Latest News

Spartans on Children in Need

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

The BBC sent a camera and a reporter along to the Academy and to local schools last week to film our new development officer Kenny Cameron in action with some of our local schoolchildren. It will go out on the show on Friday evening. Kenny’s post is partly funded by Children in Need and he’s looking forward to making a big difference to so many of the youngsters in North Edinburgh. Amongst other programmes Kenny will be running after-school football clubs at the Academy and then help those who want to use our computers in the Learning Centre for their homework. The Evening News carried a big article tonight on the great support Children in Need give to the Edinburgh and Lothians region, the link to their article is http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/latestnews/Who-is-catching-Children-in.4684656.jp .

Spartans success in the FA Cup

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Congratulations to our old friends Blyth Spartans after their FA Cup 1st Round win over Football League high flyers Shrewsbury Town. The game was live on ITV and the reward for the win was a trip to Bournemouth!! Even longer than a trip to Elgin. lets hope we will be celebrating another Spartans double over League opposition in the next round of our respective Cups!

The Blyth mascot ready for battle

Academy Update

Monday, November 10th, 2008

The new completion date for the Academy is Friday 5th December. Once again the wet weather has made life difficult on site, however, the finishing line is within sight. A special word of thanks to everyone who has a winter let booking with us for your continued patience.

The following photos really show how close the Academy is to completion.

New Signing - Sam Woods

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Spartans are delighted to announce that Sam Woods has joined the club. Sam is 20 and was full time at Rangers for a couple of seasons before taking a break from football. He spent some time at Arbroath earlier in the season but has decided to come to Spartans. Sam is a skilful midfielder in the mould of Craig Smart but hopefully with better hairstyles. Sam didn’t make a first team appearance at Ibrox but did do better than messrs Prso, Lovenkrands and Novo in the crossbar challenge… http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kfsFHeixclc.

Sam Lynch co-manager said “We dont have a big squad and Sam is a great addition, he can play anywhere in midfield. Given the weather in the early part of the season and hopefully our continued success in cup competitions we have a long way to go this season and will need strength in depth. Our next three games are vital, Lothian in the South Regional Cup quarter final, Dalbeattie the league leaders in the league and then Elgin in the Scottish Cup…loads to play for. It’s a great time to be at Spartans.”

Results - Sat 8th November

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Our Womens team unfortunately lost 3 - 0 in the finalf of the SWFA League Cup to Glasgow City this afternoon….the BBC carries the following report on http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/7713871.stm. We didnt play nearly as well as we can but have the chance of revenge next week in a league fixture.

The 1st XI won 3 - 1 away to Coldstream in the League with Gavin Malin, Struan Preston and Keith McLeod on target. Gavin again scoring with a fine drive from outside the box but it took until the 51st minute for Struan to put us 2 - 0 from close range. Coldstream pulled one back but Keith opened his account for the season a couple of minutes from the end.

Gavin Malin scoring for the 2nd successive week

The 2nd XI won 2 - 0 in the East of Scotland Cup Round 1 against Newcraighall Vics with Lukas Zuk and Andy Mitchell scoring.

The 3rd XI beat Tynecastle 3 - 2 in a firendly this morning.

Supporters bus to Elgin

Friday, November 7th, 2008

the new flag

Once again Cameron has kindly agreed to organise the bus to Elgin….the cost is £10 for adults and £8 for concessions. The bus will leave at 8.45 from Inverleith Park, to book it call Cameron on 07962 353645 or email him on cameron_hobbs@blueyonder.co.uk. He’s already had quite a number of bookings so please get to him early. The Youth section have splashed out on a new flag for the occasion which will be making its debut on the terraces at Borough Briggs.

Norwich Union £12,500 cash handed over

Friday, November 7th, 2008

The Academy received a cheque from Norwich Union for £12,500 for being the Scottish winner in their 2008 Community Sports awards. Development Manager Douglas samuel and his wife Elaine are pictured picking up the cheque from Sally Gunnel at the Gala Dinner awards night in London. Many thanks to everyone from Spartans who voted for us. The money will be used to help run our community programme in 2009, new development officer Kenny Cameron started this week and was out in the schools this week running coaching sessions and planning the forthcoming programme.

Douglas and Elaine with the big cheque which had to come home on the plane!

Scottish Womens League Cup Final - Sat 8th November

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Our Women’s team are looking forward to the first final of the season when they take on Glasgow City at Forthbank tomorrow, ko 3pm. City are fresh from their participation in the last 16 of the Womens UEFA Cup and will be formidable opponents. The mood in the camp is really upbeat after a couple of great sessions this week taken by player coach Shelley Kerr. Unfortunately skipper Shelley Faughnan was sent off in last week’s league win over Raith rovers and misses out so the captaincy changes over to Danni Pagliarulo. There is also a place in the squad for new Norwegian signing Camilla Neuman Holtz who is studying at Heriot Watt Uni and made her debut impressively from the bench last week. Coach Shelly has her team all ready to give 100% and if everyone plays to potential we could have a big trophy to show off in the academy when it opens next month. The squad is Jo Hutchison, Siobhan Rooney, Claire Crosbie, Shelley Kerr, Danni Pagliarulo, Hayley Lauder, Stacey Calder, Diana Barry, Molly McKean, Debbie mcWhinnie, Sarah Archibald, Patricia McLaughlan, Kate McGilvray, Julie melrose, Louise Young, Louise Maltrey, Camilla Neuman Holst