The Citizen - Issue 2 - 2023

MANAGER

ALAN MAYBURY

Good evening, everybody.

We are not quite where we want to be with signings, but I understand the economics of our situation. We still need more cover at the back, another goalkeeper, and perhaps another striker as Ouzy is on Love Island!! We’ll get a team on the park tonight, though, and when the big clubs return from preseason training we can check what sort of loan deals may be possible. Robbie Mahon (whom I tried to get last season) will be an important figure for us in midfield. We fielded a number of trialists during the pre-season but they won’t be

We want to win every match we play. It’s unlikely that we will achieve that, but like last season we will set targets for where we think we should be. With our new name and new Board it’s an exciting new start to the season for everyone as we look to build on our achievements of last season, and do our bit to re-engage with the fanbase. We appreciate all your backing. Enjoy the game,

We are looking to show the same hunger and energy as last year

CHAIRMAN

JOHN DICKSON

Good evening everyone, and welcome to Meadowbank as our official season gets under way, with Kelty Hearts our visitors in the Viaplay Cup. The summer break seemed a short one, but there has been quite a lot going on! As I said before the Hibernian match, we received SFA approval to resume our traditional name and badge, so for the first time I can now say that Edinburgh City is back! There has been much positivity and goodwill shown towards us since we reverted to our rightful identity, and I am very grateful to everyone who supported the decision and has backed us since.

We have had two enjoyable friendly matches in the build-up to tonight’s game, home to neighbours Hibernian and then a visit to Bonnyrigg Rose. Against Hibs, we set a new Stadium attendance record of more than 1700, whilst giving a great account of ourselves against top opposition. I thank all who came along to enjoy the day, and wish Lee Johnson and his team well for the season ahead. I will remember the Bonnyrigg match fondly as the first win under my stewardship. Ryan Shanley hit a double - the first a terrific strike - in a hard-fought friendly at New Dundas Park. Rose, like us, progressed through the Lowland League to take their place in the cinch SPFL and, having negotiated their inaugural season, will hopefully kick on this year and cement their League status. Robbie Horn has a built a very good squad and clearly has the backing of his board, and I

wish everyone connected with the club good luck for the coming season. Friendlies are one thing, but nothing beats the thrill of competitive football, and we are pleased to welcome Michael Tidser’s Kelty Hearts team this evening. Having been on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat to Morton, they will be anxious to get points on board, so we will need to be up for the challenge. I am delighted that we have been able to add exciting prospect Robbie Mahon to the squad, the young Irishman joining on loan from Motherwell. I would like to thank Stuart Kettlewell and Nick Daws at Fir Park for their assistance in getting the deal over the line. Our squad is beginning to take shape just in time for the real action to start; I hope this is the start of a positive new chapter in the club’s history, and let’s hope we can start strongly this evening.

Enjoy the game, everyone! Yours in Sport,

CAPTAIN LIAM FONTAINE

Hello, the knee injury I received at Dunfermline back in March was more serious than anyone thought at the time, and it cost me the last seven matches of the season. After rehabilitation I have been managing myself, and am now back in full training – but it’s possible that I might not start tonight’s match. Incidentally, I’d like to express my admiration for our new training facilities at Winchburgh. With the under-20s and the women also training there, we are really beginning to feel like a club. It is the right way to build the team back up following the disruptions of the summer.

Last season we did far more than anyone expected of us, and it’s sad that the back end of the season fizzled out. When the injuries did come along – and for the most part we were lucky in that regard – it disrupted the chemistry of the side. We only dropped out of contention for the play-offs six weeks before season end. Even so, as a whole we punched well above our weight for the greater part of 2022/23, and there is no

reason why we shouldn’t replicate that this season. The manager does a great job with the resources we have, and has created the right sort of mentality within our young squad – that playing for Edinburgh City is not just a hobby. The opening group matches of the Viaplay (League) Cup are not an indicator of how the rest of the season will go. We (and Kelty Hearts) are rebuilding our squad with a background of changes behind the scenes, and the teams have still to gel –feeling your way back into competitive action, developing relationships with new teammates and seeing what resources are still needed on the field. With matches coming thick and fast we will soon have an opportunity to do that.

The ’Edinburgh City’ name resonates with the fans, and we are eager to see more of you returning to Meadowbank. We might not have the biggest support in the League but it is refreshing to know you almost as individuals rather than as a faceless mass, and we greatly appreciate your backing.

WELCOME TO MEADOWBANK

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Meadowbank Stadium for our first competitive encounter of the 2023/24 season. Our guests tonight are our old friends from Kelty Hearts, and the competition is the group stage of the Viaplay Cup – the sponsored name of the Scottish League Cup. This will be the second season in cinch League One for both Edinburgh City and Kelty Hearts, and it is going to be a challenging one for our respective clubs. We’ve both had major changes behind the scenes which will impact on our budgets, while with so many players’ contracts expiring at the end of last season the squads look very different. Yet both Edinburgh City and Kelty Hearts

are optimistic about the season ahead. Michael Tidser, the Maroons’ new player-manager, is in the course of building up a new squad, some younger players with a backbone of experience; while City’s team-building has been progressing at a slower rate, there have been some talented trialists in evidence in the pre-season matches who may have put pen to paper by kick-off tonight (only signed players can take part in the Viaplay Cup).

Yet as Alan Maybury said in the last Citizen, there is no compulsion to have our squad finalised by the end of July, and more players will become available as the bigger sides sort out their squads.

■ A portion of the record crowd at our last home game, the Hibs friendly (photo Tommy Lee)

AND COMMENT

We welcome Kelty Hearts and look at their preparations for the new season, starting on page 13 of tonight’s Citizen.

And now we are on the verge of a new season. The photo at the top of this page was taken at 19:42 on Tuesday 12th July 2022 – shortly before the kick-off of our first group stage match in what was then called the Premier Sports Cup (the competition changed its name to the Viaplay Cup after the end of the group stages, when Viaplay bought Premier Sports). In our previous two meetings with Airdrieonians, both of them at the Excelsior Stadium, we had notched up 1-0 wins in the 2020-21 League and Scottish Cups, and some

of us thought that the Diamonds may have been wanting to avenge these results. Well, maybe they wanted to, but they didn’t.

This was the first of the 44 competitive matches we were to play under the name of F.C. Edinburgh. Airdrie attacked us strongly but couldn’t get the ball in the net, and we went ahead through John Robertson in 20 minutes. Justin Devenny equalised for the home side six minutes later; but in the second half Airdrie’s McGill put a spot-kick off the post, Edinburgh held on for the penalty shoot-out and, thanks to two saves by Sam Ramsbottom, secured the extra point. That was to be the opening game in Edinburgh City’s most sensational season to date.

■ In the players’ tunnel at Airdriemoments before the start of last season

AND COMMENT

“Sensational” is by our standards, of course – there are teams currently in cinch League 1 whose greatest season has contained more than a sixth place in the third tier – but tonight’s match is between two sides whose names were barely known ten years ago, other than fans of the non-League game in Scotland. We’re both doing all right. The story of the 2021/22 season will be for another day, especially the two weeks when we topped the table and lots of pictures of our matches against the now-promoted Airdrie. Let’s concentrate on the start-of-the-season stuff in the meantime.

NEW STRIP

The new strip will, we hope, be unveiled this evening. I say “we hope” because there have been unexpected last-minute snags, as usual. The current fashion trend is towards simplifying jerseys, almost to the extent of them looking like t-shirts, and the rumour is that the kit which was delivered were just too simple – any detailing which did exist

was obliterated by the placement of sponsor’s badges, the cinch sleeve logo, and so on. In addition, AMG Construction will no longer be the main shirt sponsor, although their logo will still appear on the shirt; but in a less conspicuous position. Milard’s will sponsor the shorts, and LucidBlack will appear on the back of the shirt.

Quite a few City supporters at Bonnyrigg the other week wearing the red-andblack striped shirt which was our change kit in 2019/20 and 2020/21. I’ll not anticipate the official announcement of the new designs for the current season ... but has there been a leak somewhere?

MATCH SPONSOR

LIAM FONTAINE SPONSORED BY

DANNY HANDLING SPONSORED BY

(H) Boab Fallon and Neal Rooney

KYLE JACOBS SPONSORED BY

RUSSELL McLEAN SPONSORED BY Lewis Mitchell

KIERAN MacDONALD SPONSORED BY

INNES MURRAY SPONSORED BY Lewis Dalgarno

OUZY SEE SPONSORED BY

RYAN SHANLEY SPONSORED BY George Czemartin and Craig Crichton

AWAY DAY FANBASE

AWAY DAY – STRANRAER

First away trip of the season, and it’s a doozy. With no organised transport available, here are your options: By Road: Depending on your route it’s 130-140 miles from Edinburgh to Stranraer.

There are a number of ways to get to Stranraer by road, and they’re all dreadful once you get past Ayr; the A75 goes via Dumfries instead and that’s even worse. You’ll be lucky if you get there in less than three hours. Once in Stranraer, drive along the seafront until you get to Stair Drive, left and left again to London Road, and the ground is a few hundred yards on your right. By Train: Also horrible, although some nice views. Takes between 3.5 and 4 hours, you need to change at Glasgow and at Ayr, to see kick-off you have to

leave Edinburgh at 09:15, the last train back leaves Stranraer at 19:15, and without discounts it costs £61.20 return. By Bus: Leave Edinburgh at six in the morning, change at Glasgow, leave Stranraer at ten to six, change at Glasgow, back in town at 10:22. Almost 10 hours travelling; but unless I read the website wrong it only costs £25 or so. The Town: At the end of the fjord-like Loch Ryan, it was until 2011 the main ferry port to Northern Ireland. Lot of ferry-type structures in the harbour, although the boats now sail from Cairnryan, six miles up the road. Much of the workforce still lives in Stranraer, and Sealink/Stena Line have sponsored the club for almost 40 years. The area can be quite attractive when the sun is shining, the ground is pleasant, and I’ve certainly seen more obnoxious home fans than at Stranraer.

Proud Partner of F.C. Edinburgh

WELCOME TO KELTY HEARTS

We welcome once again to Edinburgh our friends and fairly near neighbours Kelty Hearts, for the opening match of the 2023-24 season – the first time, incidentally, that we have met in a fixture which is neither a League nor a friendly match.

Like Edinburgh City, Kelty Hearts have seen changes among their senior club officials. As last season was ending it was confirmed that general manager Dean McKenzie and sporting director Andrew Barrowman would be part of a consortium taking a controlling stake in Raith Rovers, while the club’s manager John Potter became Rovers’ new technical director. Dean was in charge as Kelty Hearts became one of the

most powerful non-League clubs in the country, winning two East SuperLeague titles in the Juniors before entering the Pyramid system in 2018 and winning the East of Scotland League, two Lowland League titles, the promotion Play-off and cinch League 2 in successive seasons. Andrew was praised by the New Central Park club in a statement for his enormous input into “putting into place the long-term foundations of the club to ensure it operates within its means with sustainable growth”.

The two directors will be replaced by Stefan Winiarski as managing director, and Craig Reynolds sporting director. Club captain Michael Tidser has been appointed as player-manager.

■ Our last meeting - Darren Jamieson holds under pressure from Ouzy See.

WELCOME TO KELTY HEARTS

After two seasons of regular (and tough) encounters with Kelty Hearts we have come to know their players pretty well, but there are familiar names who will not be pulling on a maroon shirt this season. We last played the Maroons on 22 April, and they listed a squad of 19. The starting eleven was Jamieson, Megwa, Milne, Martin, Peggie, Lyon, Darge, Agyeman, Leitch, Barjonas and Higginbotham. Of these, only Darren Lyon remains at the club. The subs included Joe Cardle and Ross Philp; they are both away. Nathan Austin and Robbie McNab weren’t named; neither of them will be wearing a maroon shirt in 2023-24.

THE DEPARTURES:

Darren Jamieson to Stenhousemuir

Jack Milne back to Aberdeen

Arron Darge back to Hearts, now Cove

Lewis Martin to Brechin City

Dougie Hill retired

Reis Peggie to Bonnyrigg Rose

Cammy Logan back to Hearts, now QOS

Kanayo Megwa back to Hibs

Finn Robson to Dundee U, now Forfar

Scott McGill back to Hearts, now Raith

Jamie Barjonas to Hamilton Accies

Robbie McNab to Cowdenbeath

Robbie Leitch back to Cove, now City

Ross Philp to East Fife

Joe Cardle, no club yet

Kallum Higginbotham to Tranent

Nathan Austin to East Fife

Alfie Agyeman to Falkirk

Quite a lot of boots to fill. Gaffer

Michael Tidser has not been idle over the summer, and at the time of writing

Kelty Hearts have signed the following players:

Ross Cunningham - midfielder, last with Clyde.

Adam Corbett - centre-back and former Spartan, joined from Stenhousemuir.

Stefan McCluskey - experienced striker, came from Forfar Athletic.

Kyle Gourlay - keeper who came through ranks with Dundee, signed from Cove.

Craig Johnston - versatile striker signed from Montrose, another ex-Spartan.

Jamie Walker - young right-back from Caledonian Braves.

Botti Biabi - striker, back at Kelty after a season with Brechin City.

Billy Owens - right midfielder, signed from Partick Thistle’s development squad.

Tiwi Daramola - promising striker, back at Kelty after a loan spell at Bo’ness Athletic.

Reece Lyon - central midfielder who came through the ranks at Morton.

Lewis Moore - former Hearts youngster recently signed from Queen’s Park. (Apologies if I have left anyone out - the sources don’t always agree.) There are also a number of players in the Under-20 and other development sides who have made first-team appearances.

PRE-SEASON RESULTS

Kelty Hearts have played four pre-season matches so far, and on Saturday they were at home to Greenock Morton in the Viaplay Cup. On 27 June they drew 1-1 at home with Gala Fairydean Rovers, Ross Cunningham equalising in 79 minutes after former Citizen Nicky Reid had given the Borders side a first-half lead.

On the opening day in July the Maroons hosted Raith Rovers in the first round of the Fife Cup, and another two goals by Cunningham made the score 2-2 after 90 minutes. Rovers won 4-1 on penalties.

WELCOME TO KELTY HEARTS

On 4 July Kelty Hearts brought more quality Championship opposition to New Central Park when Partick Thistle visited. The Jags went ahead through Brian Graham in 31 minutes, but Craig Johnston, with his first goal for the Fife side, equalised in the 63rd minute. It was looking as though Hearts might hold out to full time, but sadly for them Thistle’s trialist number 7 got the winner with eight minutes to play.

Four days later Kelty travelled to Newtown Park to record a thumping 5-1 win over Bo’ness Athletic, with goals coming from Ross Cunningham,

Jason Thomson, Michael Tidser, Craig Johnston and Stefan McCluskey –Tidser’s curling free-kick from outside the box being a particular highlight. The season proper for Kelty Hearts started on Saturday, when they faced yet another Championship side, Greenock Morton, at New Central Park. The Maroons had a load of possession and went in 1-0 up at half-time with a stoppage time goal from Tiwi Daramola, but Morton changed their shape and took control in the second period, goals from Steven Boyd, Robert Crawford and Kirk Broadfoot giving them a 3-1 win.

■ Danny Handling opens the scoring in our first match against Kelty Hearts last season.

Picture by Tommy Lee Photography

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Before 2018 Kelty Hearts were a Junior team and we could only meet them competitively in the (senior) Scottish Cup, but we didn’t. We did, however, regularly meet them in pre-season friendly matches. This one is from a game at New Central Park in July 2014, City winning 3-0.

2021/22

Hearts turned Senior in 2018 and soon began accelerating through the ranks – East of Scotland League winners in 2018/19, Lowland League champions in the COVID-hit 2019/20 season (no Play-offs), champions again in 2020/21, and promoted to cinch League 2 the following season after a Playoff win against Brechin City. Our first competitive meeting was on 21 August 2021 at Kelty with the home side winning 1-0; they also won at Ainslie Park, 3-2. Back in Fife, a Jack Brydon goal in stoppage time gave City a draw, and there were #scenes.

2022/23

We took only two points from Kelty Hearts in League 2, but after we were both promoted FC Edinburgh had a storming start to the season while Hearts took some time to get started, not pulling away from the bad Play-off positions until almost half-way through the season. FCE won the first three meetings between the two clubs (2-0 away, 2-0 home, 2-1 away) although the Maroons (playing in blue) managed a 2-2 draw on 22nd April.

The overall record is: played 8, City won 3, Hearts won 2, and 2 drawn. City have scored 13 goals and conceded 10.

SUPPORTERS ROBERT FALLON

Hello and good evening to all Citizens, and to the travelling support from Kelty.

For the benefit of those who perhaps aren’t on social media, I have been appointed as the fans’ representative on the Edinburgh City board. I was, after some gentle cajoling, delighted to accept the offer of this role, brand-new to our football club.

Although we still have to iron out some aspects of the role, it is one to which I am fully committed. I’ve already been given a taste of what is to come, with various phone calls, messages and discussions between myself, fellow Citizens and the board themselves. As fans of many other sides will tell you, it is important that clubs give the opportunity to their supporters to voice their opinions – to prevent the escalation of problems that could have been avoided simply by talking to their fans.

It is to the new board’s credit that one of their first decisions was to seek a fan representative, and I hope this is the beginning of a long-standing arrangement, one which will continue even beyond my own tenure.

Personally, I think it is important that we are as open and transparent as possible. With that, I am hoping many fans will be willing to share with me their ideas on what the football club is doing well, what could be improved upon and what they would like to see, such as on matchday or merchandise. I aim to have an open door policy with all fans, as I think this is the best approach to ensure fans’ voices are heard.

For those with social media, I can be contacted on Twitter - @ECFCFanRep

- and I can also be reached via e-mail, fansrep@edinburghcityfc.com Obviously I will aim to reply as quickly as possible, but if not, rest assured I will be seeking out answers to your questions! Also, do not hesitate to speak to me at games either. I appreciate that discussing issues can often be easier for many.

Despite the whirlwind of activity in the few weeks with the change of ownership, the support has been busy in preparation for the new season. A number of fans made representations to the SFA, via the board, regarding their strength of feeling, in relation to returning to our proper name of Edinburgh

■ Debs McLeod’s award was accepted on her behalf by Women’s Team Assistant Manager Paul Alexander.

SUPPORTERS ROBERT

FALLON

City. As noted in the last programme, these showed the real passion and commitment of our fanbase, and the authorities were gobsmacked at the proportion of the total support who submitted their thoughts. Already we are seeing how fan action, and engagement between fans and board, can make a difference!

I was also delighted, on behalf of the Citizens Supporters Club, to present our latest Player of the Year awards. The Men’s award went to club stalwart Danny Handling (pictured below). He’s come close on a couple of occasions. I was only too pleased to hand the award to him on the five-year anniversary of his signing for the club. The Women’s award went to Debs McLeod, who had a terrific

season with the undefeated doublewinning ECFC Women’s side. Finally, I am very pleased to announce that our popular ECSC Podcast, with myself, Ally Moncrieff and Neal Rooney, has returned, after being on an ‘extended holiday’ since Annan. Episode 19 is now available, across various podcast apps, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. All listens, shares and feedback would be most welcome. I’m hoping my programme notes are shorter next time but there was a lot to pack in for the first one! With that, I hope you all enjoy the game!

Boab

■ Danny Handling gets the Player of the Year award at last. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography.

On 14th July we completed the loan signing from Motherwell of highly-rated winger Robbie Mahon. Robbie, who turned 20 last month, usually plays wide on the right, but can also perform on the left or up front. Born in Dublin, his first senior club was Bohemians under-19s in 2017. He made five firstteam appearances for the Bohs (and the Irish international under-17s side) before joining Motherwell in March 2022. GafferAlan Maybury is not unacquainted with football in the Republic and tried to sign Robbie on loan last season, but he joined Dunfermline Athletic and made 13 appearances (none of them against us) - not bad going. Last season’s Pars’ side was not the easiest for a young striker to break into.

Robbie is known for his pace and control,

not to mention a powerful shot with his left foot. He didn’t take part in the Hibs or Bonnyrigg pre-seasons, so tonight will probably be the first time we see him in a white shirt.

Another new signing was on 8th July when we signed 25-year-old Russell McLean from Dumbarton. The 6’4” striker was with Gairdoch United, Celtic, Motherwell, Syngenta and Alloa as a youth, joining Hearts in 2014. From Tynecastle he moved to Peterhead in 2017, scoring a header against us in a 3-0 thumping at Ainslie Park in September 2017. He also got two assists when facing City in 2017 and 2018, but we lost sight of him when the Blue Toon got promoted. He was with Montrose for a while before returning to Balmoor where he resumed his goalscoring feats, although knee and ankle injuries laid him low for some months in 2022.

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COMMENT

EVEN THE CAKE WAS IN TIERS

Those Citizens who regularly buy the best matchday programme in the cinch League One (do you mean us? –Ed) and glance at my sometimes inane gibberish may recall my previous utterances and the fact that, as well as following Edinburgh City, the artists formerly known as F.C. Edinburgh, I have leanings towards the maroon side of our capital city. However, this wasn’t the reason I wasn’t able to attend Edinburgh City’s pre-season friendly against Hibernian at the beginning of this month. Honestly, guvn’r. Family issues caused me not only to miss the game, but I was also unable to contribute to this fine publication (every cloud and all that – Ed). And that’s a pity because I was going to write about the day Hibernian lifted the Scottish Cup … (there – I’ve said it)

Back in 2014, my younger daughter became engaged to the man she had fallen in love with and, in fairness, is still in love with. He came to ask me if he could

take my daughter’s hand in marriage, and I all too gladly agreed as long as he took the rest of her … The man with whom my daughter fell head over heels is an avid supporter of Hibernian F.C. -¯ ¯– he hates Jam Tarts and he hates Dundee ... (get on with it –Ed). He’s a decent enough fella, though, and I was happy enough even if it meant my grandson would be regaled with stories of Easter Roadian triumphs. But then my daughter announced the date for the wedding was to be Saturday 21st May 2016 – the day the Scottish Cup Final was due to be played … Now anyone with maroon leanings will tell you the significance of a year ending in a ‘six’. Hearts reached the Final of the Scottish Cup in 1906, 1956, 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006. So, when my daughter told me she had arranged her nuptials for 2016 I immediately challenged her.

“But 21st May is Cup Final day,” I protested. “And Hearts usually get to the Final when the year ends in a six’’. By her

response of “you can stay away

COMMENT GUEST WRITER MIKE SMITH

if football is more important to you,” she didn’t seem to appreciate my hypothetical dilemma. Hypothetical, of course, as Hearts didn’t get to the Final in 2016. They were knocked out of the competition by a team who did –namely, Hibs. Cometh the day, cometh the occasion. Whilst my prospective son-in-law, his family, and friends – all Hibbies, of course – headed for the splendour of Dalhousie Castle just outside Dalkeith, their thoughts were probably fifty miles west – at Hampden Park. It’s much to the credit of those of the green persuasion that they were prepared to forsake possibly the biggest day of their lives to go to a wedding. I know the groom’s father, of similar vintage to me, had waited all his life to see Hibs win the Scottish Cup. As had the groom himself. Now, instead of being in the sun at the National Stadium, they were posing in kilts at a castle in the heart of Midlothian (do you see what I did there?) I felt their pain. I had waited 36 years to see Hearts win the Scottish Cup and when they did in 1998 my joy was unconfined. As I protested to my daughter – who the hell in their right mind arranges a wedding for Cup Final day?

The wedding was a joyous occasion but afterwards, as I stood up to make my father-of-the-bride speech at the top table, I sensed most folk were distracted by other events. Eventually, just after

5:10 p.m., as I was cracking side-splitting gags about daughters, in-laws and how emotional weddings can be – even the cake was in tiers – the lack of response from my audience was perhaps to be expected (no kidding – Ed). However, when numerous guests suddenly leapt from their tables, punched the air, and shouted “Yesss!” I was all too briefly overwhelmed and believed my speech was going down rather well. Of course, the expressions of celebration had nothing to do with my speech. Rather, the guests were collectively glued to their mobile phones watching David Gray score a last-minute winner to ensure Hibs defeated Rangers 3-2, to finally lift the Scottish Cup after 114 long years. In fact, this programme’s esteemed editor was but a babe-in-arms when Hibs last lifted the famous old trophy (you’re fired– Ed). It was a memorable day for my daughter, even more memorable for my new sonin-law and the dozens of Hibbies who would soon partake of a half-pint of lager shandy by way of celebration. And even I have to admit that, having a few Hibs-supporting pals of my generation, I was genuinely happy for them. Okay, perhaps I’ve taken that too far… But the lesson to any parent out there is – refuse to pay for or contribute to any wedding your child chooses to arrange for Cup Final day ...

Twitter @Mike1874

www.thefitbason.com

RESULTS AND TEAMLINES 2022-23

RESULTS AND TEAMLINES

12 - Starter 12 - Substitute used 12 - Substitute not used

1 - Goal scored P - Penalty goal In scorelines, Edinburgh score always given first left club injured

Edinburgh City v Hibernian Friendly Match — Saturday 1 August 2023

SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER

Buckinghamshire side Chesham United, of whom Horne is a director, are to have the name of the show, which itself is the brainchild of Horne, emblazoned across their claret and blue jerseys. They play at a ground known as The Meadow in the Southern Premier League South (does this mean there’s a Southern Premier League North? Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron?).

You can read more on the story here https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/ football/news/alex-horne-cheshamunited-taskmaster-30419274

Does anybody watch Taskmaster?

If you don’t, it’s basically a comedy programme in which five comedians are required to complete challenges set by a guy called Alex Horne and judged by Greg Davies, “The Taskmaster”.

If you have watched it, Greg Davies refers to his sidekick as “Little” Alex Horne, and watching the show you’d agree that he would appear to be somewhat diminutive compared to the 6’8” frame of the said Mr. Davies. Mind you, he hardly deserves the description “little”, as he is 6’2” tall!

“But what does this have to do with football?” I hear you ask. Well, Taskmaster has become the first TV programme to sponsor a football team.

Professor Maria Hayward of Southampton University, an expert on mediaeval dress, has discovered that Henry VIII – the Tudor King who had six wives – owned a pair of football boots. These shoes, costing four shillings [approximately £100 in today’s money] were made by his personal shoemaker, Cornelius Johnson, in 1525. Dr Hayward found them in a list of the king’s clothes made when he died in 1547. Sadly we don’t know what the football boots looked like so we cannot compare them with those worn by David Beckham or Ronaldo. However, it is not likely they were anything like the boots worn today. ➤

SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER

Historians think they were probably heavier than the normal shoes of the time and made of especially strong leather. Don’t know why you need to be a historian to state something which seems obvious, but there you go. They needed to be strong because football during the 16th century, when Henry VIII was king, was a very tough game. “Football in Tudor times was a very vicious game, with no teams and no rules, so it was not a game for gentlemen,” comments Dr Hayward. According to a Tudor writer called Sir Thomas Elyot, it was a game of “beastly fury and extreme violence.” Seems like nothing changes, huh? Off the pitch, at least.

F.C.’s management committee, decided to investigate ways of promoting the Anglian Combination League. All profits from the match, which was drawn 6-6, went to The Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation, which supports vulnerable adults.

The BBC headline was “Bungay scores a hat-trick as Bungay draw with Bungay”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ukengland-suffolk-17990827

A football match where all 22 players, referee, linesmen and reserves were called Bungay has taken place in the town of Bungay, in Suffolk. Bungay is one of Britain’s rarest surnames, with only 455 in the country - or 12 people per million.

Bungays from Britain, Australia and the USA turned up for the match, which is believed to be the first in the world with all players having the same name. All had “Bungay” printed on the back of their shirts, for the convenience of the referee, John Bungay of Eastleigh, Hampshire.

The mascot for the match was eightyear-old Carla Bungay, while the doctor on hand to treat any injuries was Dr Elizabeth Bungay.

The idea for the match came about after Shaun Cole, on Bungay Town

I mentioned football commentators last time out and one or two faux pas they made, but this one really gets my goat. To be fair, it’s more often seen in print written by hopeless journalists, confusing said word with “hapless” (see what I did there?).

“Hapless” means unlucky. Pure and simple. Hopeless, well I’m sure everybody knows. But why do they confuse the two? It can’t be stupidity (can it?). Seems to me they want to say the goalie was hopeless but might incur the wrath of the editor (been there, done that!). “Hap” derives from an Old Norse word for “good luck,” the source of our “happen” and “happy”. So, if a keeper bounces the ball and it hits a misshapen piece of turf and goes into the net, that’s bad luck (a mishap). If he passes the ball out to an opponent who then scores, then that’s ... probably me!

Enjoy the game tonight and have a safe journey home.

MATCH REPORT

Edinburgh City 2 Hibernian 4

Pre-Season.

At last we were able to play that friendly with our neighbours and strategic partners Hibernian – various problems with player and ground availability had stymied the fixture before now – and it turned out to be a great season opener. In front of a new ground record crowd, the rechristened Edinburgh City went two goals up before Hibs equalised five minutes before the interval. Hibs gaffer Lee Johnson replaced his entire side at half-time, and the combination of fresh legs and the quality of the opposition proved too much for City, Hibs ending up 4-2 winners.

Nevertheless it was a fine performance by the home side, and very encouraging

on the eve of what promises to be another tough season. The day was warm but overcast, and there was a strong wind blowing. A few spots of rain appeared early in the morning but held off for the duration of the match – to the relief of the 70% of the spectators who were not under cover. The sell-out crowd of 1,681 was comfortably accommodated thanks to temporary fences erected behind the east and west goalmouths, and the regular fence opposite the grandstand; our thanks to the Stadium staff for the work they put in. The crowd was, as you would expect, largely of the green persuasion, but there was plenty of noise from our ultras.

Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

MATCH REPORT

Edinburgh City 2 Hibernian 4

Pre-Season. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

City, wearing last season’s jerseys with new sponsors’ logos, kicked off towards Wishaw Terrace; but the early action was mostly towards the other end. Adam Le Fondre had a header which came off the post, and moments later Sam Ramsbottom touched an Élie Youan shot over the bar. But City showed the threat they posed when Wollacott reacted well to touch out an overhead kick from Shanley, and the home side took the lead in 22 minutes. Breaking out of defence, Murray drove up the right wing and, following some snappy passing, an unfortunate tackle by Hastie saw the ball go straight to Innes Murray in space on the edge of the box and his low shot gave the Hibs’ keeper no chance. City got a second in 37 minutes, Ryan

Shanley beautifully controlling a through ball from Handling and turning Stevenson before shooting home. Elias Melkersen pulled a goal back five minutes before half-time, nodding home the rebound after Le Fondre had hit the crossbar. Hibs changed their entire team at the interval, and took control of the game. Christian Doidge equalised in 51 minutes after a well-worked move, and the visitors took the lead in 62 minutes –Doidge making a run up the left wing before crossing under pressure for Danny MacKay to angle the ball past Ramsbottom. Elijah Anukam hit the post in a rare City attack, but Christian Doidge made it four in 86 minutes, tapping in at the back post a cross ball delivered by Joe Newell.

PRE-SEASON 2

Bonnyrigg Rose 1 Edinburgh City 2

We haven’t played Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic competitively for almost 70 years, and even friendly encounters have been thin on the ground; but there was keen interest in this meeting between two sides who have in the last few seasons achieved SPFL status by promotion on merit. 376 spectators watched the cinch League 1 visitors earn a narrow victory over their League 2 hosts. The match was due to start at two o’clock although kick-off was delayed by 12 minutes because of traffic congestion on the bypass. The day was warm and overcast, but the early start proved to be a boon; the heavens opened shortly after the match finished,

which would have been early in the second half for a three o’clock kick-off. The City starting line-up included Ciarán Brian and had three trialists while there were another six trialists on the bench, some of them under-20 players from last season. Danny Handling wore the captain’s armband. There were noisy groups of ultras behind either goal, although smoke bombs did not go down well with the Bonnyrigg stewards. Once again we were wearing last year’s shirts; Bonnyrigg wore all red rather than their usual red and white hoops. We started briskly, and in five minutes McLean had a shot deflected for a corner.

Friendly match. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

PRE-SEASON 2 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 Edinburgh City 2

Friendly match. Pictures by Tommy

The new Puma match balls carried further than expected, and players took some time to get used to the flight. In 29 minutes a MacDonald cross might have been touched in, while Rose’s trialist #20 had a flying header which went just wide. In another home attack a nice build-up was foiled by great Stirling tackle 12 yards out.

City took the lead four minutes after the restart, and it was a beauty. Murray passed to Trialist E., overlapping down the right wing, and he raced forward before crossing towards Handling on the edge of the ‘D’. Bonnyrigg’s Jarvis blocked the cross but the ball fell to half-time substitute Ryan Shanley, who promptly blasted it home from 20 yards. The visitors luxuriated in their lead until the

Lee Photography

54th minute, until a goal-kick which went wrong to give Rose the equaliser. Quate tapped the ball to Mercer, who returned the pass. The keeper then tried to find Hamilton but the home trialist #20 (Smart Osadolor, whom we have encountered on a number of occasions) partially blocked the pass and Dean Watson darted in to lift the ball over Quate. The ball didn’t leave the City 18-yard box. But City went ahead again in 57 minutes, and this time kept the lead. Stirling and Jacobs broke up a Bonnyrigg attack and City Trialist #6 put a ball upfield which Ryan Shanley sprinted to collect, outpacing Grigor and beautifully evading Paddy Martin (who had been forced to come out of his box) before slipping the ball into the empty net.

Edinburgh City F.C. Hospitality Partners

The Best Taproom in Scotland

Stadium

Lower London Road

Greenend Motors

Bellfield Brewery

Stanley Place

Taylor Place

The Scottish League Cup – which for sponsorship reasons is this season known as the Viaplay Cup – was instituted in 1946, inspired by the wartime Scottish Southern League Cup. As its name implies, it’s a competition whose eligibility to enter is restricted to members of that particular League, although since 2016 that has been expanded to include sides outwith the SPFL – for the current competition these are Lowland League champions Spartans and Highland League winners Brechin City. Cowdenbeath, who were relegated from the SPFL in 2022, have also been invited to take part. Clubs who qualified for the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference this season are exempt until the Second Round – that is, Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian. Trialists are not eligible to take part

in Viaplay Cup matches. If any group match is drawn it goes straight to penalties, and the club which scores the more from the spot gets a bonus point. The first national trophy of this type was the League of Ireland Shield, which existed between 1921 and 1972. The Scottish League Cup is the oldest of these trophies still being played for today – the English version, currently known as the Carabao Cup, started in 1960, the Northern Irish (BetMcLean Cup) in 1987 and the Welsh (Nathaniel MG Cup) in 1992. Similar competitions exist in a number of countries, including Finland, Portugal, South Africa and Argentina. As with the Scottish Southern League Cup, the Viaplay Cup has traditionally been the competition which starts the season, with clubs playing a series of mini-leagues to determine who gets into the next round – although between 19771981 and 1984-2016 the First Round was straight knock-out.

■ Sam Ramsbottom’s penalty saves gave us the extra point against Airdrie in last season’s competition

The League Cup winners used to qualify for the UEFA Cup, but that stopped after the number of Scottish European places was cut. The winners now have to find some other way to qualify, and nonPremiership sides can only qualify for the Europa League by winning the Scottish Cup.

The current holders of the trophy are Celtic, who beat Rangers in the final on 26th February to win the trophy for the twenty-first time. Rangers have won the competition on twenty-seven occasions. As members of Division ‘C’ City did not take part in the Scottish League Cup in the immediate post-War years – there was a separate competition for Division ‘C’ – so 2023/24 is only the eighth season we have entered, as the Lowland League champions were not eligible to take part before 2016. We have never reached the second round.

The Viaplay Group is a Swedish media and entertainment company with its headquarters in Stockholm. In July 2022 they acquired the U.K. based sports streaming company Premier Sports for $36 million; last season the Scottish League Cup was known as the Premier Sports Cup, but adopted the name Viaplay Cup from the second round on.

It was announced last month that the total prize money to be shared among clubs in this season’s Viaplay Cup will be a record £2,361,000. This will be split as follows:

Group stage – fifth position, £24,000; fourth place, £25,500; third place, £27,500; second place but not qualifying for second round, £32,000. Clubs losing in the second round: £55,000

Clubs losing in the quarter-finals: £87,500

Clubs losing in the semi-finals: £120,000

Losing finalists £175,000, and Viaplay Cup winners, £380,000.

Clubs taking part in televised matches will earn £17,000 (group stage) and £27,000 (subsequent rounds, up to and including the final).

AND COMMENT

ADMISSION PRICES

Just to reassure you all that we haven’t reneged on our promise to cut admission prices. As stated in the last Citizen, match tickets for League fixtures will be £11 for adults (including seniors) and £6 for under-18s. But for Cup ties, and that includes the Viaplay Cup, charges at the gate need the agreement of the participating clubs. In Group D of the Viaplay Cup admission charges were agreed by a majority decision of the five clubs in the group, the charges at Premiership Ross County will be the same as League 2 Stranraer. Regular prices will be in operation when we open our cinch League 1 home season against Queen of the South on Saturday 12 August.

home fixtures as usual this season, so once again we will not be allowing McDonalds sood to be brought into the ground. And I hear that, in line with public demand, our refreshments van will be selling pies! Sadly, the news that the physical club shop is closing down was accurate.

TELEVISION NEWS

■ A pie, yesterday

BBC Alba have obtained the rights to broadcast up to twelve cinch League 1 matches this season. Games will be played on Saturday evenings kicking off at 5:30 p.m. This is a further increase to the number of live Scottish matches to be broadcast - Sky Sports have up to 48 cinch Premiership fixtures, and BBC Scotland up to 24 cinch Championship games on Friday nights. City have been on live television on four occasions I recall - last season’s play-off finals, and two Challenge Cup ties in 2018/19.

KELTY HEARTS KIT

REFRESHMENT VAN

My apologies for inaccurate speculation in the Hibs programme. We are not discontinuing the refreshment van facilities at home matches as a costcutting exercise – they will be at

Last season Kelty Hearts wore a Joma shirt which was maroon on the back, but on the front faded from maroon to white from mid-chest downward. That meant the Maroons had to become the Blues when they travelled to a team with white as a primary shirt colour. Kelty Hearts are this season wearing a simple round-collared maroon shirt. At present our visitors aren’t using squad numbers, so apologies for the lack of numbers on the back page.

AND COMMENT

MORE KITTING ABOUT

Last minute snags with our new outfit, which was supposed to make its debut this evening. Until things are sorted out, we will continue to wear last season’s shirt and socks, with black shorts. Sadly for the traditionalists, the regular strip when it appears will continue to have white shorts.

THE HIBS PROGRAMME

The printed copies of the online Hibs programme have been selling well but there are still a few left, price £3 – ask at the turnstile. I’m afraid the timescales defeated me and a paper copy of tonight’s digital programme has not been produced yet, but they will be available at the next home match or from our preferred dealers GP Football of Bathgate (www.gpfootball.com) or Almondvale Programmes of Edinburgh (almondvaleprogrammes.co.uk).

when almost all the trees were chopped down by the builders. A few determined freeloaders at the Hibs game managed to haul down a foot or so of the screen, but in general it worked as hoped.

cinch LEAGUE 1 PREDICTIONS

The Pie & Bovril thread on which clubs are most likely to be relegated to League 2 at the end of this season made expected reading. Of the first 20 predictions, 7 say we will finish tenth, 7 say Kelty and 6 say Annan. The latest odds on McBookie have Stirling Albion to finish ninth and Annan Athletic tenth. (We’re 7th, Kelty are 8th). I note that none of the Nostrodamusses were Airdrie supporters.

FENCE BANNER

Our thanks to sponsors AMG Construction Group Ltd for providing the long white banner which blocks the view of the pitch from Marionville Road, something which became necessary

SOCIAL MEDIA

We are in the process of overhauling the club’s various social media sites - apart from changing the name and badge back to Edinburgh City, new information is being added all the time. Social media sites referring to FC Edinburgh will be renamed to Edinburgh City in due course. Please note that the Twitter address in the footer below is incorrect - it should be @EdinCityFC, as the old @EdinburghCityFC handle has been hijacked.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES

1 July 2023: Edinburgh City v. Hibernian

Edinburgh City: 1. Sam Ramsbottom, 2. Kieran MacDonald, 4. Lee Hamilton, 5. Scott Mercer, 7. Ryan Shanley (Anukam 61), 8. Robbie Leitch (Peter 82), 10. Danny Handling, 13. Kyle Jacobs, 23. Innes Murray (McLean 61), 25. Quinn Mitchell, 30. Callum Crane.

Substitutes: 21. Cameron Quate,

3. Brodie Devine, 6. Trialist A,

11. Elijah Anukam, 17. Russell McLean, 19. Trialist B, 20. Ben Stirling, 22. Ciaràn

Brian, 26. Struan Mair, 28. Gwong-Rwad

Peter, 33. Trialist C.

Scorers: Murray 22, Shanley 37.

Hibernian (first half): 13. Jojo Wollacott, 2. Lewis Miller, 7. Élie Youan, 14. Jimmy Jeggo, 16. Lewis Stevenson, 19. Adam

Le Fondre, 20. Elias Melkersen, 32. Josh Campbell, 33. Rocky Bushiri, 40. Reuben McAllister, 45. Owen Hastie. Hibernian (second half): 1. David Marshall, 4. Paul Hanlon, 11. Joe Newell, 18. Ewan Henderson, 21. Jordan Obita, 23. Christian Doidge, 24. Nohan Kenneh, 27. Daniel MacKay, 28. Allan Delferrière, 35. Rudi Molotinkov (J.MacIntyre 76), 42. Kanayo Megwa (O.MacIntyre 76).

Substitutes: 25. Max Boruc, 37. Oscar MacIntyre, 44. Jacob MacIntyre.

Scorers: Melkerson 40, Doidge 51, McKay 62, Doidge 86

Match Officials: Referee Stuart Luke, Assistant Referees Craig Ferguson and Brent Falconer.

Attendance 1681.

8 July 2023: Bonnyrigg Rose v. City

Bonnyrigg Rose: 1. Paddy Martin, 2. Angus Mailer, 4. Kerr Young, 6. Trialist 6, 8. Jonny Stewart (c), 11. Ross Gray, 15. Josh Grigor, 16. Reis Peggie, 17. Conor Doan, 18. Dean Watson, 20. Trialist 20. Substitutes: 25. Michael Andrews,

3. Neil Martyniuk, 12. Robbie McGale,

14. Alieu Badara Faye, 19. Trialist 19, 23. Trialist 23. Scorer: Watson (54)

Edinburgh City: 21. Cameron Quate, 2. Kieran MacDonald, 4. Lee Hamilton (Trialist G1 76), 5. Scott Mercer,

8. Trialist L (Shanley 45),

10. Danny Handling (c) (Crane 76),

13. Kyle Jacobs, 17. Trialist M (Trialist G2 62), 20. Ben Stirling (Trialist A 62), 22. Trialist B (Trialist E1 45), 23. Innes

Murray (Trialist P 62).

Substitutes: 1. Sam Ramsbottom, 3. Trialist G1, 6. Trialist E1, 7. Ryan Shanley, 11. Trialist A, 19. Trialist G2, 26. Trialist E2, 28. Trialist P, 30. Callum Crane. Scorers: Shanley (47) and (57).

Match Officials: Referee Andy Gamble, Assistant Referees Calum Doyle and Elliot Husband Powton.

Attendance 376.

Resin Creations by Yvonne

PRE-SEASON MATCH

■ Sam Ramsbottom tips Élie Youan’s shot onto the crossbar

■ Kieran MacDonald in front of the well-filled stand at Bonnyrigg

CITY COMMENT

Our new interactive programme went live for our last home match, the friendly against Hibs just over a week ago. From your phone, tablet or desktop you can link to match highlights or to manager or player interviews, to the ticket sales desk, to sponsors and advertisers, to buy club merchandise, to our opponents’ websites or to news stories - and we’ll be looking at many other ways we can enhance your City experience with all our social media links. We want to make the programme available online at least a day before the game. Collectors of the old-school paper programme are not forgotten. We couldn’t get print copies ready in time for the Hibs game (until the Thursday evening we didn’t even know what we would be called on Saturday!), but a limited number of City v Hibs programmes have now been printed and will be on sale this evening. Online publishing is free and so is our digital programme, but printing costs money and the hard copy will need hard cash. On the day the link from the Club website to The Citizen issue 1 disappeared for a while but has now been restored. At least we know it didn’t fail altogether (that has happened at least once), because some characters were offering “official” print copies on eBay even before

I had been to Broxburn to collect the print job. Some sellers were wanting up to £10 for a copy, with £5 postage, to print up something they’d swiped from the internet.

Whether the chancers have sold all their rubbish now or just given up I can’t tell, but anything I can see on eBay at present is genuine. The fakes were as “official” as Roman coins which are dated 55 B.C. If you buy a paper City issue which says “Digital Interactive Programme” in the top right corner, you are not building up a nest egg for your declining years.

This is the only place you’ll see a copy of last season’s Challenge Cup programme against Stranraer, I’m afraid. The file got corrupted and I could retrieve only 60% of the content. Rather than produce a dummy edition I abandoned the attempt, so a full set of 2022/23 F.C. Edinburgh programmes will always be missing issue number 5. Sorry about that.

STRANRAER SPFLTrustTrophyR2 MeadowbankStadium, Edinburgh

CLUB POLICIES

The following is an abridged version of the Club Policies which are given in full on our website, www.fcedinburgh. com/club-policies-2/ In any dispute between what is printed here and what is shown on the website, the latter will always take precedence.

STADIUM REGULATIONS

1. All matches are played in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Premier League, The Scottish Football League, and the Scottish Lowland Football League.

2. Play is not guaranteed to take place on any particular day or time. The Club may change advertised fixtures without notice and without liability.

3. All supporters must pay for admission in accordance to advertised conditions and rates.

4. Unauthorised persons may not enter upon the field of play. All persons must stay on the spectator side of the barriers.

5. Only authorised persons may offer programmes, food or drink, or anything else for sale in the Stadium.

6. Smoking in no-smoking areas is forbidden by law. Penalties include a fine and/or criminal prosecution.

7. Nobody may stand in any seating area whilst play is in progress. Offenders may be ejected.

8. Nobody may obstruct gangways, access ways, exits and entrances, or stairways, or climb structures within the Stadium.

9. Mobile telephones and other devices are permitted for personal and private use only.

10. The use of foul or abusive language; racist, discriminatory or sectarian remarks, songs or chants; and the promotion or endorsement of any political organisation are not permitted within the Sports Centre or surrounding areas. F.C. Edinburgh have a separate Anti-Discrimination Policy.

11. It is an offence punishable by law for any person to enter or attempt to enter the Stadium:

- Whilst in possession of a prohibited container

- Whilst in possession of alcohol

- Whilst drunk

- Whilst in possession, or under the influence, of any illegal substances

- Whilst in possession of flares, smoke bombs, fireworks or similar;

All persons entering the Stadium may be searched by the Club Stewards.

12. Articles which could be used as a weapon, or which are regarded as dangerous or unsafe are not permitted. This includes knives, fireworks, smoke canisters, airhorns, flares, weapons, laser devices, bottles, cans, and poles. Anyone in possession of such items will be refused entry or asked to leave.

13. All persons entering the Stadium may be required to submit to search by stewards.

14. The throwing of any objects is not permitted.

15. Persons using parking facilities at the Stadium do so at their own risk.

We are not responsible for damage, accidents or losses.

16. Those using parking facilities must park in a respectful manner and be mindful of other vehicles.

17. Spectators must exit the Stadium in an orderly manner after the end of the game.

18. In the event of an emergency instructions will be announced over the public address system. Spectators must follow the advice given, or directions given by Club Stewards.

19. At all times, the right of admission is reserved by the Club.

20. All persons entering are admitted subject to these Regulations and to the applicable Rules and Regulations of the relevant football authorities. ENTRY TO THE STADIUM SHALL CONSTITUTE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THEM MAY RESULT IN SEIZURE OF SEASON TICKET, OR A PERMANENT BAN FROM ATTENDING ANY FUTURE HOME GAMES.

21. The Club reserves the right for its servants, stewards, and agents, and for members of the Police force, to remove from the Stadium any person who does not comply with Stadium regulations and with the rules and regulations of the relevant football authorities, or whose presence in the Stadium is or could reasonably be construed as constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to other spectators.

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT POLICY

We will not tolerate unacceptable conduct at home or away stadia.

Unacceptable Conduct is conduct which is violent or disorderly.

Violent conduct is actual, attempted or threatened violence against any person, or intentional damage to property.

Disorderly conduct includes:

- Conduct which is likely to stir up hatred or ill-will against people based on their presumed membership of the following categories:

- Gender, colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin

- religious groups or groups with a perceived religious affiliation

- Sexual orientation

- Transgender identity

- Disability or against an individual presumed to be a member of such group.

- Using threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct

- Displaying anything threatening, abusive or insulting

- Using words or conduct or displaying anything supporting or opposing an organisation proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000.

ANY PERSON ENGAGING IN UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT MAY BE SUBJECT TO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING, AS IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE:

- Ejection from the stadium;

- A temporary or indefinite ban from attending our matches; and/or

- Report to the police and possible criminal proceedings.

For the full and authoritative text of F.C.Edinburgh Club Policies, including the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, the Club Code of Conduct, the Customer Charter, the Anti-Discrimination Policy, the Equal Opportunities Policy, the Disability Discrimination Policy, and the Children’s Rights Policy, please see our website at www.fcedinburgh.com/club-policies-2/

TABLE AND RESULTS

cinch LEAGUE 1 SCOREBOARD 2022/23

cinch LEAGUE 1 TABLE 2022/23

MEET THE REFEREE COLIN WHYTE

We welcome to Meadowbank Stadium this evening our match referee, local man Colin Whyte.

Colin has been progressing through the ranks of Scottish referees and was appointed to the Category 1 Development list last season, taking charge of a number of League 2 matches as well as prestigious appointments like the final of the SWPL Sky Sports Premier League Cup. He has officiated at two of our matches - a Lowland League fixture at Gala Fairydean Rovers in our promotion season 2015/16, and the City Cup final in July 2019 where he is pictured red-carding Darren O’Dea after 17 minutes for a dreadful tackle on Craig Thomson.

Colin will be assisted by Steven Wilson, a Category 3 Specialist Assistant Referee from the Edinburgh Association, and Category 3 Kyle Hall from the Fife Association.

Ground: Meadowbank Stadium

Registered Office: TBC

Email: admin@fcedinburgh.com

Telephone: 0131 210 0478

Chairman: John Dickson

General Manager: Colin Campbell

Board: John Dickson, David Armstrong, Alick Milne

Supporters’ Representative to the

Board: Robert Fallon

Manager: Alan Maybury

Assistant Manager: Mark Kerr

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Andy

Somerville

Goalkeeping Coach: Jamie Macdonald

Physiotherapist: Scott Anderson

Kit Man: Ian McIntyre

Under-20s Coach: Adam Cairnie

Women’s Team Management: Lee Zavaroni and Paul Alexander

Safety Officer: Sam Bryce

Chaplain: Christopher McRae

Matchday Operations: Jim Moore, Andy McDonald

Photography: Tommy Lee Photography

Videography: Dode Allen Media

Social Media: Dave Armstrong

Programme Editor: Alick Milne

Manager: Alan Maybury

Manager: Michael Tidser

Botti BIABI

Scott CAMERON

Liam CAMPBELL

Adam CORBETT

Ross CUNNINGHAM

Tiwi DARAMOLA

Kyle GOURLAY

Craig JOHNSTON

Darren LYON

Reece LYON

Stefan McCLUSKEY

Lewis MOORE

Thomas O’WARE

Billy OWENS

Finlay SHEARER

Jason THOMSON

Michael TIDSER

Jamie WALKER

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Colin Whyte

MATCH SPONSOR

NEXT HOME MATCH:

Assistant Referee: Steven Wilson

Assistant Referee: Kyle Hall

VIAPLAY CUP GROUP D v ROSS COUNTY

Meadowbank Stadium

Wednesday 26 July 2023

Kick-off 7:45 p.m.

1. Sam Ramsbottom

3. Kieran MacDonald

4. Lee Hamilton

5. Scott Mercer

6. Ben Stirling

7. Robbie Mahon

8. Robbie Leitch

9. Ouzy See

10. Danny Handling

13. Kyle Jacobs

14. Russell McLean

17. Liam Fontaine

21. Cameron Quate

22. Ciaran Brian

23. Innes Murray

24. Quinn Mitchell

29. Ryan Shanley

30. Callum Crane