RESIGNATION UPDATE.....

Firstly an apology to the league for my outburst on the front page at the weekend, my only excuse was one of total frustration.

Next....I have withdrawn my resignation from SESL As that was still an option given to me by Mark(Many thanks Mark). I do still have an issue to be honest with the amount of randomness in SESL which i do believe has increased in recent seasons but that is my problem but again that is MY problem.

I can only say i will promise to be less active and keep my opinions under tighter control in the future.

On other matters...EDI are proud to announce the signing of apprentice FW Daniel Cummings and firmly believe he will be a STAR FW in future seasons to come. Along side WG John Robertson, the management believe that as far as the offence for EDI is concerned....The future is bright...VERY bright. 

MOT are an outstanding team but in the seasons to come......Ha!!!

Not a good start to our division two campaign

1st up was an away game at Bill's Rangers ,a quality side who play very attacking football, they opted for a 3-3-4 normal as we went for a 5-3-2 opportunistic hoping to pinch a cheeky point,game on and it was all Rangers in the 1st half but our defence stood firm, half time came and subs on they started the 2nd half the quicker and a quick break saw Shankland slip through and fire home 1-0,we pushed on but were outplayed and outshot 8 to 2,but Foster in our goal was in outstanding form with 6 saves,well played Bill,nice to play you again. 

Next we were at home to Roy's Stirling, a bit of a voodoo side for us as we always seem to be on the receiving end,we opted for a 4-3-3 normal as they went for a 4-5-1 ball control, they started really quickly and opened the scoring on 2 minutes when a quick cross saw Matlock head home 0-1,we slowly played ourselves back into the game and levelled things up on 21 minutes when Grieves fired home 1-1,half time soon came and subs on ,back to it and nothing to choose between the sides and it was looking like it had draw written all over it and then on73 minutes Wright got a red card and we were down to 10 men ,84 minutes some slick passing saw Macbeth fire home 1-2 ,we were outplayed for periods and outshot 4 to 2,well played Roy.

So a poor start with a pointless weekend. 

STE lead scout, two of his team, picked up club legends Rhodes and Cameroon early Sunday morning drove to the 24hr Tesco picked up some Haribo for the road and set off to the STE Player auction. The frist of the season, always an interesting one and rumoured to include some local talent, overseas flair and some unknown exciting young players. The Manager had released funds, havng been quiet on the transfer market STE needed to make an impact early to have a chance of competing this season. 

6 hours later the team returned with a packed car, Cameroon in the boot and Rhodes with new young keeper Granger on his knee. 

A successful day out - bank balance drained, manager happy and the squad at maximum capacity. 

Polo - A much needed level head in MF - 3/21 - will do a job this season and actually comes into support an incredibly weak midfield.  Experienced enough playing abroad, but might need time to settle into Scottish football. 

Abe - 1/14 DF - Another one in the recent long line of highly capable STE defenders. Hoping to pick up where Wall leaves off in a season or two. It means STE will play this season with 6 highly capable defenders. Abe will be heavily involved with the Training system until the SESL cup kicks off. 

Heston Granger - 0/6GK - STE have made no secret that they have been looking for a Norway GK replacement for 2 seasons. It hasnt happened, talented GKs still in short supply across SL, rarely traded and overpriced. STE were tipped to recruit a 0/5 at oldies trade in next week, but having seen Granger, the travelling team believed he was the perfect fit. Heston will be given the full season to get into shape, up to speed and experience the club and will take over fully from Norway next season. 

All in all, a great day out, some good grub and some great purchases to strengthen the squad. 

Falkirk have got the new season off to a very poor start. In midweek we had the Cecil cup 2nd leg game at home against Berwick. Trailing one nil from the 1st leg we needed a good start. That didn't happen and for the second time we conceded from their only shot at our goal. We got back into the game on 28 minutes when Gilmour scored but we couldn't press home our advantage, losing two one on aggregate. Yesterday we started the league campaign with a home match against Kilmarnock. We conceded just after halftime and ended up losing an even game one nil. The second match was a trip to play Dumbarton and was much more one sided. We got outplayed and ended up losing two nil. A lack of goals is going to cost us moving forward unless we can buy in another forward player. 

East Fife are all set for the new season and welcome two veterans to the club

Sammy Stewart (1 May 1920 – 1995) played for East Fife during a successful period, making 392 appearances between 1938 and 1961 during which time the Fifers won the Scottish League Cup three times.  Stewart scored two goals for the club. One came on his debut against East Stirlingshire on 27 August 1938 at Bayview after 4 minutes. The second was against the same club, again at Bayview, on 6 April 1960. A gap of 21 years and 223 days.

Davie Clarke (born 6 June 1950) played for us for his whole career, making over 500 league appearances.  He holds the club record for most appearances, with 627 in all competitions.  Clarke has also managed East Fife, in two different spells.

We trust that Sammy and Davie will relive their former glories in their return to the club!

EDI ran out comfortable winners in the Cecil Cup 1st round, 2nd leg match at home to QOS with a 4-0 victory. A hat-trick from FW Lee Wood plus a goal for FW Clyde Best sealing the win and qualification for the 2nd round.

This weekend sees the start of the Division 2 league campaign and EDI begin with a home game versus ELG which is followed by a trip to COV. Everyone at the club and fans alike will be hoping that EDI can build on their bright beginning to the season and have a positive weekend.

The manager readily admits that he has been working hard to add another suitable player to the playing roster but with the current trading situation being very quiet, it has proved very difficult during the early part of this new season. Until trading picks up it looks like EDI will have to put those plans on the back burner for a few weeks at least.

This season we entertained Sergei's Brechin City, a really strong side with plenty of quality and they love the early ball tactic.

1st leg away and they opted fir a 4-2-4 early ball as we went for a 4-3-3 normal, game on and nothing to choose between the sides fir the 1st 15 minutes although all our possession was in defence and they opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Ramsay fired home 1-0 and on 27 minutes Hickory powered home a header 2-0,half time soon came and subs on we tried to play our way back into it but we're just frustrated at not being able to keep the ball for any length of time, we were outplayed and outshot 6 to 2 and only Foster in our goal with 4 outstanding saves kept us in it,well played Sergei. 

Home leg and we were gunning for it as we went for a 4-4-2 press as they went for a 4-2-4 early ball, game on and we pushed on and broke the deadlock on 19 minutes when Grieves smashed home a loose ball 1-0,half time soon came and subs on ,all going well up until 67 minutes when Raeside slipped through and slotted home 1-1,they then began to control the game as their tempo increased and Ramsay fired home on 86 minutes 1-2 ,another close encounter where we just edged the shot count 5 to 4 but have nothing to show for it,well played Sergei and best of luck in the cup.

Long standing manager Andrew McCumiskey has sensationally resigned as manager of Stranraer FC, triggering an emergency by-election for the role... which he has already confirmed he intends to contest.

League insiders claim the decision follows growing controversy over Andrew's failure to declare several suspiciously lucky transfer decisions, including a mysterious captain choice that somehow scored a hat-trick despite being ruled out with a hamstring injury on Friday.

He also remains under investigation by the SESL Fantasy Standards Committee after allegedly receiving an undeclared £5 million "investment" in imaginary transfer funds from an anonymous billionaire who definitely doesn't exist.

What McCumiskey said today

Speaking outside Stair Park, McCumiskey insisted he had done "absolutely nothing wrong."

"My team selections were made with complete honesty... and a healthy amount of blind luck."

He dismissed the investigation as "people being upset because they forgot to change their captain."

"I've decided that the loyal fans of Stranraer FC should judge my performance," he announced.

"That's why I'll be standing in this managerial by-election. I intend to win convincingly and continue the fantasy football revolution that has seen me finish somewhere between first and twelfth every season."

He added that resigning and immediately reapplying for the same position "saves everyone filling in unnecessary paperwork."

The reaction

SESL officials confirmed that nominations have now closed, with Count Binface emerging as the only challenger to Andrew McCumiskey.

Count Binface promised that, if elected, every fantasy manager would receive one free wildcard every week, VAR would be banned for "being a bit annoying," and Stranraer FC would only sign players with amusing surnames.

Several high-profile managers had been linked with the vacancy but ruled themselves out. Sam Aladice said he was "far too busy keeping imaginary clubs from imaginary relegation," while MOT Andrew insisted he was concentrating on shouting at referees and producing tactical analyses that nobody asked for.

One rival SESL manager described the election as "the biggest circus since Andrew triple-captained a goalkeeper."

Another called it "a fake election," while a third simply muttered, "He's only doing this because he's forgotten this week's transfer deadline again."

Bookmakers have nevertheless installed Andrew McCumiskey as the overwhelming favourite, with Count Binface attracting plenty of protest votes and at least one vote from someone who thought they were voting for an actual bin.

Polling stations close five minutes before the fantasy transfer deadline, ensuring that Andrew will almost certainly miss one of them.

The season opener for EDI was an away trip to QOS and EDI got the season off to a terrific start. First half goals for Robertson and Bogarde saw EDI lead 0-2 at the break. Further goal followed from Alberto and team captain Clyde Best to confirm the victory and a hansome 1st leg advantage for EDI to carry over to the return leg back at home in Edinburgh.

QOS are sure to come back strongly despite that defeat but EDI look a very strong favorite to progress to the 2nd round as things stand. Nothing can be taken for granted but hopes are high that EDI can cement the victory to progress.

1st match of the season and the cecil cup and we were drawn away in the 1st game to Sergei's Brechin City,a formidable side with plenty of firepower in their early ball tactic,they opted for a 4-2-4 early ball as we went for a 4-3-3 normal, game on and they started the quicker and opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Ramsay fired home 1-0 and they doubled their lead on 27 minutes when Hicksy out jumped everybody and looped home his header 2-0,half time soon came and subs on ,we pushed on but were outplayed for periods and oushot 6 to 2as we struggled to retain any possession for any length of time and had no answer to their firepower, only Foster in our goal with 4 outstanding saves,well played Sergei.

Falkirk kicked off the new season with an away Cecil cup tie against Berwick. We went behind on 12 minutes from their only shot at goal. We then had four attempts at their goal but failed to beat man of the match Kelly in the Berwick goal. We now have a very difficult task on Wednesday to turn the tie around.

The new season begins today with EDI visiting QOS in the 1st round(1st leg) of the Cecil Cup.

The squad has had a shuffle with GK Parkes, SW John and DF Martin all leaving during the off-season and DF Leckburn and MF Bove joining the club. The manager hopes to add at least one 'Apprentice' shortly but after that it may be a quieter time for EDI in regard to any possible future new signings.

The season home opener is the return leg versus QOS on Wednesday and then it is onto the start of the league campaign next weekend. 

Financially EDI start the season in a fairly strong position including a good supply of resources for coaching and training and it is hoped that the team will improve steadily throughout the course of the season.

The manager was reluctant to name any particular targets for the upcoming season but it is well known that a quick return to Division one remains the number 1 priority despite that being a big ask what with the competitiveness of Division 2 currently.

COYE

...from his duties as sponsor bid collector. 

Pre-season at STE is going slow. Our scouts are not doing a great job, no players highlighted, no trades made. We have our eye on a bit of talent rumoured to come up at auction soon, but otherwise we have sold a few TP and thats it. It did allow us to get max CP purchase in and we have brought in Bosman Larry - but honestly? he looks rubbish - no wonder he was free

We can see trading kicking off everywhere else though, which is worrying as teams improve their strength, their depth, their shape. Someone reminf me - how do we beat MOT?

We have a tough start to the season, fixtures arent kind, and with a couple of suspensions getting the early lineups right will be tricky.

We will be getting our sponsor bids in and hope to secure some end of season revenue, we have done well in recent seasons and its always a nice boost the bank balance.

One area i expect no improvement this season, is our ability to predict results - never copy our predictions!