AC Oxgangs CFC Homepage

Scottish FA return to football routemap
(click on image to view/download larger version 175kb)

The routemap for the return to football has been released to reflect the Scottish Government's proposed routemap out of lockdown. It outlines the proposed plan for training, match play and travel for children, young people and adults.

Say hello to little sister Niamh
Ewan of our 2011s - the smile on his face says it all - that's one proud big brother!

Congratulations to the players, team officials and parents of our U14s who have reached the
final of the Pilmar Smith Cup!

Club Equality & Diversity Policy

Click on the logo to view/download the Policy(700 KB PDF)

Click on the logo to visit the
Show Racism the Red Card
website

On 27 September our 2010s played their first game since the lockdown began back in March!
It’s heartwarming to see local businesses continuing to dig deep in these difficult times
to help youngsters keep active – there’s little doubt every one of our 2010s appreciates
the generosity shown by their new kit sponsor ...

Atlantic Seafish

Click on the logo to visit their website

Our 2007s are extremely grateful to Ally Menzies, owner of Weemans Drive-In Cinema,
for his kind sponsorship of their new training kit.

Click on the logo to visit their website and discover how you can get back
to the cinema whilst staying safe and socially distant!

Club Statement - Resumption of Training

Further to recent developments and not least the latest Edinburgh Leisure Update, the committee would like to update you on our thinking and approach.

Health & Wellbeing
Firstly, we recognise absolutely the physical and mental wellbeing issues associated with getting the kids out on the grass together as soon as possible.

And in preparation for this you are asked to familiarise yourself with the latest SYFA guidelines of the 13th July:
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-board-approve-partial-lifting-of-training-restrictions/?rid=13929

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football-development/return-to-football-hub/children-and-young-people/

Please note, under these provisions, first aiders can only administer emergency first aid. Clubs must ensure parents are made aware of this ahead of any formal training sessions. Should a player sustain a non-emergency/non-critical injury, the player’s parent or guardian must be contacted immediately by the club officials present.

Logistics
Secondly, we would like to be able to recommence covid-secure compliant training as soon as we can, but cannot really proceed in any formal sense until we get the green light from the council.

Finance
Along with the green-light from the council will be a renewed demand by them for pitch/let hire etc and when this begins, the club will also need to resume the collection of Subs.

Next Steps
I guess that we will all just have to be patient for the moment but nimble too, so that we can get the kids back as soon as is reasonably possible. So with that in mind and until we are able as a committee to update you again, there is much that you can do to familiarise yourself with the crucial Covid requirements.

Kind regards,
AC Oxgangs Committee

It’s tippy-toes for everyone as we move to Phase 1 of the latest
Scottish Government measures.
But there’s little doubt the clear message from our 2011s remains the same ...

STAY SAFE!

A Very Welcome Message From Our 2009s!

Thanks to the Kelly family we have have some photos of our founding team from 2001.

Click on the image to view more!



Coronavirus Outbreak - Temporary Suspension of all Training Sessions The Club has decided to temporarily suspend all training activities, at all age-groups, for the next two weeks (16-29 March), after which the situation will be reviewed based on NHS/SFA guidelines. Future updates will be posted here and on our social media pages.

Coronavirus Outbreak - Suspension of Fixtures The Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA) can confirm that as per the Scottish FA and SPFL joint response group update, all football has been suspended until further notice. For the avoidance of doubt, this suspension applies to all football matches under the SYFA’s jurisdiction. The full statement can be read below: The Joint Response Group can confirm the decision of the Scottish FA Board to suspend ALL domestic professional and grassroots football under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA until further notice. As a result, the SPFL has announced the postponement of this weekend’s and following midweek’s fixtures, starting with tonight’s Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen and the Championship match between Queen of the South and Ayr United. The Scottish FA and SPFL will continue to liaise with governments and UEFA in relation to domestic, European and International fixtures in the coming days and more information will be communicated at the appropriate time. The Scottish FA Board made its decision in the interests of the health and safety of players, match officials, staff, supporters and the general public. Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “Since the guidance outlined by governments last night we have been engaged in extensive dialogue to clarify the position and implications of that guidance for Scottish football. “Today’s announcement is made in the interests of public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game. This is of paramount importance as the country enters the ‘delay’ phase of the coronavirus pandemic. “It is also why the Scottish FA is compelled to ensure that the suspension is cascaded through the non-professional and grassroots games until further notice.” Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “As everyone knows, this is a fast-moving and unprecedented situation for the entire country. “We have been in intensive and detailed discussions since last night and have also been taking on board the experience of our counterparts in England and across Europe. As a result, the board of the SPFL has agreed this morning that all league fixtures this weekend and next midweek will be postponed until further notice. “The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount. We have not yet had any confirmed cases of Coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time. “We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.” Kind regards, Florence Witherow National Secretary Scottish Youth FA Hampden Park G42 9BF





Read Youth Football Scotland's feature on our 2009s as they look forward to an exciting trip to Barcelona in 2020! Many thanks to Calum McCaffery of YFS and to coaches Stevie, Danny, the players and their families & friends for organising and fundraising for a trip that will, without doubt, be memorable for all concerned. http://www.youthfootballscotland.co.uk/component/k2/item/21047-barcelona-2020-ac-oxgangs-excited-for-spanish-adventure.html


U14s Paladin Cup Winners Season 2018/19 AC Oxgangs CFC 4-1 Peebles FC Monday 20 May 2019 at Peffermill Click on the above photo for more pictures from the celebrations! (and choose the 'News/Photos' tab) Congratulation from everyone at the club to the players, supporters and coaches!

Click on the above image to view a selection of photos (and choose the 'News/Photos' tab) Our 2009s travelled down to Skegness for the weekend of 3-6 May 2019 to participate in their first ever competitive tournament and the boys certainly represented themselves and their club in a manner to be proud of. It was a very tough tournament, playing against lads a year older than them, but that did not faze the 2009s one bit - they all put in 100% and tried their very best. Watching them celebrate their goals and match win as a team was great to see. It topped off a great end to the weekend being crowned Fair Play Award Winners for the Under 10 age group - well deserved winners! Win, lose or draw the boys always had good sportsmanship which is so important in football. The most important thing is the boys thoroughly enjoyed the weekend away and had so much fun together as a team. Well done boys, both your coaches are proud of you. Stevie & Danny

A really excited bunch of our 2009s are heading off to their first ever tournament this weekend. Good luck to the coaches and the boys and remember to have fun at the SCI Skegness Mitre Ultimatch Cup!

Our new 2012s (U7s) played in their first organised football event (ESSDA Football 4s) against other teams on Sunday 11 March 2019. Resplendent in their smart new kit, the boys were clearly excited to get their big adventure underway!

Click on the image to view the latest edition (950KB PDF)

*Our 2007s Reds* worked extremely hard to ensure they had a very successful bag packing fundraiser at the weekend - thanks to all the customers and staff at Tesco Colinton Mains for their support! Coaches Andy and Stephen have ordered new training footballs and ACO t-shirts.**

Our 2009s are delighted to announce a very generous sponsorship donation from Gentleman Jack's Barbers After fine-tuning their skills for a couple of seasons playing 'Super 5s' the boys are now gearing up for their first full season playing 'Soccer 7s'. Gentleman Jacks' contribution will ensure the squad isn't wanting for the latest training and matchday kit! It's terrific to see a local business helping our players and coaches realise their sporting dreams - just don't forget who helped you along the way when you sign for our namesakes AC Milan in the not too distant future!

Our 2004s had the honour of participating in the opening ceremony of the new Aldi Oxgangs store. Aldi also kindly provided sponsorship for the team. The boys were welcomed by Aldi's Area Sales Manager Stephen Donaldson and Store Manager Robert Lawson and they took pride of place alongside local councillor Scott Arthur and Team GB curler Vickie Adams. Special mention to 2004s parent and former ACO coach Rod Smith who liaised with Aldi’s representative Luci Cockayne to make it a memorable day for all concerned! Click on the above photo to see the full gallery - and choose the 'News/Photos' tab.

Our 2007 Blues are pleased to announce a generous sponsorship contribution from the directors of Howdengrange Financial Services Ltd - money is tight in youth football these days and Howdengrange have once again contributed to the Club having sponsored our 2004s. A set of new strips and some much needed training equipment is no doubt on their shopping list. Howdengrange Financial Service Ltd are based at 109/12a Swanston Road, Edinburgh EH10 7DS Tel. 0845 475 6678

	Update Please help improve our pitches and keep everyone safe by contacting the Council ... Thanks to the efforts of one of our ACO Mums we have a new contact at the Council who has pledged to focus the efforts of Wardens and Park Rangers on Colinton Mains Park to combat the dog fouling problem. Please continue to be vigilant and immediately report your concerns by phone or email to the Council:- Craig Dunlop Parks & Greenspace Officer City of Edinburgh Council 0131 527 3806 craig.dunlop@edinburgh.gov.uk ********************* In common with many pitches up and down the country Colinton Mains Park is often plagued by dog fouling. We are determined to stamp this out and our Committee often contact the Councils' Environmental Wardens with a view to increasing patrols to catch the owners who are responsible for this anti-social, offensive and potentially harmful conduct ... but we need your help! The Council has advised that their Environmental Wardens operate a complaints based Tracking System. This means that the more complaints they receive on a regular basis about a specific problem, the more attention it's given. If few complaints are made then there's the possibility the issue will drop off their radar. Can we therefore ask all users of the pitches at Colinton Mains, be it a parent, player, coach or spectator, to contact the Council on every occasion they come across dog fouling on the pitches and surrounding areas. It would also help if you mention that your concern relates to footballing activities. With the help of the Council we can all work together to catch the culprits and make our home ground a safer and more pleasant place for everyone concerned.

We all know that juggling your commitments these days is difficult to say the least, however we would like everyone to spend just a minute of their time looking at the words in this image. As a club we are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with ’other interests’ and as a consequence more of our games are having to be conceded due to a lack of squad numbers. This has been particularly prevalent at the start of this season and the loss of points, as well as being forced to concede cup ties, is no doubt having an impact on the morale of several of our squads and that includes players, coaches and parents alike. To give you an example of how unexpected withdrawals from a squad can impact others consider this – let’s assume 3 or 4 players decide they can’t play and we are forced to call off a game. That no doubt leaves quite a number of ACO players/parents frustrated that they have no game to enjoy. Add to the mix the opposition players, coaches and parents and all-in these 3 or 4 withdrawals have affected, in all probability, at least 50 individuals. Understandably, those who are prepared to commit themselves to the Club become disillusioned and may eventually look elsewhere for regular football. There are also the financial implications on the club to consider given that pitch hire and refereeing costs have to be met in part or full depending on the timing of the cancellation. We fully understand that there are occasions during the season when you simply cannot avoid missing either training or a game, however we ask that your other commitments take a back seat and priority is given to your team mates and coaches if there’s a clash of interests. Remember the facts – a call off can impact up to 50 individuals, the clubs’ reputation can be damaged, there are cost implications and points/ties lost and most importantly of all your team mates are being denied the opportunity to enjoy a sport they clearly love to be part of. Let’s change things – let’s put AC Oxgangs first!


	The SFA has published a useful guide to pre and post match nutrition aimed at players of all age-groups. Download the PDF version (475kB) by clicking on the thumbnail.

We now have some useful information and user instructions for the defibrillator! Click on the above image to visit our help page.

click to view Full-Size (228KB)

The Official AC Oxgangs FC Free App is Now Available! The AC Oxgangs App will keep you up-to-date with news, events, fixtures, results, league tables, photos and much more. To get the full features of our App you need to download Team App to your smartphone or tablet. Download it HERE (http://teamapp.com/app) - it's 100% free. Launch Team App and search for AC Oxgangs FC then ... Sign-up to Team App. You'll be sent an email from Team App to confirm your registration Search for our App and request access to group(s) that apply to you. One of our App admin team will approve your request as soon as possible Alternatively, you can sign up and view all app content online on the website version at https://acoxgangsfc.teamapp.com/ Spread the word! FLYER (350KB PDF)