Mr Blobby

Thanks for that. I knew Coughlin and Armstrong had some kind of ties with Newtongrange Star - just didn't have my hands on all the exact details at the time of writing it up. It was a bit of a rush job. Meadowbank Thistle manager Terry Christie was also at Newtongrange. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that when Terry Christie left Stirling Albion, he had a chance to go to Meadowbank Thistle straight away, maybe on the recommendation of the Binos trainer at that time, Tam Maclaren, but he went to Newtongrange first to gain experience. Big Tam Maclaren of course went on to help Christie at Meadowbank in later years. And he's (MacLaren) still around, spotted MacLaren with Mickey Lawson at an Edinburgh City game earlier in the year.

Probably A5-4-1 in our case. We have to remember that it's the mighty Berwick Rangers coming to town on Saturday and a certain giant of a man called Big John Coughlin (Hallelujah!) says he'll be looking for a win.

Was published in the Scottish Sun exclusive at 5:30pm today by Gareth Law. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/649631/former-celtic-and-hibs-striker-derek-riordan-agrees-to-join-edinburgh-city/

I wouldn't bet on it. Try shoving a Blobby biscuit in their face and holding them down with a half nelson.

Predictions for Saturday's game on Stirling's 'non-astoturf' pitch at Forthbank. High wind probability (after beans on toast for brunch at the local Morrisons Supermarket across the road), Snow chance of the game getting called off because of the weather, Mr Blobby refused entry to the ground (on account of his offensive T-Shirt), Security eject Edinburgh City photographer from the away support end ('again', for failing to observe the 'No Riff Raff' sign), Josh Walker and Marc Laird to combine in some wonderful ball play that results in Lewis Allan scoring a hat-trick (dream phase). The Binos fans to sing a song for once ('Cheers up sleepy Jim, oh what can it mean, to an ex-Hearts and Falkirk manager... you know the song.)

Great effort! Could make the City Fanzine next month. Bridgewater Town?

Funny you should say that. He was in a restricted area and had to be moved on by security. lo l.

Apologies to Historical Kits for using their images here but I was intrigued to discover that Edinburgh City had a pink top to their socks at one time. In 1938 to be precise and only for a few months. There was talk at the ground on Saturday, during the design survey for Abertay University, that a third kit for the Citizens was being considered (Hypothetically of course). I think pink socks with the yellow away top would go down really well with some sections of the City support. Coincidentally, for reasons that no doubt we'll be told about later, Edinburgh City ran out in an all white strip in the game against Montrose. (Apart from the seat-belt across the shoulders and the black tops to the socks). Perhaps ditching the black shorts was just a trial, but most fans, I was told, didn't like the new look.

History lesson. "Stirling Albion were the first Scottish club to have a plastic pitch - it was in place at their old Annfield ground between 1987 and 1992. The first match was a 1-1 draw against Ayr United in September 1987. George Peebles took charge of the team and would be the first Scottish manager to manage a team who played on Astroturf. One of the requirements of the new turf was that clubs could decide not to play on the surface in cup matches and so for the next 5 years all of Stirling Albion's home cup games were played away. With the supposed advantage of the artificial pitch not working, St Johnstone defeated the Binos by six goals on the artificial surface, Peebles was relieved of his duties and Jim Fleeting was appointed". So there you go. Maybe the reason why Stirling Albion didn't go for the astroturf in the new ground at Forthbank was that 6-0 cuffing by St Johnstone all those years ago.

That will be a nice opening line for the City Fanzine centrefold (Now under construction and awaiting any late news on Montrose).

Cowdenbeath v Edinburgh City Edinburgh City's postponed game away to Cowdenbeath has been rescheduled for 7:45pm on Tuesday February 28, 2017 according to official sources on Twitter.

He has a nice amber/orange glow about him. A sure sign of a former Meadowbank man.

Oh, you'd have to ask him about that yourself but I can tell you that in his day, Pastor Milne, was a goal scoring machine in his own right, Read on. Edinburgh City Fanzine Back and Front Cover.

Pastor Milne.

Sitting with the chiefs during the first half at Annan yesterday, everyone was tight-lipped I'm afraid. I expect if there are any developments on the new players front being added to the City squad, it'll be in the Citizen match day programme on Saturday. Here's a nice view of the back of the head of the man who will know however.

It's always good to see an Edinburgh City goal, so here's that 4th one mentioned in the Sunday Amateur team's match report on Page 10 above.

For what it's worth, here's the Annan match report in next week's Edinburgh City Fanzine on Page 3.

Yes. Edinburgh City need a 100% fit Craig Beattie and on form Ousman See to pack the goals in. That's just not been happening for us at the turn of the year. I think the new partnership of Josh Walker, who kept the number 5 shirt, and Marc Laird (No. 9) in the heart of the midfield is promising. (Walker had a good game again on the left of the field yesterday with his crossing and passing getting top marks (Walker also took the corners). Laird, back from a bad injury in the Clyde game, played on the right but he's not back to his early season best yet. John Dunn, Dougie Gair and Aaron Dunsmore can all do a lot of running down the wings and Sean Harrison is great will long balls in, so there's plenty of balls raining down on the danger area. The problem is, we just don't seem to be able to convert them to goals. Joe Mbu was missed - he's always solid in defence but to be fair the defence did OK without him apart from not clearing the Annan attack that led to that silly goal. Here's one of the many Josh Walker corners from the viewpoint behind the Annan net. Notice Marc McConnell beckoning Lewis Allan (No. 7) to come out of the goalmouth before the corner is taken. The ball is cleared by Annan but is then fed back to Walker who sends in a floater for the young Ryan Porteous to get his head on. I'd like to see more of that practised on the training ground.

Had both the Steak and the Mince pies at Annan today but didn't try the bollocks myself (Too saucy for my liking). No Macaroni Pies available again which is a pain for the vegetarian in our group and the soup was out of a packet. Steak Pie gets an impressive 10 out of 10 - Very meaty. Mince Pie? -Couldn't fault that either but Arbroath and East Fife were better so I'll give it a 9 out of 10. As a side order, Mr Blobby's T-Shirt next week reads on the front...

We were there for the first game. Had a 10 minute walk along the main street, Scott's Street, and bought some chicken food and stuff for Halloween. The Shed at 7 Lady Street is the place to be for pre-match drinks I hear, but we didn't have enough time left to go there the first time. https://www.yell.com/biz/the-shed-annan-3440292/

Some nice pictures of today's game now online from the new photographer at Meadowbank. Wouldn't mind having him on my staff.

Yea. Forgot to mention Stobie. Man of the Match for me today and probably now winner of the Edinburgh City Player of the Year Award. (I'm guessing the date for that will be the 29th April after the last home game of the season against Stirling Albion, barring any play-off scenarios).