Edinburgh City - The Citizens Journey

Edinburgh City FC



Currently playing their trade in the Lowland League in Scotland, and having won the Lowland League last season but failing to win promotion to League 2 after play-off heartbreak, we take over with the aim of promotion to League 2 and beyond.

A Brief History

Edinburgh City were founded originally in 1928 before being reformed in 1966 as Postal United. 20 years later in 1986 Postal United were given approval to use the name Edinburgh City.

The club has applied on two separate occasions to join the Scottish Football League in the last 20 years, both without success. The first being in 2002 after Airdrieonians went bankrupt, and the second being 6 years later in 2008 after Gretna were liquidated.

Edinburgh City were promoted to the Lowland League after winning the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division in the 2005-2006 season and won their first ever Lowland League title in 2014-2015.

They currently play their home games at Meadowbank Stadium.

Thats all for the introduction and I will be back soon with the first real update of the career! Thank you for reading and I will see you all soon!

Edinburgh City FC
The Citizens Journey

UPDATE 1 – Season 2015/16

The first season of this career would see us take charge of Edinburgh City FC in the Lowland League with a personal aim of matching the 2014/15 feat, set by previous management, of winning the Lowland League.

On top of the Lowland League, we would be entering into 3 different cup competitions: Scottish Cup; Challenge Cup and the South of Scotland Cup. The initial aims for each of these competitions were minimal and therefore the most important competition was the Lowland League itself.

Transfer Round-Up

At this level, finances are very limited and so all we could do this term was bring in players on free transfers on part-time contracts.



As mentioned before, finances were tight and so too was the availability of players who were willing to play at this level of competition. The highest profile of the FIVE players who arrived at the club this season was the arrival of defender Reece Lowdon from Ladbrokes League 1 side Airdrie. Gregor Wylie came in to give us more depth in the wide area and Jordan Brown arrived from League 2 side Annan Athletic to slot straight into the starting 11 in central midfield.

I felt we were particularly lacking in the strikers department and so both Steven Davidson and Matthew McDonald signed on free transfers from Fraserburgh and Keith respectively. I felt we did some good business over the course of the season and were still significantly under our wage budget, hopefully they could give us the edge when it came to the competitive games.



Only one player left the club this term as John Davidson became increasingly unhappy with his lack of game time and so signed a deal to move to Creetown on a free transfer.

Competition Progress

Challenge Cup

Edinburgh City vs Queen of the South, Meadowbank Stadium



The first round of the Challenge Cup saw us matched up against Queen of the South of the Ladbrokes Championship in what could be described as a mismatch. We were dominated from start to finish and, in the end, were lucky to keep the deficit to just 3 goals.

South of Scotland Cup

Second Round

Edinburgh City vs Spartans, Meadowbank Stadium



We entered the competition in the Second Round and were paired with Lowland League counterparts Spartans in a home tie. After we dominated much of the game, Spartans’ full back Iain Gray managed to get on the end of a cross to put Spartans ahead against the run of play.

With the way the game was going, I had a feeling this would be ‘one of those days’ however just 4 minutes after the Spartans goal Jordan Brown netted from close range to pull us level with under 15 minutes to go.

The full time whistle went with the scoreline at 1-1, and the extra time period was ended with the game still level at 1-1 and thus it progressed to penalties in which we would come out the victorious as it finished 3-1 on penalties.

Third Round

Hawick RA vs Edinburgh City, Albert Park



A game which was initially postponed due to a waterlogged pitch eventually took place on a Tuesday night in Hawick, and turned out to be one of the most dull games of the season. Neither team really threatened in the first 90 minutes and as we went into extra time tired legs started to kick in, killing the game even more.

Another round, another penalty shootout and again we would come out victorious after a tiring night of football this time the score on penalties was 3-4.

Quarter Final

Cumbernauld Colts vs Edinburgh City, Broadwood Stadium



The Quarter Final would again see us meet a Lowland League, this time an away tie at Cumbernauld Colts. Poor defending cost us in this game as Jonathan Black made the most of an under-hit back pass to give the home side the lead. Steven Davidson headed in the equaliser from a corner on the stroke of half time to take us in level at the break.

We conceded again just one minute after the restart after a tidy finish from Stevie McLean which would prove to be the decisive goal. Despite what was a relatively even game, we were knocked out of the South of Scotland Cup at the Quarter Final stage.

Scottish Cup

Second Round

Edinburgh City vs Auchinleck Talbot, Meadowbank Stadium



As we did in the South of Scotland Cup, we entered the Scottish Cup in the Second Round and faced what turned out to be an easy tie against Auchinleck. Steven Davidson would open the scoring after half an hour in a series of 3 goals in 8 minutes to take us in 3-0 up at the half time interval.

We began the second half like we had started the first as two more goals within 11 minutes of half time put us in a comfortable position for the remainder of the game. The game would finish 5-0 in what was a very pleasing and professional performance.

Third Round

Edinburgh City vs Dunfermline Athletic, Meadowbank Stadium



After progressing to the Third Round we were matched up with Dunfermline Athletic of League One in what we knew would not be an easy game. Ryan Wallace gave Dunfermline the lead direct from a free kick in the 27th minute and Dunfermline’s lead was doubled after Mark Burchill headed home from a corner 6 minutes before half time.

We came out for the second half determined to make a game of it and 11 minutes into the half we were awarded a penalty after Jordan Brown was brought down in the box. Brown himself stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home to get us back into the game. However, a lack of concentration saw us concede once more on the hour mark, a goal which all but sealed the tie for Dunfermline. The game would finish 3-1 as we were knocked out of yet another Cup competition.

Lowland League

Results



We started our campaign well with five wins from five and only conceding one goal however, this run was ended by East Kilbride who overcame us in a tight game. East Kilbride had also won their opening 5 and went on to be a very strong side in the division for the rest of the season.

Just 4 losses over the course of the season inflicted by East Kilbride, Selkirk, Spartans and Stirling University isn’t a bad return in our first season. But how did this these results leave the league table at the end of the season?

Final League Table



We finished the season strongly and won the Lowland League, 3 points clear of nearest challengers East Kilbride in the end. Stirling Uni and Spartans were a long way behind in 3rd and 4th and Threave Rovers finished bottom of the pile however won the Relegation Play-Off to stay in the division.

This title win would mean that we would face the winners of the Highland League in a two legged tie to see who would progress to the Play-Off for a place in Ladbrokes League 2 next season.

Highland-Lowland Leagues Promotion Play-Off

First Leg

Edinburgh City vs Formartine United, Meadowbank Stadium



Formartine United won the Highland League and so it would be them we would face in the Play-Off. The first leg was an edgy game in which neither team wanted to give anything away. Martin Murray gave us an early lead but despite our best efforts we couldn’t hang onto the lead as Garry Wood equalised on the hour mark.

Formartine United would leave Edinburgh with the tie still level, however we were still hopeful of getting a win to take us through to the next phase.

Second Leg

Formartine United vs Edinburgh City, North Lodge Park



Get a win is exactly what we did in the Second Leg in the Highlands. Adam Murdoch gave us a comfortable 2-0 lead before half time. The second half however became more and more nervy as the game went on. Archie Campbell pulled one back for Formartine United 8 minutes after the restart, and when Reece Lowdon got sent off with 6 minutes to go the pressure really started to mount.

Formartine were pushing for the equaliser and had plenty chances to do so, we rode our luck a bit however we did manage to hold on for the win and therefore would progress to the next phase 3-2 on aggregate!!

Ladbrokes League 2 Relegation Play-Off Final

First Leg

Edinburgh City vs East Stirlingshire, Meadowbank Stadium



The first leg was similar to that of the previous game against Formartine United in that it was a cagey affair. East Stirlingshire took the lead straight from kick-off which was a reality check for us that this was going to be no easy game. Daniel Ewen pulled us level after 24 minutes with a long range effort and both sides were very rigid after this. Neither team wanted to give anything away and so the game would finish 1-1, taking us into the second leg with a fighting chance of promotion to League 2.

Second Leg

East Stirlingshire vs Edinburgh City, Ochilview Park



The second leg away from home was never going to be easy and it was yet another tight game. Sam O’Donnell gave us the lead in the 9th minute of the game however his effort was cancelled out by Thomas Orr’s 27th minute strike. Going into half time the game and the tie were level and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

It was much more of the same in the second half, more good defensive work as both teams were determined not to lose out. Daniel Ewen had other ideas as his cross evades everybody and finds the back of the net with just 8 minutes left to play. If we could just hold on for 8 more minutes then we would be a League 2 team next season.

We did just that, despite a couple of close calls, and secured our place in League 2 for the 2016/2017 season! A magnificent end to a very successful season.

Next season will no doubt be tough however I hope to stay in the division next season and push on from there.

Thank you all for reading and I will see you all soon!

Edinburgh City FC
The Citizens Journey

UPDATE 2 – Season 2016/17

Transfer Round Up

Our maiden season in Ladbrokes League 2 would see us again have to rely massively on free transfers as the board have still not given us money spend.

OUT



We were dealt a major blow as first choice goalkeeper Greg Amos decided he was to good to play for Edinburgh City and wouldn’t even entertain contract negotiations. He was followed out by a bunch of players who I felt would never really be able to cut it at this level. Jack Main, a product of a youth intake, spent the season on loan at 2 different clubs. Both loan spells proved beneficial towards his development.

IN



As I mentioned before, we didn’t have much money to play with so free transfers were our only options. After the departure of Greg Amos I had to find a new goalkeeper and ended up with two, Gareth Watson and David Leslie, who would fight it out for the number 1 spot. In order to cope in the higher division I set about bringing in defenders who could cope with the level and Ally MacDonald was the first of those to come in. A natural left back, Ally would slot right into the starting line up. Other defenders to arrive included Kevin Gauld and Rhys Evans who provided youth as well as quality.

Jordan Austin and Kyle McLeod would add just that to the attack, and Giuseppe Capuano, who is actually Scottish and not Italian, was the real coup of the season and would turn out to be a key player for this season.

Competition Progress

Challenge Cup

First Round

Edinburgh City vs St Mirren, Meadowbank Stadium



Being paired up with a Championship side in the first round is never a good sign and St Mirren lived up to their expectations as they dominated the entire game and ran out 3-0 winners. It wasn’t a particularly poor performance, we just didn’t have the quality to match them.

League Cup

First Round

Edinburgh City vs Hibernian, Meadowbank Stadium



The first round of the League Cup would see us face one of our big Edinburgh neighbours for the first time as Hibernian came to Meadowbank. Another game in which we simply did not have the quality to match the opposition however this time ending in a closer scoreline. Mark Allan’s 90th minute goal would prove only a consolation in a game which Hibs deserved to win.

Scottish Cup

Second Round

Edinburgh City vs Strathspey Thistle, Meadowbank Stadium



We entered the Scottish Cup in the Second Round and would face a so-called minnow in Strathspey Thistle. Another home tie however this time we were actually given a chance of winning it, and a big chance at that. A dominant performance from ourselves saw us end up as comfortable 2-0 winners in a game which really could’ve ended up as more.

Third Round

Arbroath vs Edinburgh City, Gayfield Park



Oh dear. The Third Round meant we would face Ladbrokes League 2 counterparts Arbroath in an away fixture. Despite early indications this would be a tight game, we were destroyed in the first half as we came out for the second half already 4-0 down. The second half performance was better however it wasn’t enough as we were eliminated 5-1.

Ladbrokes League 2

Results



Our league campaign would also start poorly as it would take us until October to get our first win, one of only 3 from our opening 18 games. It would have to be better should we want to avoid a relegation Play-Off.



Our second 18 league games were better, slightly, however they did start with a run of 7 games without a win. A 5-1 win over Albion Rovers was a massive result for our season as it gave us the lift we needed to go on and win 3 in a row. The season finished with two 1-0 wins over Arbroath and Stirling but would it be enough to keep us in the league?

Final League Table



It was enough, but only just as we finished 9th in the table just 3 points ahead of bottom side Stirling. That 1-0 win on the last day proved to be a vital 3 points as we avoided a relegation Play-Off which Stirling won to keep them in the league for next season. Queens Park gained automatic promotion after winning the league and were followed to League 1 by Play-Off winners Clyde.

Overall I believe we can class this season as successful as we managed to stay in the league which gives us something to build on.

At the end of the season I received a string of interesting emails regarding a transfer embargo and speculation over my future as manager of the club. I’ll just leave you with this..



Thank you all for reading and I will see you all soon!