Sad news

Posted on Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Just after half time at today’s game we heard the news that Jim Martin had passed away.  He had had another stroke during the night and hadn’t regained consciousness.  Jim had been a fantastic supporter of the club and director of the Academy over recent years.  Almost single handedly and certainly single-mindedly he drove through every legal aspect of a very tricky deal the Academy has with the City of Edinburgh Council.  We would often chat about some problem about 10 at night and by working ’till 3 or 4 in the morning he had it cracked and was ready by morning to get stuck into some unsuspecting fellow on the other side of the deal.  He also created in his role as Company Secretary the new company format for the club which sets us up perfectly for the future. 

His sharp tongue or sharp use of the key board did get him in trouble now and again, and often again and again.  We all caught it at some time other than perhaps Derick who somehow knew how to duck out of the firing line at the right time.  He was nevertheless a really generous guy with very few knowing the extent of what he did.  He loved and cared for the club and all we stand for.  Quite simply we would not be where we are now without him and that’s a fantastic legacy he has left us.  Wherever you are tonight raise a glass of Pinot Grigio for Jim and we know for certain that he would want us to carry on driving the club and the Academy forward.

It was an exciting game against Vale of Leithen in the Image Printers Cup semi final although we went down 2 – 1.  Aaron Somerville put them ahead midway through the first half with a great left foot volley.  We had had most of the play but couldn’t quite score, Gavin Malin coming closest when he contrived to hit the bar from underneath it.  We again pushed forward in the second half but Somerville again scored after 53 minutes, this time a right foot rocket in the top corner.  We camped in the Vale half for the remainder of the game.  Donal Henretty hit the post before their goalie pulled off a cracking save from him also.  Gavin did pull one back with just over 15 to go.  We continued to pour forward but the chances were being missed.  Keith Mcleod did hit the post in the final minute and the ball came back out along the face of the goal but it wasn’t to be.

Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Gerrard, Sievewright, King, Malin, Kader, McLeod, Henretty, McAuley, Manson Subs not used: Vinelli, McKibben, McGarrie, Hamilton, Sinclair

Att 204

The Amateurs beat Bridgend 4 – 0 in a league game, the scorers were Finlay Clark 2, Ronnie Napier 2.

The Juniors game at Blackburn was postponed.