Today's chat is with Pete Dobosz, fan of L1 high flyers Edinburgh!
How would you assess your club's 22/23 season so far?
We are currently sat second in the table behind league leaders Dunfermline. I think that’s an outstanding achievement, especially when considering the objective was to avoid the drop back down to League Two, and simply to solidify our place in the division. I still have a tendency to look down the table instead of up each week though!
The board and the gaffer deserve immense credit as they’ve assembled an excellent squad of players and competition for places which keeps the lads on their toes. It helps that Alan Maybury seems to get the most out of the group and has proven himself to be an excellent coach as well.
All of this has been achieved against a backdrop of challenges behind the scenes in and around the move back to Meadowbank, as well as some supporter disgruntlement surrounding already well documented changes at the club (thankfully, this appears to be resolved going forward!).
Main Man: Favourite current player and why
Tough one this as it can change from week to week depending on what happens on the pitch! That said, I’m going with Danny Handling. He’s been incredible this season and hit the back of the net with a few screamers to remember as well. It goes back further though as he’s been a key player for us the past few years.
What is your earliest memory supporting your club?
The first game I went to was only back in March 2019 at Ainslie Park when Edinburgh City played Peterhead. It was during an international break and I thought I’d take myself along to cheer on my local team since there was a title race between the sides. There was no segregation, it was value for money and I enjoyed the game (despite the 0-0 score line). I’ve not looked back since.
Explain the nickname
“The Citizens” - The nickname is simply an adaptation to the “City” name that was prevalent until the start of this season. However, the club have kept the nickname and our match day programme is still titled “The Citizen”.
Almost Famous – What is your club best known for?
We are still relatively new to the League set up, but I think in more recent times it would have to be us becoming the first team to gain promotion to League Two through the introduced pyramid system. Since Edinburgh came up in 2016, we’ve seen Cove Rangers, Kelty Hearts and Bonnyrigg Rose join us in the SPFL. The fact that 3 of us have achieved further promotions since shows the pyramid, if done correctly, can reward ambitious clubs further down the ladder.
Greatest Gaffer: Your favourite/most loved boss watching your team
Gary Jardine, hands down. I’d be made to sit elsewhere at Meadowbank from some of the long standing fans had I said anyone else! He was at the helm from 2010 to 2017 and won the club the Lowland League title back to back in 2015 and 2016, which ultimately saw us promoted into the SPFL at the expense of East Stirling. He is currently in charge at Civil Service Strollers along with a few Edinburgh players of the past and I know some of our supporters go along to see them now and again with Gary being there.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about your club which other fans may not know?
Before introducing ourselves to the SPFL in 2016, the club had previously applied to the then ‘Scottish Football League’ in 2002 and 2008 to join the setup, which at the time, was a closed shop with the four top divisions. We lost out on those occasions to Gretna and Annan Athletic.
Who would make your ultimate all-time 5-a-side team?
- Brian Schwake – Not even up for debate as my man between the sticks. The man from the USA done a great impression of a brick wall at times last season and was without doubt our player of the season.
- Robbie McIntyre – The big man led us through the play offs despite some bad injuries last season. Cultured left peg and I must give him a mention since we are neighbours!
- Dougie Gair – Retired these days but a club legend, cool head and loved by the supporters for his commitment to the club over the years.
- Innes Murray – Superb engine on this lad who covers every blade of grass and works his socks off most weeks. He can ping a ball in from range as well (more on that later).
- Blair Henderson – The lad hit 53 goals for the club during his time with us in League Two and now at City neighbours, Spartans. Loves a tap in – ideal for 5’s
What is your all-time favourite match?
Ironically, a defeat at Galabank against Annan Athletic 2-1 on 13th May 2022! Thankfully, we were 2-0 up from the first leg at Ainslie Park. Our lead was wiped out by Tony Wallace and Tommy Goss within 20 minutes. Up stepped Innes Murray with a rocket into the top corner having cut in from the right side. It was backs to the wall, but the celebrations at full time speak for themselves. As for the bus back home to Edinburgh… WOW!
What should visiting fans make sure they see/do when visiting your club/town?
Meadowbank gives many more options than our temporary home of Ainslie Park in recent years if you like pre match pints and are making a day of it. Edinburgh speaks for itself if you get off at Waverley, but closer to the ground there are pubs within a couple of minutes’ walk such as The Hoppy, Limelight and The Willow. There’s the Ballroom if you like a game of pool and massive screens for early kick offs.
The Meadowbank ‘experience’ isn’t amazing at the moment, and that’s been recognised by the board, but they are working hard with the relevant parties to improve this going forward.
What makes your club special to YOU?
They are a small, local team, in my home City, so I would always look out for their results. However, that escalated when I started going to the games myself. I realised there are some genuinely great people who support the club and they were all most welcoming to anyone who wanted to go along and support the side. The same goes to the board, the staff, coaches and players – everyone is approachable from top to bottom. I was beginning to feel despondent with football in general until a 0-0 draw with Peterhead! I was on the train to Berwick the very next week!
Edinburgh continues to grow and is an alternative to the Premiership clubs that most people follow. The lower leagues always appealed to me, all the way back to when my dad would take me to see Meadowbank Thistle many moons ago. Supporting Edinburgh has seen me embrace that fully now.
You can follow Edinburgh's progress every week in our SPFL Lower League Round Up - watch the latest edition now!
