6 minute read
ALAN McRAE AWARDED OBE
ALAN MCRAE OBE
Honorary club president Alan McRae says he is ‘proud but also shocked’ to have been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Advertisement
Everyone at Cove Rangers sends their congratulations to Alan, who has been associated with the club for more than half a century, for what is well deserved recognition of his services to football, from grassroots to the very highest levels. Former club player and chairman - and Scottish Football Association President - Alan celebrated on the day his OBE was officially confirmed by going to Balmoral Stadium to see us lose 2-1 to Premiership side Hibs in the Betfred League Cup.
Alan was also happy to do an interview for the website, which took place in the stand at the Balmoral Stadium that was named after him to mark the hard work he did to send us on the long road that eventually led to playing at SPFL level.
When asked how he feels about being awarded the OBE, Alan replied: “I’m obviously very proud and feel extremely privileged to have been recognised in this manner during the exceptional circumstances we find ourselves in this moment because of the coronavirus. It’s extremely humbling along with the more than 400 people, from the likes of the NHS, who have also been recognised for the fantastic work they have done in recent times.”
Alan first played for Cove Rangers in 1969, at amateur level, before becoming club chairman and leading us through the Junior ranks and up into the Highland League before handing the reins to present chairman Keith Moorhouse.
Alan was also chairman of the Highland League from 1994 to 1997 and was appointed president of the SFA in 2015, a post he held until his retirement in the summer of last year.
Alan was quick to give credit to - and thank - his family and what he described as “the countless people” who supported him throughout his long and successful career as a football administrator. “So many people come immediately to mind when something as special as this happens,” added Alan.
“I obviously have to thank my family, they put up with a lot and made so many sacrifices, through some difficult times, to allow me to follow my passion with football.
“I would never have enjoyed such a memorable career without their support. On the football side, it would be impossible to name everyone that I’m indebted to. It’s been a long, long, journey and there’s been a lot of people helping me along the way. Whether it be friends, colleagues, players or fans, I know I would never have received the OBE without them.”
Despite his high profile roles with the SFA - and with UEFA as a match delegate - Alan continued to support Cove and was heavily involved in the planning and construction of Balmoral Stadium. Now that he is retired he plans to spend a fair amount of his spare time watching his beloved Cove in action, when he isn’t out on the golf course!
“Watching us run Hibs as close as we did was a reminder of just how amazing a journey the club has made over the years. When we first left the amateur leagues there was always the dream that we would eventually go up through the leagues and be involved at as high a level as possible.
I’m already on record praising the efforts that Keith, the board and so many people behind the scenes made to eventually turn that dream into a reality. I tried to go to as many games as I could last season because Cove were exciting to watch and showed that the ambition that was there when we started on the long road to the SPFL is still as strong, if not stronger.”
“I’m really looking forward to witnessing us trying to take that next step foward, despite the fact these are very difficult times because fans aren’t able to attend games. Hopefully that will change soon, we really need to get fans back into stadiums because that’s what football is about. Until then, if I’m allowed, I will be there as always backing Cove and available to help them if they need me.”
Principal Club Partner
Principal Stadium Partner
Official Club Partners
MA RC DA RC Y DRAPERS MENSWEAR BRAND OF THE YEAR
PAUL HARTLEY
The excitement felt by all of us about finally returning to league action is tempered by the knowledge there won’t be any fans inside Balmoral Stadium to watch the game. It’s simply not football without supporters in the stands.
You only need cast your mind back to what it was like when we played Edinburgh City in our first League Two fixture last year to understand what I mean.
The atmosphere inside the stadium that day was incredible and helped to inspire our lads to mark our first ever game at SPFL level in memorable fashion. Unfortunately, that fan power won’t be there as we start another great adventure for our club by entertaining East Fife in our first game at League One level.
But we know many of our fans will still be here in spirit and also watching us via the live coverage on the club’s television channel. We will will do everything in our powers to get a positive result for you.
It would be great if we could begin our League One campaign as impressively as we did our League Two one. But we must remember we have moved up a division, which naturally means we are going to be up against far tougher opponents - every week. I’m sure we shall see plenty evidence of that in the meeting with East Fife. >>>
PAUL HARTLEY
Some of you reading this will remember their manager Darren Young from his days as captain of Aberdeen. Darren was also my skipper when I managed Alloa Athletic, so I know him very well. He has done a fantastic job at East Fife over the last couple of years. They will give us the sternest of tests in what I’m expecting to be one of the toughest matches we will face at Balmoral Stadium this term.
We are going to have to be up for that challenge if we want to maintain our amazing home record at SPFL level. We won all 14 of our home matches last term - but that was then, in the division beneath this one. The players know only their very best will do if we hope to continue that perfect record.
The build-up we’ve had to the campaign means we are facing East Fife in a confident frame of mind. I’m happy with how our recruitment went during the summer. We still have a tight squad, but strong competition in every area. The players also deserve credit for returning to work - after a longer than desired summer break - in great shape and for the effort they have put in during what was a short, but intense, pre-season. I was pleased with what they gave us in the seven games we have played to date, which included the two Betfred League Cup ties against Hibs and Brora Rangers.
It was good to have two such contrasting competitive fixtures immediately before beginning our league campaign. The games offered different sorts of challenges and were perfect preparation for what lies ahead of us this afternoon.
The players took encouragement from how they were able to push one of the leading sides in the Premiership all the way in the first match. They then had to dig deep to come out on top, albeit on penalties, against Brora. We are in excellent shape for what I have always maintained is the priority, the league campaign.
Stay safe ...and enjoy the game.
Paul Hartley
