Lowland League | First Footer Footy sees fans flock for North Edinburgh Derby

Posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2022

The Spartans welcome Civil Service Strollers to Ainslie Park as their first footers as the New Year kicks-off with the North Edinburgh Derby.

After back to back victories on the road, Dougie Samuel’s side return to home base looking to open 2022 with a win in front of what promises to be a bumper* crowd inside the Pilton arena. (* subject of course to Scottish Government restrictions of 500 supporters).

The encounter sees third place Spartans take on 5th spot Strollers, with just four points separating the sides and there being nothing to pick between the sides when it comes to goal difference. It sets up one of the most eagerly awaited ‘Trainspotting Derbies’ in some years.

Last time out, it was Spartans who earned the bragging rights with a narrow victory at Christie Gillies Park winning by the odd goal in three that saw the latest in the series of four reds distributed during the derbies across the nine games so far.

Spartans and Strollers have of course been long term friends and foes on and off the football field stretching back to the 1951 season when Spartans joined the East of Scotland League. The Muirhouse outfit had joined the competition in 1947-48, making a steady improvement before finding themselves rooted to the foot of the table in the 51/52 campaign that saw Spartans finish their inaugural season in 9th position in the sixteen team tournament that stretched over 30 games.

A review of the tables from yesteryear sees the two clubs fairly evenly matched in the less favourable half of the table over almost two decades before Spartans lifted their first East of Scotland title in 1971/72. Unsurprisingly, it was Strollers who went on to do the same the following year.

Spartans were to go on win the East of Scotland title on no fewer than eight further occasions before joining the Lowland League in 2013. Strollers then followed by entered the league in 2016.

This is the tenth league meeting of the clubs since then with some dramatic derbies along the way. We anticipate Tuesday’s clash will be no different.

Tickets for the game can be purchased in advance via Fanbase priced at £8 adults / £4 concessions.

Match Programmes can be purchased at the gate or via our online shop.