Kit supplier lets club down

The recent order placed by the club for 60 Leisure jackets has encountered some serious problems. The Italian supplier was the first time we've used the company, and after many weeks, of uncertainty, they admitted that they could not fufill the order. After a cheque refund it was back to our regular kit provider, Pendle Sportswear, who will now provide the quantity required. The tracksuit jackets are now on order, and once delivered , then shipped to our club embroiderer, the jackets will be issued to squads in time for the first game of the New Year.
Apologies to all for the delay.

Colts Injury list mounts

An unpecedented number of serious injuries is affecting the new Albion Colts squad. The loss of Gavin Craig to a double leg fracture back in September seems to have cast a dark shadow over the squad as news of another leg break for Shaun "Eggy" Forsyth. This unfortunate accident was the result of slipping on ice. Then, within the last week, Darren Smith sustained a cruciate ligament injury while training. To cap it all, Big Andy Brown will undergo surgery next week for a long standing knee problem that will keep him out for a sustained period. The loss of four key men, all regular starters, will severly stretch the Colts squad in the coming weeks. The extended Xmas break will hopefully allow the management team to rush some new signings through for the start of 2012.

New addition to the Redpath Clan

Warmest conratulations from everyone associated with the club go to Senior Ams manager Geoff and his wife Emma who welcomed the arrival of a baby boy last week. Young Bradan Cowan already has his name down for a fitting of next seasons new Redpath kit.

Club festivities in full swing

Both Ams squads enjoyed their Christmas get-togethers on Saturday 10 December. The Seniors plumped for a fancy dress night and with the Colts joining in the fun the Redpath Lounge at the Strathie Bar was packed to the rafters. Big thanks to bar owners Martin and Rosemary and manager Willie for the welcome. Big hand to Mary for the lovely buffet which went down well.
Its the turn of the Juniors on Tuesday 13 December when the U8/U9 and U10s will round off their usual coaching session with a party at Pilrig School

Squads left idle as weather takes its toll.

The last two weekends have left both Ams squads and our U10s inactive due to the bad weather. Firstly rain, then last weekends snowfall, left all Edinburgh and Lothian parks unplayable.

Its been a while!!!!

Apologies for the infrequency of any blog updates. We experienced some difficulties with server problems. It seems to be a regular occurence and given the Blogs popularity, we'll be considering a shift elsewhere, if issues don't improve.

Saturday/Sunday fixtures

Senior Ams host opponents Dunipace (Stirling) in the East of Scotland cup with a 1.30pm kick off. Ams colts have a free week. The U10s head of to far flung Kirkliston on Sunday morning for their ESSSDA 7s match - KO 11am

Weekend Results

Ams Colts slumped to another defeat when Links Utd scored 5 without reply to send them out of the Anderson Cup at Pilrig Park. Senior Ams had a week off with no fixture being cast. The U10s travelled to Musselburgh and were again worthy Sunday morning winners in the ESSSDA 7s

Fixtures - Weekend 19/20 November

Senior Ams have a free week. Ams Colts host Links United in 1st Round of Anderson Cup at Pilrig Park. Note 1.30KO. The U10s head to Musselburgh for their 7s ESSSDA game 10am kick-off

Results - Weekend 12/13 November

Senior Ams tumbled out of Logan Cup after 1-2 home defeat by Cramond FC. Ams Colts drop more valuable points down at their temporary venue at Leith Academy as they lose 3-6 to Pathead. U10s lit up a dull grey Sunday at Pilrig with their eight win of the current ESSSDA 7s campaign

Weekend fixtures

Should have been a double header at Pilrig this weekend, but the Senior Ams cup tie was pulled forward by 30 minutes to 1.30KO which left the Colts and the club with a bit of a problem. All was solved when the club discussed the situation with our old friends down at Leith Academy. The clubs old 'landlords' duly gave permission to switch the Colts fixture to Leith Academy Sports Complex. Albion experienced 10 good years of using the park and facilities at LA before moving to Pilrig and it will be like home from home for a vast majority of the Colts squad who are ex-pupils. Weekend Fixture details.
Saturday 12 November - Senior Ams home to Cramond AFC - Logan Cup Rd3 - 1.30pm
Saturday 12 November - Senior Colts home to Pathead AFC - League - 2pm
Sunday 13 November - U10s home to Arniston Rangers - ESSSDA 7s - 10.30am KO

Apology

Our apologies for lack of Blog updates, but we were having problems with the connection to the Blog service. All relevant club information was being relayed through the club website, so hopefully everyone was kept informed.

U10 to experience new Sunday test?

Albion's U10s have a fixture change for this Sunday. Original opponents, Redhall Star, are unable to fulfil the fixture, however, Beeslack Thistle have agreed to travel to Pilrig. Sundays opponents play in the "Zidane" section of the ESSSDA association which is reputed to be a skill level above our own, and it will give the lads an opportunity to play against fresh opponents. Kick off is 10.30am

Another Albion U19 addition to Colts growing squad

Albion Colts will have last season's U19 midfield dynamo Neil Ross in the squad for the weekend visit to Civil Service Strollers. Neil had various offers to step into the U21 divisions, but after pledging his commitment to Albion since the U13s, has decided to stay loyal to the Albion "Clan" Neil's decision now increases the number of Albion U19 players within the Colts squad to five. We're sure there will soon be more of last seasons U19s ready to jump on board the Colts drive for success before the season ends.

Interesting weekend ahead

The clubs Senior sides have real incentives to claim victory in both their fixtures. The Senior Ams host AFC Milton in the Esst of Scotland cup at Pilrig Park. The visitors, from Stirling in Central Scotland, present a formidable barrier for Albion if they want to progress to the last 32. A large crowd expected at Pilrig should be well entertained. The Senior Colts make the short journey along the coast where Civil Service Strollers await the challenge. An away victory will see the Colts surge up the table after last weeks away point gained at Pathead AFC.

Another step in the Albion coaching Pathway

Albion's commitment to community coaching takes another forward step tonight when we see the establishing of our newly formed U7 section. Initially, the section will be a "Pilot Project" to test the need for such a community facility. and all going well, then the section will become an intergral part of the club player pathway. The coaching base, as with all new Junior sections, will be the Pilmeny Youth centre. Sessions will be held each Friday from 6.30pm-7.30pm with SFA qualified Albion club coaches, Mac Tait and Neil Ross, conducting the weekly sessions. Full details on the club website. Any parent looking to reserve a place please email the club - webmaster@redpathalbion.co.uk or call the youth centre on 0131 554 0953

U10s make it 7 wins

The U10s, again treated the large home touch-line at Pilrig, to another display of fine football. Crisp, one touch passing, not an easy task given the length of the grass at Pilig (council take note) was again on display as the lads eased their way to a seventh successive win.

Weekend Fixtures - What a difference a week makes

From last weekends patchy performances this weekends results proved what a difference a week can make. The Seniors Ams knocked up a convincing win away to Seaforth Highlanders with a 1-3 result that went a long way to eradicationg the 0-5 home defeat suffered 5 weeks ago from the same opponents. Albion needed a good performnce to give them some confidence for next weeks East of Scotland cup tie. The Senior Colts came back from Pathead wih a creditable share of the points. The home side would have felt quietly confident picking uop all three points, epecially after their 2-1 cup win ealier in the season against Albion's Senior Ams. However, it was a rallying performance from the Colts after last weeks 3-5 loss at home. The Colts were leading 2-4 with the clock ticking and should have been good for the 3 points, but an injury time goal conceded in "52 minutes" left them, with only a point to show for their efforts

Albion U7s

Albion, in partnership with Pilmeny Youth centre, are establishing a new U7 section. Sessions will be held each Friday at the youth centre from 6:30pm - 7:30pm commencing on Friday 28 October. Any parent wishing to secure a place for local children aged 6/7yrs please contact the club via email on webmaster@redpathalbion.co.uk or at pilmenycentre@freezone.co.uk

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday 22 October - Senior Ams away to Seaforth Highlanders - Royal High School KO 2pm
Saturday 22 October - Amateur Colts away to Pathead AFC - Callendar park - KO 2pm
Sunday 23 October - U10s home o Lochend YBC - Pilrig Park - 10am

School Holidays...Pilrig closed

The clubs coaching/training base at Pilrig Park School is closed this week due to the school holidays. Normal service resumes from Tuesday 25 October.

Three games - One win

A miserable Saturday for Albion when the Senior Ams headed to Windygates in Fife for their Scottish Cup tie vs Eastvale FC with the home side running out 5-2 winners. The Ams Colts, playing only their second home league game of the season failed to overcome a resilient Leith Star Athletic. The visitors were locked at the bottom of the division without a point to their name, but took all three pionts, and most of the credit, in this local derby with a 3-5 win. Better news to report from Sunday morning where the U10s made the long trip to Dalkeith in their ESSSDA 7s fixture. In a game that swept from end-to-end Albion came out on top to win their sixth successive game.

Junior coaching sessions - Tuesday 11 October

Parents are reminded that this evenings U10 coaching session will be held from 6.30pm - 7.30pm.

U10s continue to impress

The Clubs U10s soccer sevens squad continued to impress with another magical display of passing football up at Kingsknowe where they travelled to play Currie Star. A fifth successive win was secured in some style.

Mixed results for Albion over weekend

Albion Seniors made heavy weather of their home fixture v Barca Milton. After outplaying the visitors in the first half, but with only a slender Alan Snedden goal giving them a 1-0 lead to take into the second period, it all unravelled in the second half. Albion dropped down a gear in the second half and it almost cost them the game after the visitors levelled with 11 minutes to go, then went in front in 87 minutes. It was left to a Flynn corner in the dying minutes to fly through a pack of players and the ball found itself nestled in the far corner to give Albion a share of the points. Both sides played some excellent stuff in difficult conditions, especially Albion, however a draw was probably the right result in the end.
The Colts travelled to the Gyle and were soundly beaten by 8-2 with Albions goals coming from McQuade and Glasgow.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday 8 October Senior Ams home to Barca Milton - League KO2pm
Saturday 8 October Senior Colts away to Edinburgh Southern - League KO 2pm (Gyle Park)
Sunday 9 October U10s away to Currie Star - ESSSDA Fixture - KO9.30am (Kingsknowe)

Overnight rain washes out U10 game.

Torrential overnight rain and the relentless downpour that everyone woke up to this morning left the U10s with no option but to call off todays fixture.

Day to forget for Albion Senior sides

Both Albion sides exited the Logan Cup in what couuld be considered a bad day for both. The Senior Ams were unlucky to drop out at the first hurdle when a 5-3 score line severely flattered the home side. Albion, down to ten men early on, were at least worthy of an extra time finish after coming back from 2 down, but some very dubious refereeing decisions, put paid to any chances of an away win. With the local press covering this game, we await with interest their take on how this game, and the officials decisions, affected the final outcome.
There was no such controversy at Livingston where the Senior Colts were soundly beaten in a second half collapse that gave the game an 8-0 scoreline. At 3-0 down at half-time, to be honest, Albion were still actually in the game, and with some luck and an early 2nd half goal, they may have clawed their way back into the game. But a flurry of second half goals was the signal for some key players to throw in the towel!. Bizzare as it may sound when reading this, but the back four, and especially keeper Moore had a good game. It was the exceptional strength and domination of the midfield areas, where Albion found it difficult to cope, and the gulf in height and strength meant this was going to be a comfortable home win.

U10s enjoy home advantage again on Sunday

Albion's U10s are playing host to Bonnyrigg Rose in their ESSSDA 7s fixture on Sunday KO as usual is 10.30am

Saturday - Logan Cup Day

Busy day of cup ties for both Albion senior sides with both squads having to travel. The Senior Ams are due to visit Watt Starr in the 1st Round of the Logan Cup, with the Colts heading west to visit Livingston AFC in round 2. Two tough ties, especially for the Colts.

U10s produce top Sunday show

The U10s continued to entertain the large Sunday morning Pilig park crowds with another sparkling home display vs. Edinburgh Red Lions and another home win.

Both Albion sides have a day to forget

A woeful performance by Albion Senior Ams at home to Newtongrange Star 'A' ended in a 0-5 defeat. The Senior Colts faired little better as they dissolved from being comfortable with a 1-1 scoreline just before half time, to loosing a late first half goal to end the half at 2-1 down, and failing to produce the goods after the restart to end up heading back to Leith with a 4-1 defeat away to Musselburgh Windsor.

Trinity Roofing - Still backing Albion

Historic Sporting partnership extended to 2013.
The club is delighted to announce an extension to our Sporting Partnership/Sponsorship with Trinity Roofing.
Our current 5 year arrangement came to a close in July 2011 and after two short
meeting's between the club, and Trinity Roofing owner and ex-Albion player Dave Deery,
the company had no hesitation in extending our sponsorship agreement for another two years. The historic deal, possibly the longest for any club in the Lothian's, will preserve our sporting partnership until 2013. The 7-year deal is unique at this level and everyone at the club, and connected with Albion in the local community, thank Dave and Trinity Roofing for their generosity.

Senior's without key players

Albion's Senior sides will be without key individuals for tomorrows league fixtures.
Gogs McCreadie will be missing from the Senior Ams line - up due to suspension as will Senior Colts midfield orchestrator, Danny McQuade who is serving a one-game suspension.

Weekend Fixture News

Games this weekend as follows:
Sat 24 September - Senior Ams home to Newtongrange Star 'A' KO 2pm (League)
Sat 24 September - Senior Colts away to Musselburgh Windsor KO 2pm (League)
Sunday 25 September - U10s home to Edinburgh Reds KO 10.30am (ESSSDA Soccer 7s)

Senior Ams Team Update

The Ams have Big Bily Duncan back training and hoping to battle his way back to fitness after a long lay off.

Wee Gav Craig - Update

Following last weeks horrendous leg break suffered by Colts full back Gavin Craig, the news is that no operational procedures were needed, and the diagnosis that the double breaks were both "uncomplicated", Gavin was discharged from hospital early in the week. It will be a long way back to fitness, but with the backing of the club and his team-mates, and the exemplary help from Senior Ams manager and club physiotherapist Geoff Cowan, we'll see wee Gav through this difficult time.

Monday fitness sessions postponed

Senior section players are reminded that the regular Monday night fitness sessions at Pilrig Park and school are cancelled this week due to the Monday holiday.

Edinburgh Holiday Weekend

Quiet time for all club sections this weekend. The Edinburgh holiday gives sides a short break to take stock and review their performances in the first half-dozen games of the season.
Mixed fortunes for both senior sides, but plenty to be positive about. The senior colts are in the process of tying up the signatures of two experienced defenders in order to add a bit of height and strength to the squad. There is also some movement, and possible additions, to the senior Ams squad, with announcements imminent.

U10s make it two out of two.

The U10s ploughed through the long grass at Pilrig Park to provide the large early morning crowd with another impressive home win. In a great 50 minute spectacle of end-to-end stuff, both sides served up a feast of slick passing skills, resulting in an eleven goal extravaganza. With a goal every five minutes it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Leg break horror rocks the Colts

A horrendous double leg break sustained by Colts left back Gavin Craig ended Albion's hopes of a cup shock at Peffermill Park. Albion rallied from being 1-0 down early in the game to storm in front after Ferguson had scored twice to put Albion deservedly in front. At 2-2 it was all too play for until in 37 minutes we had the incident that changed the game. Craig's injury, a result of a 50-50 challenge, with no blame directed at the home player, left Albion shell-shocked as they lost a third goal just before the break. With Craig lying on the Albion touchline waiting on the medics the interval was taken up with concerns about the leg-break as players found it difficult to focus on the game. The Ambulance arrived just as the second period restarted and Albion lost two quick goals to go further behind. It was effectively game over as Albion failed to gain any of the rythym that had caused problems for †he Premier 2 side in the first 40 minutes of the game. With everyone concerned for their team-mate, the second 45 minutes were a non-event from Albion's perspective.
INJURY UPDATE:-......Gavin will be operated on sometime on Monday where a series of metal pins will be inserted to mend the leg broken in two places and will result in a six day hospital stay.

Injury hit Ams edged out of cup

The Senior Ams were bundled out of the Centenery Cup at Pathead AFC. A depleted squad of only 12 fit players were beaten 2-1 by a determined home side. Next weekend, being the holiday weekend and no games cast, will allow the injured players a little bit more time to recover.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday 10 September Senior Ams away to Pathead AFC - KO2pm - Centenery Cup Rd2
Saturday 10 September Senior Colts away to Fernieside AFC - KO2pm - Centenary Cup Rd2
Sunday 11 September U10s home to Cramond BC - KO10.30am -ESSSDA 7s Fixture

Seniors Picture Profiles now on-site

The official club website has recently added this seasons individual player profiles and photographs. To browse log in to www.redpathalbion.co.uk

Senior Colts 5 star performance...to begin with?

The Senior Colts opened the scoring in 24 seconds with a goal that could possibly have been the finest ever witnessed at Pilrig. From the kick-off the ball was swept between the back line, midfield and forwards before Osborne floated the ball over the onrushing keeper. Approx 14 passes made without an opponent touching the ball, with a perfect outcome. Sublime. A half-time scoreline of 1-1 didn't show a true reflection of the home teams superiority. A stack of misses in the first half, continued into the second and the Colts should have won by a much bigger margin than the 3-1 that will now go on record. Second half goals, from Glasgow and McQuade, were enough to take Albion into the next round of the Logan Cup. It was fitting to witness two of the clubs U19 players, Osborne and Glasgow, score two of the goals as the younger lads get to grips with the Amateur level.

U10s game off

This morning's U10 ESSSDA fixture was cancelled due to the home side not having enough players available. instead, lads are enjoying a brisk coaching session at Pilrig Park in glorious sunshine in preparation for next weeks game at home to Cramond.

Senior Ams,Tale of two Half's

In the first of Pilrig's double fixture headers the Seniors put in a storming first half performance, with some excellent football being played and at 2-1, after being 2-0 in front, no one who had witnessed the superiority of Albion's first 45 minutes would have predicted the outcome. The second forty-five was in stark contrast to the first and a 3-5 final scoreline left the home side stunned. This was a game that could have been wrapped up in the first half, but a number of crucial elements came into play, as the game went on. Missed chances, defensive slips all contributed to Albion's home defeat.

U10s Sunday

The U10s are due to travel on Sunday to play Edina Hibs in an ESSSDA 7s match. We're still waiting on a confirmed venue and ko time. All parents will be notified when information is obtained by the club

Pilrig Park set for busy day

With both Senior sides at home tomorrow Pilrig Park will be a busy place with an unprecedented 9-5 shift being held at Pilrig. The 3v2 soccer tots sessions will take place from 9am - 12Noon, then the "big boys" take over. The senior Ams will host Tollcross Thistle in a league fixture with a 1pm kick off, then the Senior Colts will entertain Melville Rovers in the Logan cup (Rd2) with a 2.30pm kick-off.

U10s put on a show for Pilrig crowd

The U10s started their second round of 7s fixtures with the visit of Kirkliston SQ at Pilrig Park. A good polished performance, with some good passing and movement, resulted in a home win for the lads.

Albion Colts gain 3 away points

Albion's Colts left it late to secure a well deserved three points away to Melville Rovers with a 2-4 win. An early lead was tainted when a red card inside the first 20 minutes left Albion to battle on with only 10 men. With the game at 2-2, it was two goals from two substitutes, that pushed Albion in front for a deserved away win.

Ams have to settle for point at Pilrig

The Ams played host to Linlithgow at Pilrig and would have been dissapointed with a 2-2 draw. A performance that really should have given them full points hinged on a key home player being red carded at 2-1. The incident changed the flow of the game and allowed the visitors to grab a late equaliser. However, a series of missed chances throughout the game, and especially in the final ten minutes, should have been more than enough to have given Albion a comfortable win.

Weekends now getting busier...

A full set of club fixtures over the weekend as U10 soccer sevens season starts
Saturday 27 August- Ams at home to Linlinthgow - KO2pm
Saturday 27 August - Ams Colts away to Melville Rov (Gyle Park) - KO2pm
Sunday 28 August - U10s home to Kirkliston S/Q - KO 10.30am

Ams score three and still end up pointless

Albion's trio of goals Archibald, Fraser and Martin weren't enough to take anything from last nights visit to Saughton 3G where home side Tollcross Thistle ran out 6-3 winners.

Albion Senior side get quick chance to get over weekend result

The Ams head up to Saughton 3G tonight where they will play Tollcross FC in another midweek league outing. It will be an ideal opportunity for the squad to bounce back from Saturdays heavy home defeat KO 7pm

Five minutes of magic earn Albion Colts their first league point

With the sun setting at blowy Drumbrae and the home side Dunedin cruising to a 4-1 win Albion had only 5 minutes to take something from this game. A headed second goal,from Smith, added to Wilson's first half headed goal, gave Albion a lifeline. With 4 minutes left a marvellous long-range effort from McQuade brought the result back to a respectable 4-3. However, Albion weren't finished and a last minute corner, expertly delivered by Forsyth, tempted Albion who had 9 players in the penalty area at this time, and it was left to the smallest player on the park wee Gav Craig, to prod home the equaliser from close range. A significant point gained by Albion as the home side will be a difficult option for most sides with their strength and organisation. With 85 minutes on the clock, no one could have predicted the end result, but the confidence in the Colts, and the fitness levels of a young squad, proved to be the key that unlocked the door to the Colts first point of the season.

Ams senior side trounced at home!

A dire performance at Pilrig Park today left Albion's senior side with a few red faces to evade the limelight. A below par performance, given recent results, was the last thing expected from todays outing at Pilrig Park. The 0-5 defeat by Seaforth Highlanders, at Pilrig Park, left Albion looking to regroup for Tuesday nights visit to Tollcross

Colts learning the hard way

Albion's Senior Colts side went down 1-3 in last nights league game to Lothian Star. A series of missed chances, as with Saturdays defeat, left the Colts still waiting for their first point at Amateur level.But with only two games played, there were many positives from the game, and with a number of U19 players stepping into the Amateur cauldron, a bit of inexperience, unravelled most of the good passing game witnessed at Pilrig Park, but the first win isn't far away.

Albion Seniors win with style

Albion's Senior side recorded a convincing away victory at North Edinburgh Wanderers. A Rutherford strike and an Archibald hat-trick sent Albion on their way to a 1-4 win. Four points from a possible 6 will kick start their season. With their first home game of 2011/2012 due to take place at Pilrig on Saturday they'll go into that one with confidence.

Pilrig Park recovery

Pilrig Park has made a remarkable recovery from the recent torrential rainfall. The parks maintenance team were hard at work this morning marking the surface. As long as there is no adverse weather conditions fixtures should go ahead as planned.

U8/U9s back after Summer break

Parents are reminded that the 8s and 9s resume new season coaching sessions tomorrow (16 August) at Pilrig Park - 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Senior Ams game gets green light

Tonights Senior Ams game will go ahead as planned. A weekend pitch inspection at East

Senior Colts endure mixed day at Dunbar

A pulsating performance on the opening day of the season wasn't enough to give the Colts even a share of the points at Dunbar. In a game dominated from start to finish the Colts hit the woodwork 3 times in the opening 15 minutes, missed a mass of chances, then miss a penalty in the final minute to lose 1-0. Many positives from the game and the Senior debuts of some of the Clubs U19 players from last seasons squad was very encouraging.

Senior Ams fixture switch almost pays off

The Ams were 5 minutes from an opening day victory as they led 1-3, only to be undone with two late goals leaving them to settle for a share of the points as they headed back along the motorway with a 3-3 draw. A point away from home in Premier Division Two is a creditable start to the season.

Ams draw a tricky away tie in Scottish Cup

The clubs Senior side enjoyed a bye in the first round of the National competition, but found themselves landed with a tricky away tie to either Hillfoots Community Club (Tillicoutry) or EastVale Ams (Buckhaven, Fife) with the tie due to be played on or before Saturday 15 October

Senior Colts gear up for Amateur league debut

Albion's new Senior side will head 25 miles down the East coast to Dunbar where they will attempt to take all three points home to Leith. With a full squad available for selection a good performance will settle the nerves for the long season ahead.

Ams find a solution to blank Saturday

In a hastily arranged series of phone calls the Senior Ams side were able to reverse their opening day fixture and will now travel to Livingston to fulfil their league fixture. A bit of travelling to do, but it should be worth it to get the season up and running. Heading back to Leith with all three points will make it all worthwhile.

Senior Colts game still on.....Up to now?

The Senior Colts are due to kick of their new season away to Dunbar United tomorrow and word is that the game is still on. The Colts are due to play on the surface at Dunbar United Junior ground and it has a reputation of constantly beating the elements. This may however change in the next 24 hours, but we'll list updates, as we get them

Start to Season delayed by torrential rain....Ams v Livingston - OFF

Pilrig Park fell to the weather like every other park in the Lothians. A pitch inspection this morning left club officials in no doubt that the parks was never going to be playable. As 90% of the park was in perfect condition there was a small "pond" sitting on an area of the park that has experienced soil compaction problems over the last 4 seasons. It was so bad that, if there isn't a dramatic change in the weather and temperatures don't jump significantly in order to dry the area out, then there will also be some doubt over the Senior Colts midweek fixture on Wednesday evening.

Colts Game caught out by the Weather

Tonights Senior Colts friendly v Spartans at Silverknowes has been rained off. The incessant overnight rain has flooded the park.

Soccer Camp.....it's all go

The final three days of the U10 soccer cahectic entering a hectic schedule of events.
Today, the lads will head for an indoor session at World of Soccer, then depart for their evening visit to Hampden Park for the Scotland - Denmark game.
Thursday, they spend the day at Livingston FC footbAll complex for some coaching activity
Friday, directly after a days coaching at Pilrig Park, the lads will be guests of Hibernian FC when they head down to the clubs training headquarters for another session. It's certainly been a fun packed week.

Scottish Amateur Cup and East of Scotland Cup dates

The following dates are listed for the early rounds of the SAFA National Cup. The clubs Senior Amatuer side will compete, as usual, this season. The Colts have opted out in order to concentrate on building their first season and will committ to local domestic Fixtures only.

Dates:-Scottish Amateur Cup
1st Round (East Section) Saturday 24th September 2011
2nd Round (East Section) Saturday 15th October 2011
3rd Round                 Saturday 5th November 2011
4th Round                 Saturday 3rd December 2011

Dates:- East of Scotland Cup
1st Round                 Saturday 8th October 2011
2nd Round                 Saturday 29th October 2011
3rd Round                 Saturday 19th November 2011

A good laugh to brighten up a dull Monday morning

The link below has been sent by some of the Senior Colts players in regards to Saturdays game v Civil SS U21s. The lads are having a good laugh about it. As one player speculated in his email, CS ground has changed it's name in the last year, but it must have also went through another change and is now called Fantasy Island!

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/civilservicestrollersfc/155109/Matches/report/3077341

U10 Holiday Soccer Camp

The club's U10 Holiday Soccer Camp kick-off tomorrow with a week long, 25 hour, soccer special. Monday to Friday, 10am - 3pm, the U10 soccer sevens section will enjoy a series of enhanced soccer skill sessions. Additional activities include, a trip to the Scotland v Denmark game on Wednesday evening at Hampden Park, which will be for many, if not all the lads, their first look at the National Stadium. It will be a long and late night, but its up bright an early on Thursday morning where the lads and coaches will enjoy a visit to Livingston FC Training complex. Soccer Camp Information Leaflet is listed on the club website @ www.redpathalbion.co.ok However, the programme page, which was always subject to change, does not include the Hampden or Livingston FC visits. Parents also note that due to the Hampden visit, the Wednesday session will close at lunchtime. The usual U10 Tuesday evening (9 August)coaching session is also postponed due to the holiday camp

Senior Colts share the spoils with Civil Service 21s

The Senior Colts jumped of the blocks with the first of their two pre-season games ending in a 4-4 draw at Civil Service Strollers U21s. A squad of 18 players travelled to CCS Sports Ground and led 0-1 at half time from a Burnett goal. They then romped into a 0-3 lead with goals from Beady and Ferguson. A wealth of changes unsettled the flow and they then found themselves pegged back to 3-3. A fourth goal from Herrera put the Colts back in front, before a costly defensive error ended the game with both teams level.

Senior Ams game No-Go

The Senior Ams game was a late casualty today as Sandy's postponed the game due to staff cover problems at their Castleview venue. The lads made the most of it as they put in a 2 hour practice session at Pilrig Park.

Senior Colts fix up pre-season tests

The Albion Colts have hurriedly arranged two pre-season games in the lead up to the big kick-off on the 13 August. The first test comes on Saturday 6 August away to Civil Service Strollers U21 at Marine Drive KO 2pm, then on Wednesday 10 August the Colts travel to Silverknowes to play Spartans U21 side KO 7pm

Albion hit the goal trail in tonights pre-season friendly

Goals from Archibald (2)and Martin gave Albion their first pre-season win v Tynecastle down at Peffermill. Next up is a visit to Craigmillar to play Sandy's FC on Saturday, which could be the final warm up before the season kicks off on the 13 Auguat

Seniors on road again tonight

The Senior Ams head for Peffermill this evening to play Tynecastle FC in another pre-season friendly - KO 7pm

L&EAFA Senior Cup Draws

Centenary Cup - Both the Ams and the Colts were given bye's into round two

Round Two
Pathead Ams v Redpath Albion AFC
Fernieside v Redpath Albion Colts
The Logan Cup also credited both Albion sides with bye's into round two

Round Two
Redpath Albion Colts v Melville Rovers
Watt Star v Redpath Albion AFC

Date of ties still to be arranged

Senior Colts early season fixtures

The Senior Colts early season fixtures are now confirmed:-

Saturday 13 August - Away to Dunbar United (League) Ref:- Mr Hannan
Wednesday 17 August - Home to Lothian Star (League) Ref:- Mr Lindsay KO 6.45
Saturday 20 August - Away to Dunedin Ath (League) Ref:- Mr Ramage
Saturday 27 August - Away to Melville Rovers (League) Ref:- Mr Hammersley

No Fixture cast for Mon 22/Wed 24 August, but this may change.

Senior Colts league change

The Senior Colts also felt the affects of the league re-shuffle. The Central Division is now no longer and Colts will now be in the 12 team Edinburgh East Division as listed below:-

Edinburgh East
C S Strollers
Dunbar Utd
Dunedin Ath
Edin Southern
Leith Star
Lothian Star
Mayfield & Easthouses
Melville Rovers
Musselburgh Windsor
Pathhead
Redpath Albion Colts
St Vincents

Seniors early season fixtures

The Seniors early season fixture list for August has also been published:-

Saturday 13 August - Home to Livingston AFC (League) Ref:- Mr Easton
Monday 15 August - Away to North Edinburgh Wds (League) Ref:- Mr Gardner KO6.45pm
Saturday 20 August - Home to Seaforth Highlanders (League) Ref:- Mr Pettigrew
Tuesday 23 August - Away to Tollcross Ams (League) Ref:- Mr Clark KO 7pm
Saturday 27 August - Home to Linlithgow Th (League) Ref:- Mr De Herts

Note:- Tuesday 23 August away to Tollcross is begin played on a TUESDAY

Seniors re-jigged league set-up

The Seniors elevation to Premier Division Two and the recent association league re-shuffle has now been confirmed with the publication of the final league formation:-

Premier Division 2
Barca-Milton 97
Bathgate Th
Edinburgh Rose
Fernieside
Heriot Vale
Linlithgow Th
Livingston AFC
Newtongrange Star A
North Edinburgh Wdrs
Redpath Albion
Seaforth Highlanders
Tollcross Th

Midweek Coaching/Training schedules

Monday 01 August - Senior Ams - Pilrig Park - 7.15pm to 9.15pm
Tuesday 02 August - U10s Juniors - Pilrig Park - 6.30pm to 8pm
Wednesday 03 August - Senior Ams - Pilrig Park - 7:15pm to 9.15pm
Wednesday 03 August - Senior Colts - Pilrig Park - 6.30pm - 8.30pm

L&EAFA League and Fixture details

The recent changes to league re-shuffling has now been decided and the data is listed on the Amateur association website. All data relevant to the Seniors and Senior Colts, league opponents and early season fixtures, will be listed on the Blog later today.

U10 Juniors restart

The Clubs U10s will restart Tuesday evening coaching session tomorrow. Phase II of the ESSSDA season commences at the end of August. Sessions at Pilrig Park from 6.30pm - 8pm.

Ams push for match fitness, but lose friendly

The Seniors lost their third pre-season outing 2-0 at Lauriston FC on Saturday.

Senior side promoted and a ball hasn't been kicked!

The first club council meeting of the Lothian and Edinburgh AFA was held last night and with a number of teams withdrawing from the association a late and hurried reshuffle of the divisions was called for. As a result Albion's Seniors have been elevated to Premier Division 2. The Ams management team commented that "it weas always our goal to aim for promotion to Premier Two this season, so we've achieved this goal a season early. The challenge is now there to push ahead and we'll certainly approach the challenge with optimism". Some rethinking will have to done by the management team and the next fortnight will be primed towards further strengthening the squad.

Albion lose out 4-2 in Wednesday night friendly

Some rusty defending left Albion on the losing side in their midweek friendly away to West Pilton Albion. The squad get an opportunity to stretch the legs again tomorrow when they travel to Silverknowes to play Lauriston - KO 2pm

Official Club website now back

The Clubs official website is now back after a small Summer revamp.

Senior Colts Training details

The Senior Colts squad is shaping up for the start of the new season. Twice weekly training sessions are held on Wednesdays 6.30pm - 8.30pm and Saturdays from 2pm - 4pm

Senior Squad head to Pilton for pre-season fixture

The Ams get another opportunity to stretch their legs again tonight as they make the short journey to East Pilton Park to play Pilton Albion Wanderers - KO 6:45pm

Tonights Ams Colts training session pulled

This evenings pe-season training session for the Senior Colts has been postponed due to the heavy conditions at Pilrig Park. The incessant rainfall over the last 5 days has made large areas of Pilrig unusable. Saturdays session is still planned for 2pm.

Seniors per-season fixture update

The Ams have added another fixture to their pre-season schedule. In addition to games already arranged the squad will now travel to local side West Pilton Albion on Wednesday 27 July - KO 6:45pm

Week long U10 coaching school now confirmed

The club can now confirm the proposed U10 coaching school will be held from Monday 8 August to Friday 12 August. The school will give the coaching team unprecedented access to the U10 squad Held at Pilrig Park each day from 10am - 3pm, with players meeting at the Pilmeny Youth Centre clubrooms at 9.45pm, the 25 hour soccer school provides us with an opportunity to massively widen the scope of a typical weekly coaching session. It would take 5 months worth of usual Tuesday sessions to impart the coaches knowledge, but our week in August will fast track five months worth of coaching into a 5 day soccer school. With Phase II of the U10 soccer 7s season due to commence on Sunday 28 August, the soccer school will ensure the lads are ready. The project has proved very popular, and the club has been swamped with calls and email enquiries. Please note that applications are only open to Redpath Albion Junior club U10 members

Amateur Colts raring to go

The new Amateur Colts squad is gearing up for the new season as they meet for their first pre-season session on Saturday 16 July. Most of the Colts will be returning to familiar surroundings as they arrive at Pilrig Park for a tough afternoon session under the coaching guidance of Robbie Huxtsble and Cristo O'Brien

Pre season steps up a gear

The Ams will up their pre season schedule over the weekend with a trip to Gullane Beach on Saturday 16 July. Mini Bus leaves the Strathie at 1pm. Then a regular Pilrig Psrk session on Monday 18 July,7.15pm to 9pm, before their first pre-season friendly on Wednesday 20 July away to North Merchiston Vale at Harrison Park - KO 7pm

Ams pre-season schedule part two....

Phase II of the Ams pre season preparation begins on Saturday with a trip to Arthur Seat for some heavy stamina work from 2pm - 4pm, then its back to familiar ground on Monday 11 July with a session at Pilrig park from 7.15pm to 9pm. The sixth session of the season will be held on Wednesday 13 July, again at Pilrig park, from 7.15pm - 9pm

3v2 Soccer Academy Camp at Pilrig

Albion have teamed up with 3v2 Soccer Academy to provide two - five day long coaching camps at
Pilrig Park and school over the summer holidays. From Monday 11 to Friday 15 July and Monday 25 to Friday 29 July each week long coaching camp is open to 5-12 year olds and each daily session is from 9am - 4pm. Places are going fast so be quick. For further details consult the 3v2 website @ www.3v2socceracademy.co.uk and follow the holiday camp section. A number of Albion Junior club members have already signed up, but any parent of a club member wishing further details is asked to contact the club via email at webmaster@redpathalbion.co.uk

Ams pre season fixtures confirmed

To date the following pre-season matches have been arranged.
Wednesday 20 July away to North Merchiston Vale - Harrison Park KO 6.45pm
Saturday 30 July away to Lauriston - Silverknowes - KO 2pm
Saturday 06 August away to Sandy's BC - Castleview - KO 2pm (TBC)
Additional fixtures may be added, also fixtures/dates/ko times may be subject to change.
Further details can be obtained from the Ams coaching team.

and another one set to start......

The Seniors squad get back into their tough pre-season routine with a 3 sessions a week schedule beginning on Saturday 2 July, dates and times as follows:-
Saturday 02 July @ Pilrig Park 1.30pm - 4pm
Monday 04 July @ Pilrig Park 7.15pm - 9pm
Wednesday 06 July @ Pilrig Park 7.15pm - 9pm
Venues and times vary slightly the following week, but will be listed here.

One season ends........

The Junior sections have now closed for a 4 week break. The U10s will now rest up until they restart on Tuesday 2 August, with Phase II of their ESSSDA 7s season restarting on Sunday 27 August. The U9s will hold off until the schools resume and will return for their first session of the new season on Tuesday 16 August.

Junior Colts Updates

As the Junior sections season draws towards the summer break our U10s will have an end of season soccer 7s friendly on Sunday 26 June - KO 10.30am. Then at our final coaching session on Tuesday 28 June, it will be our annual fun 7s game The U9s v The U10s with a 6.45pm kick-off, ending at 7.45pm.

Could it ever happen at Pilrig?

interesting article. Is it worth our local associations considering this as an option?

Author: The Whistle Blower
 
Who could be against the ‘Respect’ agenda for referees at any level of football?  No-one I’ve ever met. 
 
The better question for individuals as well as grass roots leagues is “what do you actually do to nourish respect?”
 
I don’t mean the occasional public statement at the start of each season about the need to respect refs.
 
For the rest of the season as far as I have been able to observe the clubs and coaches on the one side and referees and refereeing on the other travel along parallel lines.  There’s not enough regular contact between them to provide a basis of respect. 
 
Toleration isn’t the same as tolerance.  Toleration is done under instruction or legal requirement but has no heart. It certainly doesn’t imply respect.
 
Tolerance implies an understanding not only of each other’s needs and ambitions but also of the inevitability of frailty on either side – that we are actually members of the same human race and are all doing our best to be the best we can. 
 
I refereed for ten years in London and Oxford. I haven’t refereed in Scotland but have seen how match days are conducted  in the part of Scotland where two of my sons have played over the last 15 years or more.  It could be different in other parts of Scotland.  Forgive me if the suggestions I am about to make are already well established where you are.
 
What I have seen in Scotland is the low expectations that the leagues have of their member clubs in assisting the referee.  My observation in other fields as well as sport is that most of us tend to live down to low expectations.  It is harder but more exciting to try and live up to high expectations.
 
In the leagues I refereed in London I’d get details of my fixtures usually two weeks in advance.  The club would get the same notification. They would also get a sheet on which they would mark the referee out of 10 and which they would have to return within three days of the match itself. 
 
It was difficult to get less than four out of ten as long as you actually showed up. There were marks for remembering your uniform and arriving on time as well as for match control. The marks were important for a referee seeking promotion because they would be taken into account along with several matches independently assessed by a member of the association’s referee’s panel. You’d need an average of at least 8 over the season from all your leagues before you had a chance of going from Class 3 to 2 and Class 2 to 1.
 
However, the referee also got a sheet on which he would mark the club. They got marks for the basics including contacting the referee to confirm the fixture in time and giving directions to the ground. And they’d be marked for paying the match fee without delay or mishap after the match.
 
But there were also marks for the performance of the club linesman. The what? Club linesman.
 
It was a condition of membership of each league that every club had to provide a named linesman/woman each match day.  They would be fined if they failed to do so and expelled if they failed more than three times in a season though I never knew of that happening.
 
But the threat of fines could only guarantee toleration. The reality was much better than that.
 
Half an hour before kick off I’d meet and shake hands with the club linesman and I’d give them my instructions. It was an opportunity for me to demonstrate my respect for them by explaining how much I’d value their contribution to the successful control of the coming game. 
 
I’d also find out how much I could expect from them according to their maturity and experience.  It was just the three of us and I had an opportunity to convey to them that we were going to be a team for the day.
 
I won’t pretend that they were all enthusiastic. If they had just been named substitute when they expected to play they might not be wild about the task. But, as I recall, many clubs a regular individual who wasn’t a player and who took the job very seriously. 
 
I’d explain what help I needed from them – ball in and out of play for throw ins, corner kicks and goal kicks. I’d make a judgement on whether they seemed up to flagging for offside.  Mostly I’d tell them to leave offside to me. In all cases I’d explain that I was grateful for their help but all decisions would have to be mine. If I agreed with their flag I’d give them a wave or thumbs up. If I disagreed I’d acknowledge their flag and signal to put it down and move the game on.
 
I’d give them a flag each. According to the conditions and position of the sun I’d tell them which side of the pitch I wanted them on  - the left or right of their own defence.
 
What was clear was that that was their job for the game and no other.  It was demanded of them that they would keep up with play and do their level best to give me quick and correct decisions. In passing I would say it is easier to be a ref than a linesman and tiresome to hear pundits say, “how could he not see whose throw in it is when it was so close to them.” The closer it is the harder it is especially if you are also trying to position yourself also to pick up offside at the same time.  I’d love to give a flag to some of them for a half and see how well they do!
 
Of course it wasn’t always a joyful shared experience on a muddy swamp on Hackney Marshes or Roehampton Common. There were certainly matches where it got tense if I disagreed with too many flags. I understood that could be frustrating and would always try and gee the linesman up if I got a chance. As often the linesman could be a lightning conductor when he and I were in agreement but the coaches didn’t. It could be the making of a linesman. 
 
I’d say there were remarkably few deliberately one-eyed decisions in favour of his own side.
 
Returning to the club marking sheet that I had to complete, the club linesman would be named and given a mark.  At the end of the season awards there was a trophy for the club linesman of the season.  For some leagues there was a small cheque to go with it.  It wasn’t just fines for non- compliance. There were rewards for doing it well.
 
I would say that quite a few club linesmen were sufficiently motivated to go along to referee classes and get a basic grade 3 qualification if only so they could mention it pointedly  to the referee before the game. I knew of one or two who went on to concentrate on refereeing rather than playing so it represented a potential recruitment route that doesn’t appear to exist in Scotland where the clubs and officials continue down their parallel tracks.
 
In Scotland I have seen referees give a flag to a coach who might hang on to it but never move from their position on the halfway line and who never had any intention of putting the challenge of assisting the referee ahead of their role as coach. I’ve seen referees put the flag down on the ground close to the coaches and subs where it lay until full time.  The referees have had no expectation and have got what they expected.
 
In my opinion, the key to raising those mutual expectations is for the leagues at youth level to work with their referee association to demand more of each other in pursuit of the respect agenda.  Club linesmen (or referee assistants now) create obligations for both in pursuit of better control of every game.  Fines and awards, carrots and sticks are the mechanism by which clubs can be obliged to fulfil their obligations to respect.  But the eye contact, the dialogue and the handshakes between individuals are the human touches that shift toleration to tolerance. My goodness, we need it.

The Website

The clubs popular website is undergoing a revamp and tidy up. We're still online and looking towards the new season, but reasons for no new updates are due to ongoing behind the scenes site construction. A number of pages and data requires archiving, with new Junior and Senior Colts pages being constructed. As its always a quiet news period at this time of year, it was more practical to do the revamp in June/July. All up to date news will appear on the club Blog. We'll post a Blog notice when the site is re-launched so keep watching

Closed Season Seniors News

After their great late revival, and after just missing out on promotion last season, the Ams will again ply their skills in L&EAFA Edinburgh East Division. With 95% of last seasons squad retained for the 2011/2012 campaign, and new signings imminent, the lads will enjoy a well earned break before returning to pre-season training on Saturday 2 July. No drastic changes to the division set-up with only 4 sides Tynecastle, Arniston, East Linton and Tranent freshening up the divisions opponents. An 11 team league will consist of:-

Arniston
Tynecastle
Tranent
Scottish Widows
Redpath Albion
Musselburgh
North Berwick
Penicuik
Haddington
East Linton
Danderhall MWFC

....But no Youth teams

Yes, its true. Albion have made a decision to defer their involvement with youth football for the foreseeable future. There were varying reasons for this decision, but mainly the differing attitudes of young players and the erosion of our coaches enthusiasm for the weekly "battle" with lack of players commitment to playing and coaching sessions had taken its toll. Financial implications were also a key factor. The end of season club coaches meeting held to evaluate and review the overall club and team section performances left us with no doubt that there are serious issues to be addressed, not just by Redpath Albion, but also by youth football legislators. The bureaucratic barriers now being faced by clubs was also a serious consideration in our decision. The club has now re-drawn its coaching blueprint and will devote itself to Junior and Senior sections. A proposed outcome of the clubs blueprint targets are the development of its junior sections from U7 to U12, then in time, and when we feel we're ready, re-application to the SERYFA at U13 level. Hopefully, by that time a summer season will await the lads and coaches. 

Its Official, Albion to field two Senior sides next season....but no Youth Teams

The club can now go public with its plans to field a second Senior side for season 2011/2012. Redpath Albion Colts were accepted in to the L&EAFA League at their recent AGM. The reasoning behind this move was partly due to the decison not to take the step up from U19 to U21 for senior youth players. The Colts will play in the newly established L&EAFA Central Division, with both the Seniors and Colts using Pilrig Park as their home ground. The Colts will be coached and managed by Robbie Huxtable (last seasons U19 Head coach) and Cristo O'Brien (last seasons U16s coach), with two additional positions of assistant manager and team secretary in the process of being filled. The squad will be a mix of ex-Albion youth and senior players, with room in the squad available for targeted signings not previously associated with the club. Pre-Season plans are in the process of being finalised, but arrangements are already in place for the first pre-season training session, to be staged at Pilrig Park from 1pm - 4pm.
Edinburgh Central League Opponents:-
Bowery FC
Civil Service Stollers
Dunalbar FC
Edinburgh Southern
Heriot Watt
Leith Star
Links United
Redpath Albion Colts
Sporting IcapB|
St Vincents
Standard Life

U10 Colts Sunday Fixture

The Colts will host Craigroyston U10s in this weeks ESSSDA 7s fixture at Pilrig Park - KO 10.30am. Parents are reminded that players are asked to attend at 10am

Henry McLeish/SFA/SYFA 0 - 1 Sepp Blatter/UEFA

Herr Blatter puts boot into U19/U21s and probably all Amateur players as well

Substitutes at 19 and 21 level

Further to the January issue of KICKABOUT we now write to update on the participation of substitutes at 19s and 21s level. The SFA Recreational Committee decision to support an increase to the number of substitutes at age groups 19s and 21s was submitted to an SFA Board meeting and was duly approved. SYFA thanks to all who supported the proposal.

The proposal was submitted to the International Football Association Board at their AGM held at Celtic Manor in March 2011. The Board is made up of 1 delegate each from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales plus 4 delegates from FIFA. During the meeting Herr Blatter had difficulties with the proposal. This resulted in the 4 home countries voting to support the proposal the four FIFA delegates voting to oppose the proposal. Stewart Regan has indicated to the IFAB that the proposal will again be submitted to the next AGM and hoped that it would be supported by all delegates. SYFA thanks to Stewart and the other home nations.

The above extract is taken from a recent SYFA Newsletter and relates to the draconian rules relating to non-professional players in Scotland and the UK. It takes some believing that Herr Blatter "had some difficulties" getting his head round the positive moves to promote the game to as many of the countries Amateur players as possible. Ask yourself, what would Herr Blatter know about being an unused sub on a freezing, windswept, winters day in Scotland, having trained twice a week, paid your weekly training/match fees, probably turned down a days overtime to play, only for Herr Blatter to tell you that he has "difficulties" with ensuring you at least get some game time?. How many U19/U21, and lets also include the Amateurs in this farce, team managers at the recent cup finals had the unpleasant task of leaving two players stood on a touchline, because we could only play 3 subs from the 5 listed, on their biggest night of the season?. It doesn't auger well for us at grassroots level when Henry McLeish and the Hampden power brokers look at devising blueprints for the future of the game in Scotland, then when a positive proposal to get more players involved in a game to game basis, and to promote a government directive to adopt healthy lifestyles, is de-railed by four of Herr Blatters trusted lieutenants. Henry has a job on his hands!!

U10 Colts Sunday Fixture

Sunday 12 June - The Colts will play host to Currie Star at Pilrig Park on Sunday KO 10.30am
All players to report at 10am

KJ Tait engineers to the rescue

Redpath Albion, especially the Junior sections has taken ownership of a new set of soccer 7s goals. The specially fabricated design, and lightweight structures 12' x 6' were paid through a £600 donation from KJ Tait Engineers, Edinburgh. Mr Malcolm Tait will attend
Sunday mornings game for an official pre-match handover and photograph with the Colts U10s. Our thanks to Malcolm and the company for this marvellous gesture.

Ams management team to fulfil last "fixture" of the season

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held at the Danderhall Miners Club on Saturday 4th June starting at 12.00pm

Every club is required to be represented at the AGM and any club failing to do so shall be fined the sum of £50. (This does not apply to new clubs who have already been accepted into membership of the Association for Season 2011/12 but of course these clubs are more than welcome – and encouraged - to attend). 

The AGM will be followed by the Logan Cup Final between Newtongrange Star A and Sandys which takes place at New Dundas Park, Bonnyrigg with a 2:30 KO.  Admission charges (by Bonnyrigg Ath Juniors) will be £2 and £1 for OAPS with children being admitted free.

Sunday U10s Fixture

The U10 Colts host local opponents Lochend BC on Sunday at Pilrig Park. Kick off - 10.30am. Albion Players are advised to arrive at 10am

Seniors season 2011/2012

With the old season only ended two weeks ago the Seniors have already cemented plans for pre-season. First pre-season get-together for the squad will take place on Saturday 2 July. Time and place for the first session to be decided, but it looks like an early season outing at Pilrig Park is a hot favourite. More details to follow.

U10s fine display at Spartans

The U10 Colts travelled to the Spartans sports complex yesterday morning for a 9.15am kick off, but they made light work of the early rise, and the constant wind and rain showers to record a fine display and win v Edinburgh Reds.

Sunday 29 May - Early start for the U10s

The U10s will kick off tomorrow at 9.15am away to Edinburgh Reds at the Spartans Academy.
Club bus leaves Pilmeny Youth Centre at 8.30am

Colts and McDonalds

This weekend the clubs Junior sections will host a visit from a film crew representing RazorResearch, commissioned by McDonalds, to debate their impending four year sponsorship of Grassroots football. Filming begins at Pilrig Park on Sunday where club officials and parents, will be conducting face to face interviews with the film crew, hoping to trawl ideas on how McDonalds should best utilise their sponsorship at Grassroots level. Following on from the filming at Pilrig Park, club officials and a group of parents with children involved with the club, will then move on to the clubrooms at Pilmeny Youth Centre to debate the ideas in more detail. There are many ideas and contentious issues to debate which are specific to clubs concerns with the development of grassroots. This could be the right platform to get our point across.

Season 2011/2012 Kick Off date now official

Notification has been received that the Seniors season 2011/2012 will commence on Saturday 13 August 2011.

Technical Team changes

Youth team coaches, Robbie Huxtable (U19 & U16) and Cristo O'Brien (U16) will team up with the existing Juniors section coaching team. With the closure of the club's youth season, Robbie and Cristo expressed a keen interest in lending their vast experience to safeguarding the development to the clubs Colts sections. They both take up their posts with immediate affect.

Junior Colts

The U10 Junior Colts ESSSDA 7s are at home on Sunday 15 May to Edinburgh United Colts - KO 10.30am

Ams bow out with win

The Clubs Senior side wrapped up their season with a 6-5 win over Danderhall at Pilrig on Wednesday night. In a scrappy, but end to end game, the result was in some doubt as the Ams battled back from 1-3 down.

Blog lost for two days

Apologies to all of who have logged in looking for info. The Blog server "dashboard" section was undergoing maintenance at the server end.

U19 and U16 Youth seasons now wrapped up

Season 2010/2011 for the clubs U19 and U16s is now over. The final games due to take place at the weekend have been cancelled.

Ams bow out as season 2010/2011 comes to an end

The clubs Senior season comes to an end with this evenings home fixture v Danderhall MWFC KO 6.30pm. A storming end to the season, when the squad hit some eally good form, was derailed with last Saturdays 2-4 defeat to Barca Milton which left Albion just outside the promotion placings. A win this evening will possibly secure a third place finish.

Does the council have another agenda when it comes to sport in Edinburgh?

Following on from our thread last week highlighting the playing conditions at Pilrig Park, there were some interesting comments from the "Friend of the Clubs" Mr Ian Mackay. Ian has been a stalwart of youth and Amateur football in the Lothian area for many years, and has been a witness to the many trials and tribulations faced by clubs who incur the regular "brick walls" they face when dealing with council officials. The "old school tie" carries a lot of weight in this city when it comes to youth and amateurs sport. Ian's comments are recorded below and lifted from his website http://localheroesunlimited.webs.com/

" It was interesting to see Ian McDonald at this game, considering his ongoing disappointing treatment at the hands of officials in Edinburgh City Council. Ian has poured money in to sponsoring his own club, Redhall Star, at Redhall Park and he has in fact transformed the out-of-date changing facilities in this park but he refuses to spend any more until he gets a lease to the place. The matter is now in the hands of his lawyers but he faces a trying time in his dealings with those in power in Edinburgh City Council. Personally, I do not know how Ian McDonald keeps going. I have been through the same treatment in the past few years in my campaigning for better facilities for young people. But I found that in Edinburgh it is not possibly what you, rather who you know that matters. For example why do rugby clubs get permission to set up bases in public owned property and in the process sell alcohol sometimes on ground owned by the educational departments? I don’t know of any football club that has this type of licence. I was at Meggetland on Saturday for the semi-final of the Craig Gowans Memorial Cup and I was reminded once again of my camptagning to get the use of the main stadium for football finals, etc. Despite eventually proving that the main stadium used exclusively by Boroughmuir Rugby Club was in fact owned by the people of Edinburgh, I never did manage to get it for football. Do you know that the main stand and pitch are maintained by all of us who pay our council taxes. That and many other things I found out in my long career promoting and campaigning on behalf of those wrongly classed as being in minor-grade sport are treated by the rugby loving officials in power in Edinburgh,. Do you in fact ever notice that rugby pitches in council owned property always get preference over football pitches and are usually situated on the flattest ground and near to changing faciliites. I will be surprised if Ian McDonald does not decide to call it a day, just as I was forced in to"

Ams promotion hopes ended at Pilrig

A 2-4 defeat at home to Barca Milton AFC ended Albion's promotion hopes in a game with more than a few bizarre twists and turns. The awarding of five (5) penalties in a thrilling 90 minutes gve the big crowd plenty to talk about, but in the end, Albion ran out of steam at the crucial hurdle. A marvellous 6 game spell, which re-energised the Seniors promotion hopes, unravelled at a critical stage of the season, and even with one game left, the promotion aspirations will have to be put on hold for another season.

19s crash at Cramond

Albion's U19s failed to maintain their recent good form as they crashed at Cramond with a 5-3 defeat. Another depleted squad, let down yet again by feeble excuses from certain weak individuals, who jumped ship, battled bravely against a home side who were playing their final game of the season. Down 3-1 at one point, Albion fought their way back into the game to level with 10 minutes remaining, but succumbed to a late flurry which ended with Cramond scoring two late goals. Albion have one game left before they end their season, away to Haddington Athletic next Saturday and the players who went missing yesterday, and who let the club and their team-mates down badly, can look forward to another "day-off" next week as Albion finish their season with the loyal squad members who gave their all yesterday.

Seniors big day at Pilrig

The Senior squad will host high flying Barca Milton at Pilrig Park tomorrow in what will be seen as a possible promotion clincher for the visitors, if they win, or a huge leap for Albion promotion hopes if the home side pick up all three points. Its 4th v 2nd and should be sure to draw a huge crowd at Pilrig. Everyone here at Albion wish manager Geoff and the Albion back-room team all the best and as the lads have hit a great run of form the result could very well go their way.

Weekend Fixtures

Seniors - See separate thread
Saturday 7 May - U19s away to Cramond FC - KO 2pm (League)
Sunday 8 May - U10s away to Musselburgh - KO 10.30am - ESSSDA 7s
Sunday 8 May - U16s away to Haddington Ath - KO 2pm - (League)
* U10s are reminded that the club bus leaves the Pilmeny Youth Centre at 9.30am
* U16s are reminded that the club bus leaves the Strathie corner at 12Noon

Albion's magnificent 7 at City Park

Albion's short hop along the road to play second placed Spartans FC ended in a spectacularly convincing win. A win that puts a severe dent in the home sides title challenge. In a first half that was possibly Albion's best of the season Goals from Hamilton (2), Glasgow, Southall and Herrera had Albion in an unasailable 1-5 lead. A lead that was fully deserved. The second half was not as convincing as the first, but playing up the steep hill, the home side threw everything at Albion and forced their way back into the game with two quick goals. However, goals from Kirkland and Glasgow, with a late home goal thrown in at the end gave Albion a very comfortable 4-7 away win. Worth noting that the playing surface at City Park was a disgrace. It was the opposite of the situation at Pilrig Park on Sunday. The grass had been cut, probably several times over the past weeks, but with the cuttings left on the surface, the conditions were laughable. We'll post a few photographs on the website before the end of the week.

Albion 19s v Spartans - Wednesday 4 May

Albion's 19s travel to City Park to play league leaders Spartans FC in what will be their second league game in 48 hours. Club bus leaves the Strathie at 5.15pm sharp.

19s grab point at Dalkeith

Albion's 19s had to settle for a share of †he points with a 3-3 draw away to Dalkeith MWBC last night. It could have ben all so different as Albion stormed into a 0-2 half time lead with goals from Hamilton and Herrera. However, the weekly pantomime was played out again when woeful defending allowed the home side back into the game with goals in the 46th, 58th and 69th minute to overturn a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 advantage. It wasn't to end there. Albion dominated the game in the final ten minutes and should have scored 3 times, with the easiest of chances missed, before Herrera turned home a loose ball in 86 minutes to make it 3-3

19s Monday 2 May v Dalkeith

The 19s squad are reminded that the club bus for tonight fixture away to Dalkeith will leave the Strathie at 4.45pm

16s lose, but some answers needed?

The 16s lost their final home game to Eskmills 1-2 on Sunday with a depleted side wearing the Albion colours due to suspensions and injuries. No excuses for the result as the promotion challengers Eskmills deserved their victory. It is however, worrying that yesterdays match official was again a locally based referee. Our calculations show that the match official has officiated at nineteen (19) of the clubs youth games this season. Our U16s and U19s have enjoyed his company so many times this season that surely questions should be asked at association level about the allocation of match officials?. Is the lower leagues at differing age levels suffering an inequality of the associations referee allocation policy? Have other clubs witnessed similar allocations of match officials. The 19s head for Spartans on Wednesday 4 May, and the match official....Yes, you've guessed right. The club has been happy to see this particular match official allocated over the season, and indeed we commission this match official to take charge of our friendly games, so we have no gripe with his refeeeing standards, but a fresh face would be welcome change.

10s game ruined by conditions

The U10 colts soccer sevens game at home to Currie was ruined by the local authorities inability to maintain the playing areas. The length of the grass and bizarre site of blue paint being used for the pitch markings were a sight to behold. All credit to both sets of youngsters for struggling on with the game, but the 50 minutes were ruined for everyone involved, including spectators as the lads struggled to plough through the surface conditions. The grass was so long in some areas that the smaller players were unable to pass the ball more than a few metres. If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable. The triple whammy of the long grass, "artistic" blue lines, added to the tonnes of dog mess the club has to remove from the playing areas, is a sad indication of this cities civic leaders failure to back sport in this city, especially football. At an annual cost to the club of £300+ for the use of the playing areas at Pilrig Park, added to the £2K+ annual let charges for the adjoining school for changing facilities it is a sad indictment of their abdication of responsibility and their duty to maintain local amenities for the cities council tax payers. The time and wasted energy speaking to the local authority about these conditions, and at times being reassured that they will rectify the situation, is a constant concern. When will someone listen and take the issue seriously? Visiting clubs are quick to comment, and rightly so, and the embarrassment felt by Redpath Albion is wearing thin. The SFA, SYFA, SPL and local football associations can push out as many soundbites as they like about developing the game in this country, but until local authorities buy into the national propaganda, the powers at national and local level can talk themselves hoarse. How many coaches and young players are being lost to the game due to their ineptitude?. Why would a youngster part with his game subs to use playing conditions more suited to the third world when he could spend it in McDonalds instead? Why would an U19 lad (their game the previous day was equally marred by these conditions) when he could use his weekly game subs to buy alcohol instead? Our U16 home game also had to contend with the triple whammy? If the council persist in their failure to meet their obligations to maintain the playing surfaces at Pilrig Park, and its been like this for years, should Redpath albion say enough is enough and close its doors to the local children and young people in our area?. Its a radical move, but with club officials and Albion's coaching volunteers getting weary of the constant battle with the local authority, the situation is now critical. The clubs social responsibility to the local community is being seriously hampered by the failure of the local authority to even meet minimum maintenance standards of the playing surfaces at Pilrig Park. The promotion of healthy lifestyles and the clubs social commitment to offering children and young people the choices to pursue health and fitness pathways, which will, or should benefit them in adulthood, are not being matched by the local power brokers. We can only only commit to the promotion of healthy lifestyles if the authorities are prepared to at least meet us half-way. We have the "tools' to fulfil our social commitment to the local community, but without the support of the local authority, the fast food joints and the alco-pop sellers may be the only winners.

Old habits result in 19s having to settle for a draw

Albion's 19s lost a 2 goal home lead to bottom club Edinburgh United as a 3-3 draw, in their last home game of the season, resulted in the season long habit of comedy defending. However, yet again, Albion should have been oiut of sight in the first half with total dominance of the visiting side. Indeed, it was fully eight minutes before Albion's keeper had his first touch of the ball. Goals from Herrera, Glasgow and Hogg weren't enough to give Albion all 3 points, and the game was never a 'classic'

Ams pick valuable 3 points

Albion's seniors picked up a valuable 3 points in their quest for promotion with a very hard fought 0-1 away win at Pathhead AFC. A solitary goal from leading scorer Archibald was enough to maintain the pressure on the league's leading pack. With two home games left in this season's campaign, Albion need to keep winning and hope some results go in their favour.

Annual Presentation

Tickets are now available for the Senior and U19 Youth squads Annual Presentation of Awards. The Annual event will again be held at the Edinburgh City Social Club on Friday 24 June. Tickets are, at present, limited to two per player. Geoff Cowan (Seniors) and Gary McKenzie (U19s) are dealing with ticket distribution. Players requiring more than their allocation of two per player should inform Geoff or Gary.

19s on the road in Midweek

Albion' 19s have a busy schedule in midweek. With 3 games in the space of 5 days, which is the culmination of 6 fixtures in a 10 day cycle, after Saturday's home fixture the squad will head to Cowden Park on Monday 2 May,to play Dalkeith Miners BC, then head up the coast to play Spartans FC on Wednesday 4 May. Both kick offs are 6.30pm

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday 30 April Albion's Seniors away to Pathhead - KO 2pm (League)
Saturday 10 April Albion's U19 home to Edinburgh Utd - KO 2pm (League)
Sunday 01 May Albion's U10 Colts home to Currie BC - KO 10.30am (7s)
Sunday 01 May Albion's U16 home to Esmills Boys Club - KO 2pm (League)

19s poor at Pilrig

Albion's 19s failed to close the gap at the foot of Division B as they capitulated to a very poor 0-4 home defeat to Star 'A' CYP at Pilrig Park. And yet, Albion had enough chances in the first 35 minutes to win TWO GAMES! Very poor finishing,and some good goalkeeping, kept Albion from actually wrapping this game up by half-time. Yes, it was that one sided, with Albion keeper McCaldon never having a save to make. The missed chances and the wrong choices in front of goal, came home to roost when the visitors converted a late first half penalty to lead 0-1 at half time. If Albion expected normal service to be resumed in the second period it wasn't going to happen. The second half for Albion was as poor as they have produced all season, and there have been some real contenders in that category, but this was as bad as it gets. With three games to come in the next 7 days, Albion will need to get this result out of the system.

Ams plunder points at Penicuick

A stylish Albion performance from the Seniors as they stiffen their promotion push with a convincing 1-5 away win at Penicuick. Four goal McCreadie was bang on form with Archibald adding to his impressive tally with the other goal. Its really hotting up now for Albion. With one more away game,Pathhead on saturday, then their two final games of the season at Pilrig, its all to play for.

Midweek Fixtures

Midweek fixtures have been allocated and as follows:-
Seniors away to Penicuik AFC Kick Off 6.30pm (League) Club bus leaves at 5pm
19s home to Star 'A' CYP Kick Off 6.30pm (League)

Colts return after holiday break

The U9 and U10 colts return to Pilrig tomorrow after their two week Easter Break. Sessions restart at the usual times.

Ams earn draw at Haddington

Albion's senior side earned a creditable draw down at Millfieild. A hard fought game against a home side that had won their previous two fixtures allowed Albion to stay in the promotion hunt. A share of the points in this 3-3 draw, with 4 games left to play, two home - two away, will take Albion's promotion challenge to the wire. As long as they keep winning?

Seniors. Easter Weekend! It's business as usual.?

The Seniors will travel to Haddington Athletic on Saturday 23 April for a league fixture. The promotion race is hitting up and Albion crucially need a win to keep their promotion hopes alive. Club bus leaves Strathie Bar at 12:15pm prompt

Easter Holiday Weekend

ESSSDA and Eastern Region YFA have not allocated any fixtures for soccer 7s or youth games this weekend. All teams have the weekend off.

16s brave title battle looks lost!

Albion's 16s travelled to Edinburgh City know they needed a win to keep their slender league title hopes alive, but were cruelly left empty handed as a last gasp goal by the home side gave them a 3-2 victory. Both sides were evenly matched and both worthy of at least a share of the points, especially Albion's second half performance, but the goal in the dying seconds and a 3-2 loss all but ended any hopes of the 16s hopes of title glory, for this season at least.

Thrills and Spills at Pilrig last night

A highly charged midweek game at Pilrig last night ended with Albion running out deserved 7-5 winners. Yes, you read right! Another double figure scoring game at PP. The U19s certainly don't do things by half. After storming into a 2 goal lead inside 12 minutes Albion typically failed to defend their critical areas and were pegged bsck to 2-1. Then a magical solo goal from Herrera gave Albion a 3-1 lead. However, just to make it more interesting, Albion contrived to let visitors Haddington Athletic back into the game with a gift of two goals in 4 minutes to leave the game all square at 3-3 at half time. Albion stormed into the second period and extended their lead with two very quick goals in a 5 minute spell at the start of the second period. The visitors, not to be outdone, pulled one back to make it 5-4, Albion duly replied with a sixth goal in the 81st minute. Game over?. No chance. Haddington were again, gifted a late-lifeline and scored a fifth goal. Phew. It was left to Herrera to wrap it up and end a nervy last five minutes to bag his hat-trick and Albions seventh to ensure the points stayed in Leith. Final Score:- Redpath Albion 7 (3) v (3) 5 Haddington Athletic.
Albion scorers:- Kirkland, Turnbull, Glasgow, Hashmat, Herrera (3)

Make shift Albion side crumble at Pilrig

Albion had problems coupling a side together for last nights game v Edinburgh City. The Edinburgh holiday resulted in a number of players missing and it was a real effort to get 11 players on the park. Needless to say, it was a recipe for defeat, however, 2-5 flattered the visitors as Albion should have taken more from this game, but a series of poor defensive decisions and weak finishing in front of goal ended in a predictable defeat.

16s result

Redhall Star 2 v 2 Redpath Albion

Double Cup blow as quarter final ties end in defeat

A dual quarter final day for Albions Seniors and 19s as they both went into todays ties in confident mood. Alas, the Senior side lost out in a hard fought tie at high flying North Berwick. At 1-1 keeper Wallace looked to have earned Albion a big confidence boost when he saved a penalty, and as Albion took the game to the home side it looked like a winning goal would be only minutes away. But a wicked, deflected shot from 25 yards, eased the home side into the driving seat. With Albion pushing for the leveller, the home side sealed the win and made it past the finishing post with a 3-1 win. The 19s travelled to wind swept Civil Service Ground where hosts Spartans would have been confident, given Albion's inconsistent form this season. This was a game where, despite the result, the form book was a distant memory. With a cruel swirling wind blowing across the park, both teams were level at 0-0 when the interval came round and were very evenly matched. But as both sides probed, looking for an opener, the home side took the lead when a goalkeeping fumble gave them the lead. Albion were a constant threat up front, but again a lack of concentration allowed Spartans to sneak a second goal against the run of play. Albion were back in the game within minutes when a great sweeping move ended with Hogg blasting home from close range. Albion dominated the final stages of the game but their excellent passing game couldn't provide the final product and they narrowly lost out 2-1

Sunday 16s game & Midweek Fixtures - Week Beginning Monday 18 April

16s fixture for Sunday - away to Redhall Star (League)
Midweek youth fixtures have been cast and are follows:-
Monday 18 April - 19s Home to Edinburgh City - KO6.30pm (League)*
Wednesday 20 April - 19s home to Haddington Athletic (League)
Wednesday 20 April - 16s away to Edinburgh City - KO6.30pm (League)
* Due to the prohibitive costs of booking the school changing areas' (Council want to charge £39 per hour x 3 hours due to the 18 April being an Edinburgh holiday) both teams, and match official, will either change at Pilmeny Youth centre, and make the 5 minute journey to Pilrig by car, or arrive pitch side, kitted out ready to play. Both management teams will discuss and decide over the weekend.

Colts Sunday fixture

The U10 Junior 7s fixture at home to Cramond BC on Sunday has unfortunately been postponed. The visitors have requested a cancellation due to the school holiday break. Apologies to players and parents for any inconvenience this may cause.

19s lose to goal in dying seconds

Albion's 19s went to Fernieside looking to build on Saturday's decent performance. Goals from Glasgow and Hamilton had Albion level at half-time and defending against a gale force wind Albion were well worthy of a share of the points. Alas, a goal conceded with only 8 seconds left for play left them with nothing to show for a monumental effort as they went down 3-2.

Mr Brian Dingsdale

The club is saddened to hear of the recent passing of ex-player and club captain Brian Dingsdale. Brian was one of †he pioneers of the Albion side in the early years and captained the club to their Presidents Cup triumph in season 1959/60 which was the first of many cup final successes enjoyed by the club in its 53 year history. Mr Dingsdales funeral will be held on Friday 15 April at 2pm at Seafield. The club respectfully passes on our condolences to Brian's son Alan and the Dingsdale family.

Midweek and weekend fixtures

Fixtures for midweek:-
Wednesday 13 April 19s away to Fernieside - KO 6.30pm (League)
Weekend :-
Saturday 16 April Seniors away to North Berwick - KO 2pm (Holyrood Cup 1/4 Finals)
Saturday 16 April 19s away to Spartans FC - KO 2pm (Hibs supporters cup 1/4 Finals)
Sunday 17 April U10 Colts home to Cramond BC - KO 10.45am (ESSSDA 7s)

Another 10 goal thriller at Pilrig

Albion's Senior side stepped up their promotion challenge with a blistering 7-3 win at home to Pathhead AFC. Goals from Archibald,Robertson, Kerr, Cartlidge and a McCreadie hat-trick gave Albion three vital points.

16s falter at Eskmills

Albion's 16s looked to have blown their title hopes in an ill tempered affair at Eskmills. A 1-3 loss leaves them with only a slim chance, and a very slim one at that, of harbouring any hopes of a championship winning season. There were other elements to the performance that left the club with a few issues to resolve. The indiscipline of certain players, isn't worthy of Redpath Albion's good reputation in the game, and club coaches are becoming increasingly sickened by the unacceptable nature of some players attitudes and lack of commitment. The club will "review" the situation this week and decisions taken to find short term solutions.

Junior Colts dazzle in the Sunday sunshine

The U10 colts put in a dazzling display of football in their ESSDA game at Danderhall. The lads delighted the large group of parents who made the trip in the morning sunshine. Excellent displays by all the lads who seem to be really enjoying their Sunday morning's. At home to Cramond BC next week. Here's hoping sunny Leith lives up to its famed title and we get another glorious day in the sun.

Midweek Fixtures

Monday 11 April - Seniors at home to Pathhead AFC kick off 6.15pm (League)
Wednesday 13 April - 19s away to Fernieside BC kick off 6:30pm (League)

Ams great win...19s lose in 11 goal thriller

Albion's Senior side threw themselves a promotion lifeline with a great win away to leaders Edinburgh Rose. Leading 0-3 at halftime with goals from McCreadie, Flynn and Kerr, then held out to take all three points in a 2-3 win. The 19s were also coasting along nicely against the much fancied visitors Salvesen BC when the home side were 3-1 at the interval. A Herrera wonder goal put Albion 4-1 up then a crazy 15 minute spell saw the visitors battle back to make it all square in regulation time. at 4-4 the first period of extra time couldn't separate the sides, but the final 15 mins ended with Salvesen scoring 3 goals to win the quarter final tie 4-7. Albion's scorers were Kirkland, Glasgow (2) and Herrera.

Easter Soccer Academy

The club has teamed up with 3v2 Soccer Academy to offer a 3-day soccer academy for boys/girls on Tues 19/Wed 20/Thur 21 April at Pilrig Park from 9am - 4pm. The fun activities will utilise the park and school over the 3 days. To enrol and to check out costs for full day - morning or afternoon bookings, check out 3v2 website at www.3v2socceracademy.co.uk or contact the club for further details.

Sunday fixtures - Travel details

Colts U10 players are reminded that meeting place for tomorrows game is the clubrooms, Pilmeny Youth Centre, 44 Buchanan Street at 9:45am. Bus for game away to Danderhall leaves at 10:00am
U16s will meet at the Strathie corner. Bus leaves for Eskmills at 12.40pm sharp.

Albion 16s toppled from top spot at packed Pilrig

Albion's 16s narrowly lost 0-1 to title chasing Edina Hibs in tonights top of the table clash at Pilrig. Both touchlines were packed to capacity as one of the biggest crowds ever seen at Pilrig turned up to witness a cracking game. It was a solitary goal from two evenly matched sides,that separated the teams, and it was Edina who now move into the championship pole position. Albion will now have to keep winning their remaining fixtures in the hope that their closest rivals drop points between now and the seasons end.

16s drop vitals points in midweek encounter

Albion's 16s had to rely on a late goal to secure a point away to Salveson BC. Albion dominated the game for long spells but after pushing in front, found themselves 2-1 down with time running out. A late goal was enough to give them a 2-2 draw, but their failure to take all three points back to Leith, is a series set-back to their title hopes.

2011 Annual Presentation

This years Annual Presentation of Awards will be held on Friday 24 June at the Edinburgh City Club. The event is open to U19 youth and Senior players and guests. Tickets priced £7 will be available from section leaders next week.

Tuesday 5 April fixture - 16s away to Salveson BC

The 16s squad are reminded that the mini-bus leaves the Strathie corner at 5:15pm to make the Gyle Ground for a 6:30pm Kick-off.

Sunday fixture update

The U10 Junior Colts travelled to Roslin to play Beeslack Thistle for an away 7s fixture and played very well with a draw keeping both sets of supporters happy. The U16s swept away North Merchiston to keep their title hopes alive with a very good 6-0 win. Next up is Salveson BC on Tuesday at the Gyle with a 6.30 kick-off, then a crunch league game at home to fellow title contenders Edina Hibs on Thursday at Pilrig with a 6.30pm start.

Club suffers double 1/4 final defeat as Ams follow 19s out of cup

The Ams can only blame themselves for a 2-0 defeat at Scottish Widows. A barrowload of missed chances left the squad reeling and out of the McDonald Cup with a home semi final prize awaiting the winners.

19s "outmuscled" by visitors at Pilrig

A Brad Glasgow Hat-Trick wasn't enough to give Albion a passage into the semi-final of the Bankier Trophy. 1-4 down at the interval, after facing into a howling gale, Albion couldn't master the advantage of the windy weather conditions in the second half, and were never really a match for their physically superior opponents. The 3-6 scoreline reflected Albion's mediocre seasonal performance and what was down to be a long season, has just got even longer.

Junior Colts Sections

The U10 Junior Colts section is now full to capacity. The U8/U9 sections have a few places available and are open to new members aged between 7-9yrs. We are happy for parents to contact the club directly to enquire for places.

Seniors bag second win in 48 hours

The Ams had another productive evening as Whelehan,and new signing MacKenzie, scored the goals that gave the Ams a 2-0 win over Silverknowes Vale at Pilrig Park last night.

Albion new boys shine in friendly

The Seniors, with four new singings on show proved too good for Pilton AW at Pilrig last night. Goals from McCreadie,an Own Goal and Archibald were enough to give the Ams a comfortable 3-1 win. The second midweek friendly, being held on Wednesday, will give the full squad another chance of some much needed game time.

Busy 2 weeks as midweek games kick in

The weekend change to summer time now presents the club with an intense period of games as the season hots up. The 16s are being asked to play 4 games in 7 days!. The seniors and 19s have still to be allocated any official evening games but these are expected to be cast next weekend. Fixtures are listed below:-
Monday 28 March Seniors at home to Pilton Albion Wdrs @ Pilrig Park - KO 6:15pm
Tue'dy 29 March 19s v 16s Bounce game @ Pilrig Park - KO 6:15pm
Wed'dy 30 March Seniors at home to Silverknowes Vale @ Pilrig Park - KO 6:15pm
Saturday 02 April Seniors away to Scottish Widows @ Kirkbrae - KO 2pm (League Cup)
Saturday 02 April 19s home to North Berwick @ Pilrig Park - KO 2pm (Bankier Cup)
Sunday 03 April Junior Colts U10 away to Beeslack Thistle - KO 10:30am (ESSSDA)
Sunday 03 April U16s home to North Merchiston @ Pilrig Park KO 2pm (League)
Tuesday 05 April U16s away to Salveson BC @ TBA KO 6:30pm (League)
Thursday 07 April U16s home to Edina Hibs @ Pilrig Park KO 6:30pm (League)
9 Games in 10 days!

Weekend game news

The seniors promotion hopes took a dent with a 3-1 defeat away to North Berwick. 0-1 up at half time a series of missed chances came home to haunt the squad as they headed back to Leith with nothing to show for a good, solid performance. Two midweek friendlies will get the squad back on track. The 19s were dumped out of the cup in a cracker of a match at Edinburgh City. After going 2-0 down a great Osborne header and a Herrera equaliser gave Albion then a magnificent Osborne free kick put Albion 2-3 up. City grabbed a last gasp equaliser in the last minute to take the game to extra time. Albion ran out of steam in the extra period with the game ending 6-3 to City. The U10s soccer sevens squad played host to Arniston Rangers with a 10.30am kick-off. In a game of two halves, with both sides playing some entertaining football, the visitors just edged it. Better luck in the afternoon, as the 16s put their title aspirations back on track with a fine 4-0 win over a stuffy Peebles side

Albion pack 2 friendly games into 48 hours

Albion will take full advantage of the weekend clock change and have arranged two friendlies for next mid-week. First up is the visit of Pilton Albion Wanderers who come to Pilrig on Monday 28 March, then Silverknowes Vale who travel down the coast on Wednesday 30 March for the 2nd Pilrig game. Both games kick off at 6:15pm. A hectic 3 games in five days for the Senior squad. Beats training though!

Seniors signing hat-trick

Albion's seniors have added two new signings to the sqaud. In addition to recent signing Chris Malone, they have also added his team-mate from Broughton, Craig Mackintosh (Midfield) and Billy Duncan, pending clearance from his Premier club, to shore up the central defence. Billy has just went full circle and returned to the club where his footballing journey started as an Albion junior and youth player. All three players will be on display in the next weeks planned Pilrig friendlies.

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March fixtures

Saturday 26 March Seniors away to North Berwick Ams - KO 2pm (League)
Saturday 26 March U19s away to Edinburgh City - KO 2pm (League Cup)
Sunday 27 March Junior Colts U10 home to Arniston - KO 2pm (Soccer 7s)
Sunday 27 March U16s home to Peebles BC - KO 2pm (League)

Seniors keeping busy at they aim to beat transfer deadline

The Ams management team have been busy recruiting for the end of season promotion push. First up is ex-Broughton player Chris Malone who signed at the weekend. Chris and his versatility will be a big bonus for the final raft of games. A number of additional signings are on the horizon and the management team are lining up friendlies for next midweek to showcase new players.

Mixed Saturday fortunes for seniors and youth

A fine win and a hard luck story to tell from todays fixtures. A first half Carlos Herrera hat-trick wasn't enough for Albion's U19 squad out at Easthouses. A second half 2-3 lead was wiped out as a controversial late goal gave the home side, Star A their first win in 9 games.
The Senior outfit fared better with a vital 2-3 away win at Danderhall. Two successive wins, puts Albion on track for a grandstand finish to the season, with a promotion place now within touching distance.

This weekends Fixtures

Saturday 19 March Seniors away to Danderhall - KO 2pm (League)
Saturday 19 March U19 away to Star 'A' CYP at Mayfield Complex - KO 2pm (League)
Sunday 20 March U10 Colts home to Dalkeith MW - KO 10.45am (Soccer 7s)
Sunday 20 March U16 home to Beeslack Thistle - KO 2pm (League)

Bad Weather the only weekend winner

The overnight snow has again, depleted the weekend football card, as all 4 club games fall due to the poor conditions. The Seniors, U19s, U16s and Junior Colts will now all be idle this weekend.

Weekend Fixtures

fixtures for this weekend as follows:-

Seniors away to Danderhall Miners AFC - KO2pm - League
U19 Youth away to Star "A" CYP - KO2pm - League
U16 Youth away to Redhall Star - KO2pm - League
U10 Colts away to Bonnyrigg Rose - KO 10:15am

Thrills and Spills at Pilrig

A double header at Pilrig yesterday and it was a tension packed day. In a dour spectacle, the U19s came within 14 SECONDS of winning all 3 points. A McPhail goal had broken the deadlock to put Albion 1-0 in front with 12 minutes left to play, but the euphoria was short lived as opponents Cramond BC grabbed an equaliser with only seconds on the clock. A 1-1 and a share of the points was probably a fair reflection of the game, as both sides, looking rusty through lack of recent action, really failed to get going. Match No2 at Pilrig saw the Seniors kick off at the later time of 3pm as they played host to high flying league contenders Scottish Widows. If the Ams had any doubts about resurrecting their title intentions they were quickly re-energised as they produced an emphatic performance to win 3-0. Albion now climb into the top four with this result, and can now push ahead with a late rally for promotion.

Colts Kick-Off time change

The Colts game away to Craigroyston on Sunday will now kick off at 11am, and not 10.30am as originally planned. Players are now asked to meet at 10am instead of 9.30am as arranged. Pilrig corner is the meeting point.

Colts U10s soccer 7s fixture

The Colts will open their season on Sunday 6 March when they travel to Craigroyston BC. All players/parents etc are requested to meet at Pilrig Church corner for 9.30am prompt. Kick off is scheduled for 10.30am.

Fixtures - 5/6 March

Fixtures or this coming weekend are as follows:-

Saturday - Seniors home to Scottish Widows - KO - 3pm (League)
Saturday - U19s home to Cramond BC - KO - 1.30pm (League)
Sunday - U16s home to AC Oxgangs - KO 1pm (Friendly)

Laurie - Injury Update

U16 player, Laurie Adam, has now been assessed by the local fracture clinic and unfortunately Laurie has broken the growth bone in his foot. Its a possible 4-6 week recovery period, so Laurie could be hard pushed to play again this season, which will be a blow to the squad, and club.

16s stop losing streak with hard fought draw at Dunbar

A pulsating game at Dunbar ended even with both sides sharing the points. Albion came from behind with a wonder strike from Kirkland to end their 3 game losing sequence and head back to Leith with a 1-1 draw. The game however, was not without controversy, and with both sides ending the 90 minutes with 10 men, this encounter was not for the faint hearted. Albion had the mis-fortune to lose key player Laurie Adam with a nasty ankle injury which needed hospital treatment. An update on Laurie's injury will be posted as soon as we have news.

Ams win at Pilrig

The seniors bagged an important home win today when they brushed off the challenge of Musselburgh with a fine 2-0 win

19s game v Spartans OFF AGAIN!

Albion's U19 game vs. Spartans is off again. There's a story behind this fixture that I think needs told?. In order to book a playing slot at their new complex, Spartans keep insisting on fiddling with the kick-off times. They usually tell us its either a 12.30 or a 3.30pm start time. These times are unsuitable for us and we insist on the traditional 2pm. They try for a number of alternative venues i.e. Civil Service Ground - City Park etc, and this week Inverleith. The latter park has barely been playable for weeks, so it was always going to fall prey to any rain. This weeks weather is the best its been for weeks, but low and behold, Inverleith is deemed unplayable. We offered a late alternative to switch the game to the small park at Pilrig, but they don't want to give up home advantage. This is the 4th cancellation in as many weeks. Will this game ever get played?

19s Saturday venue decided

The 19s away fixture on Saturday 26 February v Spartans FC will now take place at Inverleith Park - KO2pm

LEAFA Council meeting

The Lothian and Edinburgh AFA council meeting for senior clubs planned for tomorrow has a change of venue. The clubs Senior officials are reminded that the meeting will now take place in the Function Suite, Meggetland Sports Complex for 7pm

Juniors and Colts

The U8/U9(6.30pm - 7.30pm) and U10 Colts (7.30pm - 8.30pm) will resume coaching sessions on Tuesday 22 February.

Fixed Odds - Sat 19 February

Winning Line------ 1 - 2 - 1 - X - 1 - X
Two winners Karen Ross c/o Neil and Brian T c/o Strathmore Bar
Each win £25

Fixtures - 26/27 February

fixtures for next weekend as follows:-

Ams home to Musselburgh - KO 2pm (League)
19s away to Spartans FC - KO 2pm (Cruden Bowl 1/4 Final)
16s away to Dunbar Utd - KO 2pm (League)
* 19s venue to be confirmed

16s gain unwanted treble at Jewel

Albion's U16s picked up unwanted treble of defeats when they went down 3-0, their 3rd successive defeat, to Edina Hibs at Jewel Park today. The school holiday, and the request from the home side to kick off at 12.30, backfired on Albion as their regular keeper Pawel Sodja was back visiting family in Poland, among other lads on holiday, and a number of "no shows" the squad could only call on 11 players. With an outfield player in goals, the lads were up against it from the start, but credit to them for making the home side work hard for the points. The trip along the coast to Dunbar United next sunday is a 2nd v 3rd clash and the outcome of this challenge will have a significant bearing on Albion's title aspirations.

Ams game gets all clear

The Ams fixture beat the overnight weather conditions and gave the squad a much needed competitive work out.However, after dominating much of the game, they had to be content with a 2-2 draw, and a share of the points.

Ams game now in doubt?

The Ams fixture away to Tartan FC at Roseburn, Murrayfield, is now subject to pre-match pitch inspection. News update as soon as we get confirmation.

19s game washed away!!!!

Todays U19 fixture away to Fernieside has been postponed. Torrential overnight rain, sleet and snow has taken its toll on playing surfaces.

16s Sunday kick-off

The 16s fixture on Sunday away to Edina Hibs at the Jewel will kick-off at 12.30pm and not 2pm as listed. The change is due to double booking of the pitch. Albion's 16s squad will be given details of meeting times at training tomorrow afternoon.

School Holiday

Due to this weeks school holidays the Colts U8/U9/U10 coaching sessions are also taking a break. All back next Tuesday 22 February.

Fixed Odds News

Saturday 12 February - Four winners shared £100 - Winning Line - 12112X

Fixtures for 19/20 February

Fixtures have now been cast for next weekend and all Albion sides are travelling:-
Ams away to Tartan FC - Roseurn Park (League)
19s away to Fernieside - Fernieside Park - (League)
16s away to Edina Hibs - Jewel Park - (League)

19s fixture washed out

The 19s Bankier Cup tie v North Berwick has been postponed. A 10am inspection deemed the park unplayable after the heavy overnight rain.

16s Sunday sessions

The U16s with no fixture planned, for Sunday, are reminded that a training/coaching will be held tomorrow at Pilrig,from 1pm - 4pm, all players are expected to attend. Changing and shower facilities will be available.

19s await Pilrig inspection

The very heavy overnight rain has put the 19s home cup-tie v North Berwick in some doubt. The club have arranged a 10am inspection.

Weather wins again?

Todays Ams game away to Danderhall has been postponed due to a waterlogged park. This weeks rain has hindered this weekends fixtures. Just as the surfaces were beginning to see some recovery, the torrential rain on Monday and Tuesday, has been a major set back.

Fixtures -Sat 12th February

Fixtures for Saturday 12 February as follows:
Amateurs away to Danderhall MW - Danderhall Recreation Park - League
U19 Youth home to North Berwick - Bankier Cup
Both kick offs 2pm

16s lose title crunch

The 16s lost their crucial 2nd v 1st game away to Craigroyston this afternoon.Storming into a 0-2 lead they proceeded to huff and puff their way through the remainder of the game, and for the second successive week, lost 5-2

16s game okay

Park deemed playable for 16s visit to Craigroyston tomorrow.

19s game sunk

The 19s game away to Spartans at City Park failed an early morning pitch inspection. Surface waterlogged.

Senior game rained off

The Ams fixture away to Pathhead FC has been postponed due to a waterlogged park.

19s fixture venue......another switch

The incessant rain has put this weekends 19s game in doubt. In an attempt to beat the weather Spartans have reverted the fixture back to City Park. However, there will be an inspection by match official Mr Sim tomorrow morning.

19s fixture switch for Saturday

The 19s venue for saturdays away fixture v Spartans FC has been switched to Civil service ground. KO still 2pm

Fixtures - 5 and 6 February

Weekend fixtures as follows:-
saturday 5 February - Ams away to Pathhead FC - League @ Callander park
saturday 5 February - 19s away to Spartans FC - Cruden Bowl Q/Final @ City park
sunday 6 February - U16s away to Craigroyston BC - League @ Muirhouse
all kick offs 2pm

Albion 19s lose in horror conditions

Albion's 19s lost 3-0 in last nights friendly v Civil Service U21s. Played at Forrester 3G floodlit complex, the weather was a major factor in the outcome. Freezing conditions, driving sleet, torrential rain and even snow, made conditions extremely poor. Albion failed to gain any momentum as they rotated substitutes every 10 minutes, just to keep players warm! Club coaches from both sides were almost hypothermic by full time.