After four very successful seasons at youth level (SERYFA) winning 3 league titles and 2 cup finals, from U13 to U16 Albion will now turn back the clock and re-establish our Junior Soccer School. Starting from Friday 25 October, we’ll be facilitating fun football sessions on Friday nights @ Pilrig Park and School. Our youth coaching team will partner 3v2 Soccer Academy, to build a pathway for local boys born 2015, with the main aim to offer entry level small-sided 7v7 games, within the East of Scotland Soccer Development Association, hopefully from March 2025. We’ll move to 2 sessions per week, adding a Sunday morning coaching session, from January 2025. Plans are in place to expand and add additional age groups dependant on local demand.
It’s with great reluctance that we’ve come to the end, and decided not to register any club teams at U17 next season. Theres a number of factors involved, namely the red-tape and “hurdles” now attached to facilitating teams at the senior youth level. Registration rules governing this playing level are severely stacked against “Community Clubs” and in effect the SFA close the doors to this sector, from U18 onwards. Regulations state that after a season at U18 clubs are required to apply for U20 Development Status. However, only those clubs who can ensure a pathway to Senior semi-pro clubs registered in the SFL/Lowland League/East of Scotland League etc, will be permitted to apply for U20 development status. Community clubs hit the proverbial “brick wall” and have no option but to disband, and release players, when reaching U18. As difficult as this decision is, we feel its in the best interests of the lads, that we disband the team now, giving players an early opportunity to move to any number of Pathway clubs, giving them an early opportunity to transition to pathway clubs, then continue to enjoy playing, safe in the knowledge that they’ve joined a club offering the pathway to U20 . Also, the boys are at an age where their positions in pursuit of Educational qualifications become even more important in the next school year, and football may not be so important. Some will leave school in Summer to pursue careers, so again, football may be a secondary concern. Games would be played on a Saturday at U17, and I believe, a number of players weren’t keen on the switch. We anticipate a number of Div 1 and Div 2 clubs will show interest in our remaining players. It’s been an incredible journey at youth level, with many positive memories for us all, indeed some of the squad have been with us since 2016, and have become an integral part of the club. Doing the League and Cup double at U13s and U14s, and now Div 2 Champs at U16s. We’ll keep a close eye on their future progress. We’ll now go back and work towards nurturing and cultivating the next generation of Albion players, as we finalise plans, with our community partners, 3v2 soccer Academy,https://www.3v2socceracademy.co.uk to re-establish our Football School, with a view to entering ESSSDA at soccer 7s, giving children an opportunity to gain entry into official, organised small sided football games, which we hope to commence, in early September. Details to follow….We’ve a saying here at Albion….”Trophies and Medals gather dust, Memories last for ever”, we’ve plenty of both.
Our Season ended with a 2-1 defeat to Spartans Blues in the Faichney Memorial cup final. Still, being hailed as SERYFA Div 2 Champs will do for us.
Mission Accomplished ?Albion's home win 5-3 v Livingston United secured the SERYFA Division 2 League title on Sunday 2 June 2024.- Goals from Omar (3) - Finn & Shaq. Leading 3-0 at HT our opponents upped their game in the 2nd period. Well done squad. Fully deserved.
U16s Cup Final. Here we go.......Major dissapointment for both clubs with the weeks torrential rain leaving the park unplayable. New date for Faichney Memorial Cup Final will now be Saturday 8 June at Ainslie Park Stadium. We've no problem conceding home advantage to Spartans Our cup final opponents.
Season drawing to a close and we've all to play for....
Itsa big night at Pilrig Park tomorrow with top of the table clash as we host 3rd place KSQ Rapids.Its 1st v 3rd and all to play for in our quest for title glory. With two idle Sunday’s (both clubs forfeiting the points) Tuesday training session was intense, and the squad are under no illusions, what is at stake. We’ve 3 games in the space of 5 days, starting tomorrow.
Our final away fixture of the season, and we collect another 3 valuable points. Typical “Derby” with ref brandishing yellow cards at every opportunity. Ruined the flow of the game to be honest, with stop-start, nature of the game. Albion won with Ahmed crashing the ball home in the final minute to give Albion a 0-1 win….v Leith Athletic Colts
Sitting nicely placed in Div 2 and ready for a big promotion push.....
Albion make it to Final of the Faichney Memorial Cup Final after a 2-0 win v Visitors Gala Fairydean due at Pilrig Park on Sunday 14 January.
Coach Irfan heading back to Mumbai for a family visit, takes some used Albion kit, for the needy village kids in India. This will be the club’s second donation with a number of bags delivered by irfan two years ago. We’ve been happy to do this over the years, with our first donation being shipped to the outback in northern Australia helping out the Aboriginal community, back in 2001. Then further kits going out to Tanzania, in 2006. We’re happy to help
3 points on the road away at KSQ Rapids. 2-5 win makes it two wins from 2 ...
Our opening home league fixture has been swapped to Friday 25 Aug, due to clash with Hibs - Aston Villa due to be played on the 23 Aug. Its a biggy with visitors Leith Athletic Colts due at Pilrig Park for 6.30pm KO. Great way to open the Div 2 season with a local Derby...Resulted..A 6-0 win for Albion
FOR SALE - Full size goals. IDEAL FOR ASTRO OR GRASS.. Only used for 2 seasons cost £1800, happy to accept £500. We need the space. Excellent condition. We’ll throw in a brand new set of white nets. Must be collected PM or email albion1958@icloud.com For details…..
It’s that time of the year Again. Our O35s squad is assembling for the start of the 2023 season, and the league application has now been forwarded. First games kick off on 21st or 28th April, with the season ending in early October, so in affect its Summer football. A number of old Albion veterans will continue to pull on the famous Badge for another season, in this the clubs 65th year. We’ll be issuing regular updates on the website…..
Our U14s will almost certainly secure promotion to SERYFA Division Two With a win tomorrow. Its all to play for as visitors are also in contention for promotion. Should be a cracker.
Sunday 8 May - U12s 3v2 Win v Penicuik, loss away at Edin City. Magnificent win for U14s 7-0 v Redhall in their top o the table clash. Wonderful 3 points puts them top of the league....
Sunday 1 May - U14 & U12 fixtures confirmed
Our Academy kits landed safely in Mumbai and were well received by local children. Our thanks to Irfan one of our U12 coaches, who travelled to India, and arranged for local association SARA FA to distribute the kits.
Kits now India bound. Irfan flies out to Mumbai at weekend with surplus Academy jerseys for distribution to the local villages. Irfan’s contacts in Mumbai have told us that football boots are also urgently needed. We’ve costed air freight charges and think we can help. When Irfan returns we’ll put out an appeal for any unwanted football boots, all U12 sizes considered, and maybe small cash donations to cover costs of shipment. Well done Irfan, and all players who returned used kits.
SYFA PERSONALINJURY INSURANCE COVER 2020/2021.....NOW ON DOCUMENT PAGE
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2021
MATCH REPORT.....
Sunday 9 May - U13s Polar Foods, 7-3 Semi-Final win v Edina Hibs....Match Highlights courtesy of Darren......https://vimeo.com/547865879
2021 training kits will be distributed to our 2010s & 2009s at tomorrows session. Players are advised to bring their club bags. U13 players kits will be distributed at next weeks sessions. Friday 19 March & Coaches on Saturday 20 March.
3 Squads @ Pilrig Park today, all participating in non contact activities. Both 2010 Reds & Whites enjoyed their second session, with our 2009s hitting the grass for the first time this year. despite the lockdown, every player looking the part and back as ‘sharp’ as ever. Well done lads and coaches for your efforts. Now looking forward to next week.....
As ESSDA are optimistically, planning ahead with recommending the 7s and 9v9 season kicking off, sometime in March our 2010s coaching teams, are keen to get back out on the parks, and facilitate some “lite” activity for the Reds & Whites squads. From Saturday 27 February non-contact sessions will take place @ Pilrig Park from 1pm to 2pm. I’m sure the boys will be keen to get back, on the grass and enjoy some energetic activities. Please notes, sessions will be skill and ball work based. Sessions will also take please regardless of weather conditions. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/.../updated-guidance-for.../...
Club 2021 Winter News letter. Its a 5 page read, but we’re sure you‘ll find something of interest. Its an uncertain time for our young squads, but we need to plan ahead, and stay positive.
Found this on YT. I remember getting a VHS copy from John Ritchie, Hibs community coach at the time, as it was the SFA bringing in the 7s game, and establishing mandatory SFA coaching courses. Must have been early 90s. Opening 12 mins sums up why Scotland badly needed coaches to be qualified. still have the original video kicking about somewhere....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdolZRT4fx4
Who remembers the table-top football game Subbuteo, customised team kits worn by the tiny football figures. Adults of a certain age will remember it well, and no doubt most of the club dads, will have played it at some stage while growing up. Well we’ve joined the esteem ranks of the world-wide Subbuteo teams. Big thanks to our 2009s keeper Louie’s dad, David Curti for arranging to have this set produced. Fantastic attention to detail.....
2008 (U13s) peter free kicks Bonnyrigg Rose - 18/10/2020
https://vimeo.com/user112200951/download/469750393/434301a721
2010s Whites away at Castlevale - 18/10/2020
https://vimeo.com/user112200951/download/469754023/1ee5c7711a
August Coaching Camp - Torrential rain - Glorious sunshine. We had it all https://vimeo.com/user112200951/download/445805187/1389750b0c
Our Academy players officially break for school holidays. And as we ease out of what has been a crazy period of lockdown, our P7s (2008s) will have mixed emotions as they forego emotional goodbyes to classmates and teachers. They’re a squad of strong characters and I’m sure they’ll make a smooth transition to high school life.....We’ll have good news for all Academy teams over the weekend. Watch this space
Academy Player Development Coaches Roddy & Murdo share their fun video produced for 3v2 Soccer Academy members...
Irfan (Dad) and Saif (Son) U10 Academy player enjoying Pilrig Park For a light ball skill session. Anybody else? Forward any short vids and with your permission we’ll get them online....https://vimeo.com/416324875
Hope everyone is staying positive.....We’ve been relatively busy behind the scenes dealing with off-field issues. Our ongoing “negotiations“ with CEC Green Spaces dept re our vision for Pilrig Park and our long-term aims to get our youth teams back playing at Pilrig, took a positive turn, when CEC agreed to support our plans, to increase the dimensions of the current playing area. Once we get the go ahead to start playing, CEC will undertake the work, and our youth teams will come back to PP. Part 2 of our long-term vision is to site a new 60x40 7s playing area, on a section of the original big pitch. The CEC have agreed in principal to carry out the marking and maintenance of the new 7s site, although a cost for this work has still to be agreed. In addition, local group Friends of Pilrig Park will be required to endorse the Academies application, before CEC will proceed. We’ve had 2 fairly in-depth discussions with the Chair of the friends group, and a consultation process involving their members, and residents with a community interest, will be undertaken very soon. We’ve also proposed that the playing area would ideal for community use, especially during school hours by the three local schools. The new area would accommodate, not just 7v7 football, but any sports activity that requires boundary lines, such as Unihock - Rounders - Quick Cricket etc. Pilrig Park school have responded very positively to the proposal. We’ve put together a small video of archive actions shots illustrating the youth and senior games the club enjoyed over the years at Pilrig Park....We’ll keep everyone updated. Stay Safe
We’ve decided to have a wee bit of fun with our Academy Coaches. We asked them to look back at their early football days. 3 Questions and answers...Oh and to add a pic of them in their football kit. * Pause vid to read *
Albion Squads going way back. Senior, Youth and Academy. There’s bound to be a Dad, Grandad, Brother or Neighbour among these Squads.......
Academy Warm Up 2019........https://vimeo.com/user112200951/download/405463046/b30779fb3d
Pilrig Park * We'll be back soon.....
ESSDA FIXTURES NOW PUBLISHED AT ACADEMY TEAMS PAGE
Check out our Academy Girls Team page