Latest news with #BarryRobson
The Courier
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Raith Rovers FC: Premier Sports Cup draw pits Rovers against Championship newcomers and SPFL first-timers
Raith Rovers have been drawn against new Championship rivals and SPFL first-timers in the Premier Sports Cup. Wednesday's group stage draw saw Barry Robson's side picked in Group F, having been seeded in the second pot of sides for next season's tournament. Championship new boys St Johnstone were drawn first by former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart, before Rovers joined their sure-to-be Championship promotion rivals. The group was rounded out by Inverness Caley Thistle of League One, Elgin City of League Two and newly minted SPFL outfit East Kilbride, who won their place in the league by beating Bonnyrigg Rose in the pyramid play-off. Rovers, under new manager Barry Robson, will be aiming to return to the knockout stages of the tournament after last season's failure to escape the groups. Home and away fixtures are to be decided. St Johnstone Raith Rovers Inverness CT Elgin City East Kilbride Matchday one: Weekend of July 12/13 Matchday two: Midweek of July 15/16 Matchday three: Weekend of July 19/20 Matchday four: Midweek of July 22/23 Matchday five: Weekend of July 25/26 Weekend of August 16/17 Weekend of September 20/21 Weekend of November 1//2 Sunday, December 14
The National
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Rangers' talks with Championship club over 'partnership' revealed
The Championship club's supporter liaison officer took to X on Monday morning to reveal the news. Read more: He said: "We've had talks with a number of clubs over these 'cooperation partnerships'. "There have been talks with Rangers, but no proposal as yet. Also reassured no decision will be made anytime soon or without some sort of consultation, whoever we choose, if any." The 'cooperation partnerships' would reportedly involve Premiership clubs sending multiple young players on loan to a lower league side [Record]. Raith finished fifth in the second tier this season, narrowly missing out on the play-offs. They are managed by ex-Celtic midfielder Barry Robson. Elsewhere, the SFA Compliance Officer is set to review comments made by former defender John Brown on Rangers TV, querying the integrity of officials during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hibernian. Broadcasters claimed that VAR saw "no conclusive evidence/angle to say the ball had fully crossed the line to award Rangers a second goal". Brown disagreed, saying on air: "I would say it is corrupt. Commentator Tom Miller cautioned: "Well, I'm not sure we can actually say that', before Brown continued: "Well, I am saying it.' Herald Sport reports that the SFA believe there are grounds for action under article 29.2 of the rules which reads: "A club or recognised football body which publishes, distributes, issues, sells or authorises a third party to publish, distribute, issue or sell a match programme or any other publication or audio/visual material of any description in any media now existing or hereinafter invented, including but not limited to the Internet, social networking or micro-blogging sites, shall ensure that any such publications or audio/visual material does not contain any criticism of any match official calculated to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official or to impinge upon his character."
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Dons toiling and need to find solutions quickly'
Aberdeen need an answer and latest capitulation was a sobering experience for the Dons' fans as they were taken apart by effectively a second-string Celtic side on their own was the first time they have conceded five times at Pittodrie in almost a decade when St Johnstone won by the same 5-1 scoreline that has supporters fearful of what a full-strength Celtic side could do to them in next week's Scottish Cup of those who started for the champions in the Granite City, arguably captain Callum McGregor is the only one who will be in Brendan Rodgers' XI at five games against the champions this term, Aberdeen have shipped 19 goals, including six the last time they met at the national stadium. It is becoming more difficult to construct an argument that the odds can be upset in the wake of this latest embarrassing reverse means that fourth place is as high as Aberdeen can finish, with Hibernian's draw at St Mirren enough to secure third for the Easter Road outfit. Once 23 points clear of them, the Dons have been left is now a straight shoot-out with Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday for fourth place. Concerningly for Thelin, the Dons have only taken two points away from home against top-six teams this season - the 2-2 draw at Celtic Park and the 3-3 draw at Easter Road that changed the course of both clubs' Premiership record is now exactly the same as his sacked predecessor Barry more alarmingly, if the season had started from the date of their first league defeat at St Mirren in November they would be bottom of the table, behind relegated St Johnstone on goal difference. The spectacular start they made has spared them from what might have one positive from the wreckage of Wednesday night was that European football was secured regardless of what is to three defeats on the spin and 10 goals conceded in those matches mean Thelin has an almighty task on his hands if there is to be light at the end of the tunnel.
The Courier
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Raith Rovers confirm 5 departures and players who could be offered new deals
Raith Rovers have announced the departures of five out-of-contract players as they kick-start a summer rebuild under Barry Robson. The Kirkcaldy club are also in discussions with a further six whose deals are expiring in the coming days. Departing Stark's Park are cult hero keeper Kevin Dabrowski, popular winger Aidan Connolly, defender Euan Murray after a second spell at the club, youngster Jake Nicholson and former Dundee United full-back Kieran Freeman. They are joined by loan players George Gitau, Aiden Marsh, Finlay Pollock and St Johnstone's Josh Rae returning to their parent clubs. There remains uncertainty over the futures of a number of others, with vice-captain Ross Matthews, striker Jamie Gullan, defenders Liam Dick and Callum Hannah, and back-up keeper Andy McNeil in discussions over fresh terms. Striker Callum Smith, currently recovering from major knee surgery, is also in talks after being reassured he would be 'looked after' during his rehabilitation. A statement read: 'With the 2024/25 season now concluded, we can confirm our full retained and released squad list. 'Five players have been released following the expiration of their contracts. 'We'd like to place on record our sincere thanks to all five for their efforts and contributions during their time with us, and wish each of them the very best for their futures.' The business comes at the end of a season in which Raith have had three differing managers following the sacking of Ian Murray last August and the exit of Neill Collins for Sacramento Republic in late December. Robson will aim to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited and the quintet departing will create space in the numbers and the budget for next term. This time last year, the prospect of Dabrowski leaving would have been unthinkable for many, with the former Hibernian custodian building a strong reputation with some eye-catching displays. He was the hero in the Premiership play-off semi-final win against Partick Thistle and something of a fans' favourite. However, with shortcomings in his game, he lost his place in the team to Rae following the appointment of Robson and has been linked with a move south of the border. Connolly is another who will have his supporters after more than 150 appearances since joining for a second stint in 2021. But, again, he has struggled for a starting berth under Robson and his exit – with another Championship club expected to make a move – is perhaps no surprise. Murray dropped out of Robson's plans towards the end of the season but was a solid and committed performer after returning to the club two years ago, whilst Freeman saw out the season on loan at Montrose and 20-year-old Nicholson has been deemed unlikely to make the grade with Rovers.
The Courier
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Raith Rovers reveal new pitch proposals as they lay down detailed strategy for Premiership return
Raith Rovers have unveiled a 'Phase Two Strategy' they hope will take the club back into the Premiership for the first time in almost three decades. The Kirkcaldy outfit have confessed their disappointment over this season's exploits, which climaxed in the team missing out on the promotion play-offs on the final day. However, with Barry Robson arriving in December as the club's third manager in a turbulent six months, they are determined to get things right next term. Now two years into the reign of the new ownership group that took over in May 2023, significant progress has been made off the pitch with major redevelopment work at Stark's Park. They have declared phase one 'complete'. The board of directors are now turning their attentions to efforts aimed at helping bring improvements on the pitch with the ultimate goal of promotion to the top-flight for the first time since relegation in 1997. The new strategy has identified three core objectives: Continuing to strengthen fan engagement and local support; developing new revenue streams to reinvest in the football department; and advancing the football department through analysis and data to gain an edge over clubs with higher budgets. The directors state: 'Our mission remains unchanged: To return Raith Rovers to the Premiership in a sustainable way – ensuring we stay there for the long term while preserving our role at the heart of the local community.' Some of the areas touched on in the detailed 26-page document range from encouraging more female fans, introducing a female mascot and exploring reopening the Railway Stand to employing the club's first-ever recruitment analyst and strengthening data analysis. Raith are predicting that Robson will be given somewhere between the fourth and sixth-biggest budget in the Championship next season after having the 'seventh or eighth' in the league by the end of this term. 'The data shows that, in this division, the team with the highest budget usually wins promotion,' continue the directors. 'Raith Rovers have spent 20 of the last 28 seasons in the second-tier, and it's fair to say we've likely never had the highest – or even second-highest – budget during that time. 'In that context, our inability to return to the top-flight is perhaps not surprising. 'That said, promotion without the biggest budget isn't impossible. 'To achieve it, we must work harder and smarter than our rivals, finding an edge over clubs with deeper pockets that may not be using their resources as effectively.' Meanwhile, Raith have revealed they could relay their plastic pitch as early as this summer. They are currently seeking 'grant support' to help fund a new surface. Despite the SPFL's moves to ban artificial grass in the Premiership, the Kirkcaldy outfit insist that plastic 'remains essential'. The statement reads: 'One of our biggest upcoming expenses is relaying the surface at Stark's Park, as the current pitch nears the end of its lifespan. 'Returning to grass isn't feasible at this stage, particularly while we await clarity on Premiership pitch rules. 'A plastic surface remains essential – both for our community work and for generating income through pitch hire. 'We hope to confirm grant support soon, and work could begin as early as this summer. 'A new surface will allow us to generate more non-match-day income from pitch hire. We're also exploring new partnerships and creative ways to increase revenue from the pitch.'
