The Spartan 260921

Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 The Official Matchday Programme

Sunday 26th of September 2021 Ainslie Park Stadium 1pm KO

Friends Legal are the main kit sponsor of Spartans Women FC, supplying all our kit requirements including our home strip and match day and training apparel. Friends legal are a specialist personal injury law practice. The team at Friends Legal try and make access to legal services as straightforward as possible by promoting a friendly approach.

Tony O’Malley, Managing Partner of Friends Legal, said: “At Friends Legal we strongly believe in the power of community to achieve great things so we are delighted to continue our partnership with Spartans Scottish Women’s Premier League team . It is also part of our philosophy to give something back. Spartans were able to demonstrate a clear vision for their club, along with clearly defined values that they wished to promote.”

We are extremely grateful for the continued support received from Friends Legal. For expert advice please call Friends Legal on 0141 442 0610 or visit www.friends-legal.co.uk

Home Ground

Medical Staff

Ainslie Park (Capacity 2,400 / 504 Seated) The Spartans Community Football Academy 94 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh EH5 2HF Tel: 0131-552-7854 E-mail: info@spartanscfa.com

Marcin Szostak Club Physiotherapist Amy Young Matchday Physiotherapist Toni Fraser Matchday Physiotherapist

SWPL Team Staff Debbi McCulloch Head Coach Scott Noble Assistant Head Coach Katie Reilly Assistant Coach Colin Osbourne GK Coach Jude Watson Team Chaplain Mel Crolla Team Chaplain Liz McMahon Club Secretary John Douglas Club Photographer James Lambert Matchday Operations Adam Smith Team Manager Amy Hogg Media Officer Robyn Dunn Sports Nutritionist Liam Thomson Video Analyst

U19’s NPL Team Staff Alfie Smith Head Coach Michael Cranston Assistant Head Coach Charlene Lessells GK Coach Jason Cross Team Secretary

Girls Academy Daniel Blyth U17’s Head Coach Aaron Hunter U15’s Head Coach Stephen Burnett U15’s Head Coach

Club Information Website: www.spartansfcwomen.com Twitter: @spartansfcwomen Facebook: @spartansfcwomen Instagram: spartans_womens_fc

’ This afternoon we welcome Emma and her players to Ainslie Park for what is surely going to be an exciting game. There is no doubt that Aberdeen are very much worthy of their spot in SWPL 1 with two out of three wins already secured. Having watched Aberdeen’s performances against Celtic, Partick Thistle and Hamilton, they are a well organised and high energy team, who clearly have a strong desire to compete and do well this season.

A fortnight ago, we secured our first three points of the season, with a well deserved 3-1 victory against Hearts Women. We were disappointed with our first half performance, and even though we never want to concede goals, Hearts scoring spurred an instant positive reaction from our players. We took the game by the scruff of the neck and scored three very different goals which is always pleasing from a coach’s perspective.

After today’s game we face Rangers away on Wednesday evening (8pm KO) and then Glasgow City at Petershill next Sunday. I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m not a fan of scheduling SWPL fixtures during the international window. There are an additional two windows coming up in October and November which could see further fixtures being postponed. Not an ideal situation for any of us and something which certainly needs to be looked at for next season.

On the player front, we are at full strength for today’s game. The players were given last weekend off as part of our recovery strategy and have given 100% on the pitch over the past fortnight in preparation for a very busy seven days.

Your support matters greatly to all of us so please get right behind the players this afternoon as I know everyone really appreciates your support.

Together is all that matters. Enjoy the game! #DBDF

DebbiDebbi McCulloch McCulloch

Photo courtesy of Craig Doyle Media

Harrison achieves history as first Spartans double centurion When Rachel Harrison made the short move across town from Boroughmuir to join Shelley Kerr’s Spartans squad back in March 2010 little did the 20 year old think that more than a decade later, she would be on the brink of achieving a historic milestone at the Ainslie Park club.

A former Scotland Under 19s goalkeeper, who earned ten caps and two clean sheets during her year long spell as International age-grade shot stopper, pulled her gloves on for the 200th time last Sunday as the side took on Hearts in their first home match of the 2021 campaign.

Harrison made her debut for the club in March 2010 in a hard fought 3-4 extra-time win on the road against Dundee United in the Premier League Cup. Her side were to reach the Final, the first of four seasons in a row.

Last Sunday, Harrison became the first Spartans Women’s player to make 200 appearances. “I’m obviously delighted to reach this and I ’m proud to have represented the club for so long (and hopefully still a few more appearances to come!). This is a club that has a special place in my heart.”

With the inaugural double centurion not set to write up her memoirs just yet, there have been many highlights along the way. “I’ve made such good friends throughout the last 10 years, people that I will call friends for the rest of my life and that’s something that I’ll always cherish.”

Remaining focussed on her career between the sticks has been boosted by support on and off the pitch throughout. “I would never have had a career stretching this long if it hadn’t been for my mum and dad supporting me all the way through. They always encouraged me to go as far as I can in football, and that’s probably been my biggest influence off the pitch.”

“On it there had been a few, but from a Goalkeeping perspective, no-one can fill the boots – or indeed gloves – of John Ritchie. What a guy JR was! He was respected by everyone in the game and coached me for 10 years, first at youth national level and then at Spartans.”

Manager Debbi McCulloch spoke of her delight at Harrison’s achievement. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Rachel for her contribution over the past 11 years. To be the first Spartans SWPL player to reach 200 appearances will be a proud moment not only for Rachel but also her family.” “ I’ve had the privilege to watch Rachel grow and mature on and off the pitch into the person she is today and we are all very proud of her and what she has achieved. Her commitment, contribution and loyalty to the club, and our vision, should never be under estimated.”

Katie Reilly

Love, kindness and compassion | The Ultimate Fashion Statements I can’t believe it’s just over a year since I wrote my blog update - ’83,134 Acts of Kindness’. Without the usual reference points such as family holidays abroad and celebrations such as weddings to enjoy, some days it can feel like the last 18 months has blended into one long chapter in a book where the ending is far from written for so many people.

With furlough set to end in a matter of weeks, only now will the true impact of the pandemic on jobs be felt. On top of cuts to Universal Credit being implemented, I do fear the worst is still to come for many families living in low-income households, for people living in poverty.

Despite this gloom and my worst fears, I often think this past 18 months can be described as an oxymoron. A time filled with so much grief and heartache, yet somehow, it’s also a time which has delivered so much joy, hope and inspiration through people coming together to help others less fortunate than themselves.

I do think love, kindness and compassion never go out of fashion. However, perhaps they had become the exception and were undervalued, in a new world where people crave for and seek on-line recognition, long for material things and expect instant gratification and success.

It fills me with great pride to look back on our local community response to ‘wave 1’ last year – new relationships were formed, existing partnerships strengthened and people coming together to help. In our case, to transform the Academy into a food distribution hub and focal point for the distribution of > 75,000 packed lunches, > 3,700 ready meals, > 800 weekly food parcels and other donated items such as children’s clothing and arts and craft packs.

Although schools returned and our food distribution hub came to an end in August 2020, some new projects were launched. In addition, our Youth Workers were able to return to the Primary School landscape, to play a key role in helping children, young people and teaching staff adjust to a new world and learning environment. A new world dominated by the impact of COVID-19 and where the importance of high-quality relationships and human connection had never been greater.

Through the continued help and support of Baillie Gifford and our volunteers, working with local Head Teachers at Granton Primary School (in the 1st instance) and St David’s Primary School, a new project inspired by a project of the same name across the pond was born – ‘68 Hours’. Quietly and discreetly local families in need (identified by the schools) of a helping hand, received 7 meals per person in the household, each and every Friday to help them get by over the weekend – at a time when free school meals were not available.

Over the course of the past year 52,592 meals have been prepared and distributed with love, a caring set of hands and hearts. Connections have been made and sustained between Academy volunteers and local families. Some of the feedback has been truly heartfelt and moving.

Our (The Academy's) intention is clear – we exist to help others, in whatever meaningful and relevant way we can. It’s what drives us all each and every day. We will continue to strive to ensure that understanding, love, kindness and compassion steer and shape our efforts going forward.

Spartans were led out by mascot Georgie Cuthbertson for their first SWPL 1 match of the new season against Hearts Women.

During half time, Georgie ran a cake stall to raise funds for Maggie’s Dundee who are a charity providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK and online.

Thanks to supporters and players, from both teams, and their generosity, Georgie raised £200.00 in total. Brilliant work Georgie!

Position

Team

Played

Won

Draw

Lose

GD

Points

1

Hibernian Women

2

2

0

0

7

6

2

Aberdeen Women

3

2

0

1

1

6

3

Glasgow City F.C,

2

1

1

0

6

4

4

Celtic Women

2

1

1

0

2

4

5

Rangers Women

1

1

0

0

7

3

6

Spartans F.C.

2

1

0

1

-1

3

7

Partick Thistle W.F.C.

2

1

0

1

-1

3

8

Hamilton Academical

3

1

0

2

-7

3

9

Hearts Women F.C.

2

0

0

2

-3

0

10

Motherwell Women F.C.

3

0

0

3

-11

0

Position

Team

Played

Won

Draw

Lose

GD

Points

1

Dundee United W.F.C.

3

3

0

0

8

9

2

Boroughmuir Thistle F.C.

2

2

0

0

4

6

3

Glasgow Girls & Women

2

2

0

0

2

6

4

Kilmarnock F.C. Women

3

1

0

2

4

3

5

Queens Park W.F.C.

2

0

0

2

-3

0

6

St Johnstone W.F.C.

2

0

0

2

-4

0

7

Stirling University W.F.C.

2

0

0

2

-11

0

New Signing | Cammy Russell joins Spartans Dougie Samuel has bolstered his Spartans squad ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup tie against Gala Fairydean Rovers by welcoming Kelty Hearts Cammy Russell to Ainslie Park. The 23-year-old, who has previously turned out for Airdrieonians and East Kilbride, Russell joins from the Fife side and the Gaffer is looking forward to seeing the striker deliver.

Samuel said, “I’m delighted to bring Cammy on board, he’s someone we’ve been tracking and wanted for some time. With recent injuries, Blair Atkinson taking a break from football and Scott McCrory-Irving moving on, it was important to add to the squad. Cammy is someone who we hope can bring goals to the team and penetration at the top of end of the pitch. He’s also a great age & fit for our Club.”

Russell, who scored for Kelty in the play-offs against Brechin last season, said of the move, “I’m excited to be joining Spartans, at this time I feel like it was the perfect fit for me. The facilities, the investments the club have made are really exciting and the manager was an important factor in me coming. Hopefully we can be challenging at the top end of the table when the end of the season comes round.”

Signing News | Newman is loan man for Spartans The Spartans have signed Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Newman on a short term loan. Newman, a Scotland Under 18 Internationalist, joins from the Arabs and will be with us until January 2022.

The 6ft 2in goalkeeper will be reunited with fellow Tangerine teenager Lennon Walker.

DUFC Head of Player Pathway and Loans, Brian Grant said: "Jack needs game time as there is no Reserve game programme and he will get first team minutes with Spartans. “ “The Club has built up a good relationship with Spartans in the last few years with a number of players going out on loan there, most recently Lennon Walker who is there just now. It is a good environment and a competitive league."

Photos courtesy of Craig Doyle Media

1. Alicia YATES (GK) 2. Louise MASON 3. Sarah CLELLAND 4. Simone MCMAHON 5. Dion MCMAHON 6. Ellie SIMPSON 7. Lisa RYAN 8. Katie FREW 9. Ronaigh DOUGLAS 10. Jade STENHOUSE 11. Alana MARSHALL © 13. Rachel HARRISON (GK) 14. Tegan REYNOLDS 15. Caley Gibb 16. Rosie MCQUILLAN 17. Robyn MCCAFFERTY 18. Rebecca GAILBRAITH 19. Elena SANTOYO-BROWN 24. Katherine SMART 25. Katie REILLY

1. Anna Blanchard (GK) 2. Loren Campbell 3. Jenna Penman 4. Jess Broadrick 5. Carrie Doig 6. Natasha Bruce 7. Eilidh Shore 8. Chloe Gover 9. Lauren Gordon 10. Bayley Hutchison 11. Ballie Collins 12. Johan Fraser 13. Francesca Ogilvie 14. Kelly Forest © 15. Donna Paterson 16. Nadia Sopel 17. Eva Thomson 18. Amy Strath 21. Gail Gilmour (GK)

www.spartansfcwomen.com