Football Season Guide

Edinburgh City begin a new chapter in their history after becoming the first club to win promotion to the Scottish League via the play-offs. Introduced just last year they saw off East Stirlingshire to reach League Two. The Citizens were formed exactly 50 years ago as Postal United before changing their name 20 years later to become Edinburgh City. They moved to the Meadowbank Stadium ten years later in 1996 after Meadowbank Thistle relocated to Livingston and then joined the newly formed Lowland League in 2013. Crowned Champions in 2015 they lost to Highland League Champions Brora Rangers in a play-off penalty shoot-out. They retained their title again last season, finishing 15 points clear of their nearest challengers. They saw off Highland League Champions Cove Rangers over two legs to meet East Stirlingshire, who had finished bottom of League Two. Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg at Meadowbank, the second leg was goal-less with just three minutes remaining when striker Ross Allum was brought down in the box and midfielder and Captain Dougie Gair scored from the spot to seal a historic promotion. Manager Gary Jardine will be delighted to have to lead the club to the Scottish League and he has remained loyal to the squad which won promotion with almost twenty players handed new deals ahead of the new season. They include powerful defender Joe Mbu, attacking midfielder Nico Gibson and striker Dean Carse. He has added defender Neil Martyniuk from St Johnstone and former Hibernian midfielder Dean Cummings to his squad whilst young defender Ryan Porteous has joined on loan from neighbours Hibs until January. Having enjoyed two successful seasons and with momentum in their favour, the Citizens have plenty of cause for optimism and they will be hoping to consolidate their place with the big boys in 2016/17.