FERRARI PACKAGING LOWLAND LEAGUE
CONSTITUTION FOR 2016/17 WITH SOME INFORMATION ON EACH CLUB
(SIXTEEN CLUBS)
BSC GLASGOW
"Broomhill Sports Club" Glasgow - they were only formed in 2014 and have signed a ground sharing agreement with league side Alloa Athletic for the 2016/17 season.
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS
Founded in 1908 as Edinburgh Civil Service Football Club. Scottish Amateur Cup winners in 1911 and 1921. Finished 3rd in the East of Scotland League last season.
CUMBERNAULD COLTS
The main occupant of the all seated Broadwood Stadium where Scottish League side Clyde also play. Finished a respectable 4th place in their first season in the Lowland League last season.
DALBEATTIE STAR
South of Scotland League winners in 2012 and 2013. Have finished in 3rd, 4th and 9th in the Lowland League so far.
EAST KILBRIDE
The Kilby were formed in 2010. The original East Kilbride were formed in 1871 and competed in the earlier Scottish Cup competitions. The club has real aspirations of climbing up the Scottish Football League and have so far finished 8th and 2nd in the Lowland League. Last season they famously reached the 5th round of the Scottish Cup losing to Celtic 0-2 in a match played at Excelsior Stadium (home of Airdrieonians) in front of 7,767 people.
EAST STIRLINGSHIRE
Members of the Lowland League for the 2016/17 season. The club didn't appoint a Manager until 1966 - up until then all management decisions were made by a board of directors. Their most famous manager has to be Sir Alex Ferguson who started his managerial career at the club in 1974. They were members of the top flight of Scottish football for just two seasons in 1932/33 and 1963/64.
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1878 making them one of the oldest clubs in the East of Scotland. Reached the third round of the Scottish Cup in 2007/08 where they lost to Cove Rangers.
GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS
Gala Fairydean were formed in 1894 and in 1907 they club separated into two different teams being Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers. The two clubs were closely linked with Fairydean being a semi-professional club and Rovers an Amateur club. Fairydean applied for election to the Scottish League in 1966, 1994, 2000 and 2002 being unsuccessful on all occasions. The two clubs merged in 2013 to form Gala Fairydean Rovers. The club main cantilevered main stand built in the 1960s in a Category A listed building.
GRETNA 2008
They were formed after the demise of the old Gretna FC who from 2002 to 2008 climbed from the Scottish Third Division to the Scottish Premier League and reached the Scottish Cup Final of 2006 losing to Heart of Midlothian on penalty kicks. They have finished 7th and 3rd since joining the Lowland League.
HAWICK ROYAL ALBERT
Will play in the Lowland League for the first time in 2016/17.
PRESTON ATHLETIC
Formed in 1946 and played as a Junior Club until 1994 when they joined the Senior ranks of Scottish Football. The Panners, as they are known, applied to joined the Scottish League in 2000, 2002 and 2008 so they have aspirations to climb the leagues.
SELKIRK
Founded in 1880 so a club with lots of history. Their golden era came in the 1970s when they won the East of Scotland League three times and were runner's up twice.
SPARTANS
Based in Edinburgh and were very successful in the East of Scotland League where they were crowned champions in 1972, 1984, 1997, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011. They have played at their Ainslie Park home since 2008. Champions of the first Lowland League in 2013 one year before the play-offs were brought in. Recently they have famously been involved in runs to the later rounds of the Scottish Cup. In 2003/04 they were beaten by Livingston in the fourth round. In 2005/06 they were beaten by St Mirren in a fourth round replay and in 2008/09 they lost 1-2 to Airdrie United at the same stage. They went one better in 2014/15 losing to Berwick Rangers in a fifth round replay.
STIRLING UNIVERSITY
Formed in 2008 and currently ground share with Scottish League side Stirling Albion. Shelley Kerr's appointment in 2014 saw her being the first female manager of a senior men's team in the United Kingdom.
VALE OF LEITHEN
Formed in 1891 making them one of the oldest clubs in the Scottish Border area. They have played at their Victoria Park ground since 1922.
WHITEHILL WELFARE
The most successful club in the East of Scotland League's history winning the title 16 times. They have finished 4th, 7th and 8th in the Lowland League.
The play-offs between the Champions of the Lowland League and the Highland League have been in place since 2014/15. Edinburgh City won the title in 2015 and played Highland League champions Brora Rangers losing on penalty kicks after a draw over two legs. Brora went on to lose to Scottish League bottom side Montrose. This year City played Cove Rangers winning 4-1 on aggregate over two legs and, as stated above, beat East Stirlingshire in the play-off 2-1 on aggregate. The Shire become the first club to be relegated from the Scottish Football League. Edinburgh City play at The Meadowbank Stadium which is the former home of Scottish League side Meadowbank Thistle who relocated to become Livingston in 1995. In a twist of fate their opening competitive fixture of 2016/17 comes against Livi who visit them for a Scottish League Cup tie on Wednesday 20th July - I'm sure they'll be wanting a result in this game.
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| SWAPPING PLACES - EAST STIRLINGSHIRE AND EDINBURGH CITY |
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