A further meeting with local Councillors and Council Officers went ahead on Friday 15th May to discuss options proposed by WLC Construction Services to provide the Club with a six dressing room changing facility. Of seven options, four involved variations on a theme, either being part of the proposed new Partnership Centre, earmarked for 2014 at the earliest, or being part of an extended Community Centre. Given that Councillor Buerskens had confirmed at a previous meeting that the Chief Executive of WLC has indicated that there are no plans for the Partnership Centre to include sporting facilities (seemingly the recent
investment at St. Kentigern's Academy is intended to provide this) and that the ultimate provision of such a Partnership Centre is likely to result in the demolition of the Community Centre, none of these options were pursued. A fifth option was to emulate the Broxburn United project now underway at Albyn Park but the costs involved would considerably dwarf what WLC have budgeted to invest in Blackburn.
Consequently, only two of the seven options were discussed at any length:
1. Extend the existing Ash Grove changing facility next to the Community Centre
2. Build a new, Sibcas type construction between Murrayfield Park and the all-weather park
After lengthy discussion it was decided that Council Officers would pursue further discussions with WLC Construction Services on these two options with a view to ultimately agreeing with the Club the most appropriate course of action, at which point any necessary plans would be drawn up. It should, though, be noted that the build costs of either option are significantly greater than the available budget. Accordingly, once agreement is reached on which option provides best value and once appropriate plans are in place, WLC have offered to make available their own in-house experts to help source additional funding from the various bodies that provide grant aid for this type of project.
Further updates will continue to be posted here and on this thread of the Club Messageboard. For further information click here to be directed to the Club Development pages.
Captain Craig Spence deservedly put his hands on the Player of the Year trophy again for the third time in five years at Saturday nights Player of the Year event while another thoroughly merited winner came in the shape of midfield playmaker Alan Brown who won the Player's Player of the Year award for the second successive season and for the fourth time since season 1999/2000. Alan also won Website Player of the Year and striker Andy McQuillan won the inaugural top goalscorer award. For a little more detail and all the pictures click here.
Ex-Player Progresses in the States (8/6/09)
Ex-United midfielder Eddie Mangan, who spent the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons here at Murrayfield Park, has recently graduated from Potomac State College with a 2 year associates degree and will soon be moving to Carolina Coastal University in Myrtle Beach to continue his Communication Major and Journalism Minor studies. Eddie is currently playing for West Virginia Chaos in one of the Professional Development Leagues in the USA that ultimately act as feeder leagues to the MLS. However, he has managed only two games for the Chaos so far, scoring on his
debut against Carolina Dynamo, a goal he assures us was a "screamer"!, but contriving to get himself injured in the same game and exacerbating that injury a week later to guarantee a longer than wanted bout on the sidelines. He does, though, hope to be back in contention for this coming weekend's game against Fredericksburg Gunners. Click here for a bio on Eddie's time in the States so far.
Pre-season Dates Announced (12/6/09)
The 2009/10 pre-season will begin with manager Mark Campbell's Testimonial match against Scottish Junior Cup holders Auchinleck Talbot here at Murrayfield Park on Saturday 18th July. Our defence of the Eddie Queen Memorial Trophy is then scheduled for the following weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July, at the Civil Service Sports Ground in Edinburgh while, on Saturday 1st August, we will travel to face Lanarkshire outfit Wishaw. However, should a proposal to start the West Region league season a week early be passed at the forthcoming West Region AGM this match will be replaced with a trip to Fife to face Lochgelly Albert. A midweek friendly against SFL Second Division side Stenhousemuir is also a possibility but this is yet to be confirmed.
Eddie Queen Memorial Trophy (12/6/09)
Our defence of the Eddie Queen Memorial Trophy is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July. This year the event is being hosted at the Civil Service Sports Ground in Edinburgh, home of Civil Service Strollers, and as last year will involve the hosts as well as Fife outfit Kirkcaldy YM, third in the East Region Central Division, and West Region Central First Division side Thorniewood United who were narrowly beaten to promotion to the Super League First Division by Ashfield. We will face Kirkcaldy YM for the second successive season in one Semi-Final while Civil Service Strollers, who won promotion to the East of Scotland Premier Division during season 2008/09, will face Thorniewood United in the other. Both games will take place on the Saturday and both will kick-off at 2:00pm. The following afternoon will see the losing sides play each other at 1:00pm in the 3/4th Place Play-Off while the winners will go head to head in the Final at 3:00pm.
Under 16's Title Win (11/6/09)
After weathering a sprightly Blackridge Thistle start the Under 16's clinched victory and the league championship at Westrigg Park this evening when Danny Campbell confidently rifled home the only goal of the game from sixteen yards midway through the second half. Congratulations to Mark, Brian, Podge and the boys for a richly deserved and well earned title. Now it's onto Stoneyburn's Beechwood Park on Sunday for the Wilson Cup Final and a 3:00pm kick-off against Fauldhouse FCA that could see the side clinch an almost unprecedented treble.
Under 16's League Decider (10/6/09)
On the back of Sunday's comfortable 4-0 win over Murieston United Blue the Under 16's go into their final league game of the season against closest challengers Blackridge Thistle tomorrow night, 11th June, knowing that a win will clinch their second successive league title. The game goes ahead at Westrigg Park in Blackridge with a 6:30pm kick-off and we wish Mark, Brian and the boys all the very best of luck.
Photo's from the Under 13's Winning Post Cup Final
and Player of the Year Awards (10/6/09)
After a fine season that saw the Under 13's reach the final of the Winning Post Cup and finish a close third behind Mid Calder Colts and the Fauldhouse Foxes in the 'B' Division Norrie, Gordon, Allan, Jim and the boys hosted their Player of the Year awards at the Seafield Bowling Club where Jack Farrelly won Player of the Year, Michael Gilmour won Players Player, Darren Baxter won the Most Improved Player award, Steven Horn was Club Man of the year and Jamie Mitchell was the Penalty Winner. View the pictures by clicking here.
Changes at the Top (8/6/09)
At the Club's recent Annual General Meeting, Vice President Ian McGinty was elected to the position of President, replacing the long serving Jimmy Robertson who retired after 26 years in the position. Jim Graham, in turn, was elected to replace Ian as Vice President. After 3 years as Secretary, Bill Dunn stepped back down to the General Committee for health reasons and Graeme McGinty was elected to serve in his place. Michael Whelan was elected unopposed to continue to serve as Club Treasurer while status quo for all remaining Committee members was proposed, seconded and accepted. A much deserved vote of thanks was made to both Jimmy and Bill for all their hard work and tireless efforts on behalf of the Club.
Cup Final takes an unexpexted Twist(er)! (14/6/09)
The Under 16's chase for treble success took and unexpected twist at Stoneyburn's Beechwood Park this afternoon when, with around twenty minutes remaining and United 2-0 ahead, the Wilson Cup Final against Fauldhouse FCA was abandoned due to a storm of biblical proportions breaking out overhead. After having played through several minutes of thunder and lightening, the referee rightly declared enough was enough when the rain turned to hailstanes and, incredible as it may seem, the makings of a tornado (pictured right) reared into view just to the west of the ground. The game has been rescheduled for Beechwood Park on Tuesday night, 16th June, and will kick-off at 7:00pm.
Spartans Replace Thorniewood United in Eddie Queen Tournament (19/7/09)
For not too dissimilar reasons to Wishaw's late withdrawal from our August 1st friendly in Lanarkshire, namely the West Region's early start to their competitive season, their county neighbours Thorniewood United have pulled out of this coming weekend's Eddie Queen Memorial Trophy at late notice. Happily, the Junior games newest recruits, Spartans, have agreed to fill the void left by the two time winners and will face Civil Service Strollers in one of Saturday's semi-finals while we begin our defence of the trophy against Kirkcaldy YM in the other.
Pre-season Fixtures Update (30/6/09)
As feared, a proposal to start their league season a week early was passed at the West Region's recent AGM and has put paid to our planned 1st August friendly against Lanarkshire side Wishaw. Accordingly, this match has now been replaced with a previously arranged standby trip to Fife to face East Region Central Division outfit Lochgelly Albert. A fifth and final friendly has also now been confirmed after negotiations with Stenhousemuir resulted in an agreement that will see the SFL Second Division new boys send a select side of mainly U19 players to Murrayfield Park on Tuesday 21st July for a 7:00pm kick-off. Our full pre-season schedule can be viewed by navigating from the home page of this website to the Current Season page and then to the Season 2009/10 Results & Fixtures page.
League Cup Section Two (30/6/09)
We have been drawn against Super League sides Camelon and Bathgate Thistle and South Division sides Sauchie, Harthill Royal, Stoneyburn and Livingston United in one of two seven team groups for the forthcoming League Cup which will begin on Wednesday 5th August with a home game against the men from Gibbshill Park. In total there are four groups and the winners of each will progress to the semi-finals of the competition. Interestingly, and perhaps disappointingly, all our home matches in the group will take place on midweek dates while all our away games will take place on Saturdays. Our full League Cup programme and opening league fixtures can be viewed by navigating from the home page of this website to the Current Season page and then to the Season 2009/10 Results & Fixtures page.
Pre-season Training: Start Date Set (24/6/09)
Manager Mark Campbell has announced that pre-season training will get underway on Monday 6th July. Mark has also indicated that players from next season's U17 and U19 squads will be welcome to attend pre-season and asks that they contact him for details (click here for contact info). Alternatively, they should get in touch with U19 coach Brian Fleming who, in turn, can contact Mark on their behalf.
Opening League Fixtures &
East of Scotland Cup First Round Draw Announced (24/6/09)
The coming season's opening league fixtures have been announced and we start our campaign with a home game against Dalkeith Thistle on Saturday 29th August before travelling to Edinburgh United the following Saturday and hosting Sauchiea week later. Seven days on from that match against the men from Clackmannanshire we head to local rivals Stoneyburn. On Saturday September 26th we have been drawn to face Scone Thistle in an away tie in the First Round of the East of Scotland Cup. The season, though, will kick-off on Wednesday 5th August with a league cup sectional tie and most of August will then be taken up by the remainder of these sectional games, games which will be announced when the league cup groups are drawn.
A Welcome New Addition to the South Division (23/6/09)
A team from Edinburgh side Spartans were unanimously accepted into membership of the SJFA at the National AGM on Sunday 21st June and will now play alongside ourselves in the East Region South Division. This, coincidentally, ensures that numbers in the division will remain at 14 for season 2009/10 due to Armadale Thistle's promotion winning campaign coinciding with a season in which no side from south of the Forth finished in any of the three Premier Division relegation places. Spartans, of course, are best recognised as a prominent and successful outfit from the East of Scotland Senior set-up and, interestingly, they will also continue to perform in that grade from their new base at Ainslie Park in the north of the Capital. The new Junior side will, for the time being at least, play their games 500 yards along the road at their 'old' home of City Park.
Substitute Numbers Increased (23/6/09)
A decision also worth noting from the AGM held at Ardrossan is the one which will now see sides able to name not five but seven substitutes from season 2009/10 onwards, ensuring that the Murrayfield Park dressing room and bench could be pretty busy places this coming season.
With the close season now well underway, work has once more begun on the Murrayfield Park playing surface. The south and north goalmouths have been returfed and areas of each eighteen yard box have been reseeded, while reseeding of the centre-circle area has also been undertaken. In addition, and as was trialled last season, to help remove some of what is an apparently overpowering temptation for local youths to gain illegal access to the ground, both sets of goalposts have been removed and stored. This, however, has not prevented said youths using the ground as a short cut from one end of the town to the other or, indeed, as a golf driving range so work has also begun on an attempt to strengthen weakened areas of the perimeter fencing. Finally, the roofs of both the home and away dugouts have been removed and replaced by ones that are hoped will be much more resilient to the ongoing acts of quite mindless vandalism that are regularly perpetrated against them. We can but keep our fingers crossed!
Treble Success (16/6/09)
At the second time of asking the Under 16's came out on top in the Wilson Cup Final at Beechwood Park in Stoneyburn when a double from Danny Campbell either side of a long range effort from Ryan Kelloch was enough to see off a tenacious Fauldhouse FCA side by three goals to two and, in so doing, clinch an almost unprecedented treble of League, County Cup and Wilson Cup. Congratulations to all involved for a quite magnificent achievement!!
Nathan Taylor brings Jamie Redknapp to Blackburn (20/7/09)
Nathan Taylor, one of several stalwarts in the Under 16's treble winning 2008/09 season, is one step closer to becoming Football's Next Star. Sky 1 have been holding trials to unearth the UK's most promising footballer aged 16 - 18 and give him the opportunity to play for one of the most famous teams in the world - Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan. This summer Nathan, along with thousands of other hopefuls, has been put through a series of gruelling and demanding tests designed by Inter's coaches to evaluate every aspect of his game and such was Nathan's abilities he has progressed, along with 39 other boys, to a two day boot camp at the English FA's training HQ in London where he will try and reach a final group of 10 candidates. Indeed, Nathan's success brought the unlikely sight of ex-Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp huddled in the corner of the Murrayfield Park home changing room with manager Mark Campbell and coaching coordinator Brian Smillie last Friday afternoon, deep in conversation about our ambitions as a community club with Jamie expressing his astomishment at the lack of investment by, and support from, the local council. Sky camera's, too, were in attendance on Saturday ahead of Mark's testimonial game to interview him, Brian and Nathan. Should Nathan make the final
10 he will then fly to Italy and be put through his paces at Inter's lavish La Pinetina training facility for 5 weeks. Following this ultimate test under the scrutiny of Jose Mourinho and his top coaches, the best boy will be offered a contract at Inter Milan. The full selection process will be broadcast on Sky 1 as an eight part series later this year. Click here to read the Edinburgh Evening News article about Nathan's progress. Also, click here for the West Lothian Courier's take on Nathan and here for the SFA article on him and the club.
Jamie Redknapp poses with Mark, Brian, Nathan and some of the boys from the youth set up
Brian and Mark look on as Nathan faces the glare of the Sky TV cameras
League Cup Section Two Final Standings (24/8/09)
This evenings 3-2 home defeat by Sauchie coupled with Stoneyburn's victory over Harthill Royal meant that the disappointment of a bottom place finish in League Cup Section Two was ensured. Camelon, meanwhile, progressed to the semi-finals of the competition as group winners after trouncing Livingston United 5-0.
Goalkeeper Francis Carlin has been made available for transfer. Having started his goalkeeping career on the books of Celtic as a youngster, Franny signed from South Division rivals Fauldhouse United in the first week of February 2008 after he impressed as a trialist a couple of weeks earlier when keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 league win over Dunbar United at New Countess Park. On his game, Franny is arguably the best shot stopper in the South Division and has a remarkable success rate when it comes to saving penalty kicks.
Recent Arrivals at Murrayfield Park (20/8/09)
Mark has recently added to the playing squad at Murrayfield Park by bringing both attacking midfielder Alan Fleming and centre-half Fraser Easton to the club. Fraser arrives from local rivals Stoneyburn after an impressive campaign at Beechwood Park last season while Alan has previous Junior experience with the likes of Broxburn Athletic and West Calder United.
SJFA Secures Match Ball Sponsorship (19/8/09)
Blakedown Sports & Play, specialists in sports facility construction for over forty years and one of the largest UK contractors in the synthetic pitch market, have announced a sponsorship deal with the SJFA which will see each of the 163 clubs in membership of the association receive ten Blakedown branded match balls. SJFA Secretary Tom Johnston spoke warmly of the deal and was "delighted to have Blakedown on board" hoping that "the partnership will benefit both parties in the future".
League Cup game at Carmuirs Park Postponed (15/8/09)
The Scottish weather never ceases to amaze, but rarely in a good way. Despite the fact that we are still in the Summer months this afternoon's game at Camelon has been postponed due to the sheer volume of rain that fell yesterday, overnight and continues to fall today. The game has been rearranged for Monday evening with a 6:45pm kick-off.
Injury Problems Drag On from Last Season (13/8/09)
The injury problems that beset the team during the closing weeks of last term have continued to cause consternation in the very early part of this seasons League Cup campaign. During pre-season captain Craig Spence's hamstring problem flared up again and he is currently still a week or two away from returning to the fold while striker Andy McQuillan and trialist Fraser Easton both hobbled from the Beechwood Park pitch during last weekend's 2-1 win against Stoneyburn, the former almost certainly out for a few weeks due to the severity of his injury. Also missing our opening group games so far has been new signing Rab Brown who, due to work commitments, has been unable to get his return to Murrayfield Park off to a playing start.
Fixtures Update (28/9/09)
As was made clear when they were announced, due to the vagaries of the ERSJFA fixture list our upcoming games have been amended, although you will have to bear with me as I attempt to explain why! Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic's late equaliser at Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup on Saturday past means that the Super League Champions replay with the men from the Highlands will take precedence over their scheduled Scottish Junior Cup First Round tie against Dunbar United this coming Saturday. Accordingly, the Seasiders inadvertently joined us in becoming the second South Division side to be without a fixture that weekend – but only for a very short time as the fixtures secretary reacted quickly to fix up a league clash between the sides at New Countess Park. The weekend after that trip to the East Coast will see us host Harthill Royal as planned, but seven days later our originally scheduled trip to Dunbar has been reversed to bring the Seasiders here to Murrayfield Park for the return league game.
Blake Stewart Signs (25/9/09)
Previously with Broxburn Amateurs and SFL side Alloa Athletic, Blake Stewart has joined up at Murrayfield Park after several trialist games in the early part of the season. Perhaps the last addition for the time being to a squad that now numbers 22, Livingston lad Blake will provide Mark and Jamie with options both in defence and in midfield.
Bus to Scone (23/9/09)
The bus to Perthshire for the East of Scotland Cup tie against Scone Thistle will leave the Bowling Club at 11:30am on the morning of the game, Saturday 26th September, and will return one hour after the referee's final whistle. For those interested in travelling the return fare will be £5 which will include both a raffle ticket and a first goalscorer ticket. Please contact any committee member or email the club to register your interest. For the thirsty, the Aerodrome Inn is the nearest pub to the Robert Douglas Memorial Field home of Thistle while the Scone Arms and the Wheel Inn are not too far awy either, although the latter is more a family oriented eatery than a drinkers paradise!
Tracksuits & Jackets available from the Club Shop (18/9/09)
For a short period of time club tracksuits and coaches jackets, manufactured by Puma, and all weather jackets manufactured by Stanno are available for purchase from the Club Shop. Sponsored by Italian website calcioscozzese.it, the suits and jackets are available in all sizes and orders can be placed by emailing the club.
Forthcoming Fixtures (18/9/09)
As we have received First Round byes in both the Scottish Junior Cup and the Fife & Lothian's Cup our forthcoming fixture list is currently bereft of one match. Currently we have no fixture scheduled for Saturday 3rd October while we will travel to Dunbar United on Saturday 17th October, the dates for First Round ties in the Scottish Junior Cup and Fife & Lothian's Cup respectively. In between times we are pencilled in for a home league game against Harthill Royal. However, should Harthill draw their Junior Cup game against Camelon on the 3rd then the resultant replay will take precedence over that league game, be played on the 10th and our game against the Gibbshill Park men rescheduled for a date later in the season. As ever with SJFA fixture lists, all this is subject to change.
Three New Signings (9/9/09)
Mark and Jamie have recently added three new faces to the squad, signing young goalkeeper Ethan Connelly from Irn Bru Second Division side Stenhousemuir, front man Paddy Donnelly from Kilsyth Rangers and midfielder Dean Strathie also from Stenhousemuir, but in his case only on loan. Paddy, in fact, is embarking on his second spell at Murrayfield Park and we wish him, Ethan and Dean a warm welcome.
Two Appearance Milestones (7/9/09)
Saturday at Edinburgh United's Paties Road witnessed two appearance milestones for Blackburn players, captain Craig Spence making his 300th competitive appearance for the Club and midfielder Alan Brown making his 250th. Interestingly and commendably, the two Airdrie based players have shown a loyalty to the Club that has exceeded many of the locally based players who have come and gone over the years and their experience and abilities have been key components in the rebuilding process manager Mark Campbell has gradually been steering the playing side through. For the record, Craig has made 251 starts and 49 sub appearances, scoring 18 goals in the process while Alan has started 221 games and appeared from the bench on 29 occasions, netting 47 times. I think it fair to say that with both players still relatively young, all concerned hope that there are still many more appearances in both sets of legs. Congratulations guys!
Friendly v Stenhousemuir (4/9/09)
At the request of the Irn Bru Second Division side, United will travel to Ochilview on Tuesday 8th September for a friendly match with a Stenhousemuir select side. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 7:00pm.
Race Night (12/10/09)
The Club will be running a fund raising Race Night at 7:15pm on Saturday 17th October in the Bowling Club. For those who may be new to the race night game, the format of the event goes a little like this. In the lead up to the night, horses will be on sale from any player or committee member and a total of eight races will be available to sponsor. To 'own' a horse costs £2 and to sponsor a race is £25. On the evening itself nine races will take place, although the horses won't be galloping through the lounge as that would be frowned upon by the SSPCA! As a more animal friendly
alternative, pre-filmed races chosen at random will be screened. Before each race the opportunity is offered to 'bet' on any of the competing horses at 50p per 'bet'. Each 'bet' placed receives a ticket and multiple 'bets' on any one horse can be made. Indeed, 'bets' on more than one horse in any one race can be placed if so desired. The odds are then calculated using the straight forward formula that the more tickets sold on one horse, the lower the odds on that horse are. After the race has taken place, the bookies pay out on the winning horse and the winning 'owner' receives a prize too. The eight sponsored races will have had all the horses pre-sold but the ninth and final race of the night follows a slightly different format and will, in fact, be an auction race. Each horse goes under the hammer and is sold to the highest bidder before 'betting' takes place as normal. At the conclusion of the race the bookies pay out as usual and the winning 'owner' wins half the auction takings.....so bring your cheque book!!!
The Club has provisionally received the prestigious Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award having satisfied SFA Regional Development Officer David Drummond and the South East Regional Committee of our commitment to youth development. The Award, part of the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s, recognises the contribution we have made and continue to make to the local community. The Quality Mark is a Youth Action Plan initiative that supports grassroots club development and clubs receiving this award must meet certain criteria in relation
to Management and Administration, Player and Coach Development and Planning and Player Welfare. The Award presentation will take place at Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh ahead of the Hearts v St Johnstone SPL game on Saturday 21st November.
Quality Mark Award (12/10/09)
Barrie & The Great North Run (10/10/09)
United 'keeper Barrie Hunter completed September's BUPA Great North Run in an impressive 1 hour 59 minutes to raise a fantastic £486 for Cancer Research. Barrie, running in vest 2516, completed the race in 10899th position, another impressive feat when considering over 52,000 competitors took part in what has become the world's most popular half marathon. Congratulations Barrie, you should be proud of yourself just as everyone at the club already is.
Alex McCrae Passes Away (10/10/09)
Blackburn man Alex McCrae, who spent six years as a Hearts player and later went on to both play for and manage Falkirk, died on Thursday in St John's Hospital, Livingston. Alex, who was 89 and is believed to have been the oldest surviving Hearts player, also spent time in England with both Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough before heading across the Irish Sea where he lead Ballymena United to the Irish Cup as player manager. Alex's funeral will take place at Blackburn Parish Church at 10am on Tuesday 13th October.
Scottish Junior Cup Second Round Draw (11/10/09)
The draw for the Second Round of the Fly Emirates Scottish Junior Cup took place at Petershill Park in Glasgow at 2:00pm this afternoon and we have been paired with Premier League side Tayport. The tie will go ahead here at Murrayfield Park on Saturday 31st October.
Keir Injury Update & Fleming Close to Return(11/10/09)
The prognosis on Alan Keir’s injury is more upbeat than first feared. Amid horror stories from youngsters in the crowd at Dunbar last week that gloried in the “bone sticking out of his leg” there were worries that Alan had, in fact, broken his leg but as it turns out the left back actually sustained a very deep gash above his knee inadvertently caused by the studs of an opponent. Eight expertly sewn stitches by the casualty staff of Edinburgh Infirmary later and a hobbling Alan was enjoying a long planned night out. It will, though, take him just a little bit longer to be fighting for his place back in the starting XI! Closer to a return however is attacking midfielder Alan Fleming. Alan has been missing for a few weeks now due to a niggling calf injury but, all being well, he hopes to return to full training this week with a view to being available for selection shortly thereafter.
Complimentary Tickets to see Scotland's Women face Georgia (22/10/09)
Scotland's Women's squad face Georgia at Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh in their first home qualifying match for the World Cup on Thursday 29th October with a 7:30pm kick off. As an accredited SFA Community Club we have been offered the opportunity to claim complimentary tickets to the game on a first come, first served basis. To claim your ticket email Aidan Forbes at southeast@scottishfa.co.uk and don't forget to mention the Blackburn United Community Football Club. For further information on the Women's qualifying campaign click here.
Race Night (17/10/09)
A good turn out from players and staff alike ensured that those who attended the Race Night had a ball and that Club funds received a timely boost. The Auction Race, the big race of the night, was won by one of our shirt sponsors, Michael McDermott, who took great delight in ensuring that the players weren't allowed to forget that if they had listened to Broony then it just might have been them celebrating! Still, our midfield maestro is well used to his moaning getting the rubber ear from all around so no harm done!!
As part of Show Racism The Red Card’s Fortnight of Action, clubs playing in every Emirates Scottish Junior Cup tie this coming weekend will be united in calling for an end to racism in football and in society
with players displaying 'Show Racism The Red Card' placards before kick-off. Attending matches should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or religious background, and players in over 40 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network. We hope you enjoy the game against Tayport on Saturday and ask you to support the players’ action before kick-off. If you see or hear racism at any level of football, please report it. For more information click here.
Plenderleith Returns (5/11/09)
Mark has negotiated the return of striker Grant Plenderleith on loan from SFL Second Division side Stenhousemuir until the end of the season. Grant's first loan spell at Murrayfield began at the end of January with a debut goal at Ormiston against Tranent and, along with several assists, his lightening turn of pace earned him nine goals in twenty three appearances that coincided with the team running into a rich vein of form midway through the 2008/09 campaign. Welcome back Grant.
Fife & Lothian's Cup draw (5/11/09)
We have been drawn away to fellow South Division outfit Tranent in the Second Round of the Fife & Lothian's Cup on a date yet to be decided.
African charity benefits
from old United kit (5/11/09)
The Club recently donated old playing kit to Robbie Wood of charity organisation Tackle Africa who, in turn, passed them onto fellow voluntary organisation EMIMA (Elimu, Michezo na Mazoezi - Education, Sport and Physical Activity). EMIMA are a community driven, non-government organisation based in Tanzania whose main purpose is to use football to provide young people from the poorest Tanzanian communities with opportunities to take part in sport and develop life skills that enable them
to live safe and healthy lives. As part of Tackle Africa's
most recent charity project, EMIMA and Robbie organised a football match in Dar es Salaam between volunteer coaches/educators and a youth team from one of the poorest areas of the nation's capital and, as can be seen from the above photograph, the old United home and away kits were put to good use!
The Dar es Salaam Blackburn derby!
Youth Pages Updated (17/11/09)
After a period of offline upgrade work each of the youth pages, individually linked from the home page of this website, have been updated and now reflect correctly all the age group standings. These pages will now resume offering regular, periodic updates on how each of the youth teams are fairing as the season progresses but should anyone involved with any of the teams have anything more they might wish to see publicised through these pages then please email the club.
International Call-Up for U17's Danny Campbell (19/11/09)
This coming Sunday sees the Scottish Youth Football Association's Under 17 side take on Australia's Melbourne All Stars Soccer side at the Toryglen Indoor Football Centre in Glasgow and Blackburn United will be represented in the shape of striker Danny Campbell. Having scored 20 goals already this season as the U17's look to defend both the League Championship and the County Cup, Danny is on course to beat his 68 goal haul of last season and was the only player from the West Lothian Youth Football Association to be successful at the Toryglen selection trials two weeks ago. Due to Danny's call-up the U17's 4th Round
Scottish Cup tie against Inverkeithing has been postponed. Good luck on your international debut Danny!
Match v Haddington Ath Postponed (21/11/09)
Murrayfield Park has failed a 9:30am pitch inspection and this afternoon's match against Haddington Athletic has been postponed.
U17's Danny Campbell makes International Debut (23/11/09)
Danny Campbell made his international debut at Toryglen in Glasgow on Sunday as the Scotland Under 17 side went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat against the touring Melbourne All Stars. Despite Danny finding the net during the game the referee brought play back to award the Scots a penalty kick which was converted by Danny's strike partner who had been fouled by the visiting keeper in the build up. Although the Australians had the majority of the game Danny managed to have three or four good efforts on goal and can be pleased with his first outing in the dark blue of Scotland.
United Receive SFA Quality Mark Award (24/11/09)
Blackburn United Community Football Club became the fourth Club in West Lothian and only the nineteenth in the whole of South East Scotland to be awarded the SFA Quality Mark when Club officials were presented with the award by ex-Hearts and Kilmarnock captain Gary Locke at Tynecastle ahead of the recent Hearts v St. Johnstone SPL game. The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme is run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and is a Youth Action Plan initiative that supports grassroots club development. Clubs receiving this award must meet certain criteria in relation to Management and Administration, Player and Coach Development and Planning and Player Welfare to broaden youth and community participation and to enhance player, coach and volunteer development within a structured environment.
Community Club President Ian McGinty, who has also been on the Committee of Junior side Blackburn United for more than 15 years and ascended to the position of President there this summer, said "The SFA Quality Mark is about recognising good practice in providing opportunities to play football from a young age through to adulthood in a safe, friendly and developmental environment. Blackburn United are delighted to receive such a national award that recognises the excellent work that is carried out by our countless volunteers and well qualified coaches as well as the contribution we have made and continue to make to our local community".
The West Lothian Council Website also carries an article on the Club receiving the award while more details on the Community Club and pictures from the award ceremony can be found by accessing the Community Club pages from the home page of this site or by clicking here.
Haddington Athletic Game Switched (1/12/09)
Due to damage sustained by the boiler room floor and the boiler itself, the Club requested that this coming weekend's league clash with Haddington Athletic at Murrayfield Park be switched to the Millfield opponents and thanks to the understanding of both the East Region Secretary John Reilly and the Haddington club themselves this request was quickly agreed. The game will now go ahead in East Lothian with a 1:45pm kick-off.
United Receive West Lothian Council Accreditation Award (1/12/09)
In addition to recently receiving full SFA accreditation the Club have also now received West Lothian Council's Community Sports Club Development Scheme Access Level Award. In recognition of the important role clubs play in increasing participation in sport and improving the quality of sporting opportunities available to local communities the scheme was developed to help the public to recognise safe, effective and child friendly Club environments.
Fog Forces Spartans Postponement (12/12/09)
Due to the thick shroud of fog enveloping much of West Lothian and to the great disappointment of the Club, this afternoon's league match against Spartans has been called off.
Easton Moves On (11/12/09)
Centre half Fraser Easton, signed at the outset of the season from Stoneyburn, has been released from his contract to join fellow South Division side Livingston United who have just installed as their new manager his old Beechwood Park boss and ex-United player Andy Johnstone. Fraser rarely featured in our match day squad and we wish him well at his new club. Utility player Blake Stewart has also recently been released from his contract.
Match at Haddington Athletic Postponed (5/12/09)
This afternoon's league match at Haddington Athletic has been postponed after Millfield Park failed an 11am pitch inspection. Although no further details are to hand at the moment, it is likely that the words rain and water logged park would come into the equation. Consequently, and obviously!, the launch of the Club's live score service will now be delayed until next week's home game against Spartans - as ever, weather permiting!
United Launch Girls Coaching Sessions (16/12/109)
On Tuesday 19th January 2010 the Club will be launching our first girl's football team after bringing on board a fully qualified, SFA Children's Level 1 female coach. Aimed initially at 8 to 12 year olds, coaching sessions will take place in the Community Centre Sports Hall early on Tuesday evenings between 5:00 and 6:00pm. Anyone interested in bringing their girls along to learn how to play and enjoy football in a fun environment should in the first instance email our Coaching Coordinator Brian Smillie by clicking here. Alternatively, click the flyer opposite for full details.
Christmas Raffle Draw (18/12/09)
The Christmas Raffle winners were drawn from the proverbial hat during the Bingo interval last night with John Gillies, c/o our central defender Davie Sneddon, becoming the lucky winner of the £100 Hamper first prize. The £75 Hamper was won by Lynn Grieve while the £50 Hamper third prize was won by Helen McFarlane. Other prize winners included Helen Harkness who won a meal for two at the Balbardie restaurant in Bathgate and Peter Cairney and Christine 3663 who
both won a bottle of whisky while Michael McDermott, May McGinty, Tam Bryson, John Irvine, P.Ling, Denise 3663, Agnes MacKay, June White, Jackie 3663, Lin Baff, Tracy Sorron and A.Lenaghan each won a bottle of wine. Finally, Anna McLauchlan won the fruit basket and Yvonne Meechan won the £10 voucher from Steins butchers. Congratulations to all the winners.
After forming an orderly queue behind rain and flood, snow and frost have now taken their turn to claim a postponement with this afternoon's Fife & Lothian's Cup tie at Tranent biting the dust after a 9:15am pitch inspection. The rearranged tie will go ahead on a date yet to be decided.
Spartans Game Switched (22/1/10)
Although originally scheduled for Ainslie Park in Edinburgh, tomorrow's league game against Spartans has been switched and will now go ahead here at Murrayfield Park with a 1:45pm kick-off - the venue change being necessary as the senior Spartans side are at home to Lothian Thistle in the East of Scotland Premier League.
Another Wipeout (16/1/09)
Despite the long awaited thaw being well under way, for the second weekend in succession there has been a complete wipeout of East Region fixtures due to the frozen state of just about every pitch in the area, including the Ainslie Park playing surface that was to host our League match against Spartans. As is currently understood, the fixtures scheduled for this weekend have all been rescheduled for next weekend.
East Region Fixtures Wipeout (8/1/10)
With a thick blanket of snow continuing to lie stubbornly across the country, not to mention the covering of ice directly underneath it, the SFA have issued all Clubs in the region with the following communication "Following consultation with the East of Scotland League and the East Region Junior FA please note that, in view of the prevailing weather conditions, referee appointments will not be issued for the fixtures due on Saturday 9th January [as] there is no prospect of any matches being played".
So, weather permitting, our next match will be on Saturday 16th January at Ainslie Park against East Region new boys Spartans. Keep up to date with all future fixture announcements on the fixtures page of the website.
Football's Next Star (5/1/10)
As we revealed last July, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool and Spurs star Jamie Redknapp was joined by a team of Inter Milan's top coaches and scouts for a series of open trials to select just 40 young players to undergo further testing at the English FA's training headquarters in London with a view to one player earning a contract with the Serie A giants. Over the next seven Sunday evenings Sky 1 are following the trials ups and downs so Click here to watch as two young Blackburn United youth team players, Nathan Taylor and Danny Campbell, join the battle for one of those 40 places.
Live Score Update Service (29/1/10)
After a number of aborted attempts due to recent weather enforced postponements, the Club is introducing a live score update service in conjunction with the social networking and micro-blogging facility Twitter. Accessed from what will be a red highlighted link on the front page of the website that will replace the match report link for the duration of a game, scores from United matches will be updated in real time and will be available during the course of each game before the link returns to the recognisable one which is used to read the match report from the game in question. Quite obviously, this is a service that we don't imagine will be swamped with users but it is one that we hope will keep anyone interested right up to date with how the team is fairing as games progress. The service is intended to begin, weather permiting!,
with tomorrow's game against Edinburgh United and should you have any questions or, indeed, encounter any problems while using it then please email the club.
League Game v Edinburgh United Postponed (30/1/10)
It would appear Mother Nature is simply not a football fan as, after a heavy overnight frost, Murrayfield Park has failed a morning pitch inspection and our League game against Edinburgh United has been postponed.
BUFC Lottery (2-7-12-18) (4/2/10) There were no winners of the £250 BUFC lottery jackpot prize this Thursday evening and next weeks prize now increases to £300. The two £10 consolation prizes were won by Evelyn Barclay c/o the Bowling Club and by Martin Stewart c/o the Football Club. Get your entries in before the first four numbers under 21 are drawn out of the hat during the first house of bingo in the Bowling Club on Thursday 11th February. Click here for a list of jackpot winners.
Ex-Player Earns Scottish
Universities Call-Up (4/2/10)
Calum Tevendale, who played with United as a teenager in 2007, is now a third year student at the School of Dentistry at Glasgow University and, at 21, is still enjoying his football. His junior experience here at Murrayfield Park helped Calum go straight into the Glasgow University first team at centre half whilst in his first year - the only new student do so - and his progress has seen him go on to captain the side and play annually in the Scottish Cup, although he has yet to face the ‘big guns’ of the SPL. Last season Calum was a regular scorer, usually from set pieces.
This season Glasgow are joint top of the Scottish University Championship and going well in the competitive Caledonian League, and it was no surprise when Calum was one of three Glasgow players selected for the Scottish University squad. The team, who will play in the Home International Championships in May, are currently lined up to play against the ‘Old Firm’ U19 teams, and recently drew 2-2 with Hamilton Accies Youth Team. Calum plays at left-back for the squad where his pace and powerful left foot are invaluable, and his ambition this season is to get his university ‘blue’ and a full Scottish cap.
Calum still remembers fondly his time at Murrayfield Park and is delighted to see the side near the summit of the South Division and hopes to catch a game on his next trip home to West Calder during the holidays.
Calum in action against Whitburn in the 2007/08 League Cup
League Game v Dalkeith Thistle Postponed 6/2/10)
It becomes almost impossible to find a new way to say this but, simply put, this afternoon we will be idle for the ninth time in eleven games after Dalkeith Thistle's Kings Park was declared waterlogged after an early morning pitch inspection.
