CHAMPIONS - We did the double ...?Our U14s were crowned Division 3 Champions last Sunday and won the League cup 5-3 v Craigroyston CFC on Thursday night. .......14s Cup Final memories can now be viewed via our YouTube channel……https://youtu.be/VKkumjN7P8o

Our U12 play their final 11v11 game this evening, in preparation for entering U13 SERYFA leagues at U13 in August. The squsd will break directly after this game for the Summer. Details of our week long pre-season coaching Camp planned for late July will be posted next week

Our U14s edged out Haddington Athletic in last nights League Cup Semi-Final. A hard fought 2-1 win was enough to see the squad progress to the cup final....

We're up. Our U14s secured promotion to SERYFA Division 2 with an emphatic 8-1 win v fellow promotion candidates Gullane Athletic

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....

U14 League cup tie fixtures. Last game on Sunday 15 May to secure a semi-final place.....

Sunday 1 May - U14 & U12 fixtures confirmed

REDPATH ALBION - PILMENY SPORTS ACADEMY

Last weeks visit to Leith Links for our U14s in the Div 3 league cup v Leith Athletic - We came away with a well deserved 3 points, after a 0-3 win....

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.

After almost 2 years our indoor sessions are back…..

We're Back....

Sunday 9 January - U14 fixture

Winter/Xmas Newsletter 2021

Merry Xmas to all

SYFA PERSONALINJURY INSURANCE COVER 2020/2021.....NOW ON DOCUMENT PAGE

Academy squads, although continueing with the traditional red/white st riped playing jersey, the playing kit is being refreshed with new shorts and socks. From Sunday 22 August this will be the official kit for all ESSDA and SERYFA fixtures. Pele & Maradona squads will be issued with the new shorts/socks at tonights coaching session.
** U14s were issued with new socks at last nights game and socks to be worn at Sundays away fixture at Tranent, with current white shorts & red socks. New shorts will be issued at Tuesdays home fixture.

Ours Thanks to U13 coach Tom for this very detailed set of stats highlighting the 13s league and cup winning season.Painstakingly been compiled, and no doubt time consuming, it makes formidable reading. It was a short season, but a memorable milestone for the lads, and indeed the Albion Academy.

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2021

MATCH REPORT.....

U13s Polar Foods Cup Final

We won the Cup! I don't quite know how but somehow we managed to a grind out our hardest fought victory of the
season.

Lochend were superb, and in a match that I'm only too well aware could have gone either way it was just a shame there had to
be a losing side. For significant spells of the match they had the better of us, and the desire and energy they started with quite simply overwhelmed us. With 20 minutes gone they were 2-0 up and
looking like they could score with every break upfield.
But then, finally realising we had a match on our hands, the boys found the reserves of determination and self-belief that
I've always suspected they'd have in a crisis. With those reserves alone we managed to claw our way back into the match and end the first half all square at 2-2.
The second half brought no rest for the nerves as we went behind once more, and again we had to dig deep and graft our way
back into the match. With 10 minutes to go we equalised, then 2 minutes after that we finally managed to take the lead. Those last 8 minutes felt like 8 hours, and included some heroic defending and
a quite stunning save from Hamish as the last kick of the match looked for all the world like it was destined for the bottom corner.
Yesterday evening every one of the Redpath lads, upon realising the match wasn't going to be as straightforward as they'd
anticipated, had to make a huge mental adjustment and take personal responsibility for the predicament we were in. To do that at all takes great maturity, but to do it at 2-0 down and with all our
pre-match plans in disarray takes unbelievable fortitude and resilience.
Today the boys can walk into school with huge smiles on their faces. I know however that they, and especially the ones with
Lochend schoolmates, will acknowledge that the difference between elation and bitter disappointment can be a very fine margin indeed.

Personally, the mixture of relief, emotion and pride I felt after the match was like nothing I've experienced before. It was
one of the most memorable evenings of my life. It was also one I never, EVER, want to be put through again!

Coach Tom

Sunday 9 May - U13s Polar Foods, 7-3 Semi-Final win v Edina Hibs....Match Highlights courtesy of Darren......https://vimeo.com/547865879

Reminder that new training kits distributed last week are to be worn at all sessions from tomorrow.......

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.

2010s Goalkeeper required.

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.....

New player & coaches 2021 training kits, including Goalkeepers, now ordered. Delivery due in 3 weeks......

Very productive 2010s non-contact session at Pilrig Park yesterday. Almost 100% attendance, so well done to both squads for attending. Also big thanks to our coaches for facilitating the sessions. Our 2009s are back next Saturday 6 March @ Pilrig Park 1pm -2pm.

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.

Academy Newsletter - Winter 2021
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. 1
RAPSA NEWS JAN 2021.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [5.1 MB]

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

No Xmas newsletter this year, but we realise the need to keep all parents aware of current, and future Academy plans. Our Xmas letter outlines most info.

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.....

2010s Whites away to Edin City.....Passing football was great today, some of the best I've seen from the team. Great attitude as ever, great team work and great goals.
Also plenty of fine saves from Adam to stop them getting back in at any point. .Speaking to their coach, he thought we would give their Pele team a good game.

Courtesy Coach Mark....

* MATCH REPORT * 2010 v Redhall Star - Coach Paul
Redhall Star v Redpath Albion Reds

Definitely the toughest match this season so far as both teams played out a very entertaining draw. Conditions were
difficult with the pitch very heavy and both sets of players struggling to keep their feet at times.
We were not at our best today from a passing perspective, playing only in sporadic phases. When we did pass it we were
very fluid and effective, creating some great chances. Redhall had a cracking GK though who pulled off a few fantastic saves.
Today was a performance about desire, guts and the defensive side of the game. Freddie at CB was immense for large
portions of the match, almost taking it as a personal insult if an opposition player got past him. Likewise Dan, who was like the Duracell bunny all over the pitch, tackling, harassing, pressing and
driving us forward.
All over the pitch we were digging in to win personal battles and that was pleasing to see, especially as we have
sometimes been lacking a little in this area in the past.

A big thank you to Oliver and Beau who took a half each in goals, and both done well. The players can take great pride in
today’s battling performance and result. It showed that we can compete at this level when our passing game is not quite t here.

Goals today by Charlie & Ahmed (2)

Match Report - Coach Tom
Haddington 2 Redpath 9 (HT 1-5)

The U13s were in sizzling form this morning, putting in by far their best performance of the season and embracing the
opportunity to play on what could have easily been an intimidatingly big pitch. Our hosts Haddington were far from a push-over (a really good team in good form) but such was our edge in just about
every department that at no time were they able to get any sort of foothold in the game. It was the kind of display that, as a coach, gives you in the enviable problem of not quite knowing what to
say at halftime, as "don't change a thing" is not going to fill 5 minutes!

So many commendable performances in the Redpath team today, but if I had to pick out one player it would be Enock. In an
attacking midfield role, he treated us to a commanding display, combining strength with a delightful deftness of touch and setting up numerous chances with some perfectly weighted through
balls.

If the boys are willing to set today as their baseline for effort, desire and teamwork then they will be more than capable
of fulfilling the high expectations we have for them.
Todays Scorers:- Finn (2) - Peter (2) - Robin (2) - Carter (2) - Enock (1)

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

As our 2009 squad prep for the new 9v9 season we’re recruiting a few players to boost the squad. Contact details on our flyer.....

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

https://vimeo.com/433091334

Academy Player Development Coaches Roddy & Murdo share their fun video produced for 3v2 Soccer Academy members...

https://vimeo.com/421871206

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

https://vimeo.com/410106499

Ariel view of proposed new 7 v 7 area

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 *

https://vimeo.com/410133579

Albion Squads going way back. Senior, Youth and Academy. There’s bound to be a Dad, Grandad, Brother or Neighbour among these Squads.......

https://vimeo.com/407095740

Academy Warm Up 2019........https://vimeo.com/user112200951/download/405463046/b30779fb3d

Pilrig Park * We'll be back soon.....