Albion Rovers SAVAGE Shamrock Rovers Coatbridge rebrand plans and insist any name change is a non starter

The Lanarkshire club are unhappy at the timing of the consortium's plans being made public after their relegation from the SPFL.

Albion Rovers have slammed the idea that a consortium will take over the club and rebrand them as Shamrock Rovers Coatbridge.

The Cliftonhill outfit were relegated from the the SPFL after a playoff defeat to Edinburgh-based Spartans and will begin life in the Lowland League after the summer. Sister title Lanarkshire Live exclusively revealed last week that a group of Irish, British and US businessmen were keen to take Rovers over and rename the club to 'tap into' the town's irish heritage. They called for the current board to resign in order for the deal to happen.

BUt with a previous attempt having failed, Rovers have now issued a strong response, assuring fans that there is no chance of the Lanarkshire side changing their name to Shamrock Rovers or anything else. And they have hit out at the timing of the revelations, claiming it was a brazen attempt to capitalise on the recent relegation from League Two.

A statement read: "Last week, a story appeared in the print and digital press regarding a proposed takeover of Albion Rovers FC from a consortium. The timing of this information coming into public knowledge was clearly intended to fuel speculation and cause disruption during what is undoubtedly the club’s lowest point in our proud, long-standing history.

"Let us be clear. We did not, and will not, entertain the idea of Shamrock Rovers Coatbridge’ or indeed any other proposal in the future that steers us away from our identity. It is evident, following on from the Albion Rovers Supporters’ Trust meeting last night, that the idea of any sort of name change or diversion from what we stand for is clearly unpopular and not sought after.

"Our name and our values have been forged and maintained over a century. We look forward to your support in the coming season."