Skipper Bryan Wharton believes heartbreak over the death of Michael Duke inspired their miraculous great escape from relegation.
Following the sudden passing of the goalkeeping coach at the start of March, Albion Rovers have gained a huge 19 points and clinched survival with a 3-0 win over relegation rivals Berwick.
Club captain Wharton reckons the devastating news united the dressing room with a number of new additions coming into Cliftonhill since the arrival of manager Kevin Harper.
The 28-year-old says goalkeeping coach Duke wouldn’t have allowed the players to let their heads drop following the tragic news.
“Since the new gaffer came in there has been a new atmosphere,” the centre-back told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.
“Obviously a lot of the personnel has changed but the boys had confidence that we wouldn’t be in the play-off or go down, and the performances match up with that.
Airdrieonians fan group hope for board talks amid kids football camp row
“The news about Michael was massive, even for the boys that didn’t have many dealings with him.
“It brought a tight knit group of boys even closer together. It probably helped the likes of Smart (Osadolor), Guiliano (Morena), Fozzy (Gregor Fotheringham) and George (Newell).
"These are new boys coming in and it probably helped them integrate quickly and get more involved.
“You’d have thought everyone had been there all season with how close it made us, and how close we are now, not a squad that the gaffer has had to change.
“Obviously it was a devastating incident but you’ve got to take the positives, and if he knew that it was impacting on us in a negative way he’d be having some words with us knowing Dukesy!”
Mon the Rovers! Famous fans and club legends back Albion Rovers ahead of crunch Berwick clash
Wharton says it’s the very “least that the fans deserve” to retain their League Two status, and is keen to see the core of the squad stay at Cliftonhill after the final day game against Annan.
“There’s a lot of boys who have come in and you want to keep the squad together as best you can,” continued the skipper.
“The gaffer will be getting a lot of recognition as well.
“If I’m offered a new deal it’s not something I would be turning down, there is definitely a discussion to be had.
“It’s a young squad but the recent form shows where we can go. With our stats from the final quarter we would be up there challenging for the league title if we had that kind of form throughout the full season.
“That’s something we need to consider. We have been in the Ex-Albion Rovers boss Paul Martin believes Kevin Harper deserves a medal if he keeps the club in League Two but we can compete at the top end.”
