APPLICATION TO
THE SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
WHY THE
SPARTANS FC?
Live together. Play together. Win together.
01 THE SPARTANS FC
THE SPARTANS FC
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
02
03
04
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
06
07
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
LEAGUE Cup or King cup
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
40,000 people within 2 miles
KING CUP WINNERS 2008
WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT
OUR CLUB AND ITS POSITIVE
IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WOULD BE PROUD TO BE A
PART OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
LEAGUE AND ARE CONVINCED
WE WOULD BE A VALUABLE
ADDITION. MEMBERSHIP WOULD
HELP US TO BE ONE OF THE TOP
COMMUNITY CLUBS IN SCOTLAND,
WHERE THE SPARTANS FAMILY
CAN LIVE, PLAY AND WIN
TOGETHER.
02 KEY FACTS
THE SPARTANS FC
02
03
04
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
06
07
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
30 PLUS Community groups consulted on academy plans
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
“As a Community Learning & Development Worker in North
Edinburgh, I am well aware of the work Spartans have already
done. Their grass roots infrastructure for developing young
talent is on a par with the best. The new soccer academy and
training facilities will encourage even more young people to
develop their skills and love of the beautiful game. They are
also continuing to build good links within the North Edinburgh
community. I am confident that this local goodwill towards
Spartans can be translated into a fan base commensurate with
SFL status.”
Allan Hosey, Community Learning & Development
in North Edinburgh
03 OUR VISION
WE WILL BECOME ONE OF
THE TOP COMMUNITY CLUBS
IN SCOTLAND BY 2012
“My son plays for Spartans – the set up
and organisation are first class. He’s
really having fun and loves everything
about Spartans. With their community
focus I am sure Spartans will build one
of the biggest fan bases in lower reaches
of the SFL”.
Gavin Hastings, ex-Scotland and British
Lions rugby union captain
OUR HISTORY
WHAT WILL WE BRING TO THE SFL?
Club formed in 1951.
Now one of the largest in Scotland:
A community focus and a strong fan base
with great potential.
3 Men’s teams since 1976
2 Women’s teams from 2008
500 Youths – under 6 to under 19, girls and boys
Facilities which will provide an excellent
venue for our visitors.
1st XI – one of the most successful non-league senior
teams in Scotland.
A profile and brand to generate extra
publicity and awareness.
Winners of the East of Scotland league in 3 of the
last 7 seasons, qualifying twice for the last 16 of
the Scottish Cup in the last 5 seasons.
We invested all our Scottish Cup success money
to set up The Spartans Community Football Academy,
to build our new stadium and to drive forward our
community programme.
We are a well-supported club, having hosted 2 sell-out
crowds of nearly 3,500 in recent years.
18 trophies in last 6 seasons
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
APPLICATION TO
THE SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Strong finances.
Convenient location in the central belt.
Long term stability. Security of tenure for
at least 50 years in a brand new stadium.
04 OUR TEAM
THE SPARTANS FC
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
02
03
04
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
06
07
APPLICATION TO
THE SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
KEY PLAYERS
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
STEWART FOWLIE
(SCOTLAND SEMI-PRO)
ROSS CAMPBELL
(EAST OF SCOTLAND SELECT)
ROSS ARCHIBALD
(SCOTLAND SEMI-PRO)
05
“As a Grade 1 official since 1991, a
former FIFA referee and a veteran
of over 350 Scottish Football League
matches, I know the league set-up very
well. Based on this experience,
I believe that the profile, professionalism
and potential of Spartans would really
enhance the league set-up and
I commend their application to you.”
John Underhill, ex FIFA Referee
KEY PEOPLE
85 qualified coaches
THE SPARTANS FC STRUCTURE
CommitteE
COACHING TEAM
Craig Graham
Chairman / Director
– 14 year playing career at Spartans
– Spartans’ Chairman for the last 10 years
– Partner at KPMG, the professional services firm
Derick Rodier
General Manager / Director
–Professional footballer for Hibernian, Dunfermline
and Berwick Rangers
–20 years at Spartans as player, manager
and general manager
– Sales Director with Caledonian Clothing
–
–
–
–
Colin Hutchison
General Secretary / Director
–Player and coach for Scottish Universities,
player for British Universities
– 34 years at Spartans as player and
committee member
–Retired PE teacher, part-time Tutor at
Edinburgh University
ROBERT Dryburgh
Vice President / Director
–Played for Edinburgh University, Scottish
Universities and Spartans in the 70s
– Rejoined Spartans as Vice President in 2003
–Company Director
John McCabe
Treasurer / Director
–Played for Scottish Colleges and Spartans from
late 1970s
–Member of Spartans for nearly 30 years, joined
the committee in 1990
– A Principal Teacher of Guidance
Kevin Brown, Stewart Fowlie, Alex King and Mike Lawson
Our club has just been awarded the Quality Mark at
the top Community Level, we understand there are
only 3 clubs in Scotland who have attained this level.
Mike Lawson
Co Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Played over 600 senior games for five SFL teams
Manager of Meadowbank Thistle and Arbroath
Joined Spartans as Co-manager in 2001
IT Professional for Scottish Widows
Spartans FC (Youth)
- Scottish Registered
Charity
Sam Lynch
Co Manager
Spartans FC
(Men)
Spartans FC
(WOMEN)
General Committee
–Played for Celtic and Bristol City and a number
of junior teams
–Joined Spartans as player in 1990 and became
co-manager in 1994
–Most successful manager in East of Scotland football
– PE and Guidance Teacher
2nd XI Committee
1st XI Committee
Chairman: Craig
Graham
3rd XI Committee
Mike Irving
Head Coach
General Secretary
(Colin
Hutchison)
Match Secretary
(Jimmy Murray)
Treasurer
(John McCabe)
–Played at Youth level for Ayr United and
Motherwell before joining Spartans in 2001
–UEFA B International Coaching Licence and
FA Coach Educator
–Head Coach at Arsenal Ladies 2004 – 2007,
rejoined Spartans coaching staff in late 2007
– Principal Teacher, PE
General Manager
(Derick Rodier)
Commercial
Manager
(Bryan Burns)
Vice President
(ROBERT
Dryburgh)
Assistant Coach
(E Ewing)
Kit Man
(D Hewat)
Co-Managers
(M Lawson/
S Lynch)
PHysio
(L Lippstreu)
GK Coach
(W Martyneuk)
Head Coach
(M Irving)
06 SUPPORTERS
APPLICATION TO
THE SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
THE SPARTANS FC
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
07 MEDIA COVERAGE
02
03
04
DAILY MIRROR
06
07
THE SUN
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
“Nike is proud to be the official kit
supplier of Spartans Football Club.
Nike is committed to Football, from
grass roots to the professional game.
We wish Spartans every success in
the future, and by working in
partnership I am sure we can maximise
the marketing and merchandising
opportunities”.
Brian Connell, Brand Manager (Football),
Nike UK
“We are proud to have been associated
with Spartans for over 7 years. Like us
they have built a strong brand and have
grown successfully. Spartans is a very
well run club which would help build
the profile of the SFL”.
Sandy Alexander, Founding Director,
Schuh
CROWDS
Spartans receive extensive media coverage. The Edinburgh Evening News and
The Scotsman cover us weekly. Our Scottish Cup runs and the development
of the Academy have been ‘back page’ news. We are confident we can use
this to generate considerable profile for the Scottish Football League.
We are confident we can build a strong fan base
for both home and away fixtures.
We work actively in the local community with 40,000 people within a 2 mile radius.
Over 1,500 people will use the Academy each week. We boast nearly 700 players
and coaches.
We represent the North Edinburgh community, not just a single team.
We have a proven track record in taking fans to away games:
1,000 to Paisley, 400 to Alloa and Arbroath in the Scottish Cup, and over 400
to Linlithgow last season.
We will provide free entry in our first season to all those under 16.
SPONSORS
We are supported by over 50 companies including:
3,400: spartans biggest home gate
Serving the no.1 pies in Edinburgh!
“Spartans showed grit, determination, character
and desire. From before the kick-off it had been
a party. I cannot quite remember when I enjoyed
myself at a football match so much. Love was in
the air. A love for the beautiful game. I’ll never
forget the scenes, in particular two gentle
ladies in twin set and pearls dressed as if they
should have been at church.…but with sombreros.
This is what football is really all about.”
Chick Young’s report on Spartans vs
St Mirren in February 2006
Our merchandise retails in Edinburgh city centre and over the internet.
Our sponsors are delighted to be associated with Spartans and will work with us to continue to develop the club.
Chick Young and Jim Spence at City Park, 2006
08 THE ACADEMY
THE SPARTANS FC
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
02
03
04
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
06
07
APPLICATION TO
THE SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
09 OUR STRUCTURE AND
COMMUNITY PROFILE
“The Spartans Academy will be a superb
asset for the whole community and
I know the whole community will also
be behind their bid to join the Scottish
Football League.”
Malcolm Chisholm,
Member of the Scottish Parliament
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
“Spartans after school club has offered
another opportunity to bring together
pupils from BOTH school communities.
This has helped to foster ongoing good
relations, through sport and physical
activity. Thank you for including us in
your community outreach programme.”
Rosemary McMillan – Headteacher
St. David’s Primary School (Joint campus
with Pirniehall Primary School).
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
“The academy is a significant step in
reducing youth disorder and improving
the local community”
Sgt Scott Trevis L&B Police
The new stadium meets all of the licence requirements
for SFL3 as outlined by the SFA.
Spartans Community Football Academy is a charity set up
to manage the site and provide a home for Spartans FC
and the local community.
Stadium grass football pitch (initial capacity 2,400)
A large synthetic football pitch (120m by 60m)
THE SPARTANS FC
MEN
3 teams
A smaller multi-sport synthetic pitch (40m by 20m)
An all-weather basketball court
Community Club Room (capacity 60+),
Learning Centre/Board Room (capacity 16), and office
Physiotherapy Centre
Coach Parking plus 52 car park spaces on site,
with significant further local parking
THE SPARTANS FC
1,500 Academy users a week
42 perimeter fence advertisers
6 changing rooms plus 2 officials’ changing rooms
(main rooms to SFL standard)
YOUTH
500
players
“The new Academy is a fantastic facility.
Spartans are worthy of SFL football
for having the vision, commitment
and passion to create it. They deserve
the full support of Scottish football.
We need facilities like this to help us
develop players to compete on the
international stage.”
Steven Pressley, Scotland Coach
2 teams
THE SPARTANS FC
WOMEN
10
APPLICATION TO
THE SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
THE SPARTANS FC
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
02
03
04
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
06
07
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
11
“Sport gives you respect for your
team mates. If you take that respect into
your social life you’ll be a better person.”
Gordon Strachan
Patron of the Academy
and born in North Edinburgh
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
WHAT THE NEW STAND WILL LOOK LIKE
The charity will manage the new
facility and work in partnership with
the community.
The Academy will be used by over
1,500 people per week from across
the community. The Spartans FC will
be the major user; others will be
schools and colleges, youth groups
and local businesses.
Our community programme is well
underway. In addition to our youth
set-up, examples of our work include
coaching and a breakfast club in
local schools, an Adult Literacy
programme and the football element
of the Active Futures for unemployed
17 to 25 year olds.
The project cost is c.£3.5m.
The primary funding has been provided by:
The Spartans FC
City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)
Sportscotland/BIG Lottery
Miller Homes
Robertson Trust
The FA
HBOS/Social Investment Scotland (loan funding)
A £2.3m lease premium will be paid in full on entry.
The Academy charity has an 80 year lease from CEC at a
‘peppercorn’ rent. The Spartans FC has security of tenure
for at least 50 years
SPARTANS UNDER 14’S, 2008
We are employing a full-time
Development Officer and Community
Programme Manager to increase
participation and enhance skill levels.
We have visited a number of
Community clubs in Scotland
and England as well as Denmark
and Germany to help us develop
programmes which will make a big
difference.
We have also worked with over 30
local North Edinburgh organisations
to develop and implement our
community programme.
never lower in the league than 4th since 1995
HOW IS THE ACADEMY FUNDED?
600 players
WHO WILL USE THE ACADEMY?
“Recognised by FIFA as the UK’s leading sport for development charity, we at Street
League feel that is appropriate to offer our support to Spartans FC as part of their
application to the SFL. Considering the people involved at Spartans FC, the facility
they have to utilize, the location and demography and the already demonstrable
impact on the local community, it is clear that Spartans FC have the ability, the
resources and local knowledge to make a sustainable impact both as a club and a
beacon for their local community. It is our opinion that Spartans FC would prove to
be an extremely positive addition to the SFL and therefore we offer our full support
to their application.”
Dougie Stevenson, Street League
12 WHY THE SPARTANS FC?
THE SPARTANS FC
KEY FACTS
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
02
03
04
LIVE TOGETHER
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA COVERAGE
06
07
PLAY TOGETHER
THE ACADEMY
08
WHO WILL USE IT?
10
HOW IS IT FUNDED? 11
11 players selected for the Scotland semi-pro team since 2001
WIN TOGETHER
WHY THE SPARTANS FC? 12
We are convinced The Spartans Football Club will be a fantastic addition to the
Scottish Football League. We would enhance the league in a number of ways:
our community focus will build a strong fan base for both home and away games.
We have 600 players of all ages plus over 80 coaches, 1,500 users of our Academy
every week and we have a population of 40,000 within two miles of our ground.
We will actively market to these groups, the Spartans family, and use the new
facilities at the Academy to attract strong crowds.
our facilities at the new Spartans Football Academy provide an excellent venue
for visiting clubs and fans as well as an excellent base for our extensive Youth
football programme – one of the biggest in Scotland.
our profile and brand would generate extensive publicity for the SFL, creating
awareness amongst fans and sponsors.
we are conveniently situated in the central belt of Scotland with great transport
links – only Elgin City of the current SFL3 clubs would have more than 80 miles to
travel to us.
our financial stability – we have never had an overdraft, have raised nearly £3.5m
to finance the building of our Academy in the last three years and have a number
of highly successful businessmen on our committee.
Spartans is more than just a club, it is part of the fabric of North Edinburgh.
We are a vibrant and dynamic organisation, passionate about football and making
North Edinburgh a better place to live.
DESIGNED BY STUDIOLR
40,000 people within 2 miles
30 PLUS Community groups consulted
on academy plans
18 trophies in last six seasons
85 qualified coacheS
Serving the no.1 pies in Edinburgh!
3,400: spartans biggest home gate
42 perimeter fence advertisers
1,500 Academy users a week
600 players
never lower in the league than 4th
since 1995
11 players selected for the Scotland
semi-pro team since 2001
600 sombreros sold in 2006
“The City of Edinburgh Council is delighted to endorse the
application of The Spartans FC for entry to the Scottish
Football League. Participation in this league by an Edinburgh
club would be not only a great opportunity for the club, its
players and fans; but would also be a much needed boost for
grassroots football in the city. It would provide inspiration
for our next footballing generation and help promote healthy
lifestyles through active participation in sport.
Spartans has a long association with the city and elevation
to the Scottish Football League would be a very worthy
progression from which, I am sure, the club would continue
to flourish.”
Councillor Jenny Dawe
Leader – The City of Edinburgh Council
Live together. Play together. Win together.