Albion Rovers pulled off a remarkable escape to avoid a second successive relegation under rookie boss Kevin Harper.
2018 was a disaster for the Wee Rovers as relegation from League One was followed by a summer of turmoil which saw the side make a dreadful start to the season under manager John Brogan. His squad was not up to League Two standard and they lost seven of their opening nine league matches.
Brogan fell on his sword in October and the club made a brave decision to appoint Harper as his successor. He found life tough going and had to wait 15 matches before finally claiming a first league win. It came less than 24 hours after hearing the news they had been awarded three points after Clyde had fielded an ineligible player against them.
Those six points galvanised the club, whilst the sad loss of goalkeeping coach Michael Duke also helped bring people together. Harper’s transfer dealings in January were crucial; most notably in midfielders Giuliano Morena and Gregor Fotheringham and striker Smart Osadolor.
Four victories in their final eight league games took them off the bottom of the table, and they eventually finished eight points clear of Berwick Rangers. They scored just 32 goals in 36 matches, which was illustrated in their joint leading scorers; Fotheringham scoring four goals despite only joining in January and striker Lewis McLear, who left at the same time.
Harper should take a lot of credit after inheriting a desperate situation, and he will be hoping to keep his squad together and challenge at the top end of the division next season.
