Elgin City F.C.

Infobox Football club
clubname = Elgin City


fullname = Elgin City Football Club
nickname = City or The Black and Whites
founded = 1893
ground = Borough Briggs
capacity = 3,927
chairman = flagicon|England Graham Tatters
manager = flagicon|Scotland Robbie Williamson
league = Scottish Third Division
season = 2007-08
position = Scottish Third Division, 6th
pattern_la1= _black_stripes|pattern_b1= _blackstripes|pattern_ra1= _black_stripes
leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=FFFFFF
pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=FFFF40|body2=FFFF40|rightarm2=FFFF40|shorts2=4169E1|socks2=FFFF40

Elgin City Football Club (also known as City or The Black and Whites) are a professional association football team based in Elgin, Moray. They currently compete in the Scottish Football League Third Division.

The club were formed in 1893 due to the amalgamation of two clubs from Moray. The club's first honour came in 1898 when they became the first club outside Inverness to win the North of Scotland Cup, they however failed after that to record any success except the Elgin District Cup, until 1923 when they again won the North of Scotland Cup, since then they have won honours with relative frequency.

Elgin City have played at Borough Briggs since 1921 when it replaced Station Park. The ground currently has a capacity of 3,927 (478 seated).

History

Elgin City Football Club was formed on the 10 August 1893, when Elgin Rovers and Vale of Lossie amalgamated to form the new club. The club played its first competitive match on the 7th October 1893, defeating another Elgin side, Rangers Athletic 4-2 in a North of Scotland Cup 1st round tie at Association Park, Elgin vice-captain John Christie scored the new club's first goal.

On the 31 July 1895 the club gained membership of the Highland Football League, and on the 28 September 1895, played its first match in the League, defeating Citadel 7–2 at Milnfield Park, Elgin, when Bob Hamilton netted four goals!

On the 2 August 1898, the club joined the SFA, and on 10th December 1898, they became the first club outside Inverness to capture the North of Scotland Cup, when they defeated Clachnacuddin 2–1 at Kingsmills Park, Inverness.

In March 1899, former City player R.C. Hamilton (Rangers) won the first of his eleven Scotland caps. Over the next ten years City struggled in the Highland League, and actually resigned in 1900, but returned in 1902 (after two years in the Banffshire League), the only successes were in the Elgin District Cup, which was won in 1904, 1906 and 1908.

The club qualified for the Scottish Cup three seasons in a row 1908, 1909, 1910 (the first Highland League club to achieve this) prior to World War I, but went out in the first round to Dunblane (3–8), Motherwell (1–6) and St. Mirren (0–8) respectively.

In 1909 a new ground - Station Park was opened, and the 1909–10 season saw the club come close to their first Highland League title, but lost 2–1 to Inverness Thistle in a championship play-off (Replay) at Mosset Park, Forres, (after a 1–1 draw).

Up to 1915 the club had produced a number of players who had gone on to professional clubs in the Scottish and English Leagues such as R. C. Hamilton (Rangers, Fulham, Greenock Morton, Heart of Midlothian & Dundee), James Miller (Rangers, Port Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Bradford City & Aberdeen), James Gray (St Mirren & Celtic), John MacLachlan (Dundee & Aston Villa), Harry Anderson (Greenock Morton & Swindon Town), Billy Farquhar (Sunderland), Jimmy Low (Hearts), John Mackenzie (Rangers & Cowdenbeath)

With the resumption of football in 1919, the club had no ground, (as Station Park had been ploughed up for the war effort!) and only £14 in the bank, but were given use of the Cooper Park till a more suitable field could be found.

On 20 August 1921, Borough Briggs was opened, a 3–0 win over Citadel in a Highland League fixture was recorded.

In the 1920s the club had a better record in the Highland League, Runners-Up in 1922–23, and third in seasons 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26 & 1928–29. The Club qualified for the Scottish Cup four times, The City's first home tie with St Mirren in 1923 attracted a crowd of over 5,000. In 1927 Scottish Second Division side, Albion Rovers were beaten 1–0 in the first round, but Elgin went down 4–2 to Clyde in the second round. The North of Scotland Cup returned to Elgin after a 25 year wait in March 1924, when Inverness Thistle were defeated 3–2, with goals from skipper George "Rocky" Munro, and a brace from 16 year old Harry Bremner.

The 1930s provided Elgin with Highland League success at long last with titles in 1931–32 under the guidance of Bert MacLachlan and 1934–35 with Lachie McMillan as player/coach, they were also 2nd in 1930 & 1933, 3rd in 1937, 1938 & 1939. The Scottish Qualifying Cup was won twice in 1935 and 1937 with City defeating Blairgowrie on both occasions, the North of Scotland Cup was won in 1937 when Clachnacuddin were defeated 3–2.

After the 1939–45 conflict, it was to be as good losers that Elgin were noted for being, particularly in 1948–49 season, losing three major finals - League Cup, Qualifying Cup and North Cup, they finished 3rd in the League, a trip to Ibrox in the Scottish Cup resulted in a 6–1 defeat against Rangers before a 29,000 crowd.

Elgin were back at Ibrox again in 1952, and again lost 6–1 to the "Gers", this time the crowd was over 36,000. The Highland League title returned to Elgin in 1952–53 season, and again in 1955-56 (after a 3–2 play-off win over Buckie Thistle), North Cup wins were also recorded in 1955 and 1956 beating old rivals Caledonian on both occasions.

The 1960s provided Elgin City with seven Highland League titles, two League Cups, three Scottish Qualifying Cups and four North Cups as well as Scottish Cup glory never known by a Non-League club since before the first World War. The Scottish Cup runs of the 60s are still spoken about yet in the Laich o' Moray! 1960 - when Forfar were crushed 5–1, then only two late goals denied City a famous win over Celtic before 11,207 fans at Borough Briggs. 1961 - After a thrilling 2–2 draw with Airdrie before a 7,800 crowd, City then lost 2–0 under the floodlights at Broomfield Park in the replay.

1967 - 9,500 saw First Division, Ayr United beaten 2–0 at Borough Briggs, but City went down 7–0 to eventual European Champions - Celtic - before 34,000 at Parkhead. 1968 - wins over Albion Rovers 3–1, Forfar Athletic 3–1 and Arbroath 2-0 (before 12,650 crowd) see City in the Quarter finals, only to go down 2–1 at Cappielow to Greenock Morton.

The early 1970s also provided silverware, League Champions in 1970 and 1974, Scottish Qualifying Cup winners in 1970, North Cup winners in 1971, 1973 & 1976. Scottish cup runs also continued in 1971 - wins over Stenhousemuir and Berwick, before a 5–0 exit at Aberdeen. 1972 - wins over Stenhousemuir, Burntisland Shipyard and Caledonian before a crourd of 10,500 saw a 4–1 defeat by Kilmarnock. 1977 - Wins over Forfar and Stirling Albion, led to a third visit to meet Rangers at Ibrox, this time 3–0 defeat before 18,000 fans. 1979 saw the departure of Ian Wilson to Leicester City for a £20,000 fee, he was later capped by Scotland.

The 1980s saw a decline in Elgin's fortunes, Runners-up in the Highland League in 1983 & 1986, third place in 1981 & 1987. League Cup winners in 1982, Runners-up in 1985. Scottish Qualifying Cup Runners-up in 1981 and 1983, North of Scotland Cup winners in 1983 & 1989, Runners-up 1980. Alan Main went to Dundee United for £8,000.

1989-90 saw a major Elgin revival, treble of League title, Scottish Qualifying Cup and North Cup won, a Scottish Cup win over Arbroath, then defeat by Brechin. 1990–91 League Cup winners. 1992–93 League championship was stripped in the club's centenary year. Four barren years were ended in 1997 with a League Cup success, this was followed by North of Scotland Cup wins back to back in 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons. Transfers took John McGinlay (£25,000) to Shrewsbury Town and Mike Teasdale to Dundee (£32,000).

They were granted league status in 2000 when the SPL was expanded to twelve clubs leaving two places. Peterhead joined them in Division Three from the Highland League. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/elgin_city/808277.stm|title=Highland delight as Elgin get the vote|publisher=The BBC|date=2000-06-30] Since joining the SFL, Elgin have struggled with consistency, but in season 2003–04 they recaptured the North of Scotland Cup.

In December 2005, assistant manager Kenny Black saw a takeover bid thwarted at the eleventh hour. Many fans saw his bid as the best chance to move upward through the leagues, but a controversial sale of shares in the club meant Black's bid was defeated. David Robertson, manager at the time, also chose to leave the club. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/elgin_city/4492430.stm|title=Robertson & Black resign at Elgin|publisher=The BBC|date=02-12-2005] Club Captain at the time Jamie McKenzie was appointed caretaker Manager and a run of good results was rewarded with the Manager of the Month award for December 2005. At the time he was the youngest serving manager in the UK. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stirling_albion/4613728.stm|title=McKenzie wins monthly award|publisher=The BBC|date=2006-01-14]

Early in 2006, former Aberdeen, Ross County and Scotland international, Brian Irvine was appointed manager. However, following a very poor start to the 2006–07 season, he left the club despite having forged a good relationship with the fans. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/elgin_city/6173589.stm|title=Irvine set to step down at Elgin|publisher=The BBC|date=2006-12-12]

After a brief spell under interim manager Graham Tatters (during which they lost to Highland League Deveronvale in the Scottish Cup), former Clachnacuddin manager Robbie Williamson was appointed in January 2007. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/elgin_city/6251571.stm|title=Williamson becomes Elgin manager|publisher=The BBC|date=11-01-2007]

Current squad

"As of 6 October 2008."

Honours

Highland League Champions:(14) 1931/32, 1934/35, 1952/53, 1955/56, 1959/60, 1960/61, 1962/63, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1973/74, 1989/90

Highland League Cup:(5) 1959/60, 1966/67, 1982/83, 1990/91, 1997/98

Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners: (7) 1935/36, 1937/38, 1959/60, 1964/65, 1967/68, 1970/71, 1989/90

North of Scotland Cup Winners: (18) 1898/99, 1923/24, 1936/37, 1954/55, 1955/56, 1960/61, 1961/62, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1970/71, 1972/73, 1975/76, 1982/83, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2003/04

Club Records

Win: 18-1 v Brora Rangers on February 6 1960 (North of Scotland Challenge Cup)

Defeat: 1-14 v Hearts on February 2 1939 (Scottish Cup 1938-39)

Home attendance: 12,608 v Arbroath on February 17 1968 (Scottish Cup 1967-68)

Goalscorer: Willie Grant (348)

References

External links

* [http://www.elgincity.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.ecfcsupporterstrust.co.uk/ Supporters' trust website]