The Citizen - Issue 6 - 2023

We did lots of good things at Annan – two goals up and should have been further ahead, but we conceded soft goals. We had chances to take three points but were hit by a sucker punch right at the finish. We are doing the wrong things for the right reasons –trying to push for the winner when we should have taken a point. Right back to the Hibs game we have made opportunities and scored goals, but have also conceded preventable goals and lacked cohesion. An hour or more of good football is being undone by losing sloppy goals in the closing minutes.

This is the Club’s first disappointing run for several years and it’s frustrating, because we know we have been playing good football. Last season can’t be taken as the benchmark - we earned our right to play in League 1 and now we have to earn the right to stay there. And we’re working on it. There are a lot of things we are doing right, and once we can get things going we can have another good season.

There has been a lot of change in the squad and injuries

have deprived us of key members of the squad, but we are working hard to get a better understanding and develop the relationships on the pitch. There is still some way to go.

Falkirk have added to what was already a good squad. I personally enjoy playing against the big sides, and making the push to better ourselves. We are under no illusions that we are anything but the underdogs this afternoon, but we will relish the challenge. We have Lee Hamilton back from suspension, but we will be cautious about bringing Liam Fontaine or Ben Stirling back too soon, We will continue to look to improve the squad but there are no further players in our sights just now. Thank you for your support and enjoy the game,

CHAIRMAN

JOHN DICKSON

Hello everyone, and welcome as always to Meadowbank Stadium for today’s match, where our visitors are Falkirk.

It has been a tough start to the cinch League 1 campaign, with today’s opponents being the third full-time team we’ve played in our first five matches. On Saturday past it looked like we were going to get the monkey off our backs, but it just wasn’t to be, and the search for points goes on. Clearly we are in an unenviable position, bottom of the League and on an eight-game losing streak; however, in every game we’ve been competitive, and if we weren’t creating chances I would be more concerned. We have worked hard to bring in new players and retain the core of last season’s

squad, and I feel the group and management we have in place will deliver - it is “when” and not “if” for me. Falkirk will be a difficult match to break the run, but I genuinely feel that we have nothing to fear and that, on our day, we are a match for any side in the division.

Away from the SPFL team, this week we launched our new Youth Academy in association with Play To Learn, and I am very grateful to Dave and Lewis for their assistance in getting this initiative up and running.

As always, Alan and the players look forward to your support, so I hope everyone can get right behind the team today - every run has to end sometime!

Yours in sport,

We have worked hard to bring in new players and retain the core of last season’s squad

CAPTAIN LIAM FONTAINE

Last season we started with a win at Kelty Hearts and that was a great springboard to what was a fantastic first half of the season. Getting those three points on the board is always a great feeling, and we will do that sooner rather than later. We have been held back by the effects of the uncertainty arising from the takeover of the club during the close season, and we are maybe lacking in confidence even though we have been playing good stuff in our matches. What we need is a complete performance, and that means hard work. We need to understand how we are going to get goals, and how to keep on getting them – no sitting back and resting on our laurels. It’s mastering the basic stuff and building up confidence. If each player can improve his performance by five per cent the cumulative effect on the team will be more than that. We have some real talented younger players, energetic and direct, and they need more experienced players to take them under their wings, help guide that energy, and show them how to develop belief and a ruthless mindset. Falkirk will be very tough opponents this afternoon. When you are facing one of the bigger clubs you approach the game differently, assessing and preparing for the threats that they bring. With some clubs you know there are one or two players who are

dangerous, but Falkirk have several. For a club of their size and resources they wouldn’t expect to still be in League 1, and they are under enormous pressure to get that promotion this season. They have started well enough, being unbeaten in their first four matches. Our League position may not be ideal, but we have the qualities in our squad to spring a surprise on them this afternoon – it just takes belief.

Enjoy the match

COMING SOON

EVENING WITH KEVIN KEEGAN - SEE OVERLEAF

WELCOME TO MEADOWBANK

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Meadowbank Stadium for our third consecutive League game against full-time opposition. Our visitors today are second-placed Falkirk, among the bookies’ favourites to secure that long-overdue promotion, and it promises to be another toughie. If you are someone who reads the League table from the bottom upwards it won’t take you long to come to Edinburgh City. Our performances aren’t nearly as poor as our League position suggests, though, and once we can break the seal and get those first three points we are confident that we will start to climb the table. Against Annan Athletic at the weekend we could have been three or four goals ahead at one point, and even facing tabletopping Accies a fortnight ago we had a number of opportunities to score. Beating Falkirk this afternoon might be

a pretty big ask, but with self-belief and a bit more ruthlessness up front we can give it a go.

AN EVENING WITH KEVIN KEEGAN

On Saturday October 21st Edinburgh City F.C. in association with Turnstile Events will be hosting An Evening With Kevin Keegan, starring the legendary player (Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United) and manager (England, Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester City). The event will take place at the Sheraton Grand in Lothian Road. We will be releasing ticket prices and further details on social media and the Citizen over the next few weeks.

■ The Ultras – read on for news about the new entrance gates and crowd segregation

AND COMMENT

MEADOWBANK UPDATE

We are pleased to say that our average crowds so far this season have exceeded our expectations. Whilst this has been amazing and we appreciate everyone’s support, we have looked at the match day operational plans and decided to update accordingly.

Entering the Stadium

One of the key pressures that has been apparent this season, is the limited number of access points into the Stadium. Given the larger crowds, this has led to delays getting tickets scanned or taking payments at the turnstiles. We understand the need to improve this and we are pleased to say that from the Falkirk match, we will have two access points; the existing east turnstiles will be used exclusively for visiting supporters, and the new west gate will be for home supporters. Visiting directors, media and other guests will be given access via the main reception of Meadowbank Sports Centre, all of which should ease congestion significantly.

Segregation

Whilst there is no requirement for segregation at our level, with the increased attendances and the advent of groups of “ultras” amongst every support, we feel it’s in the interests of everyone’s safety and enjoyment, to have a degree of segregation moving forward. As per the plan below, away supporters will be allocated sections G and F of the stand, with Falkirk supporters also having the west and north enclosures to satisfy demand for that particular fixture. Unless demand dictates, typically we will only be issuing

tickets for the stand, with a small standing section in the south-west of the ground. These areas will be accessed via the west turnstiles.

Home supporters will use sections A and B of the stand, accessed via the east gate; again for the Falkirk game we will, subject to demand, use the temporary east enclosure for our supporters.

Cashless Payments

Another pressure point we have noted is that whilst our new pay at the gate system is working well, it does add a few moments to each transaction, especially when transitioning between ticket scanning and taking card or, to this point, cash payments. With that in mind, we will be making two changes: firstly, Meadowbank will now be completely cashless; we will have card terminals for home and visiting supporters to pay at the gates, and the refreshments van also has its own terminals. Secondly, at each entrance, we will ensure that we have a queue for pre-bought tickets, which only need scanned and a queue for pay at the gate. Additionally, should volume dictate, we can open a third queue at both entrances to ease any relevant congestion.

AND COMMENT

As a club, we are trying to monitor the match day experience at Meadowbank, which we fully accept comes with a number of significant challenges. We have developed a tremendous working relationship with the Edinburgh Leisure staff who run the centre, and their cooperation is very much appreciated. Additionally, we are maintaining as keen a price point as we can, to reflect the clear limitations of the Stadium, with adults at £11, under 18s at £6 and under 12s at only £4. Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult. We look forward to welcoming you all to Meadowbank throughout the rest of the season!

WELCOME AIDAN McADAMS

Or, more properly, welcome back. 24-year-old goalkeeper Aidan signed for us on 18th August from Ayr United, and was in the squads against Hamilton and Annan, starting in the latter.

Galabank didn’t constitute his City debut, though. In 2019/20, the famous Season of Seven Keepers, we signed Aidan on loan from Rangers ‘B’ and he made 12 appearances for City, nine of the matches being won and one drawn. Originally with Celtic’s youth side, he progressed through the Parkhead ranks before crossing the city to join Rangers. He also had spells with Portadown and Morton before signing with Ayr last season.

WELCOME KELSEY EWEN

On 19th August 19-year-old centre-back Kelsey Ewen came on as a second-half sub against Hamilton Accies – a trialist, as his registration didn’t go through until later that day. It wasn’t his first appearance in a white shirt, though, as he performed impressively as a trialist in our pre-season match at Bonnyrigg. Kelsey is another player who came up from the Rangers youth system, and he joined us from the Ibrox ranks.

SPONSORSHIP

WILL SPONSOR OUZY SEE’S BOOTS THIS SEASON!

LIAM FONTAINE SPONSORED BY DANNY HANDLING SPONSORED BY (H) Boab Fallon and Neal Rooney (A) The Residence Collection

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

KEENAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT

LEE HAMILTON SPONSORED BY QUINN MITCHELL SPONSORED BY EdinGills

Proud Partner of Edinburgh City F.C.

WELCOME TO FALKIRK

This afternoon we welcome all from Falkirk to Meadowbank Stadium for the fifth matchday in the 2023/24 cinch League 1 season, and for our part we hope it goes a little better than our previous four matchdays. Falkirk, on the other hand, will be happy if our record continues the way it has so far. They sit second in the table at present, two points behind Hamilton Accies, and if it hadn’t been for a 2-2 draw at Cove Rangers on the second day of the season the Bairns would be in pole position on goal difference.

Second place isn’t good enough for Falkirk. They were in second place for the latter half of last season, never managing to close the gap with Dunfermline Athletic, and in the Championship Play-Offs they lost 2-7 on aggregate to Airdrieonians. Falkirk have now been in the third tier for a horrendous four-and-a-bit seasons, and they are determined this will be the last.

The Bairns started the season reasonably well in the Viaplay Cup, coming second in their group with wins over Spartans and Peterhead plus an

WELCOME TO FALKIRK

extra-point draw with Partick Thistle, although they didn’t qualify for the Second Round. It’s in cinch League 1 that they have blossomed, with 12 goals from their four fixtures to date –3-0 Annan, 2-2 Cove, 3-0 Stirling and 4-1 Alloa. Ross MacIver with three goals is joint top of the divisional scoring charts, while Callumn Morrison has two and Jordan Allan, Alfie Agyeman, Ola Lawal, Calvin Miller, Aidan Nesbitt and Brad Spencer, plus an own goal, have one apiece – so no shortage of goal threats, then.

Edinburgh City met Falkirk in four League matches last season. In the first, on 20th August, we were trounced

0-3 at Meadowbank with the goals coming from Callumn Morrison, Gary Oliver and Rumarn Burrell. The Bairns won 2-0 at the Falkirk Stadium on 12 November, Ola Lawal and Leon McCann doing the honours, and although we did score on 28 January (Ouzy See) Falkirk scored twice (Gary Oliver and Callumn Morrison). Finally, on 18 April, we recorded our first on-the-field win over Falkirk, all goals coming in the final 20 minutes – Danny Handling and Innes Murray for City, Kai Kennedy for the home side.

We hope you all enjoy an entertaining afternoon’s football, and have a safe journey home.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

One thing about our elevation to cinch League 1 is that we are regularly facing teams who have played at a higher level than us for several decades. As you know, Edinburgh City were members of the old Second Division before the War, and we only escaped from that competition when the League decided to plonk us in Division ‘C’. Now we are regularly facing teams who, pre1939, were established members of the top flight, and never had to square up to City except in Cup competitions. Indeed, in almsot a century of existence, we have still never met Celtic, Partick Thistle or Kilmarnock in competitive action. Falkirk are pretty similar. Barring a couple

of League meetings in 1935-36 we never met until the 2021-22 League Cup. In fact we didn’t meet then, as a sudden blast of Covid hit the Bairns’ squad and the tie at Ainslie Park was called off, City being awarded a 3-0 win by the SPFL. Last season we met four times after City were promoted to cinch League 1, the first encounter being a thumping 3-0 Falkirk win at Meadowbank on 21st July. After that match the margin of victory diminished each game – 2-0 at Falkirk Stadium in November, and 2-1 at Meadowbank in January. At last we recorded our first-ever actual win over the Bairns on 29 April when a stoppage-time Murray header gave us a 2-1 win.

THE NEW CSC PODCAST IS AVAILABLE!

Episode 20 of the very unofficial CSC Podcast was made available on all the usual social media outlets shortly before the Queen of the South match. Featuring the talents of Big Time Board Member Boab Fallon (a.k.a. the Reverend Boaby Love), Neal Rooney, and Ally Moncrieff who would rather not be called Monkcastle (sorry Ally), it has 53 minutes and 55 seconds of news, comment and, quite frankly, winging it.

Topics include the Viaplay (League) Cup, a squad update, the new deal for Danny Handling (now signed until

2026), the Q & A session between the Gaffer and the club members, an update from the Fans’ Rep (Boab) and previews of the Under-20 and Women’s seasons.

The CSC Podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple and other hosting sites –you can get links from CSC Twitter, @ClubCitizens.

Robert Fallon can be contacted on Twitter @ECFCFanRep or email him at fansrep@edinburghcityfc.com

■ “The guilty men – Ally, Neal and Boab”

Help safeguard the Club’s heritage and its future! Become a member of the City Forever Foundation and receive great discounts and benefits. Your membership fees go directly to the manager’s budget.

There are five levels of membership, suitable for any budget:

Gold membership costs £30/month, and benefits include 20% off season tickets, 10% off events, 15% off regular tickets, 10% off merchandise and 15% off club sponsorship options, and more.

Silver membership costs £20/month, and benefits include 15% off season tickets, 10% off events, 10% off regular tickets, 10% off merchandise and 10% off club sponsorship options, and more.

Bronze membership costs £10/month, and benefits include 10% off season tickets, 5% off events, 5% off regular tickets, 10% off merchandise and 10% off club sponsorship options, and more.

Full list of benefits on Fanbase, including prize draw, priority tickets, access to regular club Q&A events, and more. There are two further membership options: The CITY FOREVER FOUNDATION KIDS CLUB at £10/month has lots of exciting benefits, while the CITIZENS ABROAD MEMBERSHIP (£15/month) gives those who follow us from outside Edinburgh the chance to make a difference.

To apply: To become a member of the City Forever foundation just go into your Fanbase account and click Join at the foot of the screen, scroll through the pages to select the Membership type you want, choose monthly or annual billing and enter your bank details. Payment details are powered by Stripe, a secure checkout service that keeps your financial information safe.

AWAY DAY MONTROSE

Away at Links Park, Montrose, a fortnight today. Montrose aren’t having a great time at home this season – mind you, neither are we. Our meetings last season saw an Edinburgh win and three draws. Whatever your mode of transport, you can find Links Park by locating the long line of parks and gardens running north and south down the centre of Montrose, between the High Street and the beach. Wellington Street is closest to the one with the bowling green, and Links Park is at the end of this street.

HOW TO GET THERE - ROAD

Satnav - Wellington Street, Montrose, postcode DD10 8QD. Most people use the A90 and M90, skirting Perth and on to Dundee. Two potential routes: (1) On Kingsway, Dundee, stay on the A90 by turning left at the Forfar Road junction, then the A935 through Brechin to Montrose; or (2) in Dundee, stay on the

Kingsway, A972 to the City Centre, then the A92 through Arbroath to Montrose. Street parking.

HOW TO GET THERE - RAIL

Montrose is on the main rail route from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. The journey takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, depending on whether you have to change at Dundee. A cheap day return is £22.50, and you should book as far in advance as possible –services are likely to be busy. The ground is about 800 yards from the station. From the High Street, follow John Street/Union Road for four blocks, then turn left into Union Place and the ground is in Wellington Street, first right.

HOW TO GET THERE - BUS

No direct service; bus to Dundee (several choices available) then change at Seagate bus station. The X7 is hourly and takes about an hour, costing approximately £5.

PARTNERS

MERCHANDISE

Edinburgh City’s new official Hummel® kit is now available from our online store, ECFC Direct. Available in Men’s sizes from S to 3XL, Ladies from XS to 2XL and Youths from 5-6 to 15-16, your new shirt can be personalised with name, number and an official cinch League 1 sleeve patch. Prices for unpersonalised shirts are £45 for men and women, and £35 for youths. Only the shirt is available at present.

ALSO AVAILABLE AT ECFC DIRECTHoodies (from £45 adult, £38 youth), Polos (from £38) and the pre-match shirt (from £32 adult, £24 youth) – all personalisable!

Why not save postage costs and use our click-and-collect facility? We will email you when your order is ready and you can collect your new kit at Meadowbank on the next match day.

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EDINBURGH CITY LINE-UP AGAINST QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

Back row: Danny Handling, Liam Fontaine, Andy McNeil, Kieran MacDonald, Jack Wilkie, Robbie Mahon, Russell McLean, Ryan Shanley, Ciarán Brian, Sam Gormley.

Front row: Lee Hamilton, Kyle Jacobs, Lewis Spence, Callum Crane, Innes Murray, Kieran Offord, Quinn Mitchell. Not in picture: Cammy Quate, Scott Mercer.

Picture © 2023 Tommy Lee Photography

(H) Lg

20. 25 Nov Draw to be made SC3

21. 02 Dec Kelty Hearts (A) Lg

22. 09 Dec Stirling Albion (H) Lg

23. 16 Dec Queen of the South (A) Lg

24. 23 Dec Cove Rangers (A) Lg

25. 30 Dec Hamilton Academical (H) Lg

26. 06 Jan Alloa Athletic (A) Lg

27. 13 Jan Falkirk (H) Lg

28. 20 Jan Reserved date SC4

29. 27 Jan Annan Athletic (A) Lg

30. 03 Feb Kelty Hearts (H) Lg

31. 10 Feb Montrose (A) Lg

32. 17 Feb Queen of the South (H) Lg

33. 24 Feb Stirling Albion (A) Lg

34. 02 Mar Cove Rangers (H) Lg

35. 09 Mar Hamilton Academical (A) Lg

36. 16 Mar Alloa Athletic (H) Lg

37. 23 Mar Falkirk (A) Lg

38. 30 Mar Kelty Hearts (A) Lg

39. 06 Apr Montrose (H) Lg

40. 13 Apr Queen of the South (A) Lg

41.. 20 Apr Annan Athletic (H) Lg

42. 27 Apr Stirling Albion (H) Lg

43. 04 May Cove Rangers (A) Lg

RESULTS AND TEAMLINES 2023-24

12 - Starter 12 - Substitute used

1 - Goal scored P - Penalty goal

12 - Substitute not used

In scorelines, City score always given first

COMMENT SUPER JOHN McGLYNN

They say a week is a long time in politics. It can be a long time in football too. A decade and more can seem like forever…

Like everyone else at Edinburgh City, I welcome Falkirk’s players, officials, and supporters to the Meadowbank Maracanã today. But I would like to offer a particular warm welcome today to Falkirk manager John McGlynn. Back in the mists of time – okay, it was 2012 – McGlynn had taken over as manager of Heart of Midlothian FC. As a Hearts supporter, and at a time before I began my flirtatious affair with Edinburgh City, I was basking in the glow of a famous Scottish Cup final triumph over a team just up the road from here. Hearts’ 5-1 hammering of Hibernian was the Edinburgh derby to end all Edinburgh derbies and booted the insignificant 7-0 win by Hibs over their rivals in 1973 into the long grass of history forever. However, troubled waters lay ahead for the good ship Heart of Midlothian. A fair chunk of the Scottish Cup winning team – including the talismanic Rudi Skacel –left the club during the summer, as did manager Valdas Ivanauskas.

Coach John McGlynn stepped into the shoes of the big Lithuanian – and was soon in charge of one of the biggest games in Hearts’ history. The Gorgie club were paired with European giants Liverpool in a play-off for the Europa League. Few gave Hearts any chance against Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, who had the gifted Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez in their ranks.

Although they were the Scottish Cup holders, Hearts weren’t the same team that had romped to one of the biggest

ever victories in Scottish Cup Final history. So, it was something of a surprise when they more than held their own in the first leg at Tynecastle, with Liverpool edging the game 1-0. Hearts manager John McGlynn organised his troops superbly that evening, but the overwhelming feeling was that their chance had gone after that first leg. But what happened in the return leg at Anfield a week later has entered the chapters of folklore in Gorgie. Few people, even the Gorgie diehards, gave Hearts any chance of winning at Anfield. Yes, Hearts were Scottish Cup holders. But this game was against one of the biggest clubs in Europe, one which had been crowned European Champions seven years earlier. A team that included Steven Gerrard, youngsters Jordan Henderson and substitute Raheem Sterling as well as Uruguayan superstar Luis Suarez. Surely it would be a case of how many goals for the home side?

John McGlynn had other ideas. His team started the game brightly, albeit without seriously threatening Pepe Reina in the home goal. McGlynn knew as long as there was only a one-goal deficit his team had a chance. As the game went on it remained goalless until six minutes from the end. But the goal wasn’t for Liverpool – astonishingly, it was for John ➤

COMMENT GUEST WRITER MIKE SMITH

McGlynn’s Heart of Midlothian. David Templeton’s drive was fumbled by Reina and, astonishingly, the tie was level on aggregate.

There was bedlam in the Hearts end – “limbs” as the youngsters refer to today. Sadly, for the Gorgie boys, Suarez equalised on the night four minutes later, the game ended 1-1, and Hearts were out of the Europa League on a 2-1 aggregate defeat – another glorious failure.

McGlynn earned huge plaudits for the way Hearts played and he was just two minutes away from achieving one of the famous victories in Hearts’ long history. As if to underline the inconsistency that would plague Hearts that season, a week later a strong Hearts team played The Spartans at Ainslie Park for the Ronnie Swan trophy – and lost on penalties after a 4-4 draw. One of The Spartans’ scorers that night was Robbie Manson who would later manage me in a role outside

football – but he still regales of me of stories of his goal from that evening eleven years ago…

John McGlynn went on to manage Livingston and Raith Rovers before moving to Falkirk last year. His considerable experience at the top level – and managing a team to a draw at Liverpool is certainly top level – can surely only benefit a Falkirk team that will be looking to overcome the disappointment of last season. They’re among the favourites for promotion from cinch League One and with the wily John McGlynn in charge few would bet against them achieving this. Just continue your promotion charge after today’s game, eh lads? Mike

Smith

Twitter @Mike1874 www.theftibason.com

SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER

Another F.A. Cup Qualifying Round took place last weekend, allowing me another opportunity to introduce you once more to some wonderful and, I think, interesting teams from here in sunny England(!).

First up this week are NEW SALAMIS F.C. A brilliant and unusual name, The Reds, as they are known – you’ll see why if you haven’t already guessed – were formed in 1971 by fans of Cypriot side Nea Salamis Famagusta and initially played, quite successfully, in a British Cypriot league. Who knew there was such a thing? Nowadays they share Haringey Borough’s home ground, Coles Park in White Hart Lane, London, where they play in their red and white striped shirts, red shorts and socks, in the Isthmian League North Division – which is Step 4 of the English non-League system (tier 8 of the Pyramid), so they’ve come a long way. Whether or not they go a long way in the F.A. Cup depends on the draw, really, after they beat Greys Athletic 3-1 in yet

another preliminary round tie on 23rd August. I’m tempted to say the Salamis should share Bedale Town’s sponsor, Heck’s sausages. I’m tempted, but I won’t.

BISHOP AUCKLAND F.C. are often confused with their rivals West Auckland F.C., the latter famous for being the first-ever winners of an international football tournament (a long, convoluted story, that one!) but The Bishops or, more commonly, The Two Blues are a completely different team. Hailing from County Durham, Bishop Auckland was originally formed by theology students from Oxford and Cambridge universities way back in 1886 and chose the blues of both unis as their colours which they still use to this day, navy and sky blue halved shirts. Back in the 50’s, they were amongst the most successful nonLeague/amateur teams in England, but those glory days did not continue and today they play in Northern League Division One, Step 9 in the Pyramid. So,

■ City meet Bishop Auckland in a 2011 pre-season friendly

SNIPPETS

THE RAMBLING REPORTER

not so successful now, but they were one of the top scorers in the F.A. Cup prelims, putting seven goals past Sunderlandbased Seaham Red Star. Once upon a time I was on the verge of moving, lock, stock and barrel, to Southsea, Portsmouth, for no other reason than I like the place. It has beautifully manicured lawns and gardens, a great shopping street that was voted “Best in Britain” several years in a row, and - here’s the clincher – a seemingly never-ending collection of pubs. You can even get the hovercraft to the Isle of Wight (where there’s MORE pubs!). Southsea is also home to MONEYFIELDS F.C., named after the area of Southsea which houses their ground and they are imaginatively nicknamed The Moneys. They faced a trip to Poole in the F.A. Cup to play Hamworthy United which they managed to negotiate with a 2-1 victory. Moneyfields play in yellow shirts with blue sleeves, shorts and socks, and participate in the Velocity Wessex Football League, Step 9 of the English Pyramid, which was won by Hamworthy last season with The Moneys in ninth place.

Charnock Richard is known for its nearby service station and pretty much nothing else, but it’s really a small village of fewer than 2,000 people. And it’s got a football team, CHARNOCK RICHARD F.C., who play at Mossie Park in their all-green strips, in the North West Counties Football League. CRFC have a cracking website, which is hugely informative, telling us it costs £6 to watch a first-team match there and £2 for an award-winning fullcolour 32-page programme. Charnock Richard’s adventure in the Cup led

them to a home match with Bury F.C., a reincarnation of the former EFL side. They managed to win that game 3-2 to stay in the competition. I just wonder how many more rounds all of the above-named teams will have to go through before they get the chance to play Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal etc. A few more yet, I reckon, as these are still the Preliminary Qualifying Rounds. There are still the actual Qualifying Rounds to come yet. I think these early rounds are geographically based, hence why Lancashire’s Charnock Richard didn’t meet Hampshire-based Moneyfields. They might be called Moneyfields, but I bet their cash wouldn’t stretch that far! There’s still a good few interestinglooking teams in the F.A. Cup: Mousehole A.F.C. (that’s pronounced “Muzzle”. I believe), Ashby Ivanhoe, Sporting Khalsa and the mighty Cray Valley Paper Mills. I might look at one, two or all of these in future programmes. Bet you can’t wait! In the meantime, enjoy today’s match and have a safe journey home. Cheers for now.

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 1

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 2

Cinch LEAGUE 1. – Matchday 2.

Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 2

Edinburgh, 12 August 2023 – Well, we knew our first home League game of the season was going to be a difficult one – Queen of the South are a fulltime side, and we have never beaten (or even drawn with) them in our history. But with the full-time whistle coming nearer, it seemed as though history was about to be made; just over ten minutes to go and we were ahead through an early goal from Innes Murray.

We knew Queens would come at us strongly after the interval, but it wasn’t until 80 minutes that Kyle Doherty volleyed into the net from 14 yards out. Worse was to come, as two minutes later the tiring City defence couldn’t prevent Kyle McClelland from scoring from a free header at the back post. His post-match celebrations earned him a second

yellow card, but Queen of the South had enough to hold out for the remainder of the game in the face of some desperate City attacks.

So, another Queens’ victory, with the result a bit flattering to our guests. The Dumfries men were very inconsistent last season – not against us, they consistently picked up full points against us – but their other performances were hit-and-miss, and they only overtook us in the cinch League 1 table on the final day of the season.

The Gaffer was forced into a number of changes. Fontaine and Mercer were carrying knocks and were on the bench for emergencies only; Scott Mercer couldn’t even be placed on the bench. Danny Handling also started as a sub.

Robbie Mahon, Kieran Offord and Jack Wilkie all started, and Sam Gormley

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 2

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Video by ‘Ton TV – used with thanks.

made his City debut a a second-half substitute.

City kicked off towards the Portobello end goal, but it was the visitors who had the early attacks - Walker’s being saved and Ambrose heading over. It took only a few minutes for City to get into the match. In 7 minutes Murray’s 35-yard shot was just wide, in 13 Botterill was forced into an excellent save from Offord, and from the resulting corner City opened the scoring in the fourteenth minute. Mahon put the ball in from the right to the near post and Innes Murray’s angled header flew in between the keeper and the post. Queens turned on the pressure around the half-hour, McNeil saving a pointblank header from Reilly and the men in blue being unsuccessful from a series of

corners. City’s only real threat before the interval was a Shanley shot from outside the box which ended up going wide. The visitors were getting more of the possession after the interval, but the City defence coped well with the pressure, and Robbie Mahon had a couple of attempts for the home side. Both sides put on substitutes in an attempt to break the deadlock, one of City’s being triallist Sam Gormley for Jacobs in 71 minutes. A great run from Offord moments later was only stopped at the edge of the Queens box. Murray shot over from the edge of the box in 79. Just as we were thinking the City might hold out for a historic victory over Queen of the South our friends from Dumfries equalised with ten minutes to go, curse ➤

EDINBURGH CITY 1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 2

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Video by Video by Dode Allen Media.

them. You could say it was a beautiful piece of opportunism, or a cheap goal to give away. Lewis Gibson floated in a low cross from the right touchline and the unmarked Kyle Doherty swivelled to volley the ball just inside the left-hand post from 15 yards out. Worse was to come. It always does come this bloody season.

Queens hit the post and seconds later force a great save from McNeil, diving to put out for a corner on the left. 82

minutes, McKechnie takes the kick, cuts back to Gibson who whips the ball into space at the back post where Kyle McClelland, again unmarked, is racing in to head into the postage stamp at the angle of the left-hand post. He left the field to acknowledge the pitch-invading Queens fans and received a second yellow card for “leaving the pitch”, but by then it was too late for City to come back.

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Cinch LEAGUE 1 – Matchday 3.

Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography.

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 0 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 3

Cinch LEAGUE 1 – Matchday 3.

Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography.

Edinburgh, 19 August 2023 – This was no pub team we were playing. As recently as 2021 Hamilton Accies were in the top flight of Scottish football, and when they were relegated after seven seasons in the Premiership they were expected to be challenging for a quick return; but a mediocre 2021/22 season followed by a dismal 2022/23 saw them lose to AIrdrie in the Championship play-off final, and we and Accies were playing in the same division for the first time in our history. And in that first meeting we went down to a 3-0 defeat which should have been closer. We had our chances, but once again we weren’t ruthless enough, and the Lanarkshire men maintained their 100% record and pole position for a return to the Championship. The Accies line-up featured a number of new players we knew well from last

season’s cinch League 1, including Kelty’s Jamie Barjonas, Kyle MacDonald and Kevin O’Hara from Dunfermline, and Stephen Hendry and Connor Murray of Queen of the South. Former Hearts player Euan Henderson and Hibs loanee Dylan Tait were also in the squad. City brought back Danny Handling to the starting line-up, with Robbie Mahon on the bench, and there were places in the squad for goalkeeper Aidan McAdams and full-back Kelsey Ewen. Liam Fontaine, Scott Mercer and Ben Stirling were injured, and Ouzy See was unavailable.

City had a couple of early chances which could, with luck, have been converted into goals. A great run down the right by Hamilton in 10 minutes saw him put the ball into the box for Shanley, but the striker was just wrong-footed and Smith gathered; shortly afterwards, Offord

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 0 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 3

Cinch LEAGUE 1 – Matchday 3. Video by Video by Dode

Allen Media.

showed some lovely skill in the box before cutting back to Handling, who beat two men but stumbled as he was turning and Smith leapt to smother the ball.

Accies’ repeated assaults on the City goal were getting steadily closer, and in 19 minutes they opened the scoring. Winter went down just outside the box after being challenged by Jacobs, and Kyle MacDonald took the kick. As he did so the four-man wall jumped, but he took a low shot instead and the ball flicked from a defender’s boot and beyond McNeil’s reach. City didn’t take this lying down and the ball rattling from end to end, with both goalkeepers and defences in fine form. The home side continued

to threaten, Handling, Shanley, Murray and the very impressive Offord coming close, but half-time arrived with Accies still ahead by the only goal of the game. Just after the restart Hamilton was booked for a foul on Winter, which was to cost us dearly later in the game. The play continued very even, with some lovely attacks from both sides and precise tackling and blocking from the respective defences keeping the score down. Following a flurry of substitutions just after the hour mark one of them, Ryan Oné, doubled Accies’ lead. Building from the back, O’Brien’s pass went right through the middle, Henderson found Oné in space and the tall striker rolled the ➤

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 0 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 3

Cinch LEAGUE 1 – Matchday 3.

Video by Video by Dode Allen Media.

ball into the bottom left corner of the net, out of McNeil’s reach. Very hard lines on City, but the goal lifted the visitors and they started to put their opponents’ defence under serious pressure. At last, in 81 minutes, from outside the box Oné sent in a nasty low swerving shot which McNeil stopped but could not hold, and Connor Murray dashed in to snap a shot from six yards which hit the right-

hand post before spiing into the net. City never gave up, and in an attack a ball from Handling appeared to strike O’Brien’s wrist, but Mr Snedden wasn’t interested. Accies counter-attacked, and Hamilton’s tackle on Oné, jus outside the box in 83 minutes, earned a second and possibly harsh yellow card, which we could frankly have done without.

WOMEN'S FIXTURES 2023/24

MORE FIXTURES WILL BE ADDED AS CUP COMPETITIONS ARE DRAWN

Our Women's Team are members of the SWF Championship, and play their home matches at Meadowbank Stadium on Sunday afternoons. Kick-off times vary –please check social media as close to kick-off time as you can manage.

UNDER-20 FIXTURES 2023/24

MORE FIXTURES WILL BE ADDED AS CUP COMPETITIONS ARE DRAWN

Our Under-20s are members of the Scottish Lowland Development Football League, Conference A, and play their home matches at Meadowbank Stadium on Friday evenings, kicking off at 8:00 p.m. www.sldfl.co.uk

twitter.com/OfficialSLDFL/

www.facebook.com/officialsldfl/

TEAMLINES

12 August 2023

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 2

EDINBURGH CITY 1-2

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

Edinburgh City: 1. Andy McNeil, 3. Kieran

MacDonald, 4. Lee Hamilton (capt.), 7. Robbie Mahon (Handling 63), 9. Ryan

Shanley , 11. Kieran Offord, 13. Kyle Jacobs (Gormley 71), 16. Lewis Spence, 20. Jack

Wilkie, 23. Innes Murray (McLean 79), 30.

Callum Crane

Substitutes: 5. Scott Mercer, 6. Sam

Gormley, 10. Danny Handling, 14. Russell

McLean, 17. Liam Fontaine, 21. Cammy

Quate (sg), 22. Ciarán Brian, 24. Quinn

Mitchell

Scorer: Innes Murray (14)

CSC Player of the Match: Innes Murray

Queen of the South: 1. Gordon Botterill, 3. Daniel Church (Doherty 61), 6. Harry Cochrane (capt.), 7. Kieran McKechnie, 9. Gavin Reilly , 10. Lee Connelly, 15. Kyle McClelland = , 18. Reegan Mimnaugh (Todd 54), 23. Cammy Logan, 24. Efe

Ambrose, 30. Harvey Walker (Gibson 67)

Substitutes: 2. Jordan Houston, 5. Paul McKay, 8. Josh Todd, 11. Craig McGuffie, 20. Ross Irving, 25. Kyle Doherty, 27. Lewis Gibson, 28. Ben Johnstone, 42. Charlie Cowie (sg)

Scorers: Kyle Doherty (80), Kyle

McClelland (82)

Referee: Lloyd Wilson

Assistant Referees: Calum Doyle and Chris Hobbs

Attendance: 523

19 August 2023

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 3

EDINBURGH CITY 0-3

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL

Edinburgh City: 1. Andy McNeil, 3. Kieran MacDonald, 4. Lee Hamilton = ,, 9. Ryan Shanley (McLean 79), 10. Danny Handling (capt.), 11. Kieran Offord, 13. Kyle Jacobs (Ewen 65), 16. Lewis Spence, 20. Jack Wilkie, 23. Innes Murray (Mahon 63), 30. Callum Crane

Substitutes: 6. Kelsey Ewen (trialist), 7. Robbie Mahon, 8. Robbie Leitch, 14. Russell McLean, 21. Aidan McAdams (sg), 22.

Ciarán Brian, 24. Quinn Mitchell, 29. Sam Gormley

CSC Player of the Match: Kieran Offord

Hamilton Academical: 31. Jamie Smith, 2. Josh O’Brien, 3. Jackson Longridge, 4. Lee Kilday, 6. Jamie Barjonas (Oné 63 ), 8. Scott Martin (capt.) , 9. Kevin O’Hara (Smith 75), 16. Kyle MacDonald (Zanatta 85), 19. Andy Winter (Henderson 63), 21. Dylan Tait (Murray 75), 22. Reghan Tumilty

Substitutes: 5. Fergus Owens, 7. Euan Henderson, 10. Dario Zanatta, 11. Lewis Smith, 15. Connor Murray, 17. Ryan Oné, 23 Chris McGinn, 24. Mikey Hewitt, 51. Josh Lane (sg)

Scorers: MacDonald (19), Oné (67), Murray (81)

Referee: Iain Snedden

Assistant Referees: Ross Nelson and Cameron Stirling

Attendance: 525

Booking Sent off

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/

PLAYER STATISTICS 2023/24

MEET THE REFEREE STEWART LUKE

We welcome to Meadowbank Stadium this afternoon our match referee, Stewart Luke, of the Fife Referees’ Association. We first met Stewart as a Category 2 official in a City Cup semi-final with Spartans in March 2017, and in all he has taken charge of eleven of our matches. In the first League match of ours he refereed, at Cliftonhill, he was injured and had to be replaced at half-time, with his assistant taking over; a few days earlier was our League Cup win over Falkirk, when we were awarded a 3-0 victory because of a very late Covid-related postponement. His most recent match involving City was a League fixture with Dunfermline back in January. Our Assistant Referees this afternoon are Elliott Husband Powton, a Category 3 Specialist Assistant Referee from the Glasgow Referees’ Association, and Lewis Hogarth, a Category 3 official who is a member of the Edinburgh & District Referees’ 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

1. Andy McNEIL

3. Kieran MacDONALD

4. Lee HAMILTON

5. Scott MERCER

6. Kelsey EWEN

7. Robbie MAHON

8. Robbie LEITCH

9. Ryan SHANLEY

10. Danny HANDLING

11. Kieran OFFORD

13. Kyle JACOBS

14. Russell McLEAN

16. Lewis SPENCE

17. Liam FONTAINE ©

20. Jack WILKIE

21. Aidan McADAMS

22. Ciarán BRIAN

23. Innes MURRAY

24. Quinn MITCHELL

29. Sam GORMLEY

30. Callum CRANE

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Stewart Luke

Assistant Referee:

Elliott Husband Powton

Assistant Referee:

Lewis Hogarth

Manager: John McGlynn

1. Sam LONG

2. Tom LANG

3. Leon McCANN

4. Stephen McGINN ©

5. Liam HENDERSON

6. Coll DONALDSON

7. Callumn MORRISON

8. Brad SPENCER

9. Jordan ALLAN

10. Aidan NESBITT

11. Alfie AGYEMAN

14. Finn YEATS

17. Ross MacIVER

18. Gary OLIVER

21. Ola LAWAL

22. Brad McKAY

26. Sean MACKIE

27. Owen HAYWARD (gk)

28. Pearse CARROLL

29. Calvin MILLER

30. Scott HONEYMAN

31. Nicky HOGARTH (gk)

32. Rhys WALKER

33. Logan SINCLAIR

44. Paul WATSON

NEXT HOME MATCH:

SPFL TRUST TROPHY 3rd Round

v EAST KILBRIDE

Meadowbank Stadium

Saturday 09 September 2023

Kick-off 3:00 p.m.