The Citizen - Issue 7 - 2023

We didn’t play well against Falkirk last week. They are one of the best teams in cinch League 1, and they had us on the back foot, keeping us pinned in our own half for long spells. We were a bit negative, and that’s not the way we like to play – there was little energy or positivity in our game. In the end Falkirk won quite comfortably.

Last season we started well, although early on we did struggle against the likes of Falkirk and Dunfermline. This season has been more problematic and the chopping and changing of the side is not helping confidence. Maybe a quarter of the squad is injured or otherwise unavailable, and half of the probable starters. But all we can do is work through this sticky patch and try to get some points on the board. As players come back we can start fielding them in their best positions. After last season’s injury Ciarán Brian resumed full training in the pre-season. He is a strong squad player and we want him back at his peak, so to allow him more game time we have sent him on loan to Tranent Juniors. Lee

Hamilton is back from suspension, but there are doubts about Lewis Spence, while Danny Handling had a flare-up of an old Achilles injury at Annan. East Kilbride are doing well in the Lowland League this season, and they have players of a very good standard of players. We are under no illusions – this will be a tough match, and I can assure you that we will be preparing as hard for this match as if we were about to face Aberdeen. The only way out of our current situation is to all pull in the same direction, and on the field it is my job to find a solution. Enjoy the match, Alan

Molli was nominated by Rovers’ supporters to present the SPFL Trust Trophy to 2022 winners Raith

CHAIRMAN

JOHN DICKSON

Good afternoon everyone and welcome, as always, to Meadowbank Stadium for today’s SPFL Trust Trophy tie with East Kilbride. Our League form continues to be a struggle. Last week we fell to our fifth straight defeat, this time to full-time opposition in Falkirk, who went top of the division on the back of that result. We remain looking up at the rest of the teams, so some might say a break from the League campaign might be a tonic. Today, however, we entertain Michael Kennedy’s Lowland League high-fliers East Kilbride, who are clearly an SPFL team in all but name. Kilby have had a terrific start to the Lowland League, unbeaten and averaging nearly four goals a game. This is in contrast to ourselves, albeit there is a vast difference between the calibre of the respective opposition, and we are aware that they will see us as a potential scalp to be taken. With that in mind, we will need to be on it from the start today to make sure that doesn’t happen.

As I have mentioned before, a major positive this season is the return of supporters to Meadowbank, with average crowds significantly higher than last year. Once again, today’s prices are as cheap as competition rules allow, and although it is not included with season tickets, I am hopeful of a decent crowd – particularly with the tropical weather we’ve been enjoying!

Against Falkirk, we brought in our new match day organisation, with separate entrances and seating arrangements for home and away supporters. Clearly whenever something new is introduced, there will be teething problems; but overall, the feedback we’ve had has been positive, and we’ll continue with these arrangements for the remainder of the season.

Alan and the team continue to work hard behind the scenes and results will turn; let’s hope today could be the catalyst for better form, heading into a big away trip to Montrose next week! Enjoy the game everyone! Yours in sport,

CAPTAIN LIAM FONTAINE

Message from the Editor: We apologise for the lack of a captain’s message this afternoon. Various problems prevented us from being able to make contact at a time suitable for both Liam and the programme writer. Our Captain’s Message will return for the Cove Rangers programme in a fortnight’s time.

COMING SOON

EVENING WITH KEVIN KEEGAN - SEE OVERLEAF

WELCOME TO MEADOWBANK

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to what the weather forecast tells us will be a warm and sunny Meadowbank Stadium. Our guests this afternoon are our old friends from East Kilbride, whom we seemed to encounter every third week in some competition or another when we were both members of the Lowland League, but it has now been four years since we last met.

It might not be so long since the next meeting, though – East Kilbride are four points clear at the top of the Lowland table. As every other previous Lowland champion is now in the

WELCOME BACK LIAM AND CALLUM

In the ranks of today’s visitors are two very popular ex-City players, although neither have featured in the side in the last few weeks. Midfielder Callum Tapping signed for us in 2021 from Stenhousemuir but he was haunted by injury last season and after August made only four appearances as a sub. He left during the close season as part of the cutbacks necessitated by the change of ownership of the club. In his two seasons he made 41 appearances

SPFL, perhaps it will be Kilby’s turn this season. We look at our visitors in more detail on pages 12 and 13.

AND COMMENT

for Edinburgh City/FC Edinburgh and scored one goal.

Liam Brown joined us from Motherwell under-20s in August 2019. A central midfielder, he played well in his first season but really blossomed in 2020/21 and was voted the Supporters’ Player of the Year. We were greatly disappointed when he chose to return to Queen’s Park in 2021. but we couldn’t deny him a chance to step up – Liam was the first person for whom Queens had ever paid money to sign. Astonishingly he barely featured in the Q.P. team last season, and signed for East Kilbride in the summer, being appointed club captain. He made 59 appearances for City, and scored 4 goals but made many more.

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.

FAREWELL (TEMPORARILY) CIARÁN

During the week it was announced that versatile midfielder Ciarán Brian would be joining Tranent Juniors on a temporary loan deal. Ciarán missed a huge chunk of last season after being injured in an SPFL Trust Trophy match at Palmerston on 22 September, and although he recovered to take part in this season’s campaign he had another setback when he was clattered at Greenock in the Viaplay Cup in July. Not anything like as serious, but he has been on the bench for the last four matches, and we would rather he had regular game time. We hope to see Ciarán back in the number 22 shirt before long.

For more club news and comment, please go to page 37.

SPONSORSHIP

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 WILL SPONSOR OUZY SEE’S BOOTS THIS SEASON!

LEE HAMILTON SPONSORED BY QUINN MITCHELL SPONSORED BY EdinGills

Proud Partner of Edinburgh City F.C.

WELCOME EAST KILBRIDE

This afternoon we are pleased to welcome once more to Meadowbank Stadium everyone from our old friends and adversaries, Lowland League pacesetters East Kilbride. The club was formed in 2010 and stepped up from the amateur ranks to become founder members of the Lowland League in 2013. We met Kilby on a regular basis until our promotion to the SPFL in 2016, and since then our sides have met in three cup competitions – the Challenge Cup (then known as the Irn-Bru Cup), the City Cup and the Scottish League Cup. East Kilbride quickly established themselves as one of the top sides in the Lowland League. They were champions

in 2016/17 and 2018/19, and have been second-placed on three occasions; at the moment they sit top of the table after nine matches, six points ahead of Cumbernauld Colts and Tranent Juniors. There have been five champions of the Lowland League since its inception, and Edinburgh City, Spartans, Kelty Hearts and Bonnyrigg Rose are now in the SPFL. It’s high time East Kilbride joined us, bringing Scottish League football to the sixth-biggest locality in the country. City and E.K. have met on twelve previous occasions, with the capital men winning eight (sometimes, admittedly, by the skin of our teeth). We have a 100% record at the ‘K’ Park Academy, but

WELCOME EAST KILBRIDE

results in Edinburgh have been a lot closer. Probably the best-remembered encounter was in the 2018/19 Irn-Bru Cup, where our run to the semi-finals would have been stopped in its tracks if it hadn’t been for a remarkable match in East Kilbride. Kilby were winning 2-1 with six minutes to go, but substitute Allan Smith headed two goals in three minutes to put us into the Third Round. East Kilbride are having a storming season, especially away from home. Of their eleven competitive matches to date they have won nine and drawn two. Results this season include a 7-0 win at Gretna 2008 and a 6-1 victory over Gala Fairydean Rovers, while last weekend they came to Peffermill and increased their goal difference to the tune of

none goals at the expense of Edinburgh University; while on Tuesday they were disappointed to only get a 2-2 draw at Linlithgow Rose. They have defeated Celtic ‘B’ in both the League and the SPFL Trophy, have Lowland wins over East Stirlingshire and Cowdenbeath, and in the last round of this competition they destroyed a youthful Stirling Albion side 3-0 at Forthbank.

The squad which Kilby have assembled for this season includes, apart from Broony and Tappz, a number of names familiar to us from past seasons in the cinch Leagues 1 and 2, several of whom were with Darvel last season.

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

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

It makes a bit of a change writing about our past encounters against a team we have met on many occasions. Not as many as Civil Service Strollers or Annan Athletic, perhaps, but at least I don’t have to stretch two or three previous meetings into a half-page of text. Today will be the thirteenth time City and East Kilbride have faced one another in competitive action since we were both founder members of the Lowland League in 2013, with nine of them coming before we were promoted to the SPFL in 2016. In our first meeting, on 2nd November 2013, we travelled to ‘K’ Park Academy and won 3-1 with City goals coming from Peter Stenhouse, Mark McConnell and

Dougie Gair. Kilby won the return match at Meadowbank by the only goal of the game. That’s one thing about City versus E.K. fixtures – while City have won every one of the six matches played in East Kilbride, of the equal number of games played in Edinburgh our visitors have won three and drawn one.

Games between our sides are traditionally tough and low-scoring; seven of them have been won or lost by a single goal, while another went to penalties. The only thumping came in a City Cup final in 2019 at the Oriam, with us winning 5-2. The last time we met was in the League Cup at Ainslie Park in July 2019, Anthony Brady giving the visitors a 1-0 victory.

COMMENT ONLY AN EXCUSE

It was inevitable really. With the new cinch SPFL season barely three weeks old the first managerial casualty of the football season occurred just up the road from here when Hibernian parted company with Lee Johnson. The beleaguered Easter Road boss was up against it from the opening weekend of the season when Hibs lost at home to St. Mirren. When this was followed by further League defeats from Motherwell and Livingston the writing was on the wall for the former Hearts player. The 5-0 hammering from Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier in Leith wasn’t wholly unexpected but some of Johnson’s post-match comments didn’t help his cause.

talking in riddles. To be fair to Johnson, he was quick to take the responsibility for the home defeat to Livingston but it’s fair to say the Hibernian fans – and more importantly, the board of directors - had lost confidence in him, and he departed Easter Road before the end of the Edinburgh Fringe.

However, Lee Johnson isn’t the first and will certainly not be the last manager to turn to the excuse book when results don’t go to plan. Even the greatest managers try to blame everything and anything for an adverse result. Take Manchester City Supremo Pep Guardiola for example. Last season, Manchester City lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in London and the Spaniard blamed the apparently gruelling nature of reaching the capital. He was quoted as saying “Travelling from Manchester to London takes more than four hours and it’s like going to northern Europe.” Ah, those poor neglected Manchester City players, don’t you feel sorry for them?

“It was disappointing, wasn’t it? But some of the players struggled with the altitude,” was Johnson’s reaction after a humiliating Conference League qualifier first leg defeat to Andorran minnows Inter d’Escaldes. In subsequent defeats, Johnson commented on “the pitch, the players’ attitude, poor defensive protocol, the physical output and poor pass selection” – all of which made many Hibs fans wonder why the Englishman was

Guardiola also blamed a League Cup tie defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on the wrong type of ball. “The ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition,” he said. Aye, righto, Pepe… The history of football is littered with excuses, some plausible, others just downright ridiculous. Back in 2006, Spain hammered Ukraine 4-0. Vladislav Vashchuk, the Ukrainian centre half, was in no doubt as to the reason for the gubbing – frogs. Apparently, there were dozens of the little amphibians croaking the night away outside the Ukrainian team’s hotel, meaning the players had very little sleep the night before the game. As excuses go, this one is, er, riveting… (Good grief – Ed) ➤

COMMENT

MIKE SMITH

he kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s women lifted the World Cup recently.

Rubiales stated, “I will not resign, I will not resign – a social assassination is taking place!” He added that Hermoso lifted him up and gave him a peck on the cheek. A version hotly disputed by Hermoso herself and many others. But that’s his excuse and, at the time of writing, he’s sticking by it. I bet Rubiales didn’t get as much grief when he played for Hamilton Academical in 2009…

A decade earlier, Manchester United found themselves 3-0 down at half-time to Southampton. Manager Alex Ferguson didn’t question his tactics or his players’ effort. He blamed their grey away kit which, he said in all seriousness, affected his players’ ability pick each other out with a pass. Not the first time Sir Alex, as he is now, has got shirty… (that’s plenty – Ed)

Back in Scotland, former Hearts coach Ian Cathro didn’t exactly endear himself to the Gorgie support when he stated, after a 5-0 thrashing from Celtic at Tynecastle, that “take away the goalposts and we were able to compete. We put in a performance which made the game a game.” In the interests of fairness, those who sneered at Cathro during his time in Edinburgh might be interested to know he is now carving out a highly lucrative coaching career in Saudi Arabia.

To bring things a bit more up date, Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has found himself at the centre of a storm of controversy after

Of course, it’s not only football managers and players who make up excuses. Our esteemed programme editor has been promising to buy me a pint for several months now. His excuse is he doesn’t carry cash with him (certainly not in the pub), and he left his bank card at home. Rumour has it the last time he bought a round the Queen sat on the throne. Queen Victoria that is… (you’re fired – Ed) Here’s hoping for an Edinburgh City win today. No excuses, eh boys? Mike

Twitter @Mike1874 www.theftibason.com

BRAND NEW CSC PODCAST RELEASED THIS WEEK!

A few days ago the Citizens Supporters’ Club released Episode 21 of the CSC Podcast, the very unofficial voice of our support, featuring the comedy stylings of Big Time Board Member Robert Fallon (a.k.a. the Reverend Boaby Love) and Neal Rooney (Citizen Neal), but no Ally Moncrieff this episode. The team (or in this case duo) discuss the new entry and segregation policies at Meadowbank, the team’s form or

lack of it, tactics, and what the situation might be with Ouzy See.

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.

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RESULTS AND TEAMLINES 2023-24

Athletic (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

12 - Starter 12 - Substitute used

1 - Goal scored P - Penalty goal

12 - Substitute not used

In scorelines, City score always given first

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.

19 August 2023

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 5

EDINBURGH CITY 0-2 FALKIRK

21. Aidan MacAdams (gk), 3. Kieran MacDonald , 4. Lee

Hamilton (captain), 8. Robbie Leitch (Mahon 77), 11. Kieran Offord, 13. Kyle , 14. Russell McLean (Shanley 46), 18. Kelsey Ewen, 20. Jack Wilkie, 23. Innes Murray, 30. Callum Crane

1. Andy McNeil, 7. Robbie

Mahon, 9. Ryan Shanley , 22. Ciarán

Brian, 24. Quinn Mitchell, 29. Sam

CSC Player of the Match: Aidan

1. Sam Long, 2. Tom Lang, 3. Leon McCann (Bisland 87), 5. Liam Henderson, 6. Coll Donaldson (captain), 7. Callumn

Morrison (Honeyman 83), 8. Brad

Spencer, 10. Aidan Nesbitt (Oliver 74), 11. Alfie Agyeman (Allan 73), 14. Finn Yeats, 17. Ross MacIver (Lawal 74).

9. Jordan Allan, 18. Gary

Oliver, 20. Layton Bisland, 21. Ola Lawal, 27. Owen Hayward, 30. Scott Honeyman, 31. Nicky Hogarth (sg), 32. Rhys Walker, 33.

Alfie Agyeman (29), Callumn

Stewart Luke Elliott Husband

Powton and Lewis Hogarth

MATCH REPORT

Cinch LEAGUE 1. – Matchday 4.

Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

MATCH REPORT

ANNAN ATHLETIC 3 EDINBURGH CITY 2

Annan, 26 August 2023 – Like Kelty Hearts, like Queen of the South; City took an early lead and surrendered it. From two goals up by 33 minutes, City were hit by two goals from Dom Docherty, and a Tommy Goss header four minutes from time gave Annan their first points of the season and left us isolated at the foot of the table. Once again, it’s not that we played badly. The first half performance was very good a lot of the time, and City could have been more than two goals ahead; but cinch League 1 is an unforgiving competition, and slips which might be retrieved in League 2 are punished mercilessly.

As usual the Gaffer had to make a number of changes. Keeper Aidan McAdams made his (second) debut for City in place of Andy McNeil, while Robbie

Leitch, Russell

and

all started. Kyle Jacons, Ryan Shanley and Andy McNeil were all on the bench, Lee Hamilton was suspended after his two yellow cards against Hamilton, and Liam Fontaine, Scott Mercer and Ben Stirling were all injured and Ouzy See still absent. City had a great start to the game. Winning the toss and choosing to shoot towards the covered end, City went immediately on the attack, and in two minutes Handling’s shot from the edge of the box was only a few feet wide. The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute. McLean was bundled to the ground as he went to collect a long ball up the left from Wilkie. Handling put the ball into the box, Campbell blocked Murray’s shot but Kieran Offord retrieved the loose

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

McLean

Kelsey Ewen

MATCH REPORT

ANNAN ATHLETIC 3 EDINBURGH CITY 2

ball and angled it past Fleming from six yards. Annan countered briskly, and in nine minutes Galloway shot wide after a good run. 13 minutes and some nice footwork from Offord in the home box, but his final ball went over. The ball flashed from end to end, with City having perhaps the balance of the play – Innes Murray and Kieran MacDonald both came close on a couple of occasions, while Offord was a constant thorn in the defenders’ flesh – and in 33 minutes City doubled the lead. With the defenders bawling for offside Offord collected a through ball from Crane in the left-hand side of the 18-yard area. The youngster chipped the ball back towards the penalty spot where Innes Murray ran in to volley past

Fleming via a deflection off the righthand goalpost. Our two-goal lead lasted only four minutes, and the Annan strike was a pretty sloppy one to concede. From the half-way line Galloway found Gibson on the right, who pushed the ball into the path of Dixon. MacDonald tackled Cross-Adair as he lined up a shot (the only challenge of the whole move), but Dom Docherty cut out the clearance and smacked the ball past McAdams. A fine save from the City keeper prevented Annan from equalising just before the interval.

Into the second half, and City continued to press hard to restore the two-goal difference, Fleming saving well from McClean and Crane. Ominously, Tommy

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Video by Dode Allen Media.

MATCH REPORT

ANNAN ATHLETIC 3 EDINBURGH CITY 2

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Video by Dode Allen Media.

Goss, on as a half-time Annan sub, was starting to make his presence felt. The equaliser came as a bit of a surprise. With an hour played there was a comedy of errors as several City players failed to control the ball on the halfway line and Annan immediately drove forward, Gibson crossing from the right and Dom Docherty smacking the ball home first-time from the 18-yard line. The Galabankies couldn’t press home their advantage and City came back

into the game, McLean and Shanley having shots saved; but by now Annan weren’t giving anything away. We were starting to think that a draw would be better than nothing, but unfortunately nothing was what we got as in 86 minutes the home side went ahead for the first time. Once again City lost the ball in the centre of the park, Dixon hoisted the ball into the centre of the box and Tommy Goss had a free header into the bottom left-hand corner.

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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/

PLAYER PICTURES

LIAM BROWN & CALLUM TAPPING

■ LIAM BROWN

AND COMMENT

WOMEN’S CUP TIE

On Sunday 24th September, a fortnight tomorrow, Edinburgh City will begin their defence of the Scottish Women’s Championship and League 1 Cup. We will face Bonnyrigg Rose at Meadowbank Stadium, 4:00 p.m. kick-off, the day after the men’s home cinch League 1 match against Cove Rangers.

but we’re sure we’ll be able to cater for everybody’s needs in time.

SORRY FALKIRK FANS

Some needs to which we didn’t cater were the needs of Falkirk supporters to get into the ground to see the kickoff. City fans noticed the queues at the west turnstiles, but the queues weren’t wholly caused by the numbers travelling. While the Fanbase side worked well enough, the credit card operation was a disaster. There were huge problems with synchronisation and internet reception, and delays of several minutes while the operator tried everything to get the bloody machines to work, as they have up to now. Immensely frustrating for Falkirk fans and the gatemen, and we’ll be doing rigorous testing of the system before the turnstiles open this afternoon.

This news arrived too late to add this to the schedule on page 35.

NEW GROUND ARRANGEMENTS

Initial signs are that the new turnstile arrangements, introduced for the Falkirk match last week, are finding favour with the City support. I’m not sure whether they will be in place every week – we hardly need to segregate the supporters of Edinburgh City and Annan Athletic, for instance – but even the mild measures we put in place have led to greater satisfaction. We are not prepared to see a repetition of the incident some weeks ago where a number of allegedly adult men were menacing our 12- and 13-year old Ultras.

There will be teething problems of course – our apologies to those season ticket holders who have had to shift location –

YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME

Apologies for today’s Citizen being a mere 44 pages. Owing to a family matter the editor has not been able to give enough time this week to producing the match programme, and some features have had to be dropped (not that I felt like writing the Falkirk match report anyway). There was a printed programme available for the Falkirk match, but as our very small corps of volunteers were needed to man four entrance gates there was no-one to sell them. This issue, together with those from all our other home matches this season, will be on sale inside the ground today.

If you would like to try helping out at our home matches, please ask any club official and we can discuss what would be the best use of your abilities.

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

DAN McFARLANE

We welcome today’s match referee Dan McFarlane, from the Aberdeen Referees’ Association. This is Dan’s third time in charge of a City game, and it’s his first visit to Meadowbank. A referee since 2010, the 29-year-old solicitor was appointed to the Category 1 ranks in 2020, and his first City game was our 4-2 League win at Alloa in August 2022. He was also in charge of an exciting 3-3 draw at Montrose in February this year.

Joining Dan this afternoon will be two Category 3 Specialist Assistant Referees – Steven Traynor of the Angus & Perthshire Association, and Calum Doyle of the Edinburgh & District 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 (gk)

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 (gk)

22. Ciarán BRIAN

23. Innes MURRAY

24. Quinn MITCHELL

29. Sam GORMLEY

30. Callum CRANE

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Dan McFarlane

Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor

Assistant Referee: Calum Doyle

Manager: Mick Kennedy

1. Chris TRUESDALE (gk)

3 Ryan LOCKIE

4. Andy McDONALD

6. Callum TAPPING

6. Ally ROY

7. Nathan FLANAGAN

8. Liam BROWN ©

9. Keir SAMSON

10. Marc KELLY

11. Adam McGOWAN

12. Dylan MacDONALD

14. Calum BIGGAR

15. Calvin McGRORY

17. Jonny LYON

18. Chris McGOWAN

19. Craig TRUESDALE

20. Fraser ANDERSON

21. Lyle AVCI (gk)

22. Andy STIRLING

Aidan GILMARTIN

Cameron EADIE

Mark MORRISON

NEXT HOME MATCH:

CINCH LEAGUE 1

v COVE RANGERS

Meadowbank Stadium

Saturday 23 September 2023

Kick-off 3:00 p.m.