AllyMonc

We do have planning permission for a stand behind the dugouts and as far as I'm aware that remains the priority - however the company building the flats on the land between the fence and the road have lodged a complaint/challenge related to some of the land not actually being the council's to offer up. 'Ransom Strip' is the legal terminology I believe. I don't know whether temporary stands behind the goals are an option or not but I know the new ownership are trying everything they can. For all the positive news around the change of control, Meadowbank remains a significant challenge to what we want to do.

I thought Saturday went pretty well - all things considered obviously. Makes a huge difference to have the name back and hopefully better relations with Edinburgh Council/Leisure mean we can improve Meadowbank (within some pretty obvious limitations). Squad looks okay and certainly better than I feared when Tom told us he was pulling his cash. Bring on the League Cup group stages!

He made maybe the best penalty save I've ever seen last season. That'll do for me.

Yeah he's good and a good lad - ignore the haters. Will occasionally just chuck one in for a laugh but such is life eh. As a back up keeper at that level not sure what more you could ask for really.

Correct response from the new owners and a strong statement. I should say I think it would have been the same under the old board as we've always voted in favour of the pyramid. Looks like the proposal is absolutely gubbed and rightly so.

I think the blame in regard to the council/Edinburgh Leisure is that they made promises to the club that weren't kept - if they'd known what Meadowbank was going to be like we wouldn't have even considered going back. We'd written Meadowbank off as an option and only came back to it after Edinburgh Leisure reached out and made promises they subsequently didn't keep Having said that I still think the club gets some blame for naivety, lack of contingency etc. during the process.

Aye totally agree. No magic fix obviously but I know the new ownership are looking to work more closely with Edinburgh Leisure to try and improve the experience in the short term. Always seemed to me that the previous board and Edinburgh Leisure were at loggerheads - a softening of that relationship would at least give us a chance. I didn't like Ainslie Park (location mainly) but looks a bit better now they've got the extra stand.

I know lots of people are asking about changing the name back - pretty clear from this that we're all very much in favour! The name change thing has actually been even worse than I thought it was going to be, would be a huge win for the new ownership to get that fixed. https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/fc-edinburgh-name-change-gets-fan-backing-after-club-changes-hands-4166668

Interesting to see how he gets on, he's absolutely brilliant when he wants to be. Can't say I'm all that up to speed with the NI Leagues but possibly Championship standard? Which I'm sure he'll manage. I though maybe one of the hybrid/lower end full-time teams in Scotland might have taken him but fair play trying something a wee bit different. Would have this down as his best performance for us and one of the best lower league striking displays I've ever seen (goals at 2:19 and 3:20) -

Totally agree with GCBC here - absolutely do not want anyone to be under the impression that the fan input is a 'closed shop' with a handful of people speaking on behalf of the fanbase. Get along to the next meeting and get involved - valid questions and I'm sure the new board will be happy to answer them. Either way really hope to see you next season!

It's the former! A total severance. Don't have the details of the budget but I know there are other revenue streams that can be tapped (club was far too reliant on Tom's cash) to help increase the income side of the balance sheet. We'll get a clearer picture when we see the squad for the start of the season I guess.

Positive meeting last night - bottom line for me is that we have people at the top of the club who will do their absolute best for the club while being realistic about the limitations of a club like ours. The previous regime certainly did their best but not sure it was always grounded in reality (best part-time team in the country, aim to go full time etc). No official updates on the name etc. but everyone wants the same thing to happen, who knows whether it's possible in time for the new season - including new kit etc. I'm confident we'll see a markedly different club next season and one that the local community will be more likely to get behind, should also be a bit better for visiting fans as well, within the limitations of Meadowbank.

Just in case anyone isn't on Twitter there's an open meeting tonight at the The Westsider https://maps.app.goo.gl/kseqw7kYfz85Bk2k8 (not my venue choice before anyone starts) at 1730 for 1800 where members of the new consortium will be discussing all aspects of the club and taking trying to answer as many questions as possible. Obviously all with a fondness for the club are welcome and be great to get everyone's input.

Totally valid - we've got to find a way to make Meadowbank a more appealing place for people to watch football (home and away fans). Will definitely be a key focus for all involved.

Not sure if they turned down contracts but I think it was pretty clear to all involved that those 2 in particular are amongst the best part-time players in the country so would naturally play at a higher level. Don't know about Craigen but would expect Robbo to end up at a hybrid or even full-time team, he's certainly good enough.

If you read the owners statement a few months ago where he basically said he wanted out - the situation with Edinburgh Leisure (and therefore the stadium) was specifically called out. So yeah it's certainly contributed to him handing the club over. No easy solutions to be honest!

Totally fair question and important to point out we're not talking about a full fan ownership model here, as you say it wouldn't be viable. Really this was about maintaining the club and that was/is the priority. The owner made it clear a few months ago he wanted out and Scottish football isn't exactly swamped with rich investors looking to buy out a lower league club. We'll find our level over the coming seasons, I suspect it won't be League 1!

The million dollar question!

Have to say this didn't seem possible a week and a half ago. Lots and lots to do but a chance to get our club back. What a relief

Nice day for it if nothing else. Clyde look a bit better than I expected but still a good chance FC Edinburgh (still find that hard to type) get their first home points of the season. Hibs are away this week so the pubs around the ground should be a bit quieter. The early kick off will be on in the Mash Tun, The Artisan and the Hoppy (possibly a few others as well).

Can't say I've ever enjoyed a home game vs Clyde. At least there's some data to back me up. I do remember wildly celebrating a Craig Beattie equaliser at old Meadowbank which was swiftly disallowed, much to the hilarity of the visiting support. For reasons previously stated I will be elsewhere on Saturday.

Cheers ARFC. @Tenkay it's a culmination of things all tied together with atrocious communication and a total disregard for the fanbase.

I think you mean Anthony McDonald? He's clearly a very talented player, left footed but plays on the right and cuts in. A few moments for us but can't say he ever really affected a game meaningfully. If he gets a run in the team and stays fit he should be brilliant but those are big ifs.

Not sure I'm really expecting a reply and in fairness I haven't asked for one, or even asked a direct question. Happy to chat to a board member if they want but also not going to lose any sleep if I don't. Agree it's very poor that you and the ex-chairman haven't been contacted. There should be statues of the 2 of you outside Meadowbank, well maybe not you but you could have a wee plaque or somthing.

My letter to the board after yesterday (and all the other days)