Victory for football at long last in Edinburgh

THE new Spartans Football Club Academy at Ainslie Park is the best thing that has ever happened to the image of football in Edinburgh. This new facility created by Spartans is, by any standards, magnificent. All the hopes and dreams of the people who planned this futuristic football facility have come to fruition. It is, I think our very own 'theatre of dreams' here in our very own city. This fabulous sports ground is for football and also for the use of the community.

I have tried to compare Spartans Academy with the new 3G pitch at Saughton Park but there is no comparison. The pitch at Saughton is all that is left of the imaginative East Football Project that was left in the hands of a committee of people. The result is this soul-less place in Saughton Park where a community building should have been built along with other facilities. But it did not happen and, like so many other things in this city relating to sport for young people, those in high positions will not allow football to get a threshold - until now. Spartans have, in my opinion, taken on the rugby lovers who rule the system in the Capital, outwitted them and kicked them in to touch where they belong. These people simply have no idea of what is required in modern football. I also want to compare the new Academy with what happened at Meggetland. Five football pitches were there before it was given over, lock, stock and barrel, to the rugby fraternity and all that remains for football following the redevelopment as a rugby stronghold is an enclosed pitch that is not open to the amateur sides that played in this education owned facility prior to its redevelopment for rugby and hockey.

I have no idea if the new Academy pitches will be used to stage finals, but I hope so and I also hope admission is free to everyone. Families fork out enough to allow their kids to play football and they should not have to pay again when teams reach finals. If finals are staged at Ainslie Park, it will be akin to 'football coming home' to a real, magnificent, fabulous football ground. As someone who simply loves the game, I salute everyone at The Spartans FC for what they have achieved and their new Academy has opened the door for others to take on the system that exists in Scotland. Take them on and beat them, again and again. Two other clubs I think could possibly benefit from following the example of Spartans FC are Leith Athletic and Musselburgh Windsor. Both these clubs are based in bustling communities and they are also firmly established within these communities. I do not know what plans both these clubs have for the future, but when officials from both Leith and Musselburgh see what has been built at Ainslie Park by The Spartans FC, they will see what is a virtual football wonder in the third world sports Capital city of Edinburgh. Spartans have broken the mould, they have opened the door for others to follow.

All over this city I have come in to contact with so many incredible people, such as those who run the North Merchiston under-13s, Edinburgh South  football club and Newcraighall Leith Vics, Edinburgh City, Edinburgh United, Craigroyston, North Berwick, Tranent, Inch Colts, Leith Athletic, Musselburgh Windsor, Easthouses, Dalmore, Loanhead, Lochend and others. Brilliant adults and also great role models for kids with good behaviour paramount at their games. I think all of them, without exception, will be totally gobsmacked when they see for themselves the new Spartans Academy. Only by going there and seeing for themselves what is on offer will they realise just what Spartans have achieved. It is the Miracle of Christmas in every respect. I only hope others will follow. This might give you an idea of just how busy it was at Ainslie Park on the day it opened. The following came from Spartans FC inspirational captain, Craig Graham.

He said: "A great first weekend at the Academy....across Saturday and Sunday we hosted eight games on the synthetic at the Academy.  The highlights on Sunday being our 14s scoring at the end of the game to beat Tynecastle 2 - 1 and then the Taxis charity game tonight.  We had nearly 250 players playing, loads of visitors including some impromptu street football with over 30 local youngsters enjoying the two synthetic pitches between bookings.  Thanks to everyone who came along - by next weekend hopefully the cafe will be open with some limited fayre and the decor will be further advanced.  Gordon Strachan sent a congratulatory text on Sunday morning "Fantastic, you should all be very proud". Everyone who came along had a great time including Ian Mackay the veteran reporter from the Evening News who said "Your new home is brilliant, fantastic, wonderful, glorious, incredible and it has the true sense of being a football club. Congratulations to everyone at The Spartans FC and every best wish for the future. Thank you for allowing me to share with you in one of the great football occasions of my life."