Albion Rovers 3-4 St Mirren. After extra time FT = 3-3. Irn Bru Cup. Cliftonhill Stadium. 03.09.16

“There was a good turnout with plenty of St Mirren fans making the relatively short trip over to Coatbridge. My mate was, for some reason, standing outside the ground on the hill overlooking the game and was enjoying a refreshment with a few others (all over 18). I was in the stadium and he called me to let me know there was a bit of action on the hill. I went round to find the young team there too and I spotted the little guy through the gap, pre-focussed and waited for him to turn around.” Iain McLean

Originally from East Kilbride, south of Glasgow, freelance photographer Iain McLean describes himself as “instinctively a Celtic fan”. But disillusioned with the big business feel of such a major club, McLean turned his attention towards Albion Rovers in the year 2000 and has followed them ever since.

Inspired by their role in the community, McLean has become a regular visitor to the Lanarkshire club’s Cliftonhill Stadium home, documenting their fortunes for over 20 years.

He has been with them and their fans on Cup runs that took in Rangers and Celtic, as well as focusing on the hard times of deserted stadiums and strictly enforced restrictions in the aftermath of Covid.

Lower Block is privileged to offer a a selection of Iain’s photographs as quality prints.

Photographs come as Archival Giclée prints with a pearl finish as standard, guaranteeing quality reproduction, at a range of sizes.