Spartans F.C.

Spartans Football Club are a Scottish football club from Edinburgh. They are managed by Sam Lynch (who used to play for the club) and Mickey Lawson. They were formed in 1951 by ex-players of Edinburgh University and the original intention was to field a team of graduates of the University, however they have players from elsewhere as well. They play at Ainslie Park Stadium and wear white shirts, red shorts and white socks.

The Senior team plays in the East of Scotland Football League, becoming one of its most successful clubs from the 1970s onwards and are the reigning Premier Division champions. They have been allowed to play in the qualifying rounds of the Scottish Cup since 1978 and have qualified for the Cup proper on several occasions.

Spartans had their top amateur side accepted into the Junior set up in 2009. In their first season they finished 2nd, just 2 points off the top slot and only promotion place. The Junior side is managed by Alex Cunningham.

As well as the Senior and Junior teams Spartans also have a Saturday Amateur side, a Sunday Amateur side and several Women's team including the top level team which plays in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

History

Spartans' most successful run was in 2003–2004 season when they defeated Buckie Thistle 6–1 in front of a crowd of 450 in Edinburgh in the first round, before defeating Alloa Athletic 5–3 in a replay (the first game had been drawn 3–3) in Edinburgh in the second round. They then defeated Arbroath (who had been in the Scottish Football League first division only the year before) 4–1 at their Gayfield Park in the third round, before being beaten 4–0 at home by Scottish Premier League team Livingston in front of a full house of 3,000 fans at City Park. Two seasons later Spartans defeated Berwick Rangers, Lossiemouth and Queen's Park in the first three rounds of the Scottish Cup. They drew 0–0 with First Division side St. Mirren in the last sixteen in front of 3,326 fans at City Park, earning a replay at Love Street where they lost 3–0.

Spartans most recent cup run sent them to Pollok, winning through a replay, Annan Athletic winning 2–1, Elgin City again winning 2–1 and finally being knocked out by Airdrie United in the fourth round. The Spartans Army are infamous for their elaborate chants and Mexican headgear.

Spartans, along with four other clubs, submitted an application for entry into the Scottish Football League following Gretna relinquishing their league status on 3 June 2008.^[1] Spartans lost out to Annan Athletic

From 2008–09 Spartans have a ladies' team in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

In November 2008, Spartans moved to a new purpose-built home at Ainslie Park, situated 500 yards from City Park in the Crewe Toll district of Edinburgh. The new facility includes a 504-seater stand and floodlights surrounding the main stadium pitch and an adjacent, full size artificial pitch, also with floodlights. Ainslie Park is now used daily by Youth and Adult Spartans teams along with the general public.

In season 2009–10 Spartans won the quadruple, consisting of the East of Scotland Premier League, The SFA South Challenge Cup, The King Cup and the League Cup. The 2009–10 League Title gave Spartans back to back title wins for the first time since 2005.

Ainslie Park

Ainslie Park is the home ground of The Spartans F.C. The stadium has a capacity of 2,400 (504 seating). The club played their first game at the new stadium on 18 July 2009 against Conference North side, Blyth Spartans. Ainslie Park is only part of the new project that The Spartans F.C. have invested into their new ground. It is part of a wider development of the Spartans Community Football Academy. The new facility incorporates a fully enclosed stadium which meets SFA and SFL criteria, with a grass pitch, floodlights, seating for 504 spectators and an overall capacity of 2,400. A full size, floodlit artificial pitch sits adjacent to the main playing area and the accommodation incorporates six changing rooms, a club room, committee room and physio room. Many youth games have already been played there and the senior team are currently using it as a training facility. The first team have already used the artificial pitch to host friendlies.

Current Senior Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable players

The former Scotland international Eamonn Bannon had a spell playing for them in the 1990s, his son Gary Bannon now plays for them.

Junior team

Their Junior (formerly 2nd) team was started in the 1970s playing in local amateur leagues. Most recently members of the Central Scottish AFL, the team transferred to the Scottish Junior Football East Region South Division for the start of season 2009–10. The Junior side finished 2nd in the South District league just two points off the top spot and above league favourites Tranent on goal difference. They also progressed to the quarter finals of the Fife and Lothians cup losing out to Superleague side Musselburgh Athletic.

The Juniors are managed by Alex Cunningham, assisted by Andy Colbridge and Kenny Cameron.

Current Junior Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

References

External links

• Club website