HibeeJibee

Gretna's post-split fixtures in 2007-08 were manipulated to help them see out the season due to the costs of staging games at Motherwell. They were only given 1 home & 4 away games... they were given 4 aways in a row then finished with the solitary home against Hearts (who were the only opponent liable to bring a decent crowd)... it was also played 4 days before the rest of the Bottom 6 finished... none of which has happened on any other occasion IIRC. My recollection is that it also later emerged they'd been advanced 2 seasons worth of parachute payments early (i.e. for 2008-09 and 2009-10 if they hadn't come back up); more information about this unexpectedly emerged in spring 2020 during 'loangate'.

It was an entertaining Final - both forces saves, flashed several chances wide, had goalmouth scrambles, and hit woodwork. Opening period quite even, the students had better of rest of 1st half, the hosts were on top 2nd half but visitors got the goal. Great crowd: few free seats in the stand plus couple of dozen stood in concourse opening so maybe 450?... will be decades since consecutive EOS Cup finals drew 400-500! Stirling become first-ever university and first-ever 'central counties' team to win City Cup. Uni defeat Edinburgh City in cup final triumph | University of Stirling Football Club Uni defeat Edinburgh City in cup final triumph The University of Stirling men’s football team weathered miserable conditions at Meadowbank to win the East of Scotland Cup against League 1 Edinburgh City. Under the lights and in front of a packed-out crowd, it was James Stokes who scored the all-important goal, to win the Uni’s second bit of silverware this season. A delighted head coach Chris Geddes could not wipe the grin off his face after his team braved the elements in Edinburgh. He said: “So over the moon for the players first and foremost. Game 61 of the season I think it was. Some of them have started 55/56 games to play an opposition, yeah full of young lads, but a team that play in a higher league than us every week. “Our boys deserve it. We’ll take this back to the Uni; the first time a Uni has ever won this. So yeah, really happy for them.” Goal scorer James Stokes said: “It was brilliant. Good result. Good to get a bit of silverware as well. First cup win this season, obviously, we won BUCS, and we have another cup final to look forward to next week as well.” Both teams came out fighting in the blistering conditions, but it was Stirling who looked stronger in the early stages. After receiving a great ball out wide from Ciaran McAninch, James Stokes beat 3 defenders on his way into the box, before striking low into the keeper’s hands. Cameron McKinley would rattle his first chance against the bar for the Uni, while on the other end, Momodou Sambou misjudged a guilt edge opportunity, much to Yan Gromov-Godik’s delight in the Stirling goal. Gromov-Godik would have more work to do late in the first though, making a fantastic reflex save from a corner. While Stirling were clearly the better side in the first half, it was City who looked the more likely in the second. Sambou was denied again, this time by a fantastic goal-line block, after rounding Gromov-Godik. Hibernian loanee Malek Zaid took on the follow-up but was shut down by the Uni keeper who recovered well. On the hour mark it was City again on the front foot and through on goal. In transition, Stirling were short at the back. Sambou found Findlay Marshall, who failed to convert past the onrushing Uni keeper. Quite rumblings of frustration rung out from the City faithful as chances came and went. Then, ten minutes later against the run of play, James Stokes had found the net after a whipped set piece found him in the box. He instinctively volleyed it past the keeper and capped off the goal with a glorious knee slide celebration. City, more motivated than ever continued to pry, now desperately needing a goal. Callum Wilson would hit the upright after rifling a free kick toward the goal before Gromov-Godik came out big again a couple of minutes later, saving another one-on-one against Marshall. A late red card for Liam Parker made a comeback that much more difficult for the home side. The city defender got his second yellow after arguing with the referee. Ben Heal almost doubled Uni’s lead late on after embarking on a Messi-like run from the center circle past defenders all the way to the goal, before hitting the ball onto the post. With time running out, one last heave into the box by City was caroled safely into the hands of man of the match Gromov-Godik. The final whistle sounded, to the cheer of the Uni fans. Another bit of silverware added to a trophy cabinet that has been growing over the last couple of years. A real sign of the fantastic work done on the University’s football programme said Geddes. “It’s a great experience for the last couple of years because we’ve been played four SPFL sides, and we beat three of them.” “To play four teams (from the SPFL) in a season when back in the past it was maybe one game a season we got against them, maybe in the Scottish cup or that, shows how far the programme has come. Shows the quality of all the players we’ve got coming in.”

Note in the black-&-white photo of the original Edinburgh 2nd XI Cup which I posted... which is cropped from an image showing it alongside the original Edinburgh Cup... the lid with the wee man on it is on the 2nd XI Cup whereas Hibs now have it on the Edinburgh Cup. It appears they have it right. In team line-up pictures from 1870s and 1880s - several of which show both, and in 1 instance the Shield as well - the lid and wee man are always on the Edinburgh Cup with the handles. Brilliant stuff and all corresponds to what was previously understood from books and press reports... the trophy is the replacement Edinburgh 2nd XI Cup introduced in 1880-81 and retired after 1898-99; presented by Hearts in 1903-04 for the new East of Scotland 'City' Cup; stolen from St Bernard's pavilion during WWII but found buried in an embankment after the war and presumably repaired in 1947. It's survived going defunct, getting nicked and being filled with kebab - so hopefully it'll survive a year with students.

Not exactly... the country is a basket case and their top division has been bouncing around with an extraordinary number of clubs for years (there were 30 from 2015 to 2017). Currently it's got 28 clubs playing 27 games... bottom + "worst in 3yr coefficient" = relegated. They've also introduced a League Cup - the only such in South America - in which clubs play whopping 14 group games then QFs > SFs > Final. So everybody gets minimum 41 games. They also have 3 different Supercups (1 played domestically; 1 played abroad between League and previous year's Supercup winners; 1 between League + League Cup winners).

That's an apocryphal myth - that Queen Victoria declared war on Russia in 1854 as Queen of "England, Scotland, Berwick-on-Tweed, Ireland" etc., but Berwick wasn't named on signing peace. It's true that for much of history Berwick - and Monmouthshire - were named specifically in legislation... but there is no evidence the supposed Crimean War scenario ever occurred, nor would the omission have been diplomatically relevant anyway, as all lay within the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland.

Fenerbahce are 2pts behind Galatasaray for title with 8 games left and already far enough beyond 3rd to guarantee CL. I'll be very surprised if their fans vote to withdraw; nevermind try to join Greece(!)/etc. ...

Easter is unusually early this year, and for many years NCL has always ended in mid-April... league wasn't extended, and as you say it's not a recently rearranged game. Looks more like Fort just couldn't raise an XI on a holiday weekend.

Thanks. Do you know if Fri 19th Apr 2019: Ayr Utd v Ross County had a programme?

Unfortunately the general consensus, based on past experience, is that this argument won't be reflected in top division supporters decisions... that fans will vote with their feet, rather than pay full whack to see youth players or chase some extra % on prize pot, as you hope. Clubs certainly don't think they would and for somebody like Hibs also don't want to swap 2nd visits from some/all of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Aberdeen for current Championship clubs. It's telling that since the current format - now comfortably the most enduring in history - was introduced quarter of a century ago the only proposals to replace it that gained any traction were: * 10 teams playing 4 times (36 games) * 14 teams playing 4 times with 6/8 split (36/40 games) * 12 teams playing 4 times with 8/8/8 split (36 games) or put another way: all are simply variations on the same general theme.

We initially had 12 teams playing 4 times - hence 44 games - in 1986-87 and 1987-88. Clubs felt 10 team Premier Division playing 36 games with 2 relegation places too cut-throat... it was agreed to temporarily run with 12 for 2 years then revert to 10 but with only 1 relegation place. There was also financial and vote reform (4-2-1 weighting Premier-First-Second). Dundee United equalled all-time European record in 1986-87: playing 70 competitive games (despite not reaching League Cup Final and only having 2 replays in Scottish Cup). However clubs got unhappy with only 1-up-1-down so from 1991-92 reverted to 12 teams and 2-up-2-down... 44 games was back. However clubs felt that was still too cut-throat so from 1994-95 reverted to 10 teams with 1-up-1-down and 9th v 2nd playoff. Also introduced Third Division and 3pts-for-a-win. However clubs got greedy and SPL broke away for 1998-99 (plus abolished playoff). To avoid serving 24 months notice they agreed to revert to 12 teams after 2 years. 'Split' was introduced to allow manageable 38 games. Since become the most enduring top division format in our history (having now clocked-up quarter of a century and counting) - plus splits are increasingly common Europe-wide.

Hibs appear to have been presented with the original Edinburgh 2nd XI Cup pictured here: in 1880 or 1881 having won it 3 times running in same way they won the original Edinburgh Cup outright with it being replaced by the Edinburgh (now East of Scotland) Shield. I'd therefore assume original Edinburgh 2nd XI Cup from 1877 is in Hibs trophy room - as I think the Edinburgh Cup is.

Ayr fans - was there a programme for this match and if so any advice on obtaining a copy? Club shop?

Wednesday 27th March Newtongrange P-P Bo’ness Athletic Saturday 30th March 2024 Blackburn 4-1 Bathgate Dunbar 6-1 Edinburgh Utd Dunipace 0-2 Arniston Glenrothes P-P Harthill Haddington 2-0 Heriot-Watt Uni Hill of Beath P-P Thornton Jeanfield 5-1 Vale of Leithen Leith 0-1 Broxburn Lochore P-P Camelon Musselburgh 1-2 Sauchie Preston P-P Kinnoull Tynecastle 0-2 Crossgates Whitburn 5-2 Hawick Whitehill 3-2 Hutchison Vale Arniston and Whitehill deliver shocks. Leith scare Broxburn.

I do not have a photo, but worth adding that while the 'front' face of the cup says: ESFA CITY CUP 1947 (which date presumably relates to it being restored after spending the war years in a hole); the 'back' face says in more old-fashioned typeface: EDINBURGH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION 2ND ELEVEN CHALLENGE TROPHY This corroborates references that after the Edinburgh 2nd XI Cup was abolished in 1899, the trophy was offered up by Hearts (who were its last winners) for new East of Scotland Cup which began in 1903 aka 'City Cup'. Its shape and appearance are also pretty recognisable in Hibs team photos dating from 1882 (on p8 of Mackay's Hibernian: The Complete Story) - and from 1884 (in the centrefold of Lugton's The Making of Hibernian: the Harp Awakens).

Tempest are possibly the biggest firm for school/prom/graduation/etc. photos. Interestingly the initial coverage suggested the photos were edited, or 3 pupils were removed before more shots were taken, but reports have since been amended e.g. BBC article now says: It is understood some class photographs were taken before the pupils with additional support needs were brought in. Despite pictures then being taken which included all the pupils, parents were still given the option of both. Tempest, one of the UK's largest school photography firms, said it had spoken to the photographer involved. which suggests it might have been unintentional foolishness in uploading them alongside usual mixture of full class, individual and group photos rather than premeditated exclusion. School maintains they were oblivious. Certainly beggar belief if the snapper actually requested some kids be kept away and the school staff went along with it.

Saturday 30th March Clachnacuddin v BoD / Deveronvale v Buckie / Wick v Brechin Fraserburgh playing in HL Cup Final Wednesday 3rd April Buckie v Strathspey / Keith v Brechin Saturday 6th April BoD v Huntly / Fraserburgh v Brechin / Keith v Buckie Wednesday 10th April tbc Saturday 13th April Brechin v Forres / Brora v BoD / Buckie v Deveronvale / Strathspey v Fraserburgh Wednesday 17th Apr tbc Buckie playing in Aberdeenshire Cup Final Saturday 20th April tbc Dates tbc: Brora v Brechin Buckie v Brora + Buckie v Keith + Strathspey v Buckie Fraserburgh v Brora + Fraserburgh v Strathspey Wick v BoD So presumably... ... Saturday 20th April will include Brora v Brechin, Buckie v Keith, Fraserburgh v Strathspey and Wick v BoD (so everybody in contention finishes simultaneously) ... Fraserburgh v Brora will be on Wednesday 10th or 17th ... Buckie v Brora and Strathspey v Buckie will be on Monday 8th/15th and Wednesday 10th or vice versa

Motorists warned after Queensferry Crossing barriers trial | Dunfermline Press

Ferguson Marine boss sacked as more ferry delays 'likely' - BBC News Turning into a neverending construction.

Similar happened to Severn Railway Bridge near Gloucester during fog in 1960... 5 killed on that occasion. Severn Railway Bridge - Wikipedia

Winless in 7 having conceded 19 - clearly not good. Losing to NI for first time in 41yrs (first here in 50yrs) - not good. Gibraltar + Finland will address our form... unsure they're good enough challenges to help address our current underlying frailties.

Certainly seems strange choice. Does a caption inside suggest why? Perhaps just previewing Home Nations match at Wembley a fortnight later.

Whitehill traditionally staged the Alex Jack Cup final each autumn (15 of 18 from 1989-90 to 2004-05) and many King Cup finals to close the season (13 of 23 from 1989-90 to 2011-12). (Of other 10 they had themselves reached the showpiece on 4 occasions). It also hosted EOS League Cup final in 1992-93 and 4 times in early 2000s; but interestingly just a single EOS Qualifying Cup final in 1988-89. EOS Cup was held there as a weekend mini-tournament in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Scarcely called upon over last decade and more... but did host South Challenge Cup final in 2014-15; another King Cup final in 2016-17; plus EOS Cup final last season (when unusually both finalists were the qualifiers meaning a neutral venue was called for).

City famously have dire finals record... last 20yrs: 2002-03 East of Scotland Cup Final lost 3-1 to Berwick 2003-04 South Qualifying Cup Final lost on pens to Spartans after 1-1 2003-04 EOS Qualifying Cup Final lost 2-1 to Preston 2003-04 EOS League Cup Final lost 4-1 to Spartans 2004-05 South Qualifying Cup Final lost on pens to Whitehill after 0-0 2004-05 EOS League Cup Final lost 2-0 to Spartans 2004-05 King Cup Final lost 4-0 to Spartans 2005-06 King Cup Final lost 6-1 to Spartans 2007-08 South Challenge Cup Final lost 3-2 to Annan 2008-09 EOS Qualifying Cup Final lost 3-2 to Whitehill 2010-11 South Challenge Cup Final lost 3-0 to Spartans 2011-12 EOS Qualifying Cup Final beat Whitehill 3-2 2011-12 East of Scotland Cup Final lost 2-0 to Berwick 2011-12 EOS League Cup Final lost 2-0 to Whitehill 2012-13 EOS League Cup Final beat Spartans 2-0 2015-16 South Challenge Cup Final lost on pens to Whitehill after 2-2 2016-17 East of Scotland Cup Final lost 2-1 to LTHV 2017-18 East of Scotland Cup Final beat East Kilbride 5-2

It might be considered amid a mix of other factors but doubt it's decisive. Indeed a snag with grass surfaces is the host need to be away the day before - having been down for King Cup Final handily the lower-levels aren't filled-up for Saturday 27th yet while no likely Premier club is home AFAICS. Of course some candidates simply mightn't be available/interested/willing/etc. EDIT: interestingly back in 1903 it was Cowdenbeath v Hearts of Beath at Lochgelly Utd - winner had beaten Broxburn in SFs (an omen for Swifts?)... in 2004 was Preston v Edinburgh City at Saughton.

There is 1 relegation playoff 2nd leg today (Lithuania v Gibraltar). Redrawn from the intended 2 ties, with Cyprus and Belarus as best ranked staying up automatically, due to Russia's demotion.