It’s official: Memorial match at Spartans sets new world record

Craig Gowans memorial match smashes world record

The team behind the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund have officially become Guinness World Record Holders, smashing the record for the Longest Marathon Playing Football – in aid of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

The group of enthusiastic football fans played out of their skin at The Spartans Ainslie Park home last month, completing a 105 hour-long football match which finished with an impressive final score of 774 – 707!

The game, hosted in memory of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans, who tragically died exactly ten years previously, originally hoped to raise £37,000 for the SKFF – inspired by Craig’s professional number at Falkirk, number 37. With donations still coming in, however, the final total is set to reach around £100,000!

The money raised will be used by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation to fund enhancements to the new Sick Kids hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, specifically a state-of-the-art Snoezelen room in Craig’s name. The space will be a calming room with multi-sensory equipment providing a relaxing and stimulating space for children with sensory impairments.

Ex-Rangers, Hibernain and Scotland boss, Alex McLeish attended the landmark fundraising event, as well as the current Scottish Cup holding manager, John Hughes. Footballers Scott Arfield and Thomas Scobbie were also there to cheer the players on.

Dario Alonzi, a member of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund organising committee, said: “We’re over the moon to have been officially granted Guinness World Record Holder status – the football match itself was an epic challenge and one that pushed us all to the very limit.

“To come away from the experience with official recognition of our efforts in the form of a World Record, as well as putting Craig’s name in the history books and raising £100,000 to gift to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, is just priceless.

“Again I would like to thank absolutely everyone who played a part in making this match possible, as well as everyone who has donated so generously.”

Roslyn Neely, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We have been blown away by the funds raised by the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund Football Match. The heroic lengths they have gone to in order to raise this money is something that will never be forgotten.

“Congratulations to the entire team, I’m absolutely delighted to hear that they have become official Guinness World Record Holders – and deservedly so. The money they have raised will help us transform the experience of the young people who visit Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital when it opens its doors in 2017.”

Spartans Fund for Grim appeal tops £5300

Magnificent support for family devastated by Crewe Terrace fire

North Edinburgh and the wider community has dug deep to contribute to a fund set up by Spartans to support a valued volunteer who’s Crewe Terrace home was destroyed by fire on Thursday. Spartans set up an appeal for donations on Thursday evening – and just 36 hours later over 200 donations have been pledged and £5300 raised!

It’s a magnificent effort for a hugely popular volunteer – known as Grim O’Grady, Gary Betts set up Spartans Connections for players with disabilities over a year ago and the initiative has grown and grown.

Grim is still heavily involved in the setup and was at Spartans’ Ainslie Park home, just minutes away from his own family house in Crewe Terrace, when he first noticed the fire.

Spartans club secretary John McCabe told BBC Scotland news: “Grim saw smoke in the distance and made a joke saying ‘I hope it isn’t my house’ and then five minutes later his son phoned and said it was their house on fire.

“He was in an awful panic as he was worried about his pets. His whole house is gutted and his family only have the clothes on their backs, they have lost everything else. He is such a great man that we felt we must help him in any way we can so he can buy food and clothes and pay for accommodation.”

John McCabe went on: “We have had a big response from the community and Central Taxis has given him taxi vouchers so he can get around during this hard time. He does so much for people in north Edinburgh that they want to help him.”

While it’s fortunate that no-one was injured in the blaze, sadly the family pets could not be rescued and perished in the fire.

Grim has issued a statement on behalf of his family through the Spartans Connections website. Thanking Spartans, the community, he said:

“Obviously no amount of money can bring back our much loved pets but the community spirit that’s been brought about from our Spartans family is unbelievable.

“It’s incredible to see how far the hands of friendship have spread. Lynne, Jamie & myself are very humbled by how much has been given in the short & tragic time of these horrific events. It would have been a lonely horrible & isolated time had our community not come together.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their kindness, it has been such a crutch to know when we were at our lowest there were so many wonderful folk there to hold out their hands & pick us up. Showing great respect. We will be round to thank everyone soon.

“We are going to come back to our community as soon as we can find a place. We want to get back to where we belong & with the help of all our wonderful community begin to pick up the pieces & start again. Thank you all for showing such compassion and all your donations.”

To make a donation go to

www.justgiving.com/fund-for-grim

Scottish Cup: super Spartans are ecstatic!

Can high-flying Hearts complete capital cup treble?

With Hibs and Spartans safely through to the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup, all eyes with be on Tynecastle this afternoon – can high-flying Hearts make it a capital cup treble?

Both Hibs and Spartans came from behind in their fourth round ties yesterday.

The biggest upset of the day belonged to local Lowland League side Spartans, who came from behind to defeat Greenock Morton at Ainslie Park. A stoppage time strike by Beasley created history for the local team – giant-killers Spartans will now take their place in the last sixteen for the first time in their history.

Andrew Barrowman gave Morton a first half lead, but Spartans battled back and levelled through Willie Bremner in the second half. The tie seemed to be heading for a replay but Jack Beesley’s late late show secured a superb Spartans victory.

“The players in the second half were magnificent,” Samuel told BBC Scotland. “When we scored we were certainly going to go for the win – we weren’t playing for the replay, that’s for sure!”

Hibs successfully negotiated a tricky away tie at Alloa. Hibs fans may have feared the worst when Meggatt fired Alloa ahead in fifteen minutes – some Hibs teams of recent vintage would have wilted after going behind – but Alan Stubbs current side is seemingly made of sterner stuff and first half goals by Liam Craig and David Gray saw them safely through to Monday’s draw.

Now Hearts have the chance to make it a capital cup treble. All’s well with the world at Tynecastle these days: Mr Romanov is a distant memory, business is brisk and the team sits proudly at the top of the table, with the likes of Rangers and Hibs trailing in their wake.

Celtic are Scotland’s top team, but they’ve seldom fired on all cylinders this season and another European defeat in midweek exposed their frailties and showed they are far from the finished article.

Yes, Celtic should be too strong for Hearts this afternoon but all the pressure is on the Parkhead side – Hearts go into the game having comprehensively beaten their main title rivals Rangers last weekend and confidence is sky high. The Gorgie boys have nothing to lose by having a real go today. If Celtic do not perform, they will lose.

Both teams have injury worries ahead of this afternoon’s clash.

Hearts have Prince Bauben back in the squad but defender Kevin McHattie has been ruled out with medial ligament damage. Captain Danny Wilson and striker Osman Sow are also doubtful.

Celtic also have three injury concerns. Influential midfielder Charlie Mulgrew is struggling with a rib injury picked up during Thursday’s Europa League defeat by Salzburg and Jason Denayer is also unlikely to feature. Defender Mikael Lustig is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Four SPFL Scottish Premiership sides exited the tournament at the first attempt yesterday – Aberdeen, Motherwell, Hamilton Academicals and Ross County have gone already. Will Celtic join them?

Free swimming for kids at Ainslie Park

Yes, it’s the Easter holidays … no money for trips and kids bored already? Well, holiday activities needn’t be too expensive – and sometimes they’re even FREE!

There’s free swimming for Primary School children this Easter break (5 – 21 April) when Edinburgh Leisure are running free swimming sessions for primary school children at three Edinburgh Leisure swimming centres.

This month, Primary School children can swim for free during ANY listed Public Swim session at Ainslie Park, Dalry and Gracemount (Wester Hailes Education Centre is offering free swims too).

Remember the earlier you get there the more fun you can have so Edinburgh Leisure recommend arriving no later than half an hour before the Public Swim session’s finish time.

Telephone Ainslie Park Leisure Centre on 551 2400 for more information – see below for pool programme details

AinslieParkPoolProg_2014

Join the Spartans Family!

Did you see any of the EUFA Women’s Euro 2013 football recently? There were some great skills on display, and if that’s whetted your appetite for more of the women’s game there’s a tasty encounter coming up at Ainslie Park this weekend …

North Edinburgh based football team, The Spartans Women’s FC have an important clash with third-place Rangers this weekend in the Scottish Women’s Premier League (writes David Hopkins). With all to play for in the second half of the season it’s time for the community to get behind your team!

Come along to Ainslie Park on Sunday 4th August at 1pm for some great football and a fun day for all. Adult tickets are only £5 and it’s free entry for under 16’s!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter:

@spartansfcwomen

for exclusive content and prize give aways.

Live Together. Play Together. Win Together.

David Hopkins

Hearts lift cup at Ainslie Park

Brave Spartans were left heartbroken as they lost out on the Ronnie Swan Cup 8-7 on penalties to Heart of Midlothian on Friday night (writes ALAN CLARK).

The East of Scotland league side had been leading throughout the game and were 4-2 to the good with just a couple of minutes remaining, however Hearts scored a quick-fire double to take the friendly match to a shoot-out.

Jack Beesley gave Spartans the lead with a deft chip before Mark Whatley doubled the home side’s lead after 20 minutes with a scissor-kick from the edge of the area.

Scottish Premier League side Hearts responded just before half-time through Gordon Smith, however Spartans restored their two-goal advantage through Andy Martin early in the second half. Returning Jambo Ryan Stevenson made things interesting at 3-2, as Sean Wringe then looked to have made the cup safe for Spartans.

There was more drama to come however as substitute Mehdi Taouil unleashed a 30-yard rocket into the top corner with minutes to go, which was followed by a last-minute leveller from fellow sub Sam Nicholson. After both sides scored their five penalties, the shoot-out entered sudden-death where Nicolson scored the cup-winning penalty.

Due to the international break, Hearts boss John McGlynn agreed to take part in the memorial match for Ronnie Swan and the Scottish Cup holders brought a strong squad along to Ainslie Park, including first-team regulars Andrew Driver, Jamie MacDonald and Ryan Stevenson.

The game started evenly with both sides attempting to find their feet but the hosts made the breakthrough after ten minutes. Jordan Finnie spotted Jack Beesley’s run and fed him the ball, with the Spartans midfielder using his first touch to chip Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald beautifully – much to the delight of the home crowd.

The Tynecastle outfit looked for a quick reply as they won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Ukrainian defender Denis Prychyenko let fly but his effort went wide of the post by three yards.

The non-league side put themselves even further in front just ten minutes after the opener, Neil McCuish’s scissor-kick every bit as impressive as Beesley’s chip. The ball bounced on the left side of ‘the D’ and McCuish took a gamble by launching his whole body at the ball, which looped over MacDonald and into the inside of the side-netting. Spartans were in dreamland.

Dale Carrick attempted a copy-cat of McCuish’s wonder strike but the Hearts forward watched as his effort went narrowly wide of the post. McGlynn’s side were looking more interested in the game after 35 minutes and almost got a goal back, Ryan Stevenson’s cross almost being turned in by Spartans no. 2 Danny O’Donnell.

Jason Holt was next up to go close for Hearts as he made some space for himself in the box before sending his low drive into Ross Gilpin, who did well to use his legs save to his right. Just as Dougie Samuel thought Spartans would have a 2-0 half-time lead, striker Gordon Smith pulled a goal back for Hearts, poking the ball home from six yards after a ping-pong event in the box.

Samuel didn’t have long to wait to see his side’s two-goal league restored however, the 54^th minute seeing Spartans make it 3-1. Chris Anderson weighed his through ball perfectly for Andy Martin, who hit his shot across Macdonald’s goal and into the far corner.

After 70 minutes, Spartans were believing it could be their night after all, as they smacked the bar with a ferocious drive from the edge of the area. MacDonald did well to palm it onto the bar, as it looked like it was heading for the top corner.

With less than ten minutes to go, ex-Ipswich Town forward Stevenson got his name on the score sheet with a powerful shot from inside the area, however Spartans delighted their punters further by making it 4-2 a matter of seconds later. It was Anderson who was the supplier again as a great move culminated in the midfielder going past MacDonald, leaving him helpless as Sean Wringe beat a defender to squeeze home the fourth into an empty net.

You could be forgiven for thinking that was that, but Hearts had other things in mind. Substitute and former Kilmarnock winger Mehdi Taouil took matters into his own feet as it were, as he picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and thumped home high into the keeper’s left-hand corner. With less than two minutes to play, this goal made Spartans sweat but rejuvenated Hearts and resulted in Sam Nicolson bundling home in the last kick of the game to make it an astonishing 4-4.

The game was to be decided by penalties and after both sides scored their five penalties, the shoot-out entered sudden-death where Nicholson scored the cup-winning penalty. Hearts were presented with the Ronnie Swan trophy in front of the main stand at the end of an enthralling friendly bout in front of 1,200 fans.

SPARTANS: Ross Gilpin, Danny O’Donnell, Gary Cenerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Neil McCuish, Robbie Manson ©, Jack Beesley, Mark Whatley, Jordan Finnie, Chris Anderson, Donal Henretty. Subs: Sean Wringe, Keith McLeod, John Grant, Andy Martin, Willie Bremner, Peter Mair, Chris Flockhart.

HEARTS: Jamie MacDonald, Dylan McGowan ©, Kevin McHattie, Denis Prychyenko, Brad McKay, Ryan Stevenson, Jamie Walker, Jason Holt, Gordon Smith, Dale Carrick, Andrew Driver. Subs: Mehdi Taouil, Jack Hamilton, Callum Paterson, Callum Tappin, Scott Robinson, Billy King, Adam King, Sam Nicholson.

Hearts lift trophy after titanic struggle

Hearts beat The Spartans on penalties to win the Ronnie Swan Memorial Trophy in front of 1800 spectators at Ainslie Park last night. It was an almighty struggle for the SPL side, who came back from being two goals behind THREE times to force the game to penalties after it finished all square at 4-4.

Full match report to follow from Alan Clark

Hearts bring full strength squad to Spartans

Hearts are bringing a full strength squad to Ainslie Park for tonight’s clash with The Spartans for the Ronnie Swan Cup. As expected, none of the Tynecastle club’s international players have been considered for selection but Spartans will still face a formidable Hearts team tonight.

The Hearts squad is McDonald, Stevenson, Taouil, Driver, Smith, Walker, Holt, Prychynenko, D McGowan, Tapping, McKay, McHattie, Hamilton, King, Paterson, Carrick, King and Nicholson.

The Spartans choose from Flockhart, Gilpin, O’Donnell, Sivewright, Mair, McCuish, Cenezzarro, Manson, McLeod, Beesley, Anderson, Grant, Martin, Finnie, Wringe, Bremner, Whatley and Henretty.

The match kicks off at 7.30pm. Tickets are still available and can be bought at the stadium until 6pm. Adult prices from £8 and a family ticket (one adult and one concession) is only £10.

Spartans defeated by Blue Brazil

Cowdenbeath inflicted a second home defeat in a row on Spartans on Tuesday night as they ran out 2-1 winners in the pre-season friendly at Ainslie Park (writes Alan Clark).

Spartans had lost 2-1 to Third Division Annan Athletic on Saturday afternoon and succumbed to another Scottish Football League club – this time the Blue Brazil from the First Division.

It was Spartans last home friendly of pre-season while Cowdenbeath will be delighted to win their last preparation match before the serious stuff begins at the weekend when they take on Alloa Athletic in the Ramsdens Cup.

Michael Fleming won it with superb volley in added time after the impressive Greig Stewart had given them a half-time lead. Spartans pressed in the second-half and took advantage of a goalkeeping error to equalise but were undone late on.

The first action of the encounter came after four minutes when Greig Stewart tested Chris Flockhart in goal with a powerful left-footed drive which was parried for the corner. After 24 minutes, Stewart was in the thick of it again as he gets a shot away despite being crowded around by Spartans players, only for the ‘keeper to save – albeit with a spill – low to his left.

Stewart made amends just a minute later however with a fantastic individual goal. The striker went past three defenders to glide into the box, before rounding Flockhart with ease to tap-in to an empty net for 1-0.

Kyle Miller went close with a header for the Fifers a minute later, and on 37 minutes Scott Linton hit the post with a header from four yards. Linton could have done better but it was an acute angle. Colin Cameron’s side were pressing down Spartans at every given opportunity and that was making the home side’s play very jittery.

Cowdenbeath’s domination of the first-half continued as two minutes before the break Linton missed another chance, this one a lot worse than the first. Lewis Milne’s cross gave Thomas O’Brien a great opportunity to score but the defender mis-hit his poked effort. The ball eventually trickled towards Linton who blasted his shot well over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

67 minutes had been played when Spartans had their first close encounter with the goal net, when a Cowdenbeath clearance from a corner landed at the feet of left-back Gary Cennerrazzo. The number three hit a powerful low shot with his right-foot but it fizzled just wide of substitute goalkeeper Ricky Barnett’s post.

Spartans were looking more dangerous in this period and they were rewarded – some might say gifted – an equaliser 12 minutes later. The half-time substitute Barnett made a horrendous error and the ball dropped to the feet of Sean Wringe, who passed to Jordan Finnie to comfortably pass into the net. Finnie had lightened up the Spartans approach after coming on just a couple of minutes prior to the goal.

That was all to be for nothing though as Cowdenbeath snatched a late winner. The corner-kick came in from the left and made its way to Michael Fleming on the right-hand side of the area, and Fleming rifled in a volley to the top corner of Flockhart’s net to win the game for the 2011/12 Second Division champions.

SPARTANS: Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Danny O’Donnell, Alastair Woodburn, Mark Whatley, John Grant, Sean Palizcka, Chris Anderson, Sean Wringe. Subs: Ian McTurk, Jonathan Seeley, Jordan Finnie, Neil McCuish, Callum Donnelly.

COWDENBEATH: Lee Wilson, Dean Brett, Murray Christie, Thomas O’Brien, Callum McNiel, Dale Finnie, Lewis Milne, Kyle Miller, Trialist, Greig Stewart, Scott Linton. Subs: Ricky Barnett, Michael Fleming, Arron Linus, Ben Anthony.