Football Season Guide

Edinburgh City manager James McDonaugh has overseen something of a revolution of his squad this summer as they look to make their mark in League 2 this season. He took over the reigns from predecessor Gary Jardine less than two months into the last campaign. Replacing the man who guided the club into the Football League in 2016 was always going to be challenging and had to wait 10 league games before tasting victory for the first time. He recorded a total of just five wins in 28 league matches with the side finishing second bottom of the table. The club made a conscious decision to back McDonaugh at the end of last season as he looked to completely revitalise his squad. One of the most notable departures is that of experienced striker-turned-defender Craig Beattie, who was voted player of the year, and has joined Elgin City. Defender Pat Scullion has signed for Cowdenbeath whilst defenders Jesus Garcia Tena and Shaun Harrison have been released. Striker and last season’s leading goalscorer Scott Shepherd has returned to parent club Falkirk whilst strikers Ashley Grimes and Farid El Alagui have also been allowed to leave the club this summer. It leaves McDonaugh with the task of replacing those goals and he has pulled off a couple of coups with the captures of strikers Allan Smith and Blair Henderson from Peterhead and Annan Athletic respectively. There has been more exciting signings in defender Conrad Balatoni and midfielder Danny Handling, both of whom have experience of playing in the SPL. Attacking midfielder Graham Taylor’s loan move from Dundee United has been made permanent whilst midfielder Kieran Stewart will bring plenty of versatility after signing from Berwick Rangers. Goalkeeper Calum Antell, defender Calum Hall and midfielder John Dunn have all signed new deals whilst the influential midfield pair of Josh Walker and Marc Laird were already signed up for the forthcoming campaign. There is plenty of excitement around their temporary Ainslie Park home that this season could see the Citizens mount a challenge for the play-offs.