THE Lothian & Edinburgh Amateur FA will have 76 clubs – five up overall from last year – playing in their leagues, divided into seven competitive divisions, this coming season.
The largest number of teams will feature in the 12-strong Premier Division, with champions Uphall Station defending the title they won last season.
The West Lothian club have been the dominant force in this division for several seasons but they
face a really tough challenge this coming season.
There is a lot at stake in the Premier with the three bottom teams relegated to ensure every game is meaningful.
There are 11 teams in the Lothian West, Lothian Edinburgh and Lothian East divisions, with the top team in each division promoted to the Premier, while the bottom two teams will be relegated.
The top two teams in each of the three Edinburgh divisions will be promoted, while third-placed clubs will take part in play-offs against the third-bottom teams in the Lothian Divisions.
There is, of course, far more than just league titles to play for in amateur football and clubs will be busy contesting the Scottish Cup, Bathroom Planet East of Scotland Cup, Logan Cup, Miller Cup, Challenge Cup, Anderson Cup, Blaikie Cup, Victory Cup, Cairns Cup, Holyrood Cup, Dunedin Cup, Robertson Cup and Brunton Cup. The L&EAFA will be taking up its two bookings for the new synthetic pitch at Saughton Park on Saturdays and competitive fixtures, including cup ties, will be played on this surface.
LOTHIAN & EDINBURGH AMATEUR FASeason 2008-09Premier Division: Uphall Station, Armadale Athletic, Blackridge, Bo'ness Amateurs, Edinburgh University, Liberton AVU, Newcraighall Leith Vics, Preston Athletic, Redhall Star, Seaforth Highlanders, Spartans.
Lothian West Division: Addiewell Hearts, BoS Strollers, Balbairdie Vale, Balerno Athletic, Bridgend United, Burndale United, Caledonian Highlanders, Meadow Star, West Pilton.
Lothian Edinburgh Division: Fernieside, Glenpark Thistle, Heriot Vale, Lochend Amateurs, Pilton Albion, St Bernard's, Scottish Widows, Tartan, Tynecastle Star, Watt Star and Whitson Star.
Lothian East Division: Dalkeith MW, Edinburgh Rose, Gorebridge Thistle, Loanhead MW, Lothian Thistle, Musselburgh Amateurs, NCB, Newtongrange Star, Pathhead, Penicuik United.
Edinburgh West Division: Bathgate Athletic, Dynamo, East Calder United, Heriot-Watt, Lauriston Thistle, Linlithgow Thistle, Livithistle AFC, Livingston AFC, Ratho Athletic, West Lothian.
Edinburgh Central: Alba Athletic, Cabrera Athletic, Argyle, Civil Service Strollers, Dunedin Athletic, Leith Star Athletic, Melville Rovers, Napier University, Sandy's, Silverknowes Vale, Standard Life.
Edinburgh East Division: Barca-Milton AFC, Breck Hermitage, Civil Service, Danderhall MW, East Linton, Edinburgh South, Haddington Athletic, North Berwick, Redpath Albion, Tollcross Thistle.
The full article contains 428 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
