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THIS week Clyde, Livingston recently and, Stranraer a few months ago.

Just who will be the next club to encounter the sort of financial difficulties that puts its future at risk?

Given that we are in a recession, I suppose it was inevitable that one or two Scottish football clubs would find themselves on the brink.

Clyde appear to be in real danger with debts of around £270,000, but Livi's situation is also a concern as they consistently fail to pay the wages on time.

Stranraer appear to be on the road to salvation after a social housing landlord stepped in and offered them a £250,000 loan to clear their arrears and sort themselves out.

But not everyone will find such charity. For some, there will be no second chances.

When a club runs into serious cashflow problems, I often find myself thinking about how others do their business.

Here in Monklands, we have two chairmen who will not allow bugets to spiral out of control. Airdrie United's Jim Ballantyne and Albion Rovers' Frank Meade have their fingers very much on the pulse.

There will always be some fans who feel that 'speculating to accumulate' is a necessity if success is to be achieved. But breaking the bank does not automatically lead you on the path to glory.

Hopefully both Clyde and Livi will come through their respective problems and remain part of the senior game in this country. However, what worries me is that they won't be the last to stare into the abyss.

The time is now for Albion Rovers.

When they kick-off at home to Annan Athletic tomorrow afternoon in a third division match with major play-off implications, it will be the first of NINE games they have to negotiate by the end of the March.

A series of postponements have led to a fixtures headache for boss Paul Martin and his part-time players.

And they know a failure to perform over the coming weeks, particularly given the fact that six of these matches will be played at their own Cliftonhill ground, will kill their dreams of reaching the top four.

I like the job Martin has done in Coatbridge this season. He has used one of the smallest budgets in the league wisely and kept Rovers in contention. Punching above their weight almost.

He snapped up the talented Bobby Barr, following his release from St Johnstone, and given the quality of his performances, this will earn Rovers a few quid when - that's right, not if - he moves.

I watched Rovers beat East Stirling a couple of weeks ago and I was very impressed with their display. They look strong all over the pitch, even though they disappointed last Saturday when they lost 1-0 at Elgin City.

Hopefully that was just a blip and Martin's men can get back on track tomorrow. Let the march to the play-offs begin.