ROYSTON RANGERS UNDER 12S ( Boys Born 1995)are looking to add to our current squad for the development of an under 12's team for next season playing 11 aside football anyone interested can contact alex.gilroy@roystonrangers.co.uk
or james combe on 467 2060 .

ROYSTON RANGERS UNDER 11S (Boys Born 1996) are looking to add players to their squad due to boys moving on to initiative football. We currently play in essda's top pele division on Sunday morning and are based in Granton area. We are looking for boys who are motivated and enthusiastic about Football. For more Information please contact Alex on 336 1237 or James on 467 2060 .

ROYSTON RANGERS UNDER 9s (Boys Born 1998) are looking to strengthen there squad and require a goalkeeper and outfield players, Anyone interested can contact dougie baird on 07990791546 or jimmy scott on 467 2400.For more information.

YOUNG sports mad people in Edinburgh struggle to find good faciliites to both train on and take part in competitive sports, in contrast to what is going to be offer to youngsters in other parts of Scotland such as the north east and Glasgow. In Aberdeen, a new regional sports facility has received £7m  of funding. Sportscotland has agreed to commit up to £7m towards the £24.5m Grampian Regional Sports Facility at the Chris Anderson Stadium Project in Aberdeen, which includes £2m of sportscotland Lottery funding. The project - part of the Executive's National Regional Sports Facilities Strategy - will provide an indoor athletics training facility, indoor synthetic grass pitch, nine courts sports hall, squash courts, fitness suite, sports performance lab and ancillary accommodation. Sportscotland had originally allocated £5m to the project. Following a detailed application at Stage 2, it has now agreed to increase that award up to £7m. The development is being taken forward by Aberdeen City Council, in partnership with Aberdeen University, each investing £8.7m. It is the second project to receive stage two approval under the Executive's £50m  National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy, which includes £21.2m of sportscotland Lottery funding. Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said: ""The Grampian Regional Sports Facility, will be an excellent community resource for people in Aberdeen and the north east. It will also help nurture our young sports stars and encourage wider participation in sport and physical activity, and will allow the north east to realise its sporting ambitions."

Julie Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: "Quality accessible facilities are vital if sport is to thrive in Scotland. There need to be the right quality and mix of facilities across the country which meets national, regional and local requirements, helping to develop future successful sporting generations. We are delighted to give the Grampian Regional Sports Facility stage two approval. I am sure it will play a key role in driving an increase in participation and supporting our elite athletes and those with the aspiration to compete at a higher level, in particular, complementing the work of the Grampian Area Institute of Sport."

The aim of the Executive's National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy is to develop a network of multi-sport facilities across Scotland (covering the Area Institute Network), including a national indoor arena and two versatile municipal stadia. This is second project to receive stage two consent following Toryglen, which was granted approval in July. The remaining eight projects are located in Falkirk, Stirling, Edinburgh, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

*Will these places be open to community-based sports clubs is a valid question, considering that most projects in Edinburgh, Meggetland for example, where the football facility is being block-booked for the use of the elitist SFA Development Squads, while community-based clubs are offered lets starting at 9.00pm and night, up till 11.00pm! Hardly right, for kids aged 12 and upwards? 

Happy to discuss any queries or concerns you may have over the content of my advert and/or the fact that I wish this advert to run up to 17 December.  I would be happy to discuss any costs that may be associated to such a requirement.

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HUNDREDS of kids representing towns and regions from throughout Scotland will descend on Meadowmill in East Lothian on Saturday, November 25, for the finals of the Scottish Primary Schools Inter-Association tournament. One of the organisers of this massive event for primary school kids, Craig McDermott, said: "Six of the top select/association teams meet to ''battle it out'' in the finals of this prestigious event for priimary school select sides. Confirmed into the finals are two squads from Edinburgh and and another from East Lothian, with three more to follow from Dundee, Paisley, East Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and South Clydeside. In all, there will be 60 of the top P7 players from all of Scotland, representing their respective areas. Games kick off  at 11.00am and the event will be finished by 13.30pm."

This tournament will be yet another wonderful example of what can be done to promote the game in this 'third world' football nation of ours. Meadowmill has the space and quality of changingrooms for the kids to use and the fact this venue can also supply food and refreshments to what could be a massive turnout of parents is an added bonus. Even better for everyone, is the provision of modern, clean and hygienic toilet facilities, something that is sadly lacking in Edinburgh at the present time, although urgent steps have been initiatied by Councillor Donald Anderson, the Executive Member for Sport, Recreation and Tourism in Edinburgh City Council,  to update many of the appalling council-owned facilities in the Capital. This concerned councillor has taken swift and decisive action to allow urgent work to be done on the worst of these facilities, following a recent meeting with representatives from youth football clubs in the Prison Officers Social Club.

AFTER a late start, appalling weather conditions, and having to play in
wet, borrowed jerseys, Royal High won through to the last 16 of the BLW
Cup after a spirited and at times backs-to-the wall performance against
Marr College in Troon on Tuesday. With their regular coach Alistair Oliver
ill, the team travelled with Neil Sutherland, depute rector and for many
years coach to the school team, and  Euan Brodie, a probationer PE teacher
who plays his club rugby for Currie. The team went into an early lead with
a Michael Hanning penalty. The lead was extended  to 10-0 with a try by
Phil Anderson, converted by Hanning, but Marr came back strongly with a
converted try from an interception. The second half became a lottery as
the conditions deteriorated, but Royal High went further ahead with a
second try, from Garry McRae, converted by Hanning. Marr came back to kick
another penalty, and with the scores at 17-10, Marr were camped out for
the last ten minutes of the match inside the Royal High 22. It was with
great relief that the final whistle confirmed that Royal High had reached
the last 16 of the BLW for the first time ever - a considerable
performance. The team were understandably delighted, and see this as a
major milestone in their season, which will conclude with a 10-day tour to
Barbados in July.

MIDLOTHIAN Snowsports Centre has been upgraded to a four star activity centre rating by Visit Scotland,

 the Scottish Tourist Board.
 Following an inspection by one of the scheme's quality advisers, Visit Scotland stated that "thanks to

 improvements made since the last visit, Midlothian Snowsports Centre now scores as an excellent four star

 Attraction."
 Midlothian Cabinet Member for Leisure Recreation and Sport Councillor Bob Jenkins said:  "I am delighted that the Snowsports Centre has been upgraded to a four star Centre as this reflects the Council's 

major investment into improving and updating facilities over the last couple of years.
"The Snowsports Centre offers a great range of fun and healthy activities for all ages and this rating by VisitScotland 

will act to reassure Centre users of the high quality facilities and service on offer."
 The Centre was praised in particular for the addition of the modern and stylish Cafe 360 

with meeting rooms and viewing patio, 

refurbishment of the toilets, installation of lifts, improvement to signage and excellent levels of cleanliness. 

 Also praised was the addition to the slopes of colour coded paths, also referenced on the slope maps,

 which has helped to improve safety and accessibility.

 Midlothian Snowsports Centre manager Jo Mathieson said: "Being upgraded from a three to a four star rating is a

 fantastic reward for all our hard work in improving and carrying out maintenance at the Centre over the last two years. 

As there are very few four star activity centres in Edinburgh and the Lothians, it's a really significant achievement. 

 I must thank the Centre staff for two years of hard work."
Midlothian Snowsports Centre is situated in the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park.  

While over 140,000 people ski or snowboard at the Centre each year, an additional 220,000 visit 

the site as spectators to walk in the country park, picnic or taking a

 chairlift ride to admire stunning views across Edinburgh and the Lothians.  

The Centre boasts the longest, steepest and most challenging dry slope in Europe.

ALL officials in Hutchison Vale Football Club will be easily identifiable from now on and they will all wear identification tags containing a picture and other information such as their respective positions within the club, their Disclosure Scotland number and other details. This move is designed to help players recognise and get to know the 50 officials in the club and give the young footballers the confidence to know who they are speaking too at games and functions. This idea was first mooted by Hutchison Vale club leader, Tom Smith, and Les Trotter. They have wasted no time, either, in putting it in to practice, with Les Trotters identification tag hanging around his neck on a cord in the club colours. The name tag is easily seen and read and this idea, which is a follow up to the Disclosure Scotland clearance that every person connected to youth club football is required to  have before working with kids, is something that could, possibly, be introduced in every organisation dealing with kids, not only football, but in every other sport and activity. Speaking at the launch of the scheme, 49-year-old Mr Trotter, said: "There are so many people involved with Hutchison Vale now. It is important that all the kids know who is an official in the club and also know who they are speaking to. A lot of information is on the identification tags, including the picture, name and details of the position within the club of each person wearing one. Every club official will in future be required to wear one of these identification documents. If the official has first aid qualifications, a green cross will also appear on the card. Tom Smith asked me to do this and he feels it is paramount in helping the kids in the club feel safe and also to have someone in authority within the club if they have to seek their help."

In the present climate surrounding the protection of children, this move by Hutchison Vale can be seen as a further move in the right direction and is an idea that could and should be taken up by all other youth football clubs in Scotland. By wearing these identification tags, it could also help referees at games when they have to ask for help from club officials - if the idea is copies by others. This form of identification of all youth football club officials would promote good discipline at a time when aggressive and violent behaviour is causing major problems for the game at grass-roots level.

A new look FC Westfield took to the field in a First Division match against Pavilion in Loanhead and secured their first points of the season. Midfielder Neill Porterfield opened the scoring when he crashed a 25 yard shot in off the underside of the crossbar and his second goal soon followed with a low shot from the edge of the box. Striker Neil Kippie added a third after the advancing 'toon keeper was second to the ball, leaving an empty net to make the score 3-0 at half time.

'Toon reduced the deficit soon after the break, when a quickly taken corner left Peter Hinton with a free header at the back post. Paul Wight soon made it 4-1 though after a bursting run from midfield and rounding the 'toon
keeper. A mix up in the Westfield defence allowed Darren Allen to make it 4-2 but some good work from Neil Kippie was cleverly finished off by Graham Mackenzie to restore the three-goal lead. A defensive error allowed 'Toon to score a late third goal through a Allen penalty for his sixth goal of the season, but the match finished 5-3 to FC Westfield and a precious three points.

Brig Inn met the Pavilion at the Gyle in a sporting match  that only saw it's first goal just before the break.  Steven Branley put the visitors one ahead after forty minutes and they built up their control in the second half by adding two further goals from Jambo Stevenson and Julles Anderson.

Meanwhile, City Limits maintained their hold at the top of the First Division with a convincing 3-1 victory over

the Johnnie Cope in Prestonpans

In the Second Division, AC Peffermill also extended their 100% record with a convincing 6-1 victory over Whispers at Peffermill.  First half goals from leading goalscorer Graeme Roberts (photo attached - 11 goals in five games), Andy Fenwick and John McLeod put Peffermill 3-0 at half time but even though Daniel Rowley pulled one back for Whispers, further strikes from Fenwick, Chris Baldwin and Gavin Thompson sealed the 6-1 victory.  With an impressive 42 goals in five games this season, Peffermill have started the season at a great pace but they are being closely followed by Outhouse, who won 6-2 against Roseburn Athletic and the league new boys Roslin Da Vinci, who trounced Sam's Bar 5-1.  In 4th place, the Anvil kept up the pace with a 3-1 victory over Lothian Star Gordon Blyth was on target for Lothian.

John Sutherland (picture attached) scored his 7th goal in three games to earn Fa'side Bluebell a draw against Leith Persevere Bar at Silverknowes, who levelled through Marc Cummings.

In the Premier Division, Cramond Star hold on to top spot but a goal from John Morgan secured three points for the Dasher in their match against Sparta and move the Prestonpans team into 4th spot.

No games in the ESAFA tomorrow due to the Edinburgh holiday but there is a full fixture list on 24 September, including the 1st Round of the Scottish Cup.

A sight to gladden the heart of politicians worried about obesity, etc, among young children, was on display at Warriston Playi ng Fields with hundreds of young footballers and their families out in force to mark the start of a new season in primary schools football in Edinburgh. The sun was blazing down on the lovely grassy pitches which housed the games taking place. But, apart from the two groundsmen present at Warriston, everything else is run by volunteers. As is the pattern, and has been for as long as I can remember, Jim Goodwillie (72) was out organising everything in his usual immaculate way with an army of volunteers from primary schools helped by parents in putting up and then taking away the goals. It was a heart-lifting occasion in the social life of hundreds of people - as long as they kept their attention on the games and not let it stray to the appalling sight of the vandalised old pavilions and the quite awful current state of the abandoned and derelict old tennis courts. Life has moved on immeasurably for all of us in the past 50 years, but not at Warriston Playing Fields. This place is in a virtual time-warp. It is virtually the same now as it was 50 years ago, possibly, much worse! Vandals almost caused a boy at the venue on Saturday to suffer serious injury by moving the heavy metal top to a drainage system, causing a young player to fall down the gaping hole. Fortunately, the boy was not seriously hurt, but it left Mr Goodwillie with the added work of having to prepare a report for the education authorities based at Waterloo Place. It is quite staggering to be told time after time that no one from the education department or, indeed, from the schools taking part, attend the football games at Warriston. I thought this form of sports activity is an extension of school work! At high school level, teachers are actively involved but, not, it appears in primary school football. But when it comes to 'dereliction of duty' there is nothing to match the appalling lack of interest and care by paid-officials of public-owned sports facilities in Edinburgh. The situation at Warriston is shocking and whoever is responsible for this place and others, such as at Duddingston and the worst of them all, Double Hedges, is open to a charge of 'criminal negligence of public-owned property'! Some one, or some group, must take the blame for what is happening, or hot happening, in the maintenance of sports grounds in this city. And they should be made to answer for their negligence to the citizens of Edinburgh. I have been involved in grass-roots sports all my life and for more than 20 years, reporting on games and events for the Evening News. In that time, however, I have to admit the facilities are worse now than ever before - and that includes public parks in the capital city of Scotland. At a recent launch of a major coaching initiative by the Bank of Scotland, officials in this city chose Craigroyston High School for the publicity-seeking launch. This school has no grass football pitches with a new school building now situated on the ground that formerly housed two excellent football pitches. Craigroyston High School pupil, James Anthony (15) pointed this out to First Minister, Jack McConnell, and was told: "I'll speak to you on your own, later!" I was excluded from the discussion that followed. In an attempt to find out what the pupils who attended this launch thought of all the gratuitous utterances from politicians and representatives from the SFA on the subject of sport at grass-roots level, I have emailed acting head teacher, Jacky Burnett, on two occasions, asking permission to interview the group of her pupils, but I am still awaiting an answer. I also spoke to new Edinburgh City Council leader, Ewen Aitken, at the launch and I am still waiting to hear from him too when the meeting with him he promised me at the City Chambers will take place. That meeting is to discuss my views on the state of facilities for grass-roots football and all other sports in the city I love. Edinburgh, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it also one of the worst places in Scotland for facilities, not only venues for games in all sports, but in changing facilities. At a recent meeting with SFA Regional Manager for South East Scotland, Michael Sharp, and others interested in the formation of a new SFA-approved league structure, the problem of lack of good, modern, hygienic and civilsed facilities in Edinburgh was raised on several occasions. It does not compare, apparently, with venues in East Lothian, Mid Lothian and West Lothian. But, enough is enough, I feel. The dangerous situation at Warriston and other places I visit cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged and I invite all those interested (and sufficiently worried) at the worsening situation in Edinburgh to contact me on mackayian@blueyonder.co.uk to set up a protest group to challenge politicians and others responsible for the welfare and safety of young people in this city. It has not escaped me that Glasgow (not Scotland) is bidding to host a future Commonwealth Games. Millions of pounds of public money will be spent on promoting this showpiece that would, effectively, give politicians, civil servants and others too many to mention, to claim the high ground and flaunt themselves in front of a gullible public. But, surely, the money and the £31m allegedly being given to the SFA by the Scottish Executive, would be better spent on the provision of facilities that would enable young people to take part in sport in a safe environment, not in potentially dangerous places such as Warriston Playing Fields, Double Hedges, Duddingson, Sighthill, Seafield, etc, etc. Come on, everyone. Elections are coming up next year, let us all speak up as one, for the young people of this city being deprived of modern, hygienic and civilsed facilities. In February last year, the East Football Project was launched in Edinburgh. It is currently being run by a committee of volunteers, under the chairmanship of John McKenzie (Cavalry Park). Eighteen months on, progress is very slow and the latest statement from the group said: "The project has been awarded a grant of £5,000 under the council's small grants scheme. That leaves us a couple of thousand short of the amount required to meet the cost of the business plan but we are hopeful of solving that quickly. We would expect the business planning to start very soon therefore. I know you are in the midst of highlighting the facilities at Warriston. It would be good to have a concerted public 'finger pointing' as we move through the business planning stage to bring the project right back up the agenda!" And who will come out and take the blame for what is happening in Edinburgh?  Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer! Possibly, we all share the blame for keeping silent for so long!