The Citizen - Issue 9 - 2023

ALAN MAYBURY LEAVES

Edinburgh City FC can confirm that we have mutually agreed to part ways with Manager Alan Maybury.

Alan will always have a part in the club’s history, having taken us to League One for the first time. We want to wish Alan all the best for the future, and record our appreciation for everything he has done for Edinburgh City. We will now begin a rigorous search for our next appointment.

Mark Kerr and Adam Cairnie will take charge for this afternoon’s fixture with Kelty Hearts.

CHAIRMAN

JOHN DICKSON

Hello everyone, and welcome as always to Meadowbank for today’s match

Our visitors today are Kelty Hearts, who last visited us at the start of the season – winning an extremely exciting match by five goals to three. We will be hoping to turn that result around today and pick up our first League victory of the season.

It goes without saying that this has been a very challenging week for the club. Parting company with Alan Maybury was tough, but based on our results to this point, the board and I felt that we needed to have that conversation.

I want to put on record my thanks to Alan for what he achieved with the club. He will forever be regarded as a club legend, being the man to win us promotion to the third tier of Scottish Football for the first time in our history. Last season, he exceeded expectations and recorded our highest-ever League finish, and from my meetings with him, he is a consummate professional. I wish Alan and his family every success and happiness in the future, and I am sure we will see him back in football sooner rather than later. An announcement about our new manager is close. However, in the meantime I am grateful to Mark Kerr and Adam Cairnie for their support in this interim period, and I know you will get right behind them and the players this afternoon.

Yours in sport,

I want to put on record my thanks to Alan for what he achieved with the club

LIAM FONTAINE

Our apologies for no Captain’s Message in this week’s programme. Our editorial schedules were disrupted owing to the news of Alan’s leaving the club, and I wasn’t able to arrange a mutually suitable time to discuss content with Liam. The Captain’s Message will return for the Annan programme in two weeks. Editor.

WELCOME TO MEADOWBANK

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Meadowbank Stadium for our important cinch League 1 fixture with Kelty Hearts. We last met the men in maroon on the opening day of the season in a League Cup (Viaplay Cup) tie, surrendering a three-goal lead to lose 3-5, and kicking off the longest unsuccessful streak in the club’s postWar history. We look at Kelty Hearts and their season to date, starting on page 12 of this week’s Citizen. The big news this week is that we have parted ways with our club manager Alan Maybury. Alan took over as interim manager at end of March and his first game was on 1st April against Kelty Hearts at Meadowbank. He went on to take the side to Play-off victories against Dumbarton and Annan, and our first-ever promotion within the Scottish League system.

AND COMMENT

A ten-times capped Republic of Ireland international, Alan had a distinguished club career as a defender with a number of major sides, including Leeds United, Hearts, Leicester and Hibs. He had coaching experience with Hibs, Falkirk, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock. Edinburgh City was his first managerial role. We thank Alan for all he did for us, particularly leading us to that historic promotion, and we wish him all the best for the future.

ANOTHER CITY PLAYER HAS GONE ON LOAN

On 29th September Quinn Mitchell moved on a temporary transfer to Gala Fairydean Rovers, where he had a highly successful loan spell last season, to the end of the current campaign. Although Quinn’s contract with City expires before that date we have no intention of losing such a valuable player, and we have negotiated a contract extension to the end of the 2024/25 season.

We are delighted to welcome to Meadowbank Stadium this afternoon a party from London-based club SouthEast Olympic, celebrating the 60th birthday of their captain Cava (you’ll appreciate that we are not talking about one of the higher National League sides here). Group member Darren Tothill takes up the story: We are a group of 8 ex-footballers who all met as friends 30-odd years ago at South East Olympic F.C., a club based in South East London and have over the passage of time become brothers.

We are here at today’s game as part of the 60th birthday celebrations of our captain and leader Cava (above).

SOUTH-EAST OLYMPIC F.C.CAVA’S 60TH TOUR

Proud Partner of Edinburgh City F.C.

AND COMMENT

Cava in his own words is “the greatest uncapped midfielder of his generation” and was our centre midfield general back in the day. He has over the years entertained us all with his razor-sharp wit and fascinating stories of his fantastical youth as a good-looking, athletic lad – imagine, if you will, a cross between George Clooney and George Best (again, his words).

From all of us South East lads, happy birthday, we love you fella and have enjoyed every minute of our time together. You are the Captain Fantastic of our little group.

To all who are reading this please look out for the birthday boy. He is the white-haired doddery old boy with an inflated sense of self-importance and a delusional opinion of himself. He would really appreciate you stopping to wish him a happy birthday and he will absolutely, definitely buy you and all your friends a beer.

Happy 60th Cava.

The South East Olympic Boys. xx”

KEVIN KEEGAN EVENT REARRANGED

The Life Story of Kevin Keegan, as told by Kevin Keegan, was to have gane ahead at the Sheraton Hotel in Lothian Road a fortnight tonight, but it is now to be rescheduled for early next year. Tickets had been selling well, but corporate sales were behind where we wanted them to be – with the change in ownership taking place in the middle of summer, budgets for the year had already been allocated (something which also impacted our sponsorship and advertising). We didn’t want merely to break even with this event, we wanted to make money, so we’ll wait until after the year. Money has been refunded for tickets already purchased.

AND FINALLY: the free Saturday we had next weekend has been filled, as we will face our near neighbours Bonnyrigg Rose in the semi-final of the East of Scotland Cup, a.k.a. the City Cup, at Meadowbank Stadium - our first competitive meeting since 1955. Details will follow on social media.

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

LEE HAMILTON SPONSORED BY QUINN MITCHELL SPONSORED BY EdinGills

WELCOME KELTY HEARTS

For the second time this season we welcome to Meadowbank Stadium our nearest neighbours in cinch League 1, Kelty Hearts. We encountered one another in the first match of this season, a Viaplay (Scottish League) Cup tie on 19th July. If you are reading the digital version of this programme as opposed to the print one, the highlights of the match are on the opposite page. They last for 9 minutes and 24 seconds, but I wouldn’t bother watching after say 3 minutes and 30 seconds. The dreadful truth of the matter was that Edinburgh City were, after twenty minutes, ahead by three goals to nil - a header by Scott Mercer in 4 minutes, a shot from debutant Russell McLean

three minutes later, and a second goal from McLean in 20 minutes. But Kelty Hearts refused to give up and had brought the scores level by halftime through Craig Johnston (27) and Tiwi Daramola (42 and 45+3), and went on to win 5-3 with second-half goals from Johnston again and from Ross Cunningham. This last goal was scored in 54 minutes, after which City managed to stem the flow but were unable to repeat their goal-scoring form of the first twenty minutes. We did something much the same to Alloa last season, but then it was a good thing, because we ended up on the winning side. This was a disaster, and we are only now starting to recover.

■ First match of the season – our Viaplay Cup meeting in July

WELCOME KELTY HEARTS

Kelty Hearts currently sit fourth in the table, near the top of the crowded midsection of cinch League 1; although to be honest the mid-section consistes of anyone who isn’t Falkirk, Hamilton Accies or Edinburgh City. They have lost three League matches, two of them to the aforementioned Falkirk and Accies, and the third to Stirling Albion. Last week they defeated Queen of the South 3-1 at New Central Park. We haven’t taken a point from the Dumfries men in 12 attempts. This wasn’t what people were predicting for the Maroons. They lost their manager and their money men during the summer, and several members of their close-knit team left –Nathan Austin, Jamie Barjonas, Kallum

Higginbotham, Alfie Agyeman, Darren Jamieson and others. But the revamped boardroom have recruited wisely, and far from plowtering around in the relegation zone, the side led by newly-appointed player-manager Michael Tidser are steadily grinding out the results, their eyes fixed on the Championship playoffs at the end of this season. It’s difficult to predict how things will go today. Kelty Hearts are in an impressive position in the table, but it’s early days yet - they are only two goals ahead of Stirling Albion, and another couple of sides are breathing down their necks. And if City get the results their play over the last couple of games merits, who knows what tonight’s table could look like?

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

By Junior standards

Kelty Hearts were a new club - they were only formed in 1975 - and they didn’t regard Junior status as inviolable. We had been playing friendlies with the Maroons for several years before we achieved entry to the Scottish League, and Kelty’s continuing success in Junior football and subsequent qualification for the Senior Scottish Cup inspired them to defy the warnings of doom and adopt Senior status in 2018. Three years later they were in cinch SPFL 2, where we renewed our acquaintance with the Fife men but on a competitive basis this time.

Kelty Hearts made an explosive start to their Scottish League career, comfortably winning the League 2 title at their first

attempt. We met them four times that season, losing our first two meetings 0-1 at Central Park and 2-3 at Ainslie Park, and drawing the other matches 2-2 and 1-1. We were both promoted that season, and in 2022/23 the pendulum swung City’s way - wins of 2-0, 2-0 and 2-1, with the fourth meeting resulting in a 2-2 draw at Meadowbank on 22nd April, our last League meeting until now.

Season 2022/23 was our most successful season ever, and when we met Kelty Hearts in the Viaplay (League) Cup on 19th July, and went three goals up in 20 minutes, we anticipated another great season. Sadly for us, Hearts didn’t give a damn about our anticipations and ended up winning 5-3.

SUPPORTERS ROBERT FALLON

Good afternoon all!

It has been a few weeks since my last update. I can only apologise for this. Work, holidays and another bout of Covid have unfortunately gotten in way! That said, it’s still been a busy time for the club. Firstly, I’d like to thank Alan Maybury for the last 18 months. He’s done a terrific job and turned around a team that was low on confidence, into one which was promoted and then achieved the club’s highest ever League placing. That day, in Annan, was one of the most special as a Citizen. We certainly appreciated his honesty in interviews; a rare quality in modern football. We all wish him well and he’ll always be thought of in the highest regard.

As you may have noticed, there are new seating and segregation arrangements in place. After liaising with the board, as well as discussing some obvious concerns with other supporters, something was needing to change, to maintain the safety of those attending matches. Whilst I appreciate that not everyone was happy with this, I can give my assurance that the board did not take this decision lightly, and it was done with the best intentions, for all those who go to games. Obviously, the constraints of the setup at Meadowbank can be difficult to work with, but I, and the majority of fans I have spoken with, are fairly pleased with how the board reacted.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended my first board meeting. Whilst I can’t go into all the details, this was productive, covering a wide range of topics. The Chairman and GM are working hard behind the scenes, and are always looking for ways to support and improve the club - and

that was evident during the meeting. There’s been a slight hold-up regarding merchandise, that will hopefully be resolved over the next few weeks (though the new cups look very nice!) and a change in security arrangements, which will hopefully makes games a bit more welcoming.

If anyone wishes to give more feedback, on anything to do with this, or the club in general, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail – fansrep@ edinburghcityfc.com, or on Twitter@ECFCFanRep. Also, if you see me at games, feel free to ask me any questions or share your views, face-to-face.

Lastly, I’d again like to thank everyone who has listened to the (very unofficial) Citizens Supporters Club podcast, since our return. This is main conduit to convey whats been happening at the club, especially from the perspective of my new role, whilst also sharing what has been said to the three of us, from fellow Citizens. The latest episode should be available as you read this.

Thanks all and enjoy the game!

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.

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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.

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AWAY DAY

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL

This will be a challenging encounter, to say the least. Before this season Hamilton Academical had been in the top two divisions of Scottish football since 2004, and we have lost every one of our previous meetings (five competitive, three friendly), the latest being 0-3 on 19 August. Still, we like a challenge.

HOW TO GET THERE - ROAD

Satnav - Cadzow Avenue, Hamilton, postcode ML3 0FT. Distance is about 44 miles. M8 to junction 7A, M725 (Bellshill Bypass) to the junction with the B7071 - turn left on Bothwell Road towards Hamilton, pass the Racecourse, at Bothwell House turn right into Caird Street. Large car park on the left - you can park here. The ground is behind the shopping centre in New Park Street. No parking at the ground itself.

HOW TO GET THERE - RAIL

No direct service from Edinburgh to Hamilton West - travel to Glasgow Queen Street and walk to Central, or you can take a train to change at Partick which means you don’t have to wander around the city centre. Takes about two hours, and the cheapest day return is £12.50. There is a footpath between the station and the ground.

HOW TO GET THERE - BUS

There is no direct service from Edinburgh to Hamilton, so far as I can tell - best bet is Glasgow Buchanan Street bus station, from where there are regular services to Hamilton.

THE GROUND

Away fans in the North Stand, behind the goal. Adults £20, over-65 and under-18 £10. Accies are a Fanbase club, so you can book tickets on the app.

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.

New mug, £11.99, features revised badge front, and “Back to the City” tag back. Hoodies (from £45 adult, £38 youth), Polos (from £38), 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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COMMENT UNWANTED HABITS

“We have to improve that. There are things from the team and individuals who have to step up. Sometimes you are in bad period, difficult periods, and you have to face that and deal with that. In this moment we don’t deal too well with it, but we can do like we showed last year. “We can’t blame anyone else; we have to do better and be more determined, more resilient.”

Those were the words of Manchester United manager (at the time of writing), Erik ten Hag, after his team’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on 16th September. But those words could have been spoken by any football manager under pressure, and may well have been the thoughts of Edinburgh City manager Alan Maybury that very afternoon after a 5-2 defeat at Montrose.

I didn’t go to Montrose that day. I must

say I was tempted to head to Links Park, particularly as an old pal from my school days in Aberdeen has followed Montrose as his ‘second team’ (after Aberdeen) for more years than I care to remember. Graeme was disillusioned by The Dons last season and went as far as buying a season ticket to see the Gable Endies. He asked me if I was heading to Angus for the mid-September meeting, but family circumstances prevented me from doing so (my wife said, “you go to Montrose if you want” which, roughly translated, meant “don’t even think about going on a jolly that day.”) That was a shame, as Links Park holds particularly fond memories for me. I still think about Graham ‘Shuggie’ Shaw scrambling home a last-minute equaliser for Hearts in a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie there in 1976. I was 14 years old and was so overcome by emotion I cried at the end of the match (not for the first and certainly not the last time).

More recently, I met Graeme in Montrose for an “I was there” moment when Edinburgh City won their first-ever SPFL match with a 1-0 win at Links Park in November 2016. Naturally, he wasn’t best pleased, so we headed to a pub on Montrose High Street after the game where I bought a couple of pints and still had change from a fiver. Happy days. Of course, not so happy was Edinburgh City’s visit to Links Park a few weeks ago. A 5-2 hammering meant a lot of soulsearching for those hardy Citizens who made the trip north. And that’s the thing about followers of clubs like Edinburgh City. We do have happy days. But we also have unhappy days. That’s what makes following City ➤

COMMENT GUEST WRITER MIKE SMITH

the experience it is. This time last year City were excelling themselves in cinch League One and for a glorious, albeit far too brief, period actually sat top of the table. There was widespread praise for the job Head Coach Alan Maybury had done, not only for taking City to the cinch League Two play-offs and winning an unlikely promotion from a seemingly impossible position, but for outperforming some full-time teams in cinch League One.

Of course, we all know City ran out of steam towards the end of last season, but it had still been a successful campaign. Edinburgh City fans also know nothing lasts forever. It was always going to be difficult to repeat last season’s performances. For me, the 5-3 defeat from today’s opponents Kelty Hearts in the League Cup – after being 3-0 up – at the beginning of this season perhaps left more of a psychological blow that one acknowledged at the time. Losing games, like winning, becomes a habit and, speaking as a qualified hypnotherapist (Tweet me for more information) getting rid of bad habits is not easy.

The fans have seen their early season optimism wane and, after winless game after winless game, desperation has set in. We all know City are now in a relegation struggle and it’s not even winter yet. But, somehow, we will summon flagging energy, sapped by consecutive defeats, and seek any form of helping the team. Sometimes this can take the form of howling our frustration to the referee or his assistants (Jeezo, linesman, that was

never offside!). We know this will be in vain and we can expect no assistance, no crumbs of comfort. But there is hope. By George, there is always hope. One win, just one win, perhaps the scrappiest of goals winning the scrappiest of games. That could be enough to kickstart Edinburgh City’s season and enough to have the confidence flowing back through the veins.

Might it come this afternoon? Given that this dismal run was possibly sparked by what happened the last time Kelty Hearts visited Meadowbank it would something akin to poetic justice if the comeback started today. Let the season start now!

Mike Smith

Twitter @Mike1874 www.fitbason.blogspot.com

AN EDINBURGH CITY SQUAD PICTURE FROM A FEW WEEKS AGO

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: Aidan MacAdams, Cammy Quate, Scott Mercer.

Picture © 2023 Tommy Lee Photography

RESULTS AND TEAMLINES 2023-24

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

SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER

Here we go with another look at nonLeague football in England, and this week we’re looking at those clubs still in with a shout of a blast at some of the money-making ties to come shortly when the big boys enter the fray. The Third Qualifying Round took place last weekend, and the Fourth (and last) Qualifying Round is on the weekend of 14th October - the National League sides enter at this stage. By the time next weekend’s fixtures have been decided, the 640 clubs whose ambition was to qualify for the FA Cup proper will have been reduced to 32.

My immediate thought was Wales, but then realised why I’d thought that. I also thought that they should play in green! Wrong, again!

For me personally, last weekend threw up an interesting tie, in particular because teams from the upper echelons of nonLeague football enter the competition at the Third Qualifying Round. I’m talking about the likes of members of the Vanarama Conference and its feeder leagues, who get to meet the clubs remaining from steps 5 and 6 (and possibly lower than that), and my current home town of South Shields made their bow in this year’s competition with an away tie to LEEK TOWN – which was also chosen by the BBC for live screening on the Red Button. When I first saw the opposition, I had no idea where Leek was!

Leek is, in fact, in Staffordshire and the team play in blue shirts, white shorts and socks at their home ground of Harrison Park. They ply their trade in the 4th tier Northern Premier League West, two divisions below South Shields, but it sure didn’t look like it as it took the Mariners until the 89th minute to force the teenage goalkeeper making his debut into making a save, by which time Leek were 2-0 up! With the match kicking off at 12.30, Shields were out of the FA Cup before the other teams from their level had even kicked off!

Leek Town have a very handy and informative website which is well worth a look, even if you’re not a fan or, like me, barely even heard of the place!

Considering I’ve lived in most parts of England over the last 35 years (God, is it really that long? I left Edinburgh in 1988!), I thought my geography of the place was quite good, but wrong again, again! Still in the FA Cup are AVELEY F.C., which required a look-up to find out where that was. Turns out Aveley is a town in Essex of just under 10,000 inhabitants.

SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER

The football club had a home tie at their ground, known as Parkside (above), with Hornchurch F.C. which they drew 2-2 to earn an away replay on Tuesday. A 2-1 win away from home earned them a very tough away tie to former EFL members and current League rivals Yeovil Town. Aveley F.C. play in blue and white striped shirts with blue shorts and socks, and they managed to eke out a 2-1 victory. They are doing well in their league, the National League South, sitting in fourth place, three points behind leaders Taunton Town. Formed in 1927, Aveley are known as The Millers.

Needham Market is a town half the size of Aveley in population terms and home to NEEDHAM MARKET F.C., known as the Market Men, and they, too, are still in the Cup following a 3-0 drubbing of Peterborough Sports following a 0-0 draw. This Suffolk-based team play in red shirts with black shorts and socks, close to the wonderful town of Bury St Edmunds, home to The Nutshell - a contender for smallest pub in Britainand a fantastic second-hand bookshop! The Market Men play their home games at Bloomfields in the Southern League Premier Division Central, a division they were almost relegated from last season.

This time around they sit in second place, though they are already nine points behind leaders Mickleover, paying the price for too many early draws as they have only lost one game. In the next round of the F.A. Cup they will play former EFL club York City, who are currently finding life difficult in the Conference League.

Well, that’s it for this week. Enjoy the game and have a safe journey home.

MATCH REPORT

MONTROSE 5 EDINBURGH CITY 2

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Pictures by Dode Allen Media.

Montrose, 16 September 2023 – In an attempt to kickstart our cinch League 1 season we yielded our place in the SPFL Trust Trophy by fielding an under-20s side against East Kilbride. The intent was to face Montrose with as strong a side as we could, with the players recovering from injury or carrying knocks an extra week of rest. Did it work? Well, no, not on the face of it – Montrose won 5-2 – but taking a broader view, we were able to reintroduce valuable members to the side, to renew old partnerships, and to field players in their proper positions. We rediscovered our ability to score from setpieces. If you look at the BBC statistics reproduced on page 34, you will see that the game was far more even than the scoreline would suggest. So what went wrong? Quite bluntly, defensive errors - as a team, not just by

defenders. We were well beaten, but didn’t deserve to lose so heavily. The following week we would get our first League point of the season, against Cove.

There were a number of changes from the Falkirk match - a more attacking formation, and eight men on the bench against Montrose as compared to six in the Falkirk selection. There were starts for Spence and Shanley, while Handling, Fontaine and Stirling all returned to the bench.

It was a pleasant sunny day. City won the toss and opted to shoot towards the covered enclosure. The visitors pressed Montrose from kick-off, Shanley forcing Gill to dive to stop a shot in the fourth minute. The game continued pretty even, both sides having chances, but the homesters opened the scoring in 17 minutes. Corner on the right, Webster

MATCH REPORT

MONTROSE 5 EDINBURGH CITY 2

heads in but McAdams dives to swat the ball away. Hester snaps up the ball just beyond the post, swivels and sends a low pass into the goalmouth, where Aidan Quinn reacts quickest to prod in the ball from a few yards out.

(Montrose are another of these clubs who announce home goals with an irritating drawn-out shout over the PA system. We heard that far too often this afternoon.) The Gable Endies pressed for a follow-up, but Lyons took a comical tumble in the box and was booked for simulation.

The ball rattled from end to end, and it was a pretty even game – apart from the fact that Montrose scored goal after goal. Number two came in 28 minutes. Wilkie, in the box, sent a short pass to

the heavily-marked Spence who was immediately dispossessed by Miller Thomson, and he lobbed McAdams for Montrose’s second. Goal the third, in 37 minutes, was the result of Hamilton being tackled practically on the goalline. Lyons was able to clip the ball into the goalmouth, leaving Kane Hester to tap into an empty net. And, in the first minute of time added on, City conceded a fourth. It was a weird one. Spence and Lyons knocked heads as they were going up for a midfield ball, the City man was unhappy and touched Lyons on the chest (naturally, he fell over) before sinking to the ground himself. Mr Wilson evidently felt that if Lewis was able to argue the point the knock couldn’t have been that serious, and Miller Thomson ➤

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Video by Dode Allen Media.

MATCH REPORT

MONTROSE 5 EDINBURGH CITY 2

continued up the park and netted from about ten yards out. Four down at the interval isn’t an ideal position, especially when on the play the teams were more or less level. City finally scored, from a setpiece in 61 minutes, when from a MacDonald corner on the right Lee Hamilton sent a lovely header just inside the right-hand post, but the effect was spoiled when Montrose made it five from the kick-off without a City player

touching the ball, Blair Lyons knocking in a Thomson cutback from the line. The end-to-end stuff continued and a McLean header hit the post, although City couldn’t add to their score until nine minutes before the end – another MacDonald corner, McLean headed the ball down and Handling, unmarked in the six-yard box, swept the ball home.

Cinch LEAGUE 1. Video by Dode Allen Media.

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MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 2 COVE RANGERS 2

Cinch League 1 – Matchday 7

Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 2 COVE RANGERS 2

Edinburgh, 23 September 2023 – At last we get our first point on the board, but it had a bittersweet taste – more than one Citizen told me that they left the Stadium feeling as though we had lost the match. City were so good, especially in the second half, that if we had won by two goals it wouldn’t have been a travesty. As it was, we had some misfortune, which culminated in an unforced own goal in the 90th minute, and if truth be told our luck was such that we might have even surrendered all three points – which would indeed have been a travesty. Danny Handling, Liam Fontaine and Russell McLean returned to the starting line-up, and there were places on the bench for Kieran Offord, Kyle Jacobs and Jack Wilkie. Scott Mercer returned to the squad following injury. The weather wasn’t great, and the

attendance disappointing - with Cove and City in the bottom two places in the table, not manyspectators were attracted from either Edinburgh or Aberdeen. For some reason both sides were wearing their away kits, causing some confusion as our visitors’ change strip is all white.

City lost the toss and kicked off towards the Portobello end with the wind behind them, and earned three corners in the first five minutes. There was controversy following the third of these. The ball curled into the six-yard box, Shanley brought it down and Reynolds failed to clear, allowing Liam Fontaine to shoot from close range. The ball was stopped by the keeper well over the line and he instantly returned it to the legal side. Both the referee and the assistant referee missed this, and they couldn’t give a goal they didn’t see. Pity, because

Cinch League 1 – Matchday 7. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 2 COVE RANGERS 2

Cinch League 1 – Matchday 7. Video by Dode Allen Media

a goal it certainly was - there’s a picture on page 10 of today’s Citizen. After Suman stopped a rising shot from Murray, the visitors took the lead in eight minutes. McAdams saved but couldn’t hold Reynolds’ curving shot from outside the box, and Rumarn Burrell was on hand to tap in the loose ball. Cove held the lead for only ten minutes. Ewen was grappled as he tried to turn Jones near the right corner flag, Murray took the free-kick and Danny Handling, cool as you like, nodded the ball from the sixyard line and inside the left-hand post. It was turning into an exciting, end-toend game. In 28 minutes Megginson snapped up a loose ball and his shot hit the bar, but he was offside anyway. There was a blow for City as Innes

Murray had to be subbed following injury, Robbie Leitch replacing him. Cove became more dangerous as half-time approached, and there were near things from Megginson and Fyvie, both just over. Scott Mercer replaced Liam Fontaine at the interval, the Gaffer not wanting to put too much pressure too soon on Fonts. The game continued even, with Megginson coming close and Lewis Spence having a couple of good opportunities, while Lee Hamilton blocked a Burrell attempt on the home goalline. In 59 minutes City took the lead for the first time, with a magnificent goal from Ryan Shanley. Out wide in midfield he lost a tackle to Jones, battled to regain the ball, surged into the “D” and unleashed a left-foot shot into the ➤

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 2 COVE RANGERS 2

Cinch League 1 – Matchday 7. Video by Dode Allen Media

bottom left corner which gave Suman no chance. City pressed hard for a third, Crane putting a ball across the goal which no-one could turn in. A spell of Cove pressure was easily dealt with, and in 82 minutes Handling’s shot from outside the box was inches over. With seconds to go Kieran Offord pounced on a slip by Reynolds, but tried without success to chip the immense Cove keeper, who held the ball at the second

attempt. Straight up the left wing by the visitors, and disaster for City. With 90 minutes on the clock Connell crossed with Mykyta and Williamson awaiting the ball in the six-yard box; Jack Wilkie was prepared to concede a safetyfirst corner but tragically was slightly off balance and his header flashed the wrong (for us) side of the left-hand post and into the net.

TEAMLINES

16 September 2023

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 6

MONTROSE 5-2 EDINBURGH CITY

Montrose: 1. Cammy Gill (gk), 2. Ryan Williamson, 3. Andy Steeves (capt.) (Machado 54), 4. Aidan Quinn (Graham 54), 7. Graham Webster, 9. Kane Hester, 10. Michael Gardyne (Callaghan 71), 11. Blair Lyons , 14. Seán Dillon, 20. Miller Thomson (Masson 71), 22. Craig Brown (Watson 71)

Substitutes: 6. Terry Masson, 8. Paul Watson, 15. Jay Cochrane, 16. Craig Batchelor, 17. Ali Shrive, 18. Luke Graham, 19. Liam Callaghan , 21. Ross Matthews (gk), 23. Matheus Machado

Scorers: Aidan Quinn (17), Miller Thomson (28 and 45+1), Kane Hester (37), Blair Lyons (62)

Edinburgh City: 25. Aidan MacAdams (gk), 3. Kieran MacDonald, 4. Lee Hamilton (capt.) , 9. Ryan Shanley , 11. Kieran Offord (McLean 54), 13. Kyle Jacobs (Handling 46), 16. Lewis Spence , 18. Kelsey Ewen, 20. Jack Wilkie (Fontaine 71), 23. Innes Murray, 30. Callum Crane

Substitutes: 6. Ben Stirling, 7. Robbie Mahon, 8. Robbie Leitch, 10. Danny Handling, 14. Russell McLean , 17. Liam Fontaine, 21. Cammy Quate (gk), 29. Sam Gormley

Scorers: Lee Hamilton (61), Danny Handling (81)

CSC Player of the Match: Danny Handling

Referee: Lloyd Wilson

Assistant Referees: George King and Cameron Stirling

Referee Observer: Sandy Roy

Attendance: 434

23 September 2023

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 7

EDINBURGH CITY 2-2 COVE

RANGERS

Edinburgh City: 25. Aidan MacAdams (gk), 3. Kieran MacDonald (Wilkie 79), 4. Lee Hamilton, 9. Ryan Shanley, 10. Danny Handling, 14. Russell McLean (Offord 72), 16. Lewis Spence , 17. Liam Fontaine (capt.) (Mercer 45), 18. Kelsey Ewen, 23. Innes

Murray, 30. Callum Crane

Substitutes: 5. Scott Mercer, 6. Ben Stirling, 7. Robbie Mahon, 8. Robbie Leitch, 11. Kieran Offord, 13. Kyle Jacobs, 20. Jack Wilkie, 21. Cammy Quate (gk), 29. Sam Gormley

Scorers: Danny Handling (18), Ryan Shanley (59)

CSC Player of the Match: Ryan Shanley

Cove Rangers: 1. Nick Suman (gk), 2. Jacob Jones , 4. Connor Scully, 5. Mouhamed Niang (Gillingham 45), 7. Paul McGowan (Mykyta 76), 8. Blair Yule (Connell 70), 9. Mitch Megginson, 10. Rumarn Burrell (Williamson 69), 24. Fraser Fyvie, 26. Mark Reynolds, 27. Cameron Stewart

Substitutes: 6. William Gillingham, 11. Kyle Connell, 12. Milosz Ochmanski, 15. Arron

Darge, 18. Tyler Mykyta, 21. Balint Demus (gk), 22. Mark Gallagher, 29. Scott Williamson

Scorers: Rumarn Burrell (8), Jack Wilkie o.g. (90)

Referee: Peter Stuart

Assistant Referees: David Dunne and Rhys

Struthers

Attendance: 265

Booking Sent off

KELSEY EWEN

WOMEN'S TEAM 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.

Katie Bryce

CITY UNDER-20s

Today we focus on our Development side, also known as the Under-20s, one part of the City family which has been neglected in The Citizen in recent years. We intend to remedy this omission from this issue going forward, and I spoke with Head Coach Adam Cairnie (above) to get some background on what is effectively our reserve side.

Before this season the 20s played in the East of Scotland Development League Conference A, but during the summer that competition was reorganised into East, West and Central Regions, while the former Conference A clubs, beginning to SPFL and Lowland League sides, were hived off into their own separate competition, the Scottish Lowlands Development Football League. There are 14 members, two up from last seasonBroomhill, Alloa and Civil have dropped out, while Linlithgow, Tranent, University, Caledonian Braves and Bo’ness United are new this season. At the time of writing (matches on 6th October have yet to be played) Spartans and East Kilbride head the table - shown on page 46 of today’s Citizen - while City are in third, two points behind leaders Spartans with a game in hand. City were at home to East Kilbride last night, while Spartans hosted sixth-placed Stirling Albion.

Last season a final-day win over Spartans hoisted the former F.C. Edinburgh into seventh place in the table, 29 points behind champions Cumbernauld Colts, but this season the Capital men are breathing down the leaders’ necks. “We have a close squad who have come through the ranks

together, and we are now seeing the fruits of our labour,” Adam said. Apart from players like Quinn Mitchell and Sam Gormley who are now contract players, Struan, Cai, Gwong-Rwad are just a few of the Development stars who have pulled on first-team jerseys this season - and that’s not counting the Challenge Cup tie against East Kilbride, where supporters expressed themselves very pleased with the skills of our under-20s squad. “That game was 100% worthwhile,” Adam said. “We were playing the best of the best in the Lowland League, and maybe the scoreline didn’t reflect how well we played - but we learned lots of lessons, and we will take them forward into the remainder of our season.”

Adam has been assisting with the First XI since the start of this season when he was invited to lend a hand after Mark Kerr suffered a non-football-related accident some months ago, and he describes it as a “two-way thing - I do what I can, and I am learning a lot from Kerzo as I did from Alan Maybury, and I am grateful to have the opportunity.”

Next issue - further players to watch, the rift with the youth teams, and more.

■ Adam Cairnie

DEVELOPMENT TEAM FIXTURES 2023/24

Table as at 29 September.

* East Kilbride 3 points deducted, ineligible player

Our Under-20s are members of the Scottish Lowland Development Football League, 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/

PARTNERS

CLUB POLICIES

The following is an abridged version of the Club Policies which are given in full on our website, www.edinburghcityfc.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.edinburghcityfc.com/club-policies-2/

MEET THE REFEREE

ALASTAIR GRIEVE

We welcome our match referee this afternoon, Alastair Grieve from the Stirlingshire Referees’ Association. Alastair was promoted to the category 1 list last year, and this will be the first time he has taken charge of one of our matches.

With Alastair today will be two officials from the Lanarkshire Referees’ Association, Specialist Assistant Referee Paul O’Neill and Category 3 referee Robert Thomson.

Ground: Meadowbank Stadium

Registered Office: TBC

Email: hello@edinburghcityfc.com

Telephone: TBC

Chairman: John Dickson

General Manager: Colin Campbell

Board: John Dickson, David Armstrong, Alick Milne

Supporters’ Representative to the Board: Robert Fallon

Manager: Appointment pending

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: Andy Kelly

Chaplain: Adrian Devlin

Matchday Operations: Jim Moore, Andy McDonald

Photography: Tommy Lee Photography

Videography: Dode Allen Media

Social Media: Dave Armstrong

Programme Editor: Alick Milne

Manager: Appointment pending

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 ©

18. Kelsey EWEN

20. Jack WILKIE

21. Cammy QUATE (gk)

23. Innes MURRAY

25. Aidan McADAMS (gk)

29. Sam GORMLEY

30. Callum CRANE

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Alastair Grieve

Assistant Referee: Paul O’Neill

Assistant Referee: Robert Thomson

Manager: Peter Murphy

1. Kyle GOURLAY (gk)

2. Adam CORBETT

3. Jamie WALKER

4. Tam O’WARE ©

5. Jason THOMSON

6. Fergus OWENS

7. Tiwi DARAMOLA

8. Reece LYON

9. Craig JOHNSTON

10. Ross CUNNINGHAM

11. Stefan McCLUSKEY

12. Michael TIDSER

14. Botti BIABI

15. Lewis OWENS

16. Lewis O’DONNELL

17. Billy OWENS

19. Alfie BAVIDGE

20. Liam CAMPBELL (gk)

21. Scott CAMERON

23. Lewis MOORE

NEXT HOME MATCH:

CITY CUP SEMI-FINAL v BONNYRIGG ROSE

Meadowbank Stadium

Saturday 14 October 2023

Kick-off – see social media