The Citizen - Issue 11 - 2023

ISSUE 11

Digital Interactive Programme

THE

CITIZEN EDINBURGH CITY FC OFFICIAL PROGRAMME 2023/24

v MONTROSE

Saturday 4 November 2023 3.00pm

MANAGER MICHAEL McINDOE Good afternoon everyone, Over the last couple of weeks, we have all been working extremely hard on the training ground to implement a new style and philosophy within the team. The players have reacted well to what has been asked of them, which in turn has produced positive results.

Each week the team becomes stronger as we work towards building a winning mentality and create a more competitive environment.

We have our own unique way of preparing and playing, which in time will be introduced throughout the football club including the Women’s team and U20s.

Behind the scenes the Chairman and the board are working tirelessly to drive the club forward and expand our fanbase within the capital.

We thank you all for coming down today and supporting the team.

Each week the team becomes stronger as we work towards building a winning mentality and create a more competitive environment

Michael

Picture by Tommy Lee Photography edinburghcityfc.com

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CHAIRMAN JOHN DICKSON Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to Meadowbank Stadium, where our opponents today are Montrose.

We are facing Stewart Petrie’s outfit for the first of two encounters in November, the second being on the 25th when we head north for the Third Round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. Our last meeting was a wild one, which saw us lose 2-5 – albeit we contributed just as many goal scoring chances as our hosts that day! Montrose sit fourth in Cinch League 1, so it will be a challenge to ensure we take a positive result.

Last week’s match against Annan Athletic saw us finally get the monkey off our backs, as we recorded our first competitive win of the season. Michael and his coaching team have been working extremely hard on all aspects of the first team, and I am delighted to see him take four points from his first two matches in charge. I hope that we can take some belief and confidence from this improvement in our results and build on it as the season progresses.

The support from the Citizens last week was immense. As I have mentioned before, one of the most pleasing aspects this season has been the return of our core support on match days. We appreciate that there are challenges with the stadium, but we hope the price point, coupled with the minor changes we have implemented such as the second entrance and segregation, are making things as good as they can be. edinburghcityfc.com

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In other news, Adam Cairnie’s Development side continue their excellent run, coming back from a two goal deficit to record another 3-2 win and stay top of the table. Our women’s side are in transition and have had some difficult results, but Lee and Paul are working hard on recruitment and are giving debuts to a number of promising young players.

And finally, we will shortly announce our end of season Awards Night, featuring the first inductees into the club’s Hall of Fame – keep an eye on our socials and website for more information!

As always, enjoy the game everyone, and let’s get right behind Michael and the boys!

Yours in sport,

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CAPTAIN LIAM FONTAINE It was great to get back on to the pitch towards the end of our match against Annan Athletic last weekend (by the way, that score should never have been as close as 3-2) and help the team see out the game for our first win.

With the help of our medical staff I am getting back to full fitness. In fact, the injury situation for the club as a whole is improving. With us only meeting twice a week other than on matchdays, the onus is on each individual to take ownership of his fitness, and that’s where the Gaffer comes in.

A big part of what he emphasises is the need for everyone to pull in a set direction and to work for one another, and the message is already getting through. The last two performances show that the belief he is instilling in the players is already producing results, and every player in the squad is now confident that we will climb the table.

We can see the results on the pitch after only two weeks of working with us; and I estimate that we have learned maybe 15% of what he wants us to do.

I feel that the mentality of the squad as a whole has shifted in the last two or three weeks. We are now more aware of what we are capable of doing – we must keep our confidence, concentrate on producing consistently good performances, and continue to improve these performances by a certain percentage each week. If we meet our targets the benefits will show in our results and in our league position.

Enjoy the match

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Every player in the squad is now confident that we will climb the table

Liam

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

WELCOME TO MEADOWBANK

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome once more to Meadowbank Stadium for our very important cinch League 1 fixture with Montrose. We are now sitting with only one defeat in our last five matches – better than we had a month ago – but we are still bottom of the table, and six points out of a possible 15 is still not much of a reason to celebrate.

Of course we deserved more than we got from (some of) our opening seven cinch League 1 matches, although unfortunately the table doesn’t take into account what we feel we deserved. Points mean prizes, and more importantly points will keep us away from edinburghcityfc.com

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the bad Play-Offs; and we are on the upswing at the moment. A draw at titlechasing Hamilton followed by a win over Annan Athletic have raised the spirits of player and supporter alike. But now we face Montrose, who beat us 5-2 at Links Park back in mid-September and who are sitting in fourth position at present (they were third before recent defeats by title-chasers Falkirk and Hamilton). Don’t forget that we have played Montrose 13 times since we rejoined the SPFL, and we have won precisely two of these matches. This fixture will be as tough as anything we have played this season, and the Gaffer will be ensuring that there is no room for complacency. ➤

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NEWS AND COMMENT Montrose and City are going to see a lot of one another this month. On Sunday past the Third Round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup was drawn, and we will be tootling up the M90/A90 to face Montrose once more - for the first time in the Cup since we, as an East of Scotland League side, giant-killed them back in 2012. Ten years or more ago, reaching the Third Round was one of the highlights of the season - that’s where we start these days.

At least we know what to expect from Montrose. It will be tough, but it won’t be like the farce of last season, when we were eliminated by Drumchapel United in up to three inches of liquid mud. Who can have imagined the following scores from other ties this season?

Bo’ness United

3-0

Darvel Whitehill Welfare

East Kilbride

8-0

Brora Rangers

5-1

Berwick Rangers

St Andrews United

1-0

Auchinleck Talbot

Stenhousemuir

0-2

Brora Rangers

Dunbar United

1-0

East Fife

Tranent Juniors

7-0

East Kilbride

Jeanfield Swifts

6-0

Elgin City

A bit of giant-killing adds some spice to the competition, but this is getting ludicrous.

There are some tasty ties coming up, and Alloa, Clyde and Forfar won’t be relaxed about facing Dunbar, Jeanfield or Tranent. And while we head north to Angus, Montrose’s deadly rivals Arbroath will be making the journey in reverse to face our not-particularly-deadly rivals Spartans at AInslie Park.

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CITY CUP SEMI-FINAL Not a false alarm this time - our City Cup semi-final against cinch League 2 Bonnyrigg Rose will go ahead at Meadowbank on Wednesday, with tickets available on Fanbase at £9 adult and £5 youths. Accompanied under-12s will be admitted free. Kick-off 7:45 pm. There won’t be a programme for this game, I’m afraid.

OUR WOMEN IN THE SCOTTISH CUP Our Women’s side are also in Scottish Cup action this weekend, when they face Dyce Women FC from Aberdeenshire in the second round. The Women are going through a transitional spell at present, having lost so many of last season’s Double-winning squad to SWPL clubs, but there are some great players coming through from our pathway club - let’s hope that the days of regular victories will be returning soon.

Dyce play in Division 2 of the SWFA North Region. The game kicks off at 4:00 pm.

Admission £4.00 adults, under-18s free.

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

We are pleased to announce our new partnership with ABC Executive Coach Hire, who became our new front-of-shirt sponsors from the Hamilton Accies cinch League 1 match on 21st October.

SCOTTISH CUP IT’S MONTROSE. AGAIN. Now we are in the SPFL we follow the custom and practice that any supporter must gripe if their Scottish Cup opponents are in the same division as themselves. Bloody hell, Montrose.

Right, moan over.

Actually Montrose are nice people, playing in a good ground in an attractive burgh; and although this will be the third time in our history we have met the Gable Endies in the Scottish, the previous occasions were in 2010 and 2012, so it’s not as if we’re travelling there on Cup business on a mind-numbingly regular basis. Would you rather we were playing Tranent or East Kilbride?

Or Brora Rangers or Jeanfield Swifts? or Drumchapel bleeding United? Not that they qualified for the Cup this season anyway.

As I said, we have two previous encounters with Montrose to remember - one bad (we lost) and one supremely excellent (can’t remember how we did).

On 18 January 2010 - 61 years and 10 days after our last clash with the Links Park men - we hosted them at Meadowbank in the Fourth Round, having defeated Coldstream, Burntisland Shipyard and Keith in the first three stages. We were in the East of Scotland League at the time. The weather around that time was dreadful, and although the tie was originally slated for the weekend of 9/10 January it was delayed for more than a week - by which time it was known that the winners would be away to Hibs in the Fifth Round. A load of Hibbies rolled along to make the crowd up to 1027, with any hope City had of forcing areplay disappearing when Daryl Nicol scored a tremendous decisive third goal four

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minutes from time. Hibs won 5-1 in the Fifth Round, in front of 9068 fans.

Still in the East of Scotland, we were drawn in a Second Round tie away to Montrose on 29 September 2012. City had had a mixed start to the season.

ALthough we were eleventh in the Premier table we had won our qualifying group for the East of Scotland League Cup (we went on to win the trophy), while in the previous round of the Scottish we’d pumped Junior Cup holders Shotts Bon Accord 4-1 at Meadowbank after a draw in Lanarkshire.

The game didn’t really catch the public’s attention, and only 290 spectators saw Robbie Ross put City one up after 11 minutes. Paul Lunan equalised just before half-time. City didn’t fall away as the game went on, Robbie Ross making it 2-1 after 73 minutes, and eleven minutes before the final whistle Scott Fusco popped in the third and final goal for the visitors. Montrose netted late in the match but the “score” was chalked off for offside, and that was the signal for a mass exodus.

A sublime performance by City, and one which encouraged us to raise our game for local competitions - a fortnight after beating Montrose, we won our first match in the East of Scotland League.

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

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SPONSORSHIP LIAM FONTAINE SPONSORED BY

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Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

WELCOME MONTROSE

It’s seven weeks since we last popped up to Montrose on cinch League 1 business. In the five matches since then Edinburgh City have beaten Annan Athletic and drawn with Hamilton Accies, Alloa Athletic and Cove Rangers. This afternoon is a good opportunity to reassess the City v Montrose relationship.

Although a handful of improved results is no guarantee that we can take on one of the top part-time sides in Scotland.

Last season our four encounters with the men in blue resulted in a City win and three draws, but at Links Park on 16th September (photos and video by Dode Allen Media) Montrose took every chance we offered them, and trooped off with a 5-2 win which perhaps over-emphasised edinburghcityfc.com

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the difference between our two sides.

Although we don’t expect Montrose fans to agree.

City’s early pressure came to nothing, and in 17 minutes Aidan Quinn scored from short range after Kane Hester snapped up a clearance. In 28 minutes Miller Thomson chipped McAdams after a City player had been caught in possession, and in 37 minutes Kane Hester made it three with a simple tapin. Just on half-time Miller Thomson got another after Spence got a head knock but the match wasn’t stopped.

4-0 down at half-time isn’t a particularly encouraging scoreline, especially if the two sides weren’t that far apart in ability. Lee Hamilton’s header from a corner pulled the score back to 4-1, but

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WELCOME MONTROSE the effect on morale was rather diluted when, right from the kick-off, Montrose went up the park and Blair Lyons scored from a Thomson cutback without a City player touching the ball. There was at least something to cheer about when Danny Handling scored a second City goal, once more from a corner - in recent seasons we have had spells where we could neither defend setpieces nor score from them.

Montrose are currently in a Play-off spot, but their season has been rather mixed and they are more than ten points behind the leading two clubs. They defeated St Mirren and Cowdenbeath in the League Cup group stages, but lost three of their first four cinch League 1 matches (Kelty, Cove and Accies)

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without scoring a goal; only a 3-1 win at Annan kept them Montrose of the basement. But at the start of September results took an upturn, and wins over Queens, City and Stirling boosted their points and their goal difference, and they finished that month in third place in the table.

With a win over Stirling Albion keeping them in the upper reaches, not even defeats by Falkirk and Accies caused them to drop out of the top four - and they still have a game in hand.

We play Montrose in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Third Round, away from home, in three weeks’ time.

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

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

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PREVIOUS MEETINGS Some of our fellow cinch League 1 clubs we have met on only a few occasions, others we have encountered over and over since we were formed 95 years ago.

Montrose fall into the latter category.

The Links Park men, formed in 1879, first joined the Scottish League in 1923 as founder members of the Third Division.

That competition folded in 1926, and it wasn’t until 1929 that Montrose rejoined the SFL; City became members in 1931.

Our sides met regularly both before and after the War - 28 times up to the point we resigned from Division C to turn Junior - and, following our rebirth we met twice in the Scottish Cup, followed by 13 times since we rejoined the League.

In total we have met on 43 occasions

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and City have won 11 of these, Montrose 23, and 9 drawn. Our record was better before 1949 than it has been since then - our 13 SPFL meetings have produced 7 Montrose wins, 2 City wins and 4 draws.

16th September is the only time we have played Montrose this season, and the encounter at Links Park resulted in a 5-2 win for the home side. We think that scoreline exaggerated the difference between the two sides, but Montrose were able to capitalise on our errors - principally our getting too far forward. We were, however, able to field recovering players and play others in their correct positions; and our results took a massive upswing in subsequent weeks.

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

SUPPORTERS ROBERT FALLON Good afternoon and hello to all fans attending today’s match against Montrose.

Since my last column, we have appointed a new management team, and I extend a warm welcome from all Citizens to Michael McIndoe and his coaching staff. The first two games of Michael’s tenure have delivered some very promising performances; a hugely deserved point against Hamilton Accies and three points (finally!) against a very stubborn Annan side. We are all looking forward to the coming weeks and there’s certainly going to be some exciting times ahead!

Over the last couple of home games, I have been helping out with our hospitality guests. This has been a great experience, and each group has been very positive about the warm welcome from the club, as well as our partners at the Bellfield Brewery. Many options are available (please see the club website) and if you’ve friends, family or colleagues, this would be a great way to take in a match. As like most clubs, in our League and below, we run on supporters taking the time to volunteer; and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have helped out so far. Whether that be turnstile duty, to hospitality, or to ticket and programme sales, everyone’s work is hugely appreciated, and this is what helps the club run throughout the season.

As you read this, I should hopefully have made my first visit to Winchburgh to view our new training base. This is something the other members of the Board have been keen for me to do, and I’ve been eager to take up this offer. I ’ll hopefully be able to share with you how this looks

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in my next column.

As always, to finish, I’d like to thank everyone who has listened to the Citizens’ Supporters’ Club podcast.

Your listens and shares are always very welcome and appreciated, and we’re often blown away by the support given to us. We’ll hopefully have new podcast shortly, but we’ve been waiting for the new manager to settle in before recording. We’ve a couple of ideas, for potential pods, but if there’s anything you’d like to see (podcast or anything else), don’t hesitate to get in touch at the following: Twitter: @ClubCitizens or @ECFCFanRep E-mail: fansrep@edinburghcityfc.com Thanks and enjoy today’s game!

Boab

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

MEMBERSHIP 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. edinburghcityfc.com

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AWAY DAY FALKIRK Our draw with Hamilton Accies two weeks ago meant that Falkirk went two points clear at the top of the table; they are still there, although who knows what will happen today?

The Bairns beat us fairly easily back in September, although neither of our sides will forget that the last time we visited The Falkirk Stadium the three points went back along the M9 with us.

HOW TO GET THERE - ROAD Satnav - Stadium Way, Grangemouth, postcode FK2 9EE. Distance is about 29 miles. M9 to junction 5, then follow the A9 (first exit from the roundabout) to the ground. The Stadium is visible on your right after you pass the fire station.

Parking at the ground is permit only - use Forth Valley College on Grangemouth Road, or West Mains Industrial Estate.

Stewards will give directions.

HOW TO GET THERE - RAIL Four trains an hour from Edinburgh

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Waverley to Falkirk Grahamston. Journey takes 50 minutes and the cheapest day return is £11.50.

The ground is a 30 minute walk from the town centre. From Falkirk Bus Station in Newmarket Street, buses 2, 3 and 4 go to Stadium Road End. HOW TO GET THERE - BUS McGills service X38 runs twice an hour between Edinburgh (Regent Road) and Upper Newmarket Street. The journey takes about 90 minutes. From Falkirk, services 2, 3 and 4 go to the ground.

THE GROUND The last time we were at Falkirk Stadium our supporters were in the stand behind the goal (to the left of the main stand), although with our numbers they may just put us in the main stand - more details in the Montrose programme, if required.

The prices are usually adults £21, concessions £16, under-18s £11, under-12s free.

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

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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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Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

Edinburgh City F.C. Hospitality Partners

How to find us:

Stadium

Lower London Road

Stanley Place

Greenend Motors

The Best Taproom in Scotland

Bellfield Brewery

Taylor Place

PARTNERS

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Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

Picture © 2023 Tommy Lee Photography

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.

RESULTS AND TEAMLINES 2023-24

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41 4 4 4 4 4

5 5 5 5 5

6 6 6 6 6 6

10 10 10 28 10 11 10 11 10 11 10 111 11

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

8 8 81 8 8 81

9 101 91 101 9 10 9 10 91 10 10 P

8 8 8 8 8

7 7 7 7 7 71

Ouzy See

Kyle Jacons

4

8 8 8

71 71 9 9 9 9 9 9

7 11 11 7 7 7 7 7

5

Kieran Offord

3 3 3 3 3

20

Danny Handling

2 3 3 3 3

51 5 5

Ryan Shanley

1 1 1 1 1 1

4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Robbie Leitch

2 2

Robbie Mahon

Kieran MacDonald

Andrew McNeil (gk)

Referee

Sam Ramsbottom (gk) 1 1 1

Ben Stirling

7= 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

426 Colin Whyte 292 Ross Hardie 449 Colin Steven 1404 Calum Scott 806 Peter Stuart 523 Lloyd Wilson 525 Iain Snedden 382 Colin Steven 1096 Stewart Luke 231 Dan McFarlane 434 Lloyd Wilson 265 Peter Stuart 420 Stewart Luke 226 Alastair Grieve 1264 Chris Graham 286 Steven Kirkland Alastair Grieve

Scott Mercer

(4) (5) (5) (5)

Attendance

Position

Competition

Score

19 Jul Kelty Hearts (H) 3-5 VC 22 Jul Stranraer (A) 1-2 VC 26 Jul Ross County (H) 1-3 VC 29 Jul Greenock Morton (A) 1-4 VC 05 Aug Stirling Albion (A) 0-1 Lg 12 Aug Queen of the South (H) 1-2 Lg 19 Aug Hamilton Academical (H) 0-3 Lg 26 Aug Annan Athletic (A) 2-3 Lg 02 Sep Falkirk (H) 0-2 Lg 09 Sep East Kilbride (H) 1-4 STT 16 Sep Montrose (A) 2-5 Lg 23 Sep Cove Rangers (H) 2-2 Lg 30 Sep Alloa Athletic (A) 1-1 Lg 07 Oct Kelty Hearts (H) 1-4 Lg 21 Oct Hamilton Academical (A) 1-1 Lg 28 Oct Annan Athletic (H) 3-2 Lg 04 Nov Montrose (H) Lg 11 Nov Falkirk (A) Lg 18 Nov Alloa Athletic (H) Lg 25 Nov Montrose (A) SC3 02 Dec Kelty Hearts (A) Lg 09 Dec Stirling Albion (H) Lg 16 Dec Queen of the South (A) Lg 23 Dec Cove Rangers (A) Lg 30 Dec Hamilton Academical (H) Lg 06 Jan Alloa Athletic (A) Lg 13 Jan Falkirk (H) Lg 20 Jan Reserved date SC4 27 Jan Annan Athletic (A) Lg 03 Feb Kelty Hearts (H) Lg 10 Feb Montrose (A) Lg 17 Feb Queen of the South (H) Lg 24 Feb Stirling Albion (A) Lg 02 Mar Cove Rangers (H) Lg 09 Mar Hamilton Academical (A) Lg 16 Mar Alloa Athletic (H) Lg 23 Mar Falkirk (A) Lg 30 Mar Kelty Hearts (A) Lg 06 Apr Montrose (H) Lg 13 Apr Queen of the South (A) Lg 20 Apr Annan Athletic (H) Lg 27 Apr Stirling Albion (H) Lg 04 May Cove Rangers (A) Lg

Lee Hamilton

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41..

42.

43.

44.

Opponents

Date

Contract Pla

9

11 11 11 11 11 11

12 - Starter 12 - Substitute used 1 - Goal scored P - Penalty goal

13 13 13 13 13 13

23 23

30 30 30 30 30

12 - Substitute not used In scorelines, City score always given first

18

13

30

22

1

17

10

22

3

20

11

7

8

9

Own goals

Gwong-Rwad Peter

Godswill Omojiade

Struan Mair

Joseph McGuiness

Jamie McConnell

Cai Macnamara

Adam Khan

Dylin Izatt (gk)

Iestyn Harries

Jamie Gibson

4

Luke Fyvie

23

Sokari Dublin-Green

Callum Crane

Sam Gormley

Aidan McAdams (gk) 25 25 25 25 25 25

6 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29

26 26 26 25

Brodie Watt

23 23

21 21 21

30 30 30 30 30 30 30

28

Aaron Waller

21 21 21 21 21 21 21

Ciarán Brian

Cammy Quate (gk)

Jack Wilkie

Kelsey Ewen

18 20 18 20 18 20 18 201 18 18

19

20 20 20

30

Momodou Sambou

17 17 17 17 17 17

25 25 25 24 25 24 24 24 24 24

Brodie Devine

16 16 16 16 16 16

22 23 22 23 22 22 181 22 23 22 231 22 23 22 231 22 23

Elijah Anukam

14 14 14 14 14 14

6 18 18

20 20 20 20 20

Quinn Mitchell

33 6 14 16 14 16 14 16 14

17 16 17 17

21 21 21 21 21 21

Innes Murray

172 17 33

Liam Fontaine

Development Players

Lewis Spence

Russell McLean

ayers

28 28 19

5

61

24 24

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COMMENT GUEST WRITER MIKE SMITH During the international fixtures for October, there was much celebration over the fact that Scotland had qualified for the final stages of next summer’s European Championships in Germany. Scotland’s mightily impressive start to their qualifying campaign – winning their first five games in Group A, an unprecedented achievement – meant a draw in their sixth game against Spain in Seville would secure their passage to the finals.

After having what looked like a perfectly good goal disallowed early in the second half (don’t get me started on VAR…), the Scots lost 2-0 to their hosts. As a nation we don’t see success as comfortable bedfellows and few of the Tartan Army expected much else, particularly as Spain were intent on revenge for their 2-0 defeat at Hampden earlier this year.

We knew that, despite the defeat in Seville, Scotland would qualify if Norway failed to defeat the Spaniards in Oslo the following Sunday. Whilst a draw in that fixture would have been the ideal result – Scotland would have qualified for the finals and still be top of the group edinburghcityfc.com

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– Spain’s narrow victory was enough for Scots across the globe to celebrate.

And celebrate we did!

It’s a phenomenal achievement by Steve Clarke’s team and the reaction took me back half a century to when Scotland qualified for the 1974 Word Cup finals in what was at the time West Germany. The world was a different place back then and the Scots were drawn in a qualifying group that included just two other countries – Denmark and what was then called Czechoslovakia. Denmark weren’t the force in world football they are today and Scotland brushed them aside, 4-1 in Copenhagen and 2-0 at Hampden.

That just left the small matter of a Czechoslovakian team who were fewer than three years away from winning the European Championship. Most pundits believed that qualification for West Germany would come down to the head-to-head games between the Scots and the Czechs. However, when Denmark held the Czechs to a draw in Copenhagen the door was suddenly left ajar for Scotland to progress. All they had to do was win their game against the Czechs at Hampden and it would be job done.

On an unforgettable evening at Hampden on 26 September 1973, Scotland fought back from conceding the first goal when Nehoda scored for the visitors – “absolute disaster” for Scotland as legendary football commentator Arthur Montford put it – to secure a dramatic win with goals from (6 feet 2, eyes of blue) Jim Holton and a diving header from a young Joe Jordan.

The scenes at Hampden at the end of ➤

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29

COMMENT GUEST WRITER MIKE SMITH the game were memorable. Scotland had qualified for the final stages of a World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

Not since 1958 had the Scots graced the world stage. Manager Willie Ormond, a member of Hibernian’s Famous Five forward line of the 1950s, was carried shoulder high from the field as the Scots celebrated a momentous achievement.

Scotland had had some great players since they last played in a World Cup finals. Dave Mackay, Willie Henderson, John Greig, Jim Baxter, and Tommy Gemmell were all players of note yet none of them would play in the final stages of a World Cup.

Now, the class of 1974 had the opportunity to make history, particularly as they were the only home nation to qualify. England were put to the sword

by Poland (who would go on to get third place in West Germany) and the football headline writers down south were in crisis mode. Manager Sir Alf Ramsay had helped make England world champions

30

in 1966 (you may have heard about this) but eight years later he was persona non grata.

Scotland, being Scotland, we went out of the 1974 World Cup in the first round on goal difference. The fact we only put two goals past African minnows Zaire while Yugoslavia put nine past them didn’t help. In later years, allegations surfaced about bribery but that’s another story.

Of course, Scotland would go on to qualify for another four World Cup finals in succession. The sheer joy of our nation qualifying to play on the biggest football stage of all was all consuming – never mind the sometimes catastrophic events when we got there (if there is anyone from Peru, Iran or Costa Rica reading this – just don’t, okay?)

The present-day Scotland team have exceeded expectations, particularly with the victories over Spain and Norway.

The more “glass half-empty” fans among us will say this is dangerous and will lead to an inevitable downfall.

But, for now, lets enjoy the moment, savour the remarkable fact that Scotland haven’t qualified for a major tournament through the back door of a play-off but were one of the first countries to qualify on merit.

As the Scotland squad of fifty years ago sang so memorably in their World Cup song, “Yabba dabba do, we support the boys in blue…”

Mike Smith

Twitter @Mike1874 www.fitbason.blogspot.com Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

MATCH REPORT HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1 EDINBURGH CITY 1 Cinch League 1 – Matchday 10 Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography. edinburghcityfc.com

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MATCH REPORT

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1 EDINBURGH CITY 1 Cinch LEAGUE 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

Hamilton, 21 October 2023 – We were hoping for the “new Gaffer bounce” when Michael McIndoe took charge for the away match with Hamilton Accies, but to be honest we weren’t expecting quite so much as we got.

After all, Accies are a full-time side who were in the Premiership only three seasons ago, they had beaten us comprehensively at Meadowbank back in August, at the start of the match they were neck-and-neck with Falkirk for automatic promotion back to the Championship, and in our handful of competitive encounters including a Challenge Cup tie with their reserves - we hadn’t so much as held them to a draw. No wonder betting folk were treating the game as a banker.

But it was Edinburgh City’s players, supporters and officials who were smiling as we left the ZLX Stadium. Our

32

defenders soaked up a load of pressure in the first half, restricting Accies to a single goal, and after Ryan Shanley levelled the scores seven minutes after the restart the Lanarkshire men appeared nonplussed.

Possibly they - and some commentators - couldn’t process what they saw. As Michael said after the game, “I think, looking at the performance, it was a very good point. We could have nicked it in the second half. I’ve only had the last week to implement some of our strategies, but I thought the boys were magnificent today. What we’re looking for is, when we’re defensive, we’re very difficult to beat. When we’re attacking, we’re a massive threat. This is the message we’re trying to get across to the players.”

The starting line-up showed several changes from the Kelty disaster, with Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

MATCH REPORT

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1 EDINBURGH CITY 1 Cinch LEAGUE 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

Crane and Murray available once more, and starts for Mahon, Offord and Stirling.

Jack Wilkie was injured, while Handling, Spence, MacDonald and Jacobs went to make up a powerful bench.

It was a grey day, although the sun came out later. City won the toss and, with the sun in front of them them, attacked the uncovered end. Accies’ running and passing were a constant threat, but although the home side had more of the pressure it wasn’t quite as much as the match reports would suggest.

Shanley, Offord and Mahon gave the home defence some awkward moments as well.

In 31 minutes Dylan Tait flopped gracefully to the ground after losing possession in the box, earning himself a

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booking for simulation, but unfortunately Ryan Shanley’s reaction also drew a yellow.

Accies deservedly took the lead in 35 minutes. A spell of fast, accurate passing ended with Henderson putting the ball into the path of Kyle MacDonald, who controlled well before slashing a low, angled shot under McAdams.

But if Accies thought normal service would now be resumed, they were proved wrong shortly after the restart when City equalised in 52 minutes. A kick-out from McAdams was flicked on

by Shanley, and Offord sent the ball forward to Mahon on the right. Kilday blocked but couldn’t hold the cross and Innes Murray made a lateral run, shrugging off two tackles to prod the ball ➤

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MATCH REPORT

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1 EDINBURGH CITY 1 Cinch LEAGUE 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

forward to Ryan Shanley, who had time to pick his spot and send the ball into the net from twelve yards out.

Now it was City who were winning 50-50s, but some of their shooting was a bit wild - power rather than placement. Accies were still dangerous, but tried for guile, and Dario Zanatta was yellow-carded for simulation in the second minute of time added on. Up to this afternoon (4th November) that’s Hamilton Possession

62%

Shots

16

four yellow cards for diving by City’s opponents in the last six matches - is the SPFL having a crackdown? If so, it’s very welcome - unpunished simulation has been the bane of our existence since we were promoted into League 2 six years ago.

It might not have been our first win, but City were now on three draws from their last four matches, and the feeling was that that first win was not far away.

Edinburgh City 38% 7

Shots on Target 5

1

Corners

13

0

Fouls

6

8

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NO PROGRAMME ISSUED

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER Here we go once again with another look at non-League football south of the border. I’ve been looking this season at how some of these clubs have fared in the qualifying rounds of the F.A. Cup, but as the early stages of this prestigious competition draw to a close, the number of non-League clubs remaining grows smaller and the ties involving such clubs become further and further apart, leaving me with slimmer pickings than before.

Thank goodness, then, that the F.A. Trophy has begun! This is a tournament for semi-professional clubs in nonLeague Steps 1-4 (step 1 being the Conference League), which can be regarded as Tiers 5-8 of the English Pyramid system. The trophy was inaugurated in 1969 and the current holders are former League club F.C. Halifax Town. There is also a tournament called the F.A. Vase for clubs who don’t pay their players and are at non-League Steps 5 and 6.

But the first club to catch my eye in the Trophy was COALVILLE TOWN F.C. Don’t know why. My first guess as to the whereabouts of Coalville was probably the West country. It isn’t, but I wasn’t far off! It’s actually a town of around 35,000 Coalvillians in Leicestershire, who play in the Southern League Central Premier Division in their black and white striped shirts with black shorts. They played Alvechurch, written about in these pages very recently, in the first round of the F.A. Trophy, and the away fixture held no fears for Coalville as they managed to grind out a 0-1 victory. If you ever get the urge to visit Coalville’s ground, they play at The Mander Cruickshank Solicitors edinburghcityfc.com

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Stadium in the town’s Owen Street – I now expect to read reports of hundreds of Edinburgh City supporters heading there. Don’t let me down! Go watch The Ravens!

Next up is LEISTON F.C. Leiston is a village in Suffolk, known to some as the home of a school called Summerhill. You may have heard of Summerhill. Known as “The school without rules” (aren’t they all, nowadays?), pupils at this school don’t have to go to lessons if they don’t want to! Founded by a hero of mine, Scottish educationalist A.S.Neill, you really should find out more about this revolutionary genius – you’d never believe in the education system again! But enough already – we’re here to talk football.

Leiston travelled to Hertfordshire to play Potters Bar Town in the first round of the Trophy and came away with a 1-0 victory.

Leiston, who play in broad blue and white striped shirts, blue shorts and red socks, currently lie in 17th place in the same league as Coalville (who are 8th), but ➤

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SNIPPETS THE RAMBLING REPORTER they belied their lowly League position and will now play Peterborough Sports in the next round. The Blues, as they are known, are currently co-managed by former Norwich and Leicester midfielder Darren Eadie.

■ Supermarine Spitfire

Travelling right across the country now, I’ve always wanted to write about SWINDON SUPERMARINE F.C., but have never really found the opportunity. Well, here we go! No prizes for guessing where they play (Swindon), but the club was formed in 1992 as a merger between Swindon Athletic and Supermarine.

Supermarine was the company which built the WW2 Spitfire aircraft (which features on the club badge), and the football side was formed in 1946. Today Swindon Supermarine play in blue and

36

white hooped shirts, blue shorts and light blue socks at the Webbswood Stadium, in the South Marston district of Swindon.

They have a very useful website that’s worth a look. In the Trophy, Supermarine got a home draw against Basingstoke Town from the same division, the oddly named Southern Division South, where the visitors the visitors sit in a healthy 7th position whilst the home side are propping up the division and have yet to win. No surprise when Basingstoke ran out 3-0 winners.

Moving north, but sticking with the aircraft theme, AVRO F.C. were founded at the aeroplane manufacturers of the same name in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They play at Whitebank Stadium in the Northern Premier League Division One West. As they wear blue and black striped shirts, white shorts and blue socks with black tops, I’m a bit baffled as to why their badge is red and yellow, but there you go. Their Trophy tie took them to play Harborough Town, from Market Harborough in Leicestershire, where they managed to eke out a 0-0 draw, but as every game at this stage is played to a finish, Avro lost on penalties.

That’s it for now. Enjoy the game and have a safe journey home.

Eck

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

TEAMLINES 21 October 2023

28 October 2023

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 10 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1-1 EDINBURGH CITY

CINCH LEAGUE 1 MATCHDAY 11 EDINBURGH CITY 3-2 ANNAN ATHLETIC

Hamilton Academical: 1. Ryan Fulton (gk), 3. Jackson Longridge, 4. Lee Kilday, 6. Jamie Barjonas (McGlynn 74), 7. Euan Henderson (Zanatta 86 ), 8. Scott Martin (capt.), 9. Kevin O’Hara (Mumbongo 60), 16. Euan MacDonald, 18. Dylan McGowan , 21. Dylan Tait (Murray 60), 22. Reghan Tumilty (Lewis Smith 74) Substitutes: 2. Josh O’Brien, 10. Dario Zanatta, 11. Lewis Smith, 15. Connor Murray, 17. Joel Mumbongo, 20. Joe McGlynn, 24.

Mikey Hewitt, 31. Jamie Smith (gk), 33.

Stephen Hendrie Scorer: Kyle MacDonald (35)

Edinburgh City: 25. Aidan McAdams (gk), 4. Lee Hamilton (capt.), 5. Scott Mercer , 7. Robbie Mahon, 8. Robbie Leitch (Macnamara 86), 11. Kieran Offord (Peter 86), 14. Russell McLean (Handling 46), 16.

Lewis Spence, 18. Kelsey Ewen, 23. Innes Murray (Jacobs 72), 30. Callum Crane (Fontaine 90) Substitutes: 6. Ben Stirling, 10. Danny Handling , 13. Kyle Jacobs, 17. Liam Fontaine, 21. Cammy Quate (gk), 22. Cai Macnamara, 24. Gwong-Rwad Peter, 29.

Sam Gormley Scorers: Robbie Mahon (7), Robbie Leitch (45+1), Handling (pen 55) CSC Player of the Match: Robbie Mahon

Edinburgh City: 25. Aidan MacAdams (gk), 4. Lee Hamilton (capt.), 5. Scott Mercer, 6. Ben Stirling (Spence 46), 7.

Robbie Mahon, 8. Robbie Leitch, 9. Ryan Shanley (McLean 78 ), 11. Kieran Offord (Handling 70), 18. Kelsey Ewen, 23. Innes Murray (Jacobs 61), 30. Callum Crane Substitutes: 3. Kieran MacDonald, 10. Danny Handling, 13. Kyle Jacobs, 14.

Russell McLean, 16. Lewis Spence, 17. Liam Fontaine, 21. Cammy Quate (gk), 24.

Gwong-Rwad Peter, 29. Sam Gormley Scorer: Ryan Shanley (52) CSC Player of the Match: Callum Crane Referee: Chris Graham Assistant Referees: Colin McAlpine and Chris Newman Attendance: 1,264

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Annan Athletic: 1. Greg Fleming (gk), 3.

Max Kilsby, 4. Benjamin Luissint, 5. Matty Douglas (capt.), 8. Dom Docherty , 9.

Aidan Smith , 10. Tommy Goss, 11. Chris Johnston (Garrity 52), 18. Kai Nugent (Campbell 54), 19. Tommy Muir (Graham 69), 33. Wullie Gibson Substitutes: 6. Sam Campbell, 7. Michael Garrity, 12. Ethan Mitchell (gk), 14. Ryan Muir, 15. Lewis Hunter, 16. James Graham, 17. Josh Galloway Scorers: Goss (pen 31), Docherty (pen 90) Referee: Steven Kirkland Assistant Referees: Calum Doyle and Clyde Buchan Attendance: 286

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Booking

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MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 3 ANNAN ATHLETIC 2 Cinch League 1 – Matchday 11 Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography.

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MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 3 ANNAN ATHLETIC 2 Cinch League 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

Edinburgh, 28 October 2023 – It took a long time coming, but we’ve finally got our first competitive win since that 1-0 victory against Falkirk on 18 April. City are by no means a bad team, but League 1 is an unforgiving place and minor errors are punished far more severely than in past seasons.

With three draws in the previous four matches most of us had a strong feeling that our luck was in the process of changing, and - although we are still at the foot of the table - the feeling is equally strong that we won’t be there for much longer.

City took an early lead (not unusual) with Robbie Mahon, who had a tremendous match, getting his first goal for the club.

Annan equalised through a Tommy Goss penalty but Robbie Leitch restored City’s lead on the stroke of half-time. Ten minutes into the second half and Danny Handling made it 3-1 from the spot (our

40

first penalty award of the season!); but another Annan penalty in the last minute, converted by Dom Doherty, made the six minutes of time added on rather fraught – Annan Athletic have a tendency to launch blitzkriegs late in the game when everyone thought they were dead and buried. We held out, though, and secured the win we have been waiting for.

The team had a slightly unusual look.

Ryan Shanley was serving a one-match suspension, and Ben Stirling started on the bench; there were starts for Russell McLean and Lewis Spence. Development players Cai Macnamara and GwongRwad Peter were on the bench, and both came on during the second half.

The day wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t too windy and there was a weak sun. City won the toss and opted to shoot towards the Portobello end.

Some early enterprise from Annan didn’t Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 3 ANNAN ATHLETIC 2 Cinch League 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

come off, and City’s first attack, in seven minutes, resulted in the opening goal.

Crane, from midway, sent a free-kick down the left touchline, and Robbie Mahon collected it in the 18-yard box.

Before anyone had a chance to tackle him he flicked the ball over the keeper and into the net – Fleming wasn’t out of position, but the shot just found that perfect spot between fingertip and crossbar.

Both sides were battling hard, but the next goal went to the visitors in 30 minutes and it was from the spot.

Johnston put a ball into Goss’s path and he exploded into the 18-yard box before being brought down by a kick in the calf from Mercer. Tommy Goss took the kick himself and his low shot went

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under McAdams.

The game wasn’t dirty but it was tough, and McLean took a knock at a corner for City in 40 minutes. The home side regained the lead in 45+1, and again it was a beautiful finish from a superb assist. Innes Murray intercepted a pass just outside his own box and powered down the right, shrugging off a challenge to find himself in acres of space, and as Gibson closed in on him put a perfect pass into the path of the unmarked Robbie Leitch, who made no mistake from ten yards.

Handling replaced McLean at the interval, and it was he who got City’s third, ten minutes after the restart. Offord cut back from the touchline, Annan intercepted but couldn’t clear, and Danny Handling, ➤

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MATCH REPORT

EDINBURGH CITY 3 ANNAN ATHLETIC 2 Cinch League 1. Pictures by Tommy Lee Photography

trying to tackle Douglas, appeared to have his toe stepped upon. Handling took the kick himself, sending Fleming the wrong way to make the score 3-1.

The last half-hour was torrid, with Annan Athletic putting the City defence under increasing amounts of pressure, but thankfully their shooting wasn’t all it should have been been. In 81 minutes Smith went down after colliding with Jacobs, and was booked for simulation.

Edinburgh City

Two minutes later, Annan appealed that a Smith header had crossed the line before McAdams saved, and in 85 Muir’s shot was blocked on the line by Hamilton.

In 90 minutes McAdams brought Garrity down with a diving save and Dom Docherty converted the penalty, but City held on to keep all three points.

Annan Athletic

Possession

54%

Shots

5

12

Shots on Target 4

6

43%

Corners

4

2

Fouls

13

13

42

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

DESIGN & ARTWORKING PRINT, MERCHANDISE & CLOTHING INTERNAL & EXTERNAL SIGNAGE INSTALLATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS BESPOKE PROJECTS & ACTIVATIONS WEB & MARKETING

Edinburgh & The Lothians

Fife

14 Dunnet Way, Broxburn EH52 5NN t. 0131 337 7733 e. info@theevolvegroup.co.uk

87 High Street, Burntisland KY3 9AA t. 01592 873 222 e. info@theevolvegroup.co.uk

WOMEN'S TEAM FIXTURES 2023/24 Date

Opponents

Score

Comp

Date

Opponents

Score

Comp

1

20 Aug

Dryburgh Ath. (A)

L 0-2

League

17

21 Jan

Hutchison V. (A)

League

2

27 Aug

Hutchison V. (H)

W 3-0

League

18

28 Jan

Renfrew (H)

League

3

03 Sep

Renfrew (A)

L 1-2

League

19

04 Feb League

4

10 Sep

Morton (H)

D 2-2

League

20

11 Feb

Morton (A)

5

24 Sep

Bonnyrigg R. (H)

W 3-1

Ch L1 Cup

21

18 Feb

East Fife (A)

League

6

01 Oct

East Fife (H)

L 0-7

League

22

25 Feb

Ayr United (A)

League

7

08 Oct

Ayr United (H)

L 0-4

League

23

03 Mar

8

15 Oct

I.C.T. (A)

L 0-8

League

24

10 Mar

I.C.T. (H)

League

9

29 Oct

Rossvale (A)

L 0-4

League

25

17 Mar

Rossvale (H)

League

10

05 Nov

Dyce Women (H)

16:00

Scottish 2

26

24 Mar

Westdyke (A)

League

11

12 Nov

Westdyke (H)

13:00

League

27 28

12

19 Nov

Dryburgh Ath. (H)

League

13

26 Nov

Dryburgh Ath. (A)

Ch L1 Cup

14

03 Dec

15

10 Dec

31

16

14 Jan

32

29 30

More fixtures will be added as Cup competitions are drawn

Scottish Women's Championship P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

Rossvale 8 Ayr United F.A. 8 Inverness Cal. Th. 8 Renfrew Ladies 8 East Fife G.W.F.C. 7 Westdyke C.C. 7 Dryburgh Athletic C.C. 8 Greenock Morton 8 Edinburgh City 8 Hutchison Vale 8

8 6 6 4 4 4 3 1 1 0

0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0

0 2 2 3 3 3 4 6 6 8

36 25 21 19 16 22 17 16 6 0

8 9 9 13 12 15 7 25 25 55

+28 +16 +12 +6 +4 +7 +10 -9 -19 -55

21 15 15 10 9 12 10 4 4 0

Table as at 22 October.

Home to Dyce Women in the Scottish Cup tomorrow. Kick-off at 16:00. Usual prices apply - £4 adults, under-16s free

Emma Yorkston

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.

Adult admissions £4.00 • twitter.com/EdinburghCityW • https://twitter.com/SWFChampionship • • scotwomensfootball.com/fixtures-and-results/ •

44

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

■ Innes Murray powers up the wing to lay on the second goal.

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DEVELOPMENT TEAM FIXTURES 2023/24 Date

Opponents

Score

Comp

Date

Opponents

1

11 Aug

The Spartans (H)

L 1-2

League

17

08 Dec

Kelty H. (H)

2

18 Aug

Kelty H. (A)

W 3-2

League

18

19 Jan

Reserved

Score

Comp League

3

25 Aug

East Fife (H)

W 4-3

League

19

26 Jan

East Fife (A)

League

4

01 Sep

Linlithgow R. (H)

W 5-1

League

20

02 Feb

Linlithgow R. (A)

League

5

08 Sep

Tranent J. (A)

PP

League

21

09 Feb

Tranent J. (H)

League

6

22 Sep

Uni. of Stirling (H)

L 1-3

Lg Cup

22

16 Feb

Reserved

7

29 Sep

Cal. Braves (A)

W 2-0

League

23

23 Feb

Edinburgh Uni. (A)

League

8

06 Oct

East Kilbride (H)

W 3-2

League

24

01 Mar

Cal. Braves (H)

League

9

13 Oct

Cumbernauld (A)

W 2-1

League

25

08 Mar

East Kilbride (A)

League

10

20 Oct

Vale of Leven (A)

PP

Ch Cup

26

15 Mar

Reserved

W 3-2

11

27 Oct

Stirling A. (H)

League

27

05 Apr

Cumbernauld (H)

League

12

03 Nov

Uni. of Stirling (A)

League

28

12 Apr

Stirling A. (A)

League

League

13

10 Nov

Bonnyrigg R. (H)

14

17 Nov

Reserved

15

24 Nov

Bo'ness United (A)

16

01 Dec

The Spartans (A)

29

19 Apr

Reserved

30

03 May

Uni. of Stirling (H)

League

League

31

10 May Bonnyrigg Rose (A)

League

League

32

17 May

Bo'ness United (H)

League

More fixtures will be added as Cup competitions are drawn

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Edinburgh City 8 7 The Spartans 9 6 East Kilbride 9 7 University of Stirling 6 5 Bonnyrigg Rose 7 4 Kelty Hearts 8 4 East Fife 8 3 Linlithgow Rose 10 3 Stirling Albion 7 2 Tranent Juniors 8 2 Edinburgh University 4 2 Cumbernauld Colts 9 1 Caledonian Braves 6 1 Bo'ness United 7 0

0 2 1 0 1 0 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 1

1 1 1 1 2 4 2 6 4 5 2 7 5 6

23 26 38 26 21 30 24 18 10 12 8 14 10 9

13 8 11 8 17 17 17 38 16 30 13 31 16 34

+10 21 +18 20 +27 19* +18 15 +4 13 +13 12 +7 12 -20 10 -6 7 -18 7 -5 6 -17 4 -6 3 -25 1

Table as at 27 October. * East Kilbride 3 points deducted, ineligible player

Y

CM

CY

Pts

CMY

K

Gwong-Rwad Peter

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/

46

M

MY

Scottish Lowland Development League P

C

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

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

48

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

18. I n 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. A t all times, the right of admission is reserved by the Club.

20. A ll 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. T he 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 edinburghcityfc.com/ecfc-club-policies/

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

PLAYER STATISTICS 2023/24 #

Signed

From

Andy McNeil

07/2023

Motherwell Loan

Lee Hamilton

07/2022

Hamilton Acas

07/2020

Stranraer

Ben Stirling

01/2023

East Fife

Robbie Mahon

07/2022

Hamilton Acas

07/2023

Motherwell Loan

Ouzy See

07/2023

Cove Rangers

07/2020

Albion Rovers

10

Danny Handling

08/2021

Hibernian

06/2018

Dumbarton

13

Kyle Jacobs

08/2023

St Mirren Loan

1

Name

Signed Players

3

Kieran MacDonald

5

Scott Mercer

4 6 7

8 9

9

11

Robbie Leitch

Ryan Shanley Kieran Offord

14

Russell McLean

17

Liam Fontaine

20

Jack Wilkie

01/2023 Greenock Morton

Lewis Spence

07/2023

Dumbarton

07/2023

Cove Rangers

Kelsey Ewen

07/2022

Dundee

08/2023

Rangers

21

Cammy Quate

08/2023

Dundee Loan

12/2018

Hutchison Vale

25

Aidan McAdams

30

Callum Crane

Dev

Elijah Anukam

16

18

23

29

Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev 1

22

24 Dev

Innes Murray

Sam Gormley Own Goals

Brodie Devine

Sokari Dublin-Green Jamie Gibson

07/2022

Hibernian

08/2023

Ayr United

08/2023

Gretna 2008

06/2019

Livingston

-

-

12/2021

Tynecastle

09/2022 Lothian Thistle HV 07/2023

Bonnyrigg RA

11/2018

Edin City Youth

08/2023

Tynecastle

Adam Khan

11/2020

Hearts

09/2023

Hibernian

Joseph McGuiness

09/2023

Fort William

08/2023

Hutchison Vale

02/2016

Hearts

Jamie McConnell Cai Macnamara Struan Mair

Godswill Omojiade

Gwong-Rwad Peter Momodou Sambou Aaron Waller Brodie Watt

08/2018

Livingston

07/2023

Civil Service Str

08/2018

Edin City Youth

07/2022

Tynecastle

07/2022 Lothian Thistle HV 07/2023 Gala Fairydean R

Out On Loan or Left Club Sam Ramsbottom

08/2023 To Cape Town S.

Ciarán Brian

09/2023

Loan to Tranent

Luke Fyvie

08/2018

Loan to Gala FR

07/2022

Released

Quinn Mitchell

edinburghcityfc.com

OfficialFCEdinburgh

Not used

4

0

2

14

14

0

0

7

2

1

4

3

2

6

12 9

14 14 1

11 6

5 9

0 2 7

1 1 2

1

0

0

14

10

4

0

15

10

11

9

13 11

11

2

0

7

4

0

8

5

1

10

4

3

9

6

3

14

9

13

8

3 1

1

2 1 3 0 0

1

0

12

7

0

1

13

12

0

2

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

12

12

11

1

8

-

Iestyn Harries Dylin Izatt

Sub on

Squad Start

4 1

1 1

1

1

3

5 1

6

1

0

0

0

1

9

-

-

2

1 1 1 1

1

0

0

0

1

1

0

1

2

0 0

0

1

0

1

0 0

4

0

1

2

3

1

0

1

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

1

3

3

10

4

9 1

@EdinburghCityFC

2

0

0

0

4

0

14

1

11 8

0 5

0

1

5

0 1

Career 4/0

45 / 0 97 / 5 22 / 1

4

0

25 / 0

12

2

12 / 2

12 1

1

12 / 1

0

163 / 36

3

172 / 46

13

0

45 / 1

10

0

10 / 0

9

0

9/0

13

14 11

13 7

9

4 1

2

0 1

84 / 23 11 / 1

13 / 2 41 / 1 9/1

1

0

7

0

12

0

129 / 4

1

0

6/0

0

0

0/0

1

0

12 2 -

3 1

0 1

1

1

3

0 0

0

0

92 / 17 19 / 0 2/0 -

3/0 1/0 1/0

0

0/0

0

1/0

0

0

1/0

1/0

4/0

1

0

1/0

1

0

1

0

3 1

3

4 5

0

edinburghcityfcofficial

3

1/0

0

5

0

2 1

Goals

0

1

0

Apps

0 1

0

0

7/0 5/1

1/0

2/0 1/0

11 / 0

0

47 / 0

0

0/0

0

7/0

EdinburghCityTV

49

02/12 30/03

Alloa Athletic

21/10 3-1 23/12 09/03 13/04

09/12 13/04

04/11 23/03

23/09 1-1 03/02

26/08 3-2 23/12 27/01 27/04

Cove Rangers

16/12 20/04

07/10 3-2 24/02

Edinburgh City

18/11 16/03

28/10 3-2 23/09 2-2 20/04 02/03

Falkirk

28/10 3-0 05/08 3-0 02/12 04/05 02/03 06/04

Hamilton Academical

16/09 2-1 29/09 5-0 05/08 1-0 21/10 1-1 16/12 24/02 10/02 13/01 09/03 13/04

Kelty Hearts

19/08 2-1 02/09 1-1 11/11 30/12 13/01 16/03

Montrose

07/10 2-1 11/11 02/03 16/03

Queen of the South

05/08 3-4 19/08 3-1 28/10 0-1 16/12 13/01 30/12 27/04 13/04

Stirling Albion

04/11 06/04

23/12 04/05

12/08 2-2 04/11 10/02 23/03

11/11 23/03

Stirling Albion 12/08 0-1 10/02

12/08 1-3 21/10 0-1 16/09 3-0 06/01 09/03 17/02

16/09 2-2 14/11 06/01 09/03

26/08 1-2 18/11 27/01 30/03

02/09 0-2 19/08 0-3 07/10 1-4 04/11 13/01 30/12 03/02 06/04

12/08 1-2 09/12 17/02 27/04

11/11 23/03

02/12 30/03

18/11 06/04

Queen of the South

Montrose

Kelty Hearts

02/09 1-0 30/09 1-1 26/08 1-4 09/12 17/02 06/01 27/01 27/04

Annan Athletic

07/10 0-0 09/12 17/02 20/04 23/12 04/05

23/09 1-5 12/08 0-2 24/02 02/03

19/08 0-3 16/09 5-2 18/11 30/12 10/02 30/03

16/12 04/05

Hamilton Academical

Falkirk

Edinburgh City

Cove Rangers

Alloa Athletic

Annan Athletic

2023-24 TABLE AND RESULTS

04/11 16/03

30/09 3-2 16/09 1-0 22/08 3-0 03/02 06/01 30/12 26/08 1-0 02/12 27/01 30/03 16/12 27/04

30/09 3-1 28/10 1-0 10/02 13/04

28/10 0-3 05/08 0-2 20/04 17/02 23/09 1-2 18/11 03/02 06/04

11/11 16/03

09/12 04/05

23/09 1-0 13/01

02/09 2-3 24/02

30/09 2-2 05/08 1-0 21/10 1-2 02/09 2-2 26/08 1-0 02/12 03/02 24/02 09/03 06/01 27/01 23/03

07/10 0-1 02/03 23/12 20/04

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

Top League Scorer

Avg Att





11 9

2

0

28

7

+18

29 

Callumn Morrison 7

4,357

0

20

Hamilton Academical 11 8 Kelty Hearts 11 5 Montrose 10 5

3 2 0

0 4 5

22 17 16

5 +14 17 -1 18 +1

27  17  15 

Euan Henderson 4 R.Cunningham, L.Moore 3 Brown, Hester, Lyons 3

1,281 592 504

0 1 0

18 18 18

Stirling Albion Cove Rangers Queen of the South Alloa Athletic

11 10 11 11

4 3 4 3

2 4 0 2

5 3 7 6

9 16 15 14

14 14 18 20

-4 +1 -2 -3

14 13 12 11

   

Josh Cooper 2 R.Burrell, M.Megginson 4 Gavin Reilly 4 Brad Rodden 4

1,168 617 1,256 785

0 3 2 1

24 14 25 27

Annan Athletic

11 2

2

7

14

25 -10

8



D.Docherty, T.Goss 4

588

0

17

Edinburgh City

11 1

3

7

13

26 -14

6



Danny Handling 3

486

1

22

P

Falkirk

50

Edinburgh City v Montrose | 04-11-2023

MEET THE REFEREE ALASTAIR GRIEVE Just four weeks after his debut appearance at an Edinburgh City match, he’s back! We welcome to Meadowbank our match referee for this afternoon, Alastair Grieve from the Stirlingshire Referees’ Association.

Alastair was promoted to the Category 1 list last year, and we last met him at the Kelty Hearts match played in monsoon conditions on 7th October. He will be assisted today

by Sean Carr, a Specialist Assistant Referee from the Glasgow Referees’ Association, and Scott Bunting, a Category 3 referee from the Lanarkshire Association.

Ground: Meadowbank Stadium Registered Office: TBC Email: hello@edinburghcityfc.com Telephone: TBC Chairman: John Dickson CEO: Colin Campbell Board: John Dickson, David Armstrong, Alick Milne Supporters’ Representative to the Board: Robert Fallon Manager: Michael McIndoe Assistant Manager: Kirk Crichton Goalkeeping Coach: Liam Robertson Physiotherapist: Scott Anderson Kit Man: Ian McIntyre

edinburghcityfc.com

OfficialFCEdinburgh

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

@EdinburghCityFC

edinburghcityfcofficial

EdinburghCityTV

51

Manager: Michael McIndoe

Manager: Stewart Petrie

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

1.

Cammy GILL (gk) 2. Ryan WILLIAMSON 3. Andy STEEVES 4. Aidan QUINN 5. Kerr WADDELL 6. Terry MASSON 7. Graham WEBSTER 8. Paul WATSON © 9. Kane HESTER 10. Michael GARDYNE 11. Blair LYONS 14. Seán DILLON 16. Craig BATCHELOR 17. Ali SHRIVE 18. Evan TOWLER 19. Liam CALLAGHAN 20. Miller THOMSON 21. Ross MATTHEWS (gk) 22. Craig BROWN 23. Matheus MACHADO

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: Alastair Grieve Assistant Referee: Sean Carr Assistant Referee: Scott Bunting

NEXT HOME MATCH: CINCH LEAGUE 1

v ALLOA ATHLETIC

Meadowbank Stadium Saturday 18 November 2023 Kick-off 3.00 p.m.