History

The Foot Ball Club of Edinburgh was formed in 1824, by a 17 year old student named John Hope (right)

In it's first season the club had 61 members, rising to 78 by 1826.

Many were respected Writers to the Signet (WS), accountants or other professionals and landed gentry.

Hope himself would go on to become a wealthy lawyer and philanthropist, who helped working class children and set up a temperance movement.

The club opperated until 1841, and reappeared again in the 1850's for a while.

As there was no opposition, members would play against each other, much in the same way as a golf club would run today.

The men would be divided into teams using criteria such as married men v unmarried men, or by occupation.

Subscriptions were set at 1S 6d (7^1/2p).

One of the first rules of the club states:

"There must be no tripping nor kicking of shins, as these are apt to producing quarrells or hurts, and do not form part of the game"

The club held it's kick abouts on Saturday mornings, at Dalry Park, which is now the site of Dalry Place in Gorgie.

In 1831 the club started renting Greenhill Park, which belonged to Sir John Stuart Forbes of Pitsligo.

In a letter to Hope before the start of the 1825 season, player Henry Logan, who had left Edinburgh for London, wrote: "How I envy the pleasure you must have had the day here were 39 players out- such kicking of shins and such tumbling".

The records of the club are held in the prsonal papers of John Hope at the National Archives of Scotland.

The Club played it's first 11 a side football match in May 2008 at Heart of Midlothians' tynecastle Staduim in a match against the McCrae's Battalion Trust. Around 500 people attended the match which was organised to raise money for the Forth 1 Cash for Kids Charity.

Kenny Cameron scored the Clubs first ever goal with a diving header to put the Blue's 1-nil up. However it wasn't enough and the side eventually lost out 3-2.

The clubs first league goal was scored by Steven Hamilton in a 7-0 vistory over Silverknowes Star. Hammy scored the first club hat trick in the same game.

Biggest win: 9-1 v Pentland Thistle AFC
Biggest Defeat: 6-3 v Pentland Road House
Top Goal scorer: David Oswald/Dean Shanks (7)

 The squad for the first match, top, from left- Gregg Cameron, Ciaran Clarke, Steven Gough, Peter Beagley, Kevin Anderson, Mark Martin, Gabriel Tiaoch, Nicky Byrne, Mark McLeod,
Bottom, from left- Derek Lambie, Simon Whitehead, Chris Mutch (Sponsor) Aaron Cameron (Mascot) Kenny Cameron (Captain), unsure, Alex Collop, Robbie Hyslop, Eddie Fenwick