robertfoulkes1832]

​@@stevenmcghee6649That is NOT true. Ferranti/Meadowbank Thistle became Livingston FC. You are maybe confused because EC play their home games at Meadowbank Stadium. The current Edinburgh City are not the same club as the 1928-55 one. They started out in 1966 as Postal United and changed their name to EC in 1986.

[@GJW80]

Always had a soft spot for the Wee Rovers. They finished as the 'worst' club in Scotland a few seasons in a row back in the 80s and my Dad used to take me and my Brothers to see them on occasion as he always taught us to back the underdog. We were lucky mascots for them, they seemed to win every time we went to see them. I remember Bernie Slavin started at Cliftonhill. Later became a Middlesborough legend.

[@stevenmcghee6649]

1:54......what a great photograph!

[@josephg9020000]

A pie and brown sauce can't be beat.

[@MadderMel]

I started watching Bristol City after they dropped from the old 1st Division to the old 4th division in successive seasons !

[@mikepaolo3169]

Was going to go a few weeks ago but we ended up going to Ayr Utd v Kelty Hearts instead as the appeal of the FA CUP drew us in n did Celtic v Buckie the day after

[@staceygrove5976]

The pie looked quite appetizing. More so than the football anyway.

[@LordZontar]

I like football grounds like Coatbridge far more than the claustrophobic steel-and-plastic playparks for the billionaires in the premierships. These are wide open, lots of sky above and views of the countryside beyond. They're more intimate and friendly. I get the same experience with minor league baseball grounds in America.

[@WeAreWombwellMain]

Looks like a great ground

[@FootyAdventures]

It really is. You have to visit if you haven't before!

[@WeAreWombwellMain]

@@FootyAdventures you'll have to come and see us. We've joined the many teams doing behind the scenes videos from our games

[@paulguise698]

@@WeAreWombwellMain Why don't Albion Rovers pull the stand down that's been condemned?

[@craigmcvay1]

I agree old grounds are the BEST Crumbley old grounds rule

[@ryanoconnor5612]

I’m sure there’s a few clubs in England who you could review! Scunthorpe springs to mind!

[@johnball320]

I am a Scunny fan. Probably a good time to go now as there is the first feeling of a united fanbase and optimism for the first time in years after having our club saved by local people after the previous 2 prats nearly killed the club. One from incompetence, the other from being a dodgy fraud.

[@stevepeebles61]

Sadly the ground was heavily vandalised last night 😪

[@stevenparis389]

the world was a different place a hundred years ago....they were relegated because they were not good enough!... a massive achievement to beat the Rangers in a semi-final in 1920?????...the Ford Model T was a massive success in 1920, I don't see many ford t around anymore!

[@iananderson3799]

😅😅

[@GrahamMacdonald-w9o]

Please be aware that Stirling are no 'normal' university team, as the campus hosts various sporting centres of excellence. Leaving aside all the people who don't support their local team, it has long surprised me how nearby Airdrieonians has fared so much better than Albion Rovers since WW2, as Coatbridge is actually larger than Airdrie. If there is going to be a Lowland League Division 2 (or whatever they call it), I fear that a lot of erstwhile junior clubs are going to be ahead of clubs like Albion Rovers and East Stirlingshire in the race for Scottish League places.

[@tonymcquade3455]

If any relegated team are going to go back up,I’m thinking it’s probably going to be Brechin city

[@BrianS5588]

The only goal was scored when you went for a pie, perhaps you needed to buy a few more pies!!

[@FootyAdventures]

Haha I don’t mind that 🤤

[@jwalter-mo6hb]

For the size of our country need less teams but some have almost empty stadiums and still won't do £1 entry and stuff like that. Everyone buys food when there. Think clubs and future the kids losing out on discounted but bums on seats

[@Jonny_Red]

They were pretty unlucky to be relegated last season as they only had a minus 3 goal difference which was the 5th or 6th best in the division bizarrely.

[@davidbolam7962]

Cracking Ground with character. Chairman came across as a top guy and how was the pie ?

[@amc5966]

The great Tony Green began his career at Albion before being signed for Blackpool.

[@BALHAM69]

Brechin had the worse Sammy boy. Three relegations in a row i think. 😮 Try a Brechin match for the fifty pounds non League match challenge 😊 Attend next Friday’s match of Queen’s Park fc in the national stadium as this is something you mentioned you want to do. What a away win for university team university of Stirling.

[@spodge1233]

Did I hear "Right, pub !!" immediately after the final whistle?

[@EnglishMike]

Interesting video, but if you'll allow some constructive criticism, you don't need to repeat Albion's record as a league club four or five times in the video. Once would have been enough.

[@jacobepicmay]

If you wantvto do a full from grace in 3nglish non league got to do trowbridge town...from conference prem ro wiltshire prem league

[@cayden3622]

I’m on the video 2wice

[@alastaircreelman]

The real fall from grace in Scottish football must be Gretna (apologies if you've already done them). From nowhere to the Premier League and even Europe back to the bottom of the Lowland League and look like going down again this season. Albion Rovers just went down one tier really even if they had an amazing 120 years in the league set-up.

[@iananderson3799]

Gretna were an aberration. Financed to the hilt by a terminally ill guy, whose family (quite understandably) pulled the plug when he died.

[@SouthBaySteelers]

Bet they can still whip the best women’s football team in the world.

[@GenialHarryGrout]

The Lowland League gets stronger every season and with no automatic promotion to the SPFL it will become harder and harder for former SPFL teams return there but it has to happen one day, but who will be the first

[@stevenmcghee6649]

At a guess, Brechin

[@GenialHarryGrout]

@@stevenmcghee6649 Good call

[@nw101971]

Last Scottish ground I went to

[@Thescottishguyreacts]

I’d say Gretna are the biggest rise and fall

[@Klown84]

Where were the Albion Rovers Ultras?

[@ModenaRoofing]

Great story

[@zacroycroft6248]

I saw the entire game

[@Daniyal731]

come to airdrie i can see you there mate

[@fitfinlay999]

Did east fife 4 Forfar 5 ever happen , or Forfar 5 east fife 4 or Forfar 4 east fife 5 or east fife 5 Forfar 4 ?

[@borderlands6606]

Lack of promotion and relegation kills ambition. It should be 3 up, 3 down across all divisions, and playoffs only within that division. Putting old firm B-teams in is a bad idea, it will kill Scottish football in the same way reserve teams have killed the English FA Cup.

[@leboeuf05]

have you been to cowdenbeath or hamilton accies?

[@GaryTurpie]

He went to the Cowdenbeath vs OG Broomhill match last season. In terms of Hamilton then he has covered the fraud incident but I don't think he's attended a game

[@zacroycroft6248]

I actually am the assistant managers son of uni

[@CaelanAllan]

Remember me I’m shab 😮

[@markthomas7279]

The truth is that Albion is not even the biggest club in Airdrie and being on edge of Glasgow anywsy, mist dupport old firm. As old firm stretches for relevence in Europe small Scottish sides gave few revenue opportunities. Albion isca lively local club. But it will gave to manage within its limited means.

[@richardlewis7498]

Berwick Rangers the best English team in scotland😀😀😀

[@valormeer]

Big Jock knew

[@gzz8551]

Oooop wee bitter Hun hanging about...

[@FUT-Franklin]

Expand the SPFL to 18 teams and ill be happy

[@steveburnham8755]

❤

[@jontalbot1]

I think the reason people watch vids like this is most football fans suffer for years on end so there is a fascination for supporters having it even worse

[@zacroycroft6248]

UNI UNI UNI

[@Andy-ko5eu]

Couldnt have picked a more boring Rovers game all season if you tried 🤣 never a good feeling when you get relegated, but in all honesty the football we are playing in the LL (minus this game) has been far more exciting than we've been in a long time, going down to the LL dosent have to be the death sentence people think it is

[@craigchalmers6228]

Scottish football is just sad it needs a complete overhaul the national side is terrible the old firm are terrible constantly get beaten up in Europe and the infrastructure is appalling...uefa needs to step in and actually support these countries with not so good leagues or teams if they ever want them to be competitive with the billions of dollars in England Spain and Italian football

[@John64125]

The pyramid system in Scotland is harming the game in my opinion. Albion, Brechin, Berwick and Cowdenbeath are all non league. Edinburgh City, Kelty, Bonnyrigg and Spartans are in the league with a good recent record but no history of achievement.

[@robertfoulkes1832]

@John64125 Your opinion is bonkers. Almost every country now has a football pyramid which allows successful clubs to progress upwards and failing clubs to fall so that all can eventually reach a level where they can compete with others of similar potential. Without a system of promotion and relegation between tiers, you have a few clubs dominating at the top of each level and winning almost all the trophies (like the OF do in the Premiership) while others languish at the bottom, rarely winning games & losing by cricket scores. EC, Kelty, Bonnyrigg, Spartans and the other club ypu forgot, Cove Rangers, have refreshed the SPFL in a very welcome way, having earned the chance to do so through hard work to improve their facilities and success on the field of play. The FIVE clubs that have been relegated (you forgot East Stirlingshire in that category) have been given the opportunity to regroup, show they can win games again and promotion back to the SPFL. The fact that none have so far managed to do so (although Brechin came close) is partly down to the restrictive practices of the SPFL but that and the successes of Cove, Kelty and Edinburgh City in achieving further promotion within the SPFL proves how necessary the establishment of a pyramid system was. Now what is needed is to open up promotion and relegation further so that more pf the ambitious and well-run clubs in tiers 5 and 6 can do the same. And don't be surprised if one of the ex-SPFL clubs in tier 5 drops further into tier 6 before any of them earns promotion back up to League 2!

[@John64125]

Fair enough but The pyramid system is unfair because it’s a hell of a lot easier to be relegated for one or two bad seasons than it is to get back. Dog eat dog I hear you say but that’s when you turn a sport into a business. The structure isn’t right. Promotion through a playoff between lowland and highland league then a playoff with the league club is unfair. That needs to be fixed. Observe I didn’t start the response with an insult. There really is no need because everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if you disagree with them!

[@iananderson3799]

Albion, Brechin, Berwick and Cowdenbeath hardly had extensive "records of achievement" either.

[@luton_gmanrock]

You spend more time filimg you buying pies than football action in your videos, should be called 'Pie Adventures'.........😁

[@raymonddixon7603]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NON LEAGUE TEAM.

[@italianstallion9170]

fall from graces are less spectacular than in England as Scottish are very small anyway Albion rovers were players to 1,000 gates when in the top flight. not like they have had loads of glory, big stadium 30-40,000 capacity and now in non league, most scottish clubs are equivalent to English 4th/5th tier don't believe me? check out all the clubs they are really small.

[@jxyyz]

hi sam

[@FootyAdventures]

Hi

[@jxyyz]

@@FootyAdventureslove your videos !!