Albion Rovers Chairman Frank Meade who has guided the Coatbridge club from the brink of financial extinction in the Third Division to making a modest profit in the Second Division is to stand down after 7 years.
The AGM of the Club at Cliftonhill next Thursday, October 4 will formally mark Meade’s move, although he will remain at the club as their Financial Director.
When the former British Telecom accountant was appointed in 2005 the club was facing closure and Meade brought in a tough cost-cutting programme that saw Albion abandon full time football and an expensive Youth programme.
During his time Meade appointed Paul Martin to manage the side and he steered them to a promotion play-off success in 2011 before keeping them in the Division via the Play-Offs again in May of this year before Martin resigned due to health reasons.
Meade said, “After 7 years as Chairman I have decided not to seek re-appointment at the AGM and I will remain as Finance Director subject to shareholder approval.”
“The club’s Board needs to be expanded and we continue to seek people with business backgrounds to join and Robert Watt will become Interim Chairman, again subject to shareholder approval.”
It has been a good time to be the Cliftonhill Chairman with Meade saying, “The past couple of years have been exciting for everyone connected with the Club. I am stepping down with memories of some great days, however I will also never forget the darker days when I first joined the Board.”
“I am proud of our achievements, particularly gaining promotion and retaining our place in Division 2 and it has been an enormous privilege to be Chairman of Albion Rovers.”
Last season saw Meade’s club make a net profit of £43,500 from a turnover of £235,000 with Meade saying, “Our turnover is down slightly due to a significant drop in commercial income, however, this was offset to some extent by income from derby matches with Airdrie United and the Play-Off matches.”
Former manager Martin said, “Frank has done a wonderful job as Chairman of Albion Rovers. It is a fairly unique club and everyone worked hard there during his time to turn things around totally.”
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