[pacman]

No that all the hoo-haa over us joining the league has died down a bit I was wondering what can we (as fans) actually expect in this league? For example, who are the best teams, who has the nicest ground, which away venues have the best pubs, etc.

[HibeeJibee]

I'll restrict the information to the First Division, although you can of course draw any team in the various knock-out cups. (Clubs marked as * enter Scottish Cup; remainder enter Alex Jack Cup).

*Civil Service Strollers - based in the extreme North-West of Edinburgh, they are (along with Coldstream and Selkirk) the oldest club in constant membership of the EOSFL. Strong side which almost achieved promotion last season. Their ground is a playing field which is roped off.

Craigroyston - based in Edinburgh, at Warriston, quite close to the city centre. Relegated from the Premier Division last season. Will expect to be challenging for promotion. Their ground has a decent surface, however, there are no facilities for fans in form of stands/terracing/cover.

Eyemouth United - have struggled in recent seasons, including finishing with -1 points a few years ago. However, they are no longer the whipping boys and are getting better every season. Play at Warner Park, which is atop a gusty sea-cliff. There are no stands or spectator cover here.

*Gala Fairydean - a traditional power-house of EOS football which had until recently fallen upon hard times. However, last season they improved greatly - could well challenge for promotion this season. Netherdale is an excellent ground, with 500-seat covered grandstand, and floodlights.

*Hawick Royal Albert - in something of the same vein as Eyemouth, Albert have struggled in recent years but there are signs that they may have come through the worst of it. The largest town in the Borders, they are capable of big things. Albert Park has a seated stand and floodlights.

Kelso United - a team very much based on local youth development, they have been an average side for the past few seasons, neither challenging for promotion regularly, nor propping up the table. They are a consistent side and dark horses. Ground is essentially just a playing field.

Leith Athletic - formerly Edinburgh Athletic, they merged with major amateur side Leith Athletic in the summer. However, they will continue to play at Muirhouse (on a pitch beside Civil Service). With Leith's playing squad on board, they are an unknown quantity in the coming season.

Ormiston - something similar to Kelso, they have traditionally been amongst the smallest clubs in EOS senior football. They have a neat, small, well-kept pitch (in a village in East Lothian).

Stirling University - new members. However in the BUSA University Leagues they dominate along with Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt (both of whom play in the EOS Premier). Neat playing field.

Tynecastle - formerley Tollcross, Tynecastle boys merged with then in 2005 (IIRC). Play in the south-east suburbs of Edinburgh (quite near the new Royal Infirmary). Nearly secured a rise to the Premier last season. Their ground is just a pitch, though building work is going on currently.

*Vale of Leithen - a traditionally robust club, which has placed more emphasis on Border based players in recent years while their neighbours pursued wider geographic spread. Improving as their squad matures. A neat venue located in the heart of the town, and with covered terracing.



Regarding the tournaments that Gretna 2008 will be playing in next season, within EOS football:

EOS League First Division - 12 clubs, playing each other twice over 22 games. 2 promoted.

Alex Jack Cup - tournament for clubs not in membership of the SFA (12 in total), therefore one of the best chances for smaller clubs to secure silverware. Played on Scottish Cup dates, the final is pencilled in for late November. Traditionally the first cup final of the season for this reason.

Image Printers EOS Qualifying Cup - this tournament sends its winner into East of Scotland Cup (colluqially 'The City Cup'), where they meet SFL sides based in the EOS area. As Livingston have resigned, this is now limited to Berwick Rangers. Mostly played in the first half of the season.

King Cup - the EOS answer to the FA Cup. All clubs enter, bar Dalbeattie (they're in the FL only, and not the FA - they don't enter the Image Printers either). Played in second half of season.

South Challenge Cup - in theory the most important of all cup tournaments, it brings together all clubs in the EOS and SOS leagues, plus 4 amateurs and juniors in membership of the SFA. It was played after Christmas last season, but will be held mostly before Christmas this season. Formed as a replacement for the South Qualifying Cup, when it was scrapped due to Scottish Cup reforms.

EOS League Cup - traditionally a group-stage tournament which opened the season. Due to increasing pressure on the first half of the season, it will now be held (format undecided) in spring.

This post has been edited by HibeeJibee: 31 July 2008 - 13:02

[tamthebam]

Best Pub? Well, Hawick's ground is past the rugby club and was a dug track at one stage and you can watch the game with a pint in your hand from the club at the back of the stand!
Watch out for the dug crap at Fernieside though, the thick locals think a football pitch should be used as a dug toilet. Hanging's too good for them!

[pacman]

To be honest I'm not sure what to expect from us myself. I've not yet seen our new side (I know that's terrible) but I'm going to see a friendly tomorrow night. We're basically a bunch of young lads. I think they're pretty talented from what I here but a little experienced. Having no experience of the standard of the East I don;t know how they'll do.

As far as the club itself is concerned, I think you will also find a bit of inexperience in the way it's run, but that's only to be expected and the guys in charge of the club are decent enough guys.

And fans... well, not sure how many of us there will be but I wouldn't imagine it'll be any less than the other sides in the league. And you'll find us to be a friendly bunch. We know we are a small club, depsite all the Mileson money (or now apparent lack thereof), we've always known we are a small club, so I wouldn't worry about us coming in with a "Big time Charlie" attitude.

This post has been edited by pacman: 31 July 2008 - 21:02

[HibeeJibee]

rowanalexander, on Jul 31 2008, 22:16, said:

That's a really comprehensive piece of fly on the wall reporting on the EOS league. Would you mind if I copied and pasted that lot into the new Gretna 2008 fanzine for non-internet users? Think it would be perfect for first issue at Kelso United game.

Yes you can... but I take no responsibility if anyone disagrees with their club's three-line review!

I think one thing that can be broadly said is that Gretna have entered the EOS First Division at a very exciting time. With Craigroyston coming down; Gala / Civil Service / Tynecastle all playing very well and eyeing up promotion; and with 3 (effectively) new sides, in Leith, Stirling Uni and Gretna; things will be very tough at the top. Add to that sides like Vale of Leithen and Kelso who always put in strong performances, and it's really hard to predict this division. I have to say that I can't see Hawick / Ormiston / Eyemouth finishing towards the top echelons - but anything can happen over 22 games if a club can put a run together. Add in the plethora of cup tournaments, particularly the Alex Jack Cup in smaller club terms, and it looks like a very exciting season, IMO.

[pacman]

Cheers for the info guys. Very helpful.

One other question: on average how much are the admission prices in this league?