vs QUEEN OF THE SOUTH Saturday 27th January ‘24 • 3.00pm KO • £3
BALMOR AL GROUP Proud sponsors of Balmoral Stadium Balmoral Comtec Balmoral Tanks Balmoral Business Park BLAZE Manufacturing Solutions Friends of ANCHOR www.balmoral‐group.com
01
vs QUEEN OF THE SOUTH Balmoral Stadium • Saturday 27th January ‘24 • 3.00pm KO Features
Kelty Hearts Match Report
04
Falkirk Match Report
08
Hamilton Academical Match Report
11
Rumarn Burrell Player of the Month
18
Michael Doyle New Contract
28
Regulars 02 12 16 20 24 31 34 35 37
Fixtures & League Table Season 23/24 Statistics Player & Management Sponsorship Captain’s Column View from the Dugout Club Partners Club Information Club Honours Today’s Team Lines
Match Sponsor
Matchball Sponsor
02 FIXTURES A
Tue 30th Jan, ‘24
Brora Rangers v Cove Rangers
Scottish Cup
A
Tues 3rd Feb, ‘24
Stirling Albion v Cove Rangers
cinch League One
H
Sat 10th Feb, ‘24
Cove Rangers v Falkirk
cinch League One
A
Sat 17th Feb, ‘24
Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers
cinch League One
A
Sat 24th Feb, ‘24
Cove Rangers v Annan Athletic
cinch League One
LEAGUE TABLE cinch League One
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Falkirk
21
16
5
0
51
13
38
53
Hamilton Academical
20
13
5
2
43
13
30
44
Cove Rangers
21
9
6
6
36
29
7
33
Montrose
20
7
5
8
29
31
-2
26
Alloa Athletic
19
7
5
7
25
28
-3
26
Kelty Hearts
19
6
6
7
27
28
-1
24
Queen of the South
21
7
3
11
28
34
-6
24
Stirling Albion
19
6
4
9
16
32
-16
22
Annan Athletic
20
2
7
11
24
42
-18
13
Edinburgh City
20
2
4
14
27
56
-29
10
50/50 WINNER The winning ticket number at the Kelty Hearts game was 146149. The £650 prize was claimed by Terry Cobban Snr.
Find a keeper With thousands of cars in one place you’re sure to find your perfect ride. And you have 14 days to love it or your money back.
D
04 KELTY HEARTS MATCH REPORT
MATCH REPORT
Cove Rangers Kelty Hearts cinch League One Sat 6th January ‘23 Balmoral Stadium
2 2
05 2024 got underway in frustrating fashion at Balmoral Stadium as the team threw away a commanding lead and had to settle for a share of the points. Rumarn Burrell scored for the eighth league game in a row, and when Mitch Megginson doubled the advantage, we looked well placed for the win, but poor defending cost us dear, and Kelty might even have snatched the victory in the second half. With Fraser Fyvie and Balint Demus still sidelined, and Luke Strachan edging towards full fitness, Paul Hartley had made one change from last week’s draw at Montrose. Paul McGowan returned from illness, Cameron Stewart dropped to the bench, and Josh Kerr lined-up alongside Mark Reynolds in central defence. On a bright, crisp afternoon, the game got off to a quiet start. Cove were making most of the early running and Jones and Scully both had inviting deliveries cleared by the visiting back line before Burrell came close, controlling a Megginson pass, but shooting just wide from inside the box. He had another opportunity soon after, running on to a Kerr pass before being wiped out by Gourlay who had raced from his area. The keeper was saved by the assistant raising his flag for offside; it looked a marginal call. The breakthrough came in the fifteenth minute. Connor Scully swung in a corner
from the right which led to a scramble in the box before Gourlay pulled off a magnificent save from Mikey Doyle’s shot. Mark Reynolds was first to react, lifted the ball back to the far post and Rumarn BURRELL was there to head home his twentieth of the campaign. The second goal arrived soon after, and it came as a result of an excellent move. Josh Kerr took possession deep in his own half and rolled a pass forward to Blair Yule. The midfielder looked up and found Burrell who ran wide and fired a dangerous low ball across the area, teeing-up Mitch MEGGINSON for an easy finish, his first goal since the end of September. Josh Kerr’s distribution from defence was causing big problems for Kelty, and from his latest superb diagonal, Scully and Burrell worried the visiting back line before the striker was eventually closed down. The Fifers got back into the game soon after the interval, the goal coming out of the blue after Alfie BAVIDGE had found space inside the box. His shot looked weak, but Nick Suman fumbled the ball into the net. It was an uncharacteristic
“ The second goal arrived soon after, and it came as a result of an excellent move.”
06 KELTY HEARTS MATCH REPORT
“ Josh Kerr’s distribution from defence was causing big problems for Kelty” error from the big Aussie who had risen from his sickbed to play. Megginson was brought down in our next attack, and after Josh Kerr’s drive from the free-kick had been blocked, Jones flashed in a superb low cross which the sliding Burrell only just failed to connect with.
07 Cove Rangers (4-4-2) Suman; Doyle, Kerr, Reynolds, Jones (Darge 68); Yule, Sena, McGowan (Connell 68), Scully; Megginson (c) (Williamson 78) Burrell Substitutes Robertson, Gillingham, Gallagher, Stewart Goalscorers Burrell (15), Megginson (20) Booked Darge (82)
The game was level seconds later. Kelty counter-attacked, and after a long ball over the top, Bavidge gathered, raced forwards, and rounded the outrushing Suman, only to be denied by Kerr who had shown great awareness to recover and divert the striker’s shot for a corner. It was from the resultant delivery that Adam CORBETT rose highest to head home the equaliser.
Kelty Hearts (4-3-3)
The visitors were enjoying more of the play now, but we continued to string together some impressive attacking moves, and in quick order, Megginson had a shot blocked, then Burrell and Doyle were both denied by wellorganised defending.
Goalscorers
Scully fired well over from thirty-five yards, then substitute Connell lifted the ball for Burrell to run on to, Gourlay racing from his line to make a last-gasp clearance.
Gourlay; McCluskey, Corbett, L. Owens, B. Owens; Lyon (c), Tidser (Biabi 79), O’Donnell; Cunningham (McAllister 63), Johnston (Daramola 86), Bavidge Substitutes Campbell, L. Owens, Cameron, Sylla
Bavidge (47), Corbett (57)
Referee Stewart Luke
Attendance 772
08 FALKIRK MATCH REPORT
MATCH REPORT Falkirk 4 Cove Rangers 0 cinch League One Tue 9th January ‘23 Falkirk Community Stadium
Falkirk eased to a convincing victory to strengthen their lead at the top of League One on a night where we failed to trouble them and rarely looked like scoring. But for Nick Suman, who pulled off a number of fine saves, the margin might have been even greater, With long-term injury victims Fraser Fyvie, Balint Demus and Luke Strachan still absent, Paul Hartley also had to do without captain Mitch Megginson, who had picked up a knock at the weekend. Paul McGowan dropped to the bench while Cameron Stewart returned in central defence and Arron Darge in midfield.
It was Cove who created the first opening, Rumarn Burrell collecting the ball midway inside the Falkirk half and playing in Connor Scully. The midfielder took a touch to steady himself, but then shot wide of the left post from twenty yards. In the ninth minute Falkirk carved out their first opportunity, Yeats crossing from the right to find MacIver, but the striker glanced his effort well wide. They came closer soon after. Nick Suman had to beat away a blistering thirty-yard drive from Donaldson, and when the ball was recovered, MacIver shot just wide from close range.
09
Mikey Doyle set up our next attack, but both Burrell and Darge were closed down before they could shoot. Falkirk countered with pace, Morrison breaking free, but his well-struck angled shot was pushed behind by Suman. The big keeper pulled off another excellent save when the corner was swung in, acrobatically tipping over Lang’s powerful header. Left-back Leon McCann was next to try his luck, shooting from thirty-five yards, and Suman had to dive full-length to push the ball away for another corner. We were getting out on occasion but were unable to retain possession for any
length of time, and struggled to find a way through. Falkirk looked the more dangerous team, and shortly before the interval, they took the lead. Having broken down the left, the ball was switched across into the box where Callumn MORRISON gathered. He stepped away from a challenge and shot from sixteen yards, his effort hitting one post and flying across the line before clipping the other upright and nestling in the net. It might have been two within seconds of the restart, Mikey Doyle having to
10 FALKIRK MATCH REPORT Falkirk (4-2-3-1) react quickly at the back post to divert a dangerous Morrison cross behind. From the resultant corner, Falkirk did get their second in controversial circumstances. Nick Suman appeared to be pushed while attempting to gather the ball, but the referee waved away Cove claims, and Liam HENDERSON slid home from close range. The manager reacted quickly, making his first substitution, as Tyler Mykyta replaced Jacob Jones with Scully dropping to left back. The home side should have got a third when McCann sent in an excellent cross, but from eight yards out, and completely unmarked, Nesbitt sent his sidefoot volley wide of the far post. Paul Hartley then threw Gallagher on for Kerr, but within seconds we were further behind. Falkirk picked up a bouncing ball and when it was fed into the area, Callumn MORRISON raced away from three defenders before firing a low angled shot across Suman and inside the far post. The game appeared to be petering out with the home side heading comfortably to victory, little happening of note until the eighty-sixth minute when Yeats passed the ball into the box for Gary OLIVER to finish low past the despairing Suman.
Long; Yeats, Donaldson (c), Lang, McCann; Henderson (McGinn 82), Spencer; Morrison (Agyeman 68), Nesbitt (Oliver 82), Miller (Ross 68); MacIver (Shanley 54) Substitutes Hogarth, Allan, Bisland, Mackie Goalscorers Morrison (42, 65) Henderson (46), Oliver (86) Booked Miller (67)
Cove Rangers (4-3-3) Suman; Doyle, Stewart, Reynolds(c), Jones (Mykyta 51); Sena, Kerr (Gallagher 64), Darge; Yule, Burrell, Scully Substitutes Robertson, Gillingham, McGowan, Connell, Williamson Booked Darge (90)
Referee George Calder
Attendance 4,411
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL MATCH REPORT
11
Hamilton Academical Cove Rangers
2 0
cinch League One Sat 13th January ‘23 ZLX Stadium
Cove fell to a second successive defeat, but this was a very different scenario to the midweek loss at Falkirk, the team creating countless openings and opportunities without being able to find a way through the home rearguard.
Accies were more clinical, scoring in either half, in a game which saw both sides reduced to ten men. Still minus Fraser Fyvie, Balint Demus and Luke Strachan, manager Paul Hartley
12 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL MATCH REPORT also had to do without the experienced duo of Mitch Megginson and Paul McGowan due to illness. He made two personnel changes, Mark Gallagher and Kyle Connell starting in place of Jacob Jones and Cameron Stewart, with Mikey Doyle moving over to left back and Arron Darge playing on the right of the defence. Accies had their first attack in the fifth minute, Barjonas clipping in an inviting cross from the right which landed beyond two team-mates, but they were to snatch the lead soon after. Josh Kerr got caught out in midfield and the ball broke for Kevin O’HARA who raced clear and finished confidently as Suman tried to close down the angle. We very nearly equalised immediately. Rumarn Burrell made space on the right, raced into the box, and fired in a low cross which Mark Gallagher met sweetly, his fifteen yard shot bringing a fine diving save out of Jamie Smith.
“ We very nearly equalised immediately. Rumarn Burrell made space on the right, raced into the box...”
Within seconds, it was Cove threatening again, Burrell holding the ball up and laying it off for Connell, but the striker’s well-struck angled effort was held by the diving Smith. The chances continued. First, Scully’s free-kick caused problems for the home defence, then Burrell forced a corner, which was half-cleared. In our next foray forward Yule sent in an inviting cross but Scully’s header cleared the bar. Burrell then skipped away from two challenges in the box and fired in a cross which McGowan got a touch on, diverting the ball to safety. The home side were reduced to ten men in the fifty-fifth minute, Ben Williamson shown the red card for a ferocious tackle on Kyle Connell on the edge of the centre circle. The striker required lengthy treatment but was able to return to the fray. Paul Hartley made his first change just past the hour mark, Scott Williamson on for Mark Gallagher as Cove looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage. Connell then hurled in one of his long throws, causing mayhem in the home box, but the ball would not sit up for either Burrell or Williamson. The substitute came agonisingly close to equalising soon after. Yule delivered from the right, Kerr flicked the ball on, and Williamson headed goalwards from close range, keeper Smith scrambling across his line to save with his legs.
13 Hamilton Academical (4-2-3-1) In our next attack, Burrell did well to win the ball, Williamson laid it off, and Mikey Doyle sent in a curling shot which had Smith diving full length to push away. Out of nowhere, Accies suddenly snatched a two-nil lead. In a rare counter, O’Hara ran free and when Suman made a one-handed save, the ball fell to the unmarked Jamie BARJONAS who finished with ease. Four minutes later, we were also down to ten men. While attacking, the ball bounced accidentally off Mikey Doyle’s hand and referee Hardie was quick to show the full-back a second yellow. It seemed a harsh decision. Cove kept pressing. Scully had a dangerous cross deflected into the keeper’s hands, Connell shot from twenty yards, his effort cannoning off a defender to the keeper, then Burrell had an effort blocked just inside the box. In our next attack, Connell ran at the home rearguard, the ball falling for Williamson who shot just wide from the edge of the area, before Burrell had a shot charged down and saw another screw wide of the post. In stoppage time, Burrell flicked the ball on, but Williamson volleyed high over the bar.
J. Smith; Tumilty (Hendrie 90), McGowan (c), F. Owens, Longridge; MacDonald, Williamson; Henderson (Winter 59), Barjonas (Redfern 88), L. Smith (Hewitt 59); O’Hara (Kirk 88) Substitutes Lane, Zanatta, McGlynn, Tait Goalscorers O’Hara (7), Barjonas (71) Booked MacDonald (59) Sent off Williamson (55)
Cove Rangers (4-4-2) Suman; Darge, Kerr, Reynolds (c), Doyle; Yule, Sena, Gallagher (Williamson 63), Scully; Burrell, Connell Substitutes Robertson, Jones, Gillingham, Stewart Booked Doyle (50) Sent off Doyle (75)
Referee Ross Hardie
Attendance 1,436
14 SEASON 23/24 STATS Date
Fixture
Competition
H/A
Score
18/07/23
Clyde
VPC
H
5-2
22/07/23
Brechin City
VPC
A
3-2
25/07/23
Livingston
VPC
H
0-5
29/07/23
Hamilton Acad.
VPC
A
2-2
05/08/23
Hamilton Acad.
SPFL1
A
0-1
12/08/23
Falkirk
SPFL1
H
2-2
19/08/23
Montrose
SPFL1
A
3 -0
26/08/23
Queen of the South
SPFL1
H
1-2
02/09/23
Alloa Athletic
SPFL1
A
0-1
09/09/23
Montrose
SPFL Trust Trophy
H
0-2
16/09/23
Kelty Hearts
SPFL1
H
2-2
23/09/23
Edinburgh City
SPFL1
A
2-2
30/09/23
Stirling Albion
SPFL1
A
2-2
07/10/23
Annan Athletic
SPFL1
H
3-2
28/10/23
Queen of the South
SPFL1
A
1-0
04/11/23
Hamilton Acad.
SPFL1
H
1-0
11/11/23
Kelty Hearts
SPFL1
A
1-0
14/11/23
Montrose
SPFL1
H
1-0
18/11/23
Stirling Albion
SPFL1
H
3-1
25/11/23
Stirling Albion
Scottish Cup
A
2-0
09/12/23
Annan Athletic
SPFL1
A
3-1
SPFL1
H
1-2
16/12/2023 Alloa Athletic
Name
Nick Suman
Balint Demus
Appearances
Goals
Position
Yellow
Red
7
0
GK
0
0
20
0
Jacob Jones
22
0
Jason Naismith
1
0
Michael Doyle
13
1
Will Gillingham
21
Arron Darge
18
0
Cameron Stewart
13
0
Luke Strachan
Josh Kerr
Rio Phipps
Mark Reynolds
Connor Scully
Mouhamed Niang
0
14
0
0 1
1
0
27
2
21
26
1
0
GK DF
1
0
3
0
DF
0
0
DF
0
0
DF
2
DF
DF
DF
DF
DF
2
3
1
2
0
1
0
0
DF
0
MF
2
MF
1
3
1
0
0
0
0
15 Date
Fixture
Competition
H/A
Score
23/12/23
Edinburgh City
SPFL1
H
7-2
30/12/23
Montrose
SPFL1
A
1-1
06/01/24
Kelty Hearts
SPFL1
H
2-2
09/01/23
Falkirk
SPFL1
A
0-4
13/01/24
Hamilton Academical SPFL1
A
0-2
27/01/24
Queen of the South
H
SPFL1
30/01/24
Brora Rangers
Scottish Cup
A
03/02/24
Stirling Albion
SPFL1
A
10/02/24
Falkirk
SPFL1
H
17/02/24
Alloa Athletic
SPFL1
A
24/02/24
Annan Athletic
SPFL1
H
02/03/24
Edinburgh City
SPFL1
A
09/03/24
Montrose
SPFL1
H
16/03/24
Kelty Hearts
SPFL1
A
23/03/24
Hamilton Acad.
SPFL1
H
30/03/24
Stirling Albion
SPFL1
H
06/04/24
Falkirk
SPFL1
A
13/04/24
Annan Athletic
SPFL1
A
20/04/24
Alloa Athletic
SPFL1
H
27/04/24
Queen of the South
SPFL1
A
04/05/24
Edinburgh City
SPFL1
H
Name
Blair Yule
Iain Vigurs
Tyler Mykyta
Appearances
Goals
Position
Yellow
Red
2
0
MF
1
0
18 12
3 1
Mark Gallagher
13
Paul McGowan
20
Rumarn Burrell
27
20
4
0
0
0
Fraser Fyvie
Mitch Megginson
2
17
6
Kyle Connell
22
Scott Williamson
18
Milosz Ochmanski
0
Dayshonne Golding
Jack Robertson
Myles Gaffney
1
8
1
1
7
MF
0
MF
0
MF
0
0
FW
3
1
MF
MF
2
2
FW
0
FW
0
GK
0
FW
1
FW
0
DF
0
1
FW
2 1
0
0
0
0 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
16 SPONSORSHIP
Advertising opportunities Gordon Young
Tam Ritchie
1. Nick Suman
2. Jacob Jones
3. Michael Doyle
4. Connor Scully
5. Mouhamed Niang
6. Will Gillingham
7. Paul McGowan
8. Blair Yule
9. Mitch Megginson
Player Sponsors
Paul Hartley
Management Sponsors
LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE
WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698
17 to organisations who are looking to share
marketing messages or build their brand.
To register interest for sponsorship, contact Angela Bruce: abruce@coverangersfc.com
10. Rumarn Burrell
11. Kyle Connell
14. Luke Strachan
15. Arron Darge
16. Iain Vigurs
17. Josh Kerr
18. Tyler Mykyta
19. Dayshonne Golding
20. Myles Gaffney
21. Balint Demus
22. Mark Gallagher
24. Fraser Fyvie
26. Mark Reynolds
27. Cameron Stewart
CRFC offer excellent advertising opportunities
18 RUMARN BURRELL POTM
RUMARN BURRELL The outstanding form of our top scorer Rumarn Burrell was recently recognised with the striker being voted cinch League One Player of the Month for the second successive time. Having scooped the award in November, Rumarn netted in all four games played during December, including his second hat-trick of the season against Annan Athletic, and a double in the rout of Edinburgh City. He scored in eight successive league matches, has twenty for the season, and is the leading marksman across the SPFL. Rumarn was thrilled to be honoured again: “I was so pleased to get the November award, having scored the first hat-trick
of my career, and my aim was to keep the standards up, the consistency, and to keep scoring. “My team-mates have been brilliant, I love playing with them week in, week out, and they have been great creating the opportunities for me. I need to thank them; they’ve all played a big part in me getting these honours.” Manager Paul Hartley says the striker thoroughly deserved the accolade: “Rumarn has been excellent. He’s got to twenty, now he has to target thirty goals for the season; I see no reason at all why he cannot do that.”
20 CAPTAIN’S VIEW It has been a frustrating time as we waited to find out what was happening with our cup-tie against Brora Rangers; hopefully it will now go ahead next week. None of us really knew what was going on, it was difficult to make plans, and obviously because of the snow we weren’t able to use Balmoral Stadium. All we want to be doing is playing games, but these kind of things happen unfortunately, and we were lucky enough to get booked into the Sports Village to get a few training sessions in. It is a really good facility, we were speaking to the Peterhead boys there the other night, and I know Aberdeen used it too, so it has been a great option for a number of clubs. There aren’t too many places like that in Scotland as a whole, and we perhaps could be doing with more. It does mean it was very busy there of course, and it was a bit weird having my tea at five o’clock last Thursday so we could begin training at nine; I was saying to one of the boys I’d been in bed at quarter past ten the previous night, so it was past my bedtime!! But we were lucky to get on, and it helped keep us ticking over. Overall, the first half of the season has not been what I’ve been used to, missing a number of games through illness, injury and a suspension. It’s the first time since I joined Cove that I’ve suffered such a stop-start campaign, I’ve been pretty lucky throughout my career, but I just haven’t had the fluidity that I would have liked over the past few months. I am hoping that will all clear up now, that I can put it behind me, get a good run of games, enjoy the momentum you need as a player, and do everything I can to help the team.
21
CAPTAIN’S VIEW
22 CAPTAIN’S VIEW
23
“ All our focus is on what we do, winning games, and if we can catch Hamilton above us, that’s a bonus” I’m a bit older now, and you have to manage what you do. I speak to the gaffer a lot about it, taking care of my body, perhaps missing the odd Tuesday if that makes sense in terms of recovering from the weekend, and generally just being smarter to make sure I’m ready for Saturdays. As for the team and our ambitions for the rest of the season, we have to be realistic and admit that’s probably now all about making sure we are in the play-offs. At the start, of course we were looking to the title, but Falkirk have been exceptional, and it seems unlikely they are going to be caught. You would expect them to be where they are, at the stage where they’ve been putting a good team together over the last couple of years, whereas we are probably at the start of that process. We are in a strong position right now though, in third with a bit of a gap, and we have to make sure that at the very least we maintain that. All our focus is on what we do, winning games, and if we can catch Hamilton above us, that’s a bonus. If not, we just need to make sure we hold what we’ve got, and give ourselves a chance of making the Championship. This is probably the most competitive I have seen this division, the most full-time teams I’m sure, and with the likes of Montrose, Kelty and Queen of the South all targeting the top four, it will be a battle every week, but we are ready for it! Mitch COYC!
24 VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
PAUL HARTLEY There’s no doubt we had a tough time for a week or so there, the heavy snow meaning it was out of the question for us to train at the stadium, so there was a bit of scrambling about. Thankfully, I was able to get a number of sessions booked at the Sports Village, and that helped to maintain the boys’ fitness. It meant I had a few extra jobs to do, picking the kit up and driving the mini-bus, the less glamorous side of the job I guess, but at our level, that’s what you have to do and it was great to have that facility for the week. It’s a good size of pitch there and the boys enjoyed it. They are fit anyway, but you have to keep working, and it was helpful for us to be able to do that; the great thing is we didn’t miss a single training session, so have been putting in the effort just as much as normal. We thought all along that the cup-tie was going to be called off last Saturday but had to have the mindset that it might go ahead, to keep preparing properly just in case. We did that, but the inevitable news was eventually confirmed, and we ended up back at the Village training rather than playing the game. It was a frustrating period, but it’s part and parcel of football, particularly living here in the north-east with the weather we sometimes have, and you just have to get on with it. It was no surprise when the game on Tuesday also went off; now we just have to hope we can get it played next week. The original postponement meant we know it will be Kilmarnock in the fifth round, should we get through.
25
26 VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
27
“ Picking up the victory would give us a bit more breathing space over them..” That will obviously be a tough tie, Derek has done a brilliant job at Rugby Park, but we push that to the back of our minds for now, and I can talk more about that if we are successful against Brora. It is back to league business this afternoon as we take on one of our promotion rivals and that, of course, makes getting the three points even more important. The two games so far have been tight; Queens won at Balmoral at the start of the season, then we gained revenge down at Palmerston, so there is every likelihood it will be another close affair. They gave a good account of themselves against St Mirren in the Cup, and although they are currently sitting outside the play-off places, there really is nothing in it right now. They are a good team and have had some decent results of late. Picking up the victory would give us a bit more breathing space over them, and that is exactly what we are focused on doing. I was also able to add to the squad this week, bringing in Ola Lawal – an exciting, attacking midfielder – on loan from Falkirk, and the impressive young defender Matty Shiels from Dumbarton. I believe both can make a real impact with us, and I look forward to working with them. Enjoy the game! Paul Hartley
28 MICHAEL DOYLE CONTRACT
MICHAEL
DOYLE Experienced full-back Michael Doyle is set to remain at Balmoral Stadium until at least the summer of 2025 after last week signing a contract extension. Mikey joined Cove Rangers at the end of October, playing initially as a trialist in the victory over Queen of the South at Palmerston, and the team went on to win each of his first seven games. He has now made thirteen appearances, scoring his first Cove goal in the Scottish Cup success at Stirling Albion, and has become an important figure in the squad.
The thirty-two year old says he had no doubts about extending his stay with the club: “Absolutely none, there’s been a bit of back and fore with the gaffer and the Chairman over the past two weeks, but when they offered me the deal, I was delighted to stay. I’ve spoken with both about what they’re looking for me to do over the next couple of years, and I’m excited for what lies ahead. I feel as if I’m here to help the club build something. “Two months ago, I was thinking I might
29
30 MICHAEL DOYLE CONTRACT never play football again; the hard work I put in over the summer has definitely paid off. “It’s great to have certainty now. These kind of deals can be few and far between at this stage of your career, which is daft, because I’m probably fitter now that I’ve ever been.” Manager Paul Hartley sees the move as an important one, identifying Mikey as an influential character, one who can play a big role going forward:
uncertain future, so he was pleased to have been given the opportunity to prove his worth. It is a decision he says he has never regretted: “I’m actually enjoying it more than I thought I might, the travelling isn’t too bad at all, and I’m excited by the manager’s plans, the signings he’s hoping to make.” “I’ve done this journey before with Alloa and Queen’s Park, I know the play-offs and I’ve got a decent record in them,
“ It doesn’t take me long to settle in, the kind of character I am - as you know I’m pretty mad - but they’re a great bunch of boys...” “I’ve known Doyley a long time, going all the way back to our time together at Alloa, and I’m pleased we have got him tied-up. He’s a good professional, he sets standards, and he is very demanding; exactly the sort of character you need in your squad. “I can trust him out on the pitch, you hear him all the time encouraging his teammates, and he’s a consistent, reliable performer. I have no doubt he will be a big part of what we do over the next couple of years.” Having suffered a serious injury in the close season, the full-back faced an
anything can happen, so that’s got to be our target for the rest of the season. “It’s important to be happy at your work, and when you find a good fit, there’s a lot to be said for that. It doesn’t take me long to settle in, the kind of character I am - as you know I’m pretty mad - but they’re a great bunch of boys here; they have fun in the changing room, but they work hard when they need to. “I treat every training session like a game and that’s the attitude you need. You’ve got to enjoy your football, and I’m certainly still loving it.”
CLUB PARTNERS Principal Club Partner
Official Club Partners
31 Principal Stadium Partner
Cllr Richard Brooks has been a voice for Aberdeen for over 20 years. He is now one of your local councillors
Richard has pioneered work with charities, community hubs, befriending and foodbank groups, raising over £200,000 in the last 24-months to help worthy causes and individuals facing challenging times. If you would like an opportunity to meet with him and discuss any matters that you feel he can be of assistance with, please contact Richard on 07977 399 537 or email rbrooks@aberdeencity.gov.uk
34 CLUB INFORMATION Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens, Aberdeen AB12 3JG
T 01224 392111
F 01224 392859 coverangersfc.com
Facebook Instagram @coverangersfc
Honorary President
Alan McRae OBE
Directors
Keith Moorhouse - Chairman
Graeme Reid - Vice Chairman Darren Anderson John Sheran Grant Moorhouse Willie Young
Safety Officers
Graeme Anderson, John Morgan
Committee
Michael Coull, Richard Forbes
Football Manager
Paul Hartley
Assistant Manager
Gordon Young
Fitness Coach
Tam Ritchie
Goalkeeping Coach
Derek Soutar
Coach
Gary Hake
Performance Analyst
Rhys Sutcliffe
Physiotherapist
Charlotte Clarke
Kit Manager
Ian Sellar
Club Doctor
David Fowler
Commercial Manager
Angela Bruce
Club Secretary
Davey Byrne
Head of Media & Communications
Richard Gordon
Digital Media
Andrew Jamieson
Club Photographers
Dave Cowe, Richard Forbes
Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer
Kate Dean
Club Chaplain
Dougie Simpson
CLUB HONOURS
35
Scottish League 1 Winners
Scottish League 2 ‘21-’22
Winners
‘19-’20
Highland League Winners Runners-up
‘00-’01, ‘07-’08, ‘08-’09, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16, ‘17-’18, ‘18-’19 ‘89-’90, ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘95-’96, ‘09-’10, ‘11-’12, ‘16-’17
Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners
‘90-’91, ‘00-’01
Runners-up
‘88-’89, ‘91-’92, ‘01-’02, ‘03-’04
Highland League Cup Winners Runners-up
‘94-’95, ‘99-’00, ‘04-’05, ‘14-1’5, ‘16-17, ‘18-’19 ‘90-’91, ‘92-’93, ‘95-’96, ‘97-’98, ‘05-’06, ‘07-’08, ‘11-’12
Aberdeenshire Cup Winners
‘01-’02, ‘10-’11, ‘18-’19
Runners-up
‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘16-’17, ‘17-’18
Aberdeenshire Shield Winners
‘90-’91, ‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘17-’18
Runners-up
‘94-’95, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16
Aberdeenshire & District League Winners
‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘10-’11, ‘11-’12, ‘12-’13, ‘14-’15
Runners-up
‘06-’07
Aberdeenshire Centenary Cup Runners-up
Inter-League Trophy ‘86-’87
Winners
‘01-’02
Play today and support the club Sign up for £1 a week Win cash prizes every Wednesday To support us, scan the QR code or visit:
ourclublotto.co.uk/play/coverangersfc
TODAY’S TEAM LINES
37
Cove Rangers
Queen of the South
Manager - Paul Hartley
Manager - Marvin Bartley
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 35
Nick Suman Jacob Jones Michael Doyle Connor Scully Mouhamed Niang Will Gillingham Paul McGowan Blair Yule Mitch Megginson Rumarn Burrell Kyle Connell Milosz Ochmanski Luke Strachan Arron Darge Iain Vigurs Josh Kerr Tyler Mykyta Dayshonne Golding Myles Gaffney Balint Demus Mark Gallagher Jack Robertson Fraser Fyvie Mikey Milnes Mark Reynolds Cameron Stewart Matty Shiels Ola Lawal
Gordon Botterill Jordan Houston Daniel Church Paul McKay Harry Cochrane Kieran McKechnie Josh Todd Gavin Reilly Lee Connelly Craig McGuffie Charlie Cowie Jake Hutchinson Kyle McClelland Alex Ferguson Reegan Mimnaugh Oscar MacIntyre Ross Irving Toby Raggett Cammy Logan Efe Ambrose Kyle Doherty Euan Ross Lewis Gibson Ben Johnstone Jay Burns Harvey Walker Harry Stone Lewis Currie Jack Brydon
Today’s referee - Greg Soutar Today’s assistant referees - Stuart Stevenson & Abbie Hendry Team lines sponsor