Board of Directors’ New Year Letter

Dear Supporters,

They say a week is a long time in football – well, how about 52 of them?

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s fair to say it has been another eventful year at Stark’s Park – one that will be remembered for a very long time.

With that comes reflection, not just from supporters but also from us, the Board of Directors, as we look back on our achievements and consider where we could have better served this football club.

January was our poorest month of form this year. We beat Dunfermline to kick off the year (as standard) but then hit a rocky patch with four league defeats in a row. That poor run of form continued into early February when we were knocked out of the SPFL Trust Trophy by Airdrie.

However, a monumental moment for the football club came the following week when we defeated Dundee United on the 16th of February at Stark’s Park in front of a sell-out crowd.

History will show that the result didn’t impact the final outcome of the league. However, selling out Stark’s Park for the first time in 27 years and experiencing the joy of Scott Brown’s late winner will forever remain strong in the memory of every supporter in the stadium that night.

With that victory, the title race was back on. But the Rovercoaster took a sudden dip when we visited Gayfield on a Friday night in early March with the chance to go top of the league, only for us to drop a two-goal lead and lose 3-2.

Ground was regained, though, as we bounced back with two wins and a draw to keep us within one point of Dundee United when we visited Tannadice at the end of the month. Despite the allocation being cut for “operational reasons,” it was another special moment for us, showing how far the club had progressed, as we sold our entire 1,350-ticket allocation in under two hours.

Unfortunately, the result did not go our way. And despite beating Ayr United the following week, the 3-1 defeat at home to Airdrie the week after spelled the end of the title race, and so our focus turned to the play-offs.

Much to the relief of almost every Raith Rovers fan, we watched on as Partick Thistle defeated Airdrie over two legs in the play-off quarter-final. That meant a trip to Maryhill on the 14th of May to kick off our play-off campaign – and what a night that was.

“Goosebumps” is the word that comes to mind when thinking about the atmosphere created by Raith Rovers fans that night. You packed the entire Main Stand at Firhill, and the rendition of Geordie Munro after Lewis Vaughan scored to put us 2-0 up in the first half will forever be etched in memory.

Little did we know what drama awaited just three days later. Again, you turned up in numbers and voice, with a sold-out home support for the second time in one season. As Lewis Vaughan approached the penalty spot, there wasn’t another person in the world we’d rather have holding that ball.

When the ball hit the back of the net, bedlam ensued. Fans spilled onto the pitch, pure joy lighting up the faces of every supporter as we reached the play-off final – the closest we’ve been to returning to the Premiership since 1997.

Then came Ross County. The Penman Stand was the first to sell out, followed by the Turnbull Hutton Stand, and soon even the Craiglea Timber Frames Stand was opened to home supporters due to overwhelming demand.

A 2-1 defeat in the first leg made it an uphill battle as we traveled to Dingwall four days later. But that didn’t stop over 2,000 Raith Rovers fans from making the journey north to support the players – ot just for that match, but as an appreciation for the entire season.

The tie ended in defeat, but tears were shed in the Directors’ Box as we watched the away stand filled with Raith Rovers supporters. You were on your feet, applauding the players while bellowing out Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds: “Every little thing’s gonna be all right.”

The work began almost immediately the next day, with plans being made to continue improving and building toward our goal of returning Raith Rovers to the Premiership in a sustainable way.

With Livingston replacing Dundee United and Falkirk replacing Arbroath, the following season promised to be both tough and highly competitive. Budgets were increased across the division, with every team backing themselves to secure a top-four spot and a shot at promotion.

We parted ways with Ian Murray following an opening-day defeat to Airdrie. This decision was based on a range of factors and was not a reactive response to one result or performance. Unanimously, we agreed that a change was necessary for the greater good of the football club.

Neill Collins was appointed in September under challenging circumstances. At the time of his arrival, we had lost two league matches in a row. In his first league match, our streak of five consecutive wins against Dunfermline came to an end with a 2-0 defeat after we were reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute.

His second match, against Hamilton, evoked shades of last season. After conceding in the first minute, we rallied to score three goals and lead 3-1 with just 10 minutes remaining – only to somehow come away with just a point. The game was further overshadowed by Lewis Vaughan’s hamstring injury, ruling last season’s top goalscorer out for several months.

Given last season’s success and heightened expectations, frustration has been a common feeling throughout the club, exacerbated by inconsistent form and injuries to key players.

However, with two consecutive wins and signs of the Rovercoaster beginning its slow climb up the league table, we were blindsided by Neill’s decision to leave the club and return to the USA – a move that surprised everyone, ourselves included.

But with John Potter and Colin Cameron in place, and the resilience we know this squad possesses, we extended our run of form with a third consecutive victory on Saturday. It was a performance full of grit and determination, reminding everyone that this team can absolutely match the heights of last season with your continued backing.

Now, there’s a new man at the helm. Barry Robson was appointed on Sunday and has already begun preparations for our trip to Somerset Park. When we learned of Neill’s departure, it was crucial to act quickly to minimise disruption. Barry shares our values and possesses the qualities we look for in a manager, making him our top candidate for the role.

Off the field, this has been one of the most successful years in recent memory. Season ticket sales once again reached record pre-season numbers, commercial revenue surpassed last year’s total, retail sales remained at an all-time high, and long-standing matchday ticket records were broken. Our community engagement also remains as strong as ever.

Stark’s Park is almost unrecognisable compared to 18 months ago. The Main Stand’s cladding has enhanced its appearance and generated additional revenue through LED advertising. The football department now has a dedicated office, creating a more professional setup for the manager and staff. The new Boardroom has become a revenue-generating space for local businesses, and the nearly completed hospitality lounge will further boost revenue while serving as a year-round community hub.

This work is not just about short-term improvements. It’s about safeguarding the club’s future with new revenue streams and better facilities that raise standards for everyone at Stark’s Park – both staff and players.

Who knows what 2025 will bring? What we do know is that we will continue to work tirelessly, making every decision with the best interests of the club in mind. We aim to achieve sustainable success on the field, protect the club’s future through infrastructure, and engage with even more young supporters.

A lot of the success outlined here is because of you. You turned up in numbers throughout 2024 and backed us financially – whether through retail, season tickets, matchday tickets, Club 1883, or as a commercial partner. None of this year’s successes would have been possible without you.

We also thank the volunteers, a group of loyal and passionate individuals whose time and commitment contribute significantly to the running of the football club. Without them, we couldn’t have achieved everything we have this year.

Finally, to our staff: until you’ve spent a day behind the scenes at Stark’s Park, it’s hard to truly appreciate how hard every member of the team works. From the ground staff to commercial, retail, digital, and accounts, we thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication in 2024.

As the new year approaches, we ask for your continued support. Let’s get behind Barry and the team and see where the Rovercoaster takes us in 2025.

From everyone at Raith Rovers Football Club, we wish you and your families a wonderful New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Raith Rovers Board of Directors

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