The Spartan 061220

Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 The Official Matchday Programme

Sunday 6th of December 2020 Ainslie Park Stadium 2pm 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

U19’s NPL Team 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

Alfie Smith Head Coach Michael Cranston Assistant Head Coach Charlene Lessells GK Coach Orsi Jakri Sports Therapist Jason Cross Team Secretary

SWPL Team Staff

Girls Academy

Debbi McCulloch Manager 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 Matchday Videography

Medical Staff Marcin Szostak Club Physiotherapist Amy Young Matchday Physiotherapist Rebecca Prow Sports Therapist

Zsolt Jakri Girls Coordinator Daniel Blyth U17’s Head Coach Aaron Hunter U15’s Head Coach

Girls & Women’s Executive Committee Anne McConaghy Chairperson Mark Brown Vice-Chairperson Debbi McCulloch General Manager Judith Shepherd G/W Development Officer Jason Cross Member Ronnie Hamilton Member

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

’ Today we welcome Scott and his players to Ainslie Park. Glasgow City’s successful start to the new season may come as a surprise to many but not to me. I think it is naïve of anyone to underestimate City and how hard they work on and off the pitch. Even though City have lost three of their most influential players this week to Rangers, they will arrive this afternoon well prepared and determined to keep their 100% win record intact.

Since our last home game, against Forfar, we travelled west to Airdrie to take on a physical and well organised Motherwell side. We started off well by creating a few early chances and dominating possession. A break in play due to a head knock meant a 60 minute break. It’s never an ideal situation and under current circumstances it’s even worse. Thankfully we started off where we had left and went in at half time 1-0 up after a solid counter attack. We have been focusing heavily on our attacking play at training over the past few weeks so it was great to see us score another goal which involved six different players in the build up.

We now have scored four and only conceded four. Even though I would like (and expect!) our goals for number to be higher, I think we should be very proud of having one of the lowest goals against tally in SWPL 1. Our defensive displays so far this season have been excellent and all credit should go to the players. It has also been pleasing to see the positive impact our new signings Kat Smart and Louise Mason have had over the past few weeks. Both bring so much experience and ability and it was great to see both of them involved in our two goals against Motherwell. We also have Katie Frew back in full contact training after being out for 10 months with an ACL injury. Katie has worked extremely hard to get back on the pitch and it won’t be long before she is in contention for a starting place in the team.

Thank you for your continued support this afternoon, and even though you can’t be with us, we really do appreciate everyone being right behind us. We hope to welcome you back to Ainslie Park soon! #DBDF

Debbi McCulloch

6 million Euros of benefit to North Edinburgh UEFA research has shown that The Spartans Community Football Academy contributes nearly €6 million euros to the local community.

The Spartans Community Football Academy and Ayr United Football Academy were selected to participate in a UEFA pilot project to determine the tangible value of our participants and programmes to our communities. The study shows that we deliver millions of pounds of benefit to our local area - from savings in health care costs to volunteer programmes and investment in infrastructure.

Following the success of the national study in 2018 that revealed that participation in grassroots football delivers more than €1.35bn euros of positive value to Scottish society, Scotland was selected as the first nation to benefit from the next phase of the UEFA GROW SROI model, focusing on community benefits.

The model allows for a monetary value to be placed on mass participation in football across a spectrum of economic, health and social outcomes. This latest phase of the research shows that Spartans contribute more than €6 million euros in value to the local community, including: •

€2.5 million euros from investment in infrastructure

•

€1 million euros in value from volunteering

•

€1.5 million euros value in subjective wellbeing

•

€170,000 euros in improved mental health

•

€100,000 euros in reducing Type I and Type II diabetes

The model, which is in the process of being rolled out to other countries across Europe, will now be made available to other community clubs across Scotland, with the intention of creating an online tool that allows clubs to input their own data to calculate their value to the local community. Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive commented: “This next phase of UEFA research is invaluable in proving that the benefits of Scottish football extend far beyond 90 minutes. We have been well aware for some time of the importance of Scottish community clubs to their local areas and this study now helps us put a figure on that. The fantastic work that Ayr United and Spartans undertake has long established them as a pillar of their respective communities and it is rewarding to see such impressive figures in vital areas such as health and mental wellbeing. “

Craig Graham, Chair of Spartans FC said: "The results of this fantastic study show the brilliant economic, social and health impact that football has on our community in Edinburgh – an impact that I am sure is replicated in the many superb community clubs across Scotland. With the study proving the remarkable social return on investment that clubs such as ourselves provide, hopefully a variety stakeholders will be encouraged to increase their financial support for Scottish football clubs so that we can continue to invest and improve the already remarkable work that we carry out."

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The Forth Wedding Car Company

Thanks also to The Mawson Family, Brian McMonagle, Kirsty McLaughlin, Ashley Nicolson, Holly & Anna-Grace Gordon & Grant Cunningham.

Lowland League | Captain Corbett puts gloss on victory over Star Spartans continued their steady climb up the Lowland League ladder with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Dalbeattie Star at Ainslie Park. Matt Baines replaced Harry Stone between the sticks whilst Ian McFarland returned to the match day squad following his longer than preferred time on the treatment table.

It was almost the perfect start for the hosts when Sam Jones took the ball for a run before playing in Aaron Murrell who narrowly dragged his shot wide. Next up saw Archie Meekison take a dash up the touchline. He sent the ball into the box for Aaron Murrell but he couldn’t get purchase on the ball.

Seconds later it was back in the mix and the striker adjusted himself but could only head the ball wide.

Arguably against the run of play, the tourists grabbed a 17th minute opener. Steven Degnan made the most of some generous marking and his shot flew over Matt Baines into the roof of the net.

On the half hour mark, the sides were level. Jamie Watson’s low cross evaded Jack Dickinson who took an unaided tumble and Archie Meekison lifted the ball between two defenders to then slam home.

Scott Maxwell’s lofted cross into the Dalbeattie box was nodded down by Aaron Murrell into the path of Scott McCrory-Irving who was hovering around the edge of the box and let fly with a stonkingly fierce low drive which nestled in the back of the net.

Half Time: The Spartans 2-1 Dalbeattie Star The second half didn’t quite live up to its opening partner with limited chances troubling the keepers at either end and a couple of agricultural challenges from the visitors earning cautions and stern words from the Whistler.

Spartans had the ball in the net twice in as many minutes however neither counted as Keir Russell’s 30 yarder went into the net but it was guided there by Blair Atkinson who was standing in an offside position.

Next up was Sam Jones who was played into the box but was just a little too sharp for his own good.

With the match heading into its final stages, a corner was whizzed into the Star six yard box. It wasn’t dealt with by the defence and Adam Corbett pounced like a seagull on chips to put further light between the sides.

FT: The Spartans 3-1 Dalbeattie Star

Position

Team

Played

Won

Draw

Lose

GD

Points

1

Glasgow City F.C.

5

5

0

0

+18

15

2

Celtic F.C.

5

4

0

1

+14

12

3

Rangers F.C.

5

4

0

1

+7

12

4

Hibernian F.C.

5

2

0

3

+1

6

5

Spartans F.C.

5

2

0

3

0

6

6

Forfar Farmington F.C.

5

2

0

3

-5

6

7

Motherwell F.C.

5

1

0

4

-10

3

8

Hearts Women F.C.

5

0

0

5

-25

0

Played

Won

Draw

Lose

GD

Points

Position

Team

1

Aberdeen F.C.

8

7

0

1

+22

21

2

Partick Thistle F.C.

8

5

1

2

+9

16

3

Dundee United F.C.

8

4

2

2

+4

14

4

Hamilton Academicals

8

4

1

3

+12

13

5

Queens Park F.C.

8

4

1

3

-2

13

6

Glasgow Girls F.C.

8

3

1

4

+2

10

7

St Johnstone F.C.

7

3

1

3

-4

10

8

Kilmarnock F.C.W.

7

3

0

4

-6

9

9

Boroughmuir Thistle

8

2

0

6

-16

6

10

Stirling University

8

0

1

7

-21

1

Photos courtesy of Craig Doyle Media

1. Alicia YATES (GK) 2. Louise MASON 3. Sarah CLELLAND 4. Simone MCMAHON 5. Dion MCMAHON 6. Bobbie BEVERIDGE 7. Michaela MCALONIE 8. Katie FREW 9. Ronaigh DOUGLAS 10. Beth MCKAY 11. Alana MARSHALL © 13. Rachel HARRISON (GK) 14. Tegan REYNOLDS 15. Caley Gibb 16. Robyn MCCAFFERTY 18. Rebecca GAILBRAITH 19. Julia MOULTON 20. Elena SANTOYO-BROWN 21. Christie KERR 24. Katherine SMART

2. Cailin Michie 3. Zaneta WYNE 4. Hayley LAUDER 5. Janine VAN WYK 6. Jo LOVE 7. Mairead FULTON 8. Leanne CRICHTON 10. Claire SHINE 11. Tyler TOLAND 12. Jenna CLARK 14. Lauren DAVIDSON 15. Sharon WOJCIK 16. Leanne ROSS © 19. Aoife COLVILL 20. Lauren WADE 23. Megan FOLEY 24. Nicole ROBERTSON 25. Erin CLACHERS (GK) 29. Lee ALEXANDER (GK)

www.spartansfcwomen.com