Senior Team updates

Information received yesterday from the Seniors association has given an indication of next seasons divisional set ups. The Senior Ams have unfortunatley failed to stave off relegation, and under league re-construction proposals due for ratification at tomorrows AGM, they have been placed in the Lothian West Division alongside the following:- Alba Ath Balerno Ath Cramond FC Glenpark Th Links Utd North Edinburgh Wdrs North Merchiston Vale Redpath Albion Seaforth Highlanders St Bernards Whitburn Ams The Colts are allocated a position in the Edinburgh Central Division with three new sides among the twelve teams. Cabrera Ath Caledonia Star (Leith Star) Civil Service Strollers Clermiston Star (new) Edinburgh Academicals (new) Inverleith AFC (new) LBG Strollers Melville Rovers Redpath Albion Colts Silverknowes Vale Sporting Icapb Standard Life The implications of full re-construction will be up for discussion by club delegates at tomorrows L&EAFA AGM.

Senior Ams avoid drop

The Ams relegation saga, with two sides Albion being one of them, both sitting in joint bottom place with twenty points.Panic over. Seaforth Highlanders were deducted points for unfulfilled fixtures and now only record 17 points from 20 games. The Highlanders will now join North Edinburgh Wands as the two relegated sides for season 2011/2012.

Coming Soon....New U10s sevens team

The club is at the advanced planning stage on establishing an additional soccer sevens team to enter the ESSSDA 7s set up from August 2012. Our coaching team is almost in place, and our current U10s will be preparing for the step into Sunday morning football over the Summer. Discussions with parents have been very positive and all have been receptive to committing to the idea. With the coaching team all but finalised, the U10 parents will be formally canvassed, with details on all aspects pertaining to the club/parent/player involvement and requirments being distributed in the next few weeks. Barring any administrative obstacles,ESSDA and SYFA registration will be the next step in securing the clubs player pathway.

Fun in the Sun for U11s

An early morning 9:15am kick off for the U11s as they travelled up to Kingsknowe for the visit to Currie BC. A fantastic end to end game with both sides playing some good football as the youngsters coped well with the early morning hot temperatures. The fourteen goal thriller ended all square with Albion's goals coming from Bryce 2, McGoldrick 2, Scott, Simpson and Kerr.

Albion's Senior Sides....What the future holds?

With both senior management teams standing down at the end of the season the club has offered options to existing squad players with a view to canvassing for replacements. Each of the current squad at Senior Ams level were asked formally, with letters distributed to each player, requesting that they assist the club with finding a solution to appoint a new management team. There have been tentative discussions, with certain senior squad players, endeavouring to find an answer to the problem, but at the time of writing no solutions have been found. The situation is now critical as the L&EAFA AGM is being held in under a weeks time and the league association will be looking for a firm commitment from the club in relation to registering the Senior Ams for next seasons league campaign. The situation re new management appointments go beyond the role of team playing affairs. The substantial outlay required by clubs just to keep solvent is increasingly becoming a major obstacle. With association and national affiliation fees reaching £300+ the insurance premiums, both personal injury and public liability, pitch and referee fees all having to be considered along with new kit purchases, the decision to appoint the right management team at Senior Ams level can't be taken lightly. The Senior Colts Squad's position is less of a problem. Although no managment team may be appointed, the senior players within the group, have decided that three or four of the squad will "share" the management duties and tasks. There is a real desire among the squad to nurture and develop the idea. It may be deemed as unorthodox, but the running of the section as a ”co-operative” has a great chance of working. This idea has also been proposed to the Senior Ams as a possible solution. It may be the only solution!

L&EAFA Annual Meeting

The Lothian and Edinburgh Amatuer Football Association AGM will be held on Thursday 31 May at Boroughmuir Sports Complex,Meggetland at 6:45pm. All Senior Amateur clubs are expected to register their attendance. failure to attend will result in the L&EAFA levying a fine of £50 to all clubs not in attendance.

U11s new Saturday sessions

The long awaited Saturday U11 coaching sessions can finally get underway this weekend after a two week delay due to the atrocious weather conditions. The core element of the additional sessions will be aimed at addressing match situations that can't be covered at Tuesdays regular weekly coaching night. Players are requested to be at Pilrig Park for 1:15 prompt with sessions ending at 3:30pm. Pilrig School is open and changing facilities will be used. The additional sessions will continue through June.