Voice of Reason Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 11 minutes ago, Burnieman said: University sides are a bit of an anachronism at his level. Edinburgh Uni will eventually settle at a level largely occupied by Heriot Watt currently, if not next season then very soon. Stirling I guess are a little different as they're more of a sport orientated Uni and their squad sit somewhere between full-time and part-time? They're good enough to bounce around tiers 5 and 6. That is a good analysis of the situation. As things stand, Edinburgh University are probably performing at around tier 6/7 level. University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt university have different funding models and I can see Stirling competing at Tier 5 and Heriot-Watt aspiring to Tier 6. I tried to get evidence from the Edinburgh University page promoting performance sports but get a message - "this page does not exist". Sad, but probably a good reflection of the current mood. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdinburghBlue Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 On 05/01/2024 at 23:17, Voice of Reason said: The University usually struggles before the start of the academic year and during the Christmas break. Playing a top team during these times is always challenging but this evening was just painful. They need to sort this if they want to have any credibility in the SLFL. Other Universities have programmes to address this but there is no evidence that Edinburgh University has the ambition to progress in the professional game. (I'm referring to the University, not the football club who are a dedicated group of players and coaches with the odds stacked against them.) They have very little time to sort this out if they want to survive. Otherwise, they might be better playing at a level when there is at least as good a chance of winning as losing. The University spent north of £0.5M to upgrade facilities to support the club's license application so that it could play in the Lowland League. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdinburghBlue Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 On 13/01/2024 at 23:23, Voice of Reason said: That is a good analysis of the situation. As things stand, Edinburgh University are probably performing at around tier 6/7 level. University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt university have different funding models and I can see Stirling competing at Tier 5 and Heriot-Watt aspiring to Tier 6. I tried to get evidence from the Edinburgh University page promoting performance sports but get a message - "this page does not exist". Sad, but probably a good reflection of the current mood. The University usually finishes in the top 5/best Scottish university in the BUCS overall performance table. It offers multiple scholarships to support elite performers (https://www.ed.ac.uk/sport/performance-sport/athlete-scholarships). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmas Enigma Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 15/01/2024 at 11:45, EdinburghBlue said: The University usually finishes in the top 5/best Scottish university in the BUCS overall performance table. It offers multiple scholarships to support elite performers (https://www.ed.ac.uk/sport/performance-sport/athlete-scholarships). None of these scholarships appear to be compatible with the football team or other team sports?! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amigan Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 12 hours ago, Grandmas Enigma said: None of these scholarships appear to be compatible with the football team or other team sports?! If you were any good at football by that age you would be signed to a pro team surely 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realmadrid Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 I went along on Saturday to tick the ground off the list and see how bad this team could be. it was a strange game, Linlithgow had multiple chances and hit the woodwork a few times but the students had the lead at half time 1-0 Total collapse in the second half , not sure if they ran out of steam or Linlithgow just upped the game to another level The Uni keeper looked decent with a couple of great saves. 95% of the crowd were away fans, with a small band of home Ultras 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voice of Reason Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I agree that it was a strange game. I thought the University rode their luck a fair bit in the first half but managed to frustrate Linlithgow and go in 1-0 in front at half time. Linlithgow certainly upped their game in the second half and rightly became dominant. Probably the University succumbed to their 'losing mentality' but don't take anything away from a good Linlithgow performance. Thanks, also, to the Linlithgow fans for a good atttendance on a dreich day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voice of Reason Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 A potentially valuable point for Edinburgh University today in a game which they could so easily have won. Their cause was not helped by going down to ten men half way through the first half but they then became the dominant team and took the lead early in the second half. As so often happens, Broomhill also went down to ten men and scored the equaliser. A tense, edgy game rather than a thing of beauty but gives the Uni just a chance to finish second bottom. However, as has been stated elsewhere, that might not be enough. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voice of Reason Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 The University may just have pressed the 'self destruct' button. Well outplayed in the first half they went in 0-3 down at half time but then made a bright start to the second half with the advantage of the wind tunnel at Broadwood. Having got a goal back and created several good chances, they conceded a penalty when the keeper was adjudged to have brought down a Colts player bearing down on goal. Opinions were divided on the merit of the award but at least the keeper avoided a red card - temporarily. As soon as the goal was scored the keeper was shown a straight red - presumably for giving the referee some advice. So, the Uni go into the vital head-to-head relegation decider with Gretna on the same points but with a slightly worse goal difference - and minus their first choice goalkeeper. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsforlife Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 It’s end of semester, can’t blame a player for wanting the same time off as his classmates… 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowenan Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Relegated today. Will play in the EOSFL next season. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Voice of Reason Posted April 21 Popular Post Share Posted April 21 It has been a privilege to be able to compete in the Lowland League and support its development. As the SLFL has become more competitive we have realised it was more a matter of when, rather than if, we were relegated. The University could have done a lot more to give the team a chance to survive in the Lowland League using the model adopted by the University of Stirling and others but playing in the professional game was not their priority. Our 150th anniversary as members of the SFA is just round the corner and we look forward to meeting new and old friends in the EoSFL. Many thanks to Sean and the new management team for a positive approach to a difficult challenge. 35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekok Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 What a typical and generous message. Over the years we actually struggled against the lads in lots of the games. Our committee are well upset at the thought of no longer having the excellent home baking to look forward to. From everyone at East Kilbride, thanks for the memories and every success going forward. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voice of Reason Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 2 hours ago, ekok said: What a typical and generous message. Over the years we actually struggled against the lads in lots of the games. Our committee are well upset at the thought of no longer having the excellent home baking to look forward to. From everyone at East Kilbride, thanks for the memories and every success going forward. Yes - there was a period when we wanted to play you every week and we appreciated your generosity, for which carrot cake was a small measure of our gratitude. Best wishes against Buckie and thank you for your kind words. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groundhopping Adventures Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Visited East Peffermill twice and have received fantastic hospitality. The ground is a credit to you as are the Volunteers. A shame the results on the park didn't follow. Good luck in the EoS next year. B team free zone so silver linings and all that 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwullieac Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 All the best to Edinburgh Uni in the EOS next season, enjoyed my visits there 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voice of Reason Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Thank you all for your kind words. The home baking will continue so please visit when you can. I hope the EoS experience will be more enjoyable for the players and will give them the chance to compete and enjoy their football. We will miss the many friends we have made in the SLFL. Our support for the 'B' teams was marginal but was ultimately decided because we asked our players and they told us that the chance to play against full-time professionals who may be the stars of tomorrow was important to them in their footballing journey. We understand those who hold a different opinion on a difficult matter but hope you will respect the reason for our decision. Thanks for the memories and best wishes to whoever replaces us and to the SLFL Champions in the playoffs. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekok Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 If only your performances on the park matched your peerless hospitality, sporting integrity and all round genuine enjoyment at playing in Tier 5 , we would still have the pleasure of your company. Not to be. The lucid and rational explanation of the B team situation is typical. Clear, well made and an object lesson to those who ask "the answer is no, what is the question " Thanks for your good wishes in the Playoffs, most appreciated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCOL Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 On 21/04/2024 at 18:45, Voice of Reason said: It has been a privilege to be able to compete in the Lowland League and support its development. As the SLFL has become more competitive we have realised it was more a matter of when, rather than if, we were relegated. The University could have done a lot more to give the team a chance to survive in the Lowland League using the model adopted by the University of Stirling and others but playing in the professional game was not their priority. Our 150th anniversary as members of the SFA is just round the corner and we look forward to meeting new and old friends in the EoSFL. Many thanks to Sean and the new management team for a positive approach to a difficult challenge. 9 hours ago, ekok said: If only your performances on the park matched your peerless hospitality, sporting integrity and all round genuine enjoyment at playing in Tier 5 , we would still have the pleasure of your company. Not to be. The lucid and rational explanation of the B team situation is typical. Clear, well made and an object lesson to those who ask "the answer is no, what is the question " Thanks for your good wishes in the Playoffs, most appreciated. It’s nice to be nice but this is too much, the club has been relegated. It’s isn’t ok - boys are gutted, don’t enjoy losing and getting no help. Sean, Roddy and Murdo never had a chance. Neither did the previous coaches. The players never had a chance. Promises made this season not seen through. Nobody asking why? If good cakes are all we’re known for, then clearly there’s a problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcastle broon Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 1 hour ago, OCOL said: It’s nice to be nice but this is too much, the club has been relegated. It’s isn’t ok - boys are gutted, don’t enjoy losing and getting no help. Sean, Roddy and Murdo never had a chance. Neither did the previous coaches. The players never had a chance. Promises made this season not seen through. Nobody asking why? If good cakes are all we’re known for, then clearly there’s a problem. You're quite right its not nice to be relegated but as the voice pointed out you were punching above your weight for a while. You are also known for having a cracking wee set up at Peffermill! At least let us know what your gibbering about regarding promises? What's your expectations then for next season. The EoS Premier league is also a tough league. It'll be a struggle for you next season as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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