User:Zadora13/Edmonton Scottish

The Edmonton Scottish Soccer Club, better known as Edmonton Scottish, is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Founded in 1907, the club has participated in League1 Alberta since its inaugural exhibition season in 2023 while also competing continuously in the Alberta Major Soccer League (AMSL) since 1992. Additionally, the club fields reserve squads and adult teams across several leagues within the Edmonton and District Soccer Association (EDSA), and enters both arena soccer and futsal teams across the winter months. The teams train at the Edmonton Soccer Dome and play home matches at Hamish Black Field, both of which are located at Grant MacEwan Park in the Ellerslie area of southeast Edmonton.

In 2016, Edmonton Scottish completed the amateur domestic treble, capping off an undefeated season by winning the Challenge Trophy to become Canada Soccer national champions for the first time — having previously finished as runners-up in 1992, 2012, and 2015. They are eight-time AMSL league winners and thirteen-time provincial champions, capturing the Bennett Shield in 1913 and the Alberta Soccer Challenge Cup a total of twelve times since 1972. The club was inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame in 2019 as an Organisation of Distinction, and in 2021 it was announced that they have formed a semi-professional team and would begin seeking entry to an interprovincial league – eventually joining the League1 Canada pyramid in 2023.

The club is affiliated with nine-time Jubilee Trophy champions, Edmonton Angels.

Early years (1907–1920)


After establishing the Caledonian Society in 1906, local Scotsmen organized the Edmonton Caledonians Athletic Club on April 11, 1907 to play in the Edmonton City Football League Series. The Caledonians played their first-ever match on May 13, 1907 against St. Paul's Football Club on the Second Street Grounds, losing 2–1. Two days later, the Caledonians would get their first-ever win, defeating the All Saints Recreation Club 2–1 led by goals from Patterson and Hope.

In 1908 after a successful league campaign that saw the Caledonians emerge as league champions with a 5–0–1 record in their 6 matches, they traveled in order to play the Calgary Callies for the first-ever Bennett Shield, ultimately losing 1–0 at St. Mary's Ground in Calgary. The Caledonians would suffer a similar fate in the 1909 season, winning the league but falling to the Calgary Callies once more. More success would come in 1910 and 1912, with the Caledonians winning the League Series in both years and also capturing 1912's Charity Shield; history would, unfortunately, repeat itself as the Calgary Callies would defeat the Edmonton champions for the Bennett Shield a third time in 1912.

After winning their 5th league title in 6 years, a provincial banner would finally come to the Caledonians in 1913. On October 4, 1913, the Scots would win the Bennett Shield over the Calgary Callies at Diamond Park in Edmonton by a score of 2–0 behind two goals from Dan Tweedale. The Caledonians would also defend their Charity Shield less than two weeks later, giving them the distinction of having captured a trophy in every competition they entered in 1913.

Winning results would continue through 1914, with the Caledonians becoming city league holders for the 6th time in 7 years. However, with many Caledonian players called to active duty in the 49th and 51st battalions during World War I, soccer activities would be put on hiatus through 1920.

Post World War I (1921–1936)
Edmonton Caledonians soccer would return in 1921, with the club seeing success in the inaugural Dragoon Cup, winning 4–1 in a second replay against the Great War Veterans on November 12, 1921. Following a second-place league finish in 1922, the club would play unremarkable football for several seasons until a turn of form in the late '20s saw them win three consecutive Vets-Martin trophies from 1925 to 1927, in addition to back-to-back Dragoon Cups in 1926 and 1927.

As a result of having players sent off for fighting against CN Railways in the 1928 Dragoon Cup final, the Caledonians' management declared they would not participate in their final league match of the season due to insurance purposes, costing the squad a chance at that year's title and earning club management a two-year suspension from football. At least five players would transfer away from the Caledonians as a result, leading to a last-place league finish in 1929. The Callies would begin the new decade with cup final losses in 1930 and 1931, before resuming their winning ways by capturing the 1933 Dragoon Cup.

An opportunity for the Caledonians to challenge for a provincial title after a 9-year absence would manifest in 1935, but they would find themselves on the wrong side of a 2–0 scoreline as the Lethbridge Supinas would capture that year's cup. A final glimpse at a triumph in the '30s would come by way of the 1936 Vets-Martin Cup, but following a loss in the final to the Civics and a dwindling interest in soccer, the club found itself being reorganized as a result of the amalgamation of the Caledonian Society and St. Andrew’s Women's Association into a new society within the year.

A new Society (1937–1956)
With the formation of the Edmonton Scottish Society in 1937, the Edmonton Caledonians would reorganize as the Edmonton Scottish Soccer Club. As the Edmonton Civics could not participate in provincial or dominion championships without another team to compete against in Edmonton, it was determined by EDFA that they would play against the newly-formed Edmonton Scottish team in a preliminary round, one-match playoff on June 30, 1937, with the winner proceeding through to the Alberta semifinals against the Drumheller All-Stars. Despite high expectations, the new team's first match would end up as a 6–2 loss against the Civics.

On May 31, 1939, a touring team of Scottish Oxford Groupers came through Alberta and played an all-star team consisting of players from Calgary Callies, Drumheller, Edmonton Civics, and Edmonton Scottish. This would be the last time any Edmonton Scottish players would see the pitch for nearly 18 years, as many of the men would be called to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces overseas during World War II — organized play would be suspended, with the club only resuming in 1957.

Edmonton Scottish SC (1957–1971)
Soccer at Edmonton Scottish would return in 1957, with the team playing in the EDFA first division and appointing Bill Hughes as a player-manager. The team would begin their season on a winning note, with two straight wins to reach the semifinals of the 1957 Dragoon Cup; a 5–0 win over 1st DFC Victoria on May 11, 1957 and a 1–0 win over Excelsior II on May 15, 1957. After playing a 16-match regular season, Edmonton Scottish would finish 7th out of 10 in the league table with a respectable 7–3–7 record, and Bill Hughes would be named EDFA's Player of the Year for 1957.

The Scots would start off their 1958 campaign on a winning foot, capturing the Dragoon Cup over the Princess Pats at Clarke Stadium on May 31, 1958 by a score of 3–2. Following a poor league campaign that saw them finish in 5th of 8 teams, Edmonton Scottish would cap off the year by lifting the Germania Cup over the Montgomery Legion 3–1 on November 2, 1958.

In 1959, Edmonton Scottish announced they would be joining the Alberta Intercity Soccer League (AISL). Despite a strong start to their campaign, the Tartans would fall short in the 1959 Dragoon Cup Final vs. 1st DFC Victoria, and would finish a disappointing last place in the league. The season was not without its silverware, however as Edmonton Scottish would be awarded a trophy for best sportsmanship. The '60s would start off very similarly to the 1959 season, but this time the Scots would win the Dragoon Cup over 1st DFC Victoria. However, the team's league troubles would continue as they would finish last and would need to win a playdown series against the Princess Pats in order to keep their place within the AISL for the next season.

A third consecutive last-place finish would occur in 1961, but the Tartans would remain unchallenged in playdowns as the AISL expanded to 10 teams for the upcoming season, then dissolved — only to return for 1963. Even with a depleted roster with the formation of the Western Canada Soccer League, results would finally come to Scottish in 1963: finishing second in the AISL's league table and winning the Dragoon Cup; albeit, losing in their defence of it a year later.

Following two years of success, 1965 saw the AISL fold again, meaning a return to local competitions for the Scots. They would then join the Stadium Soccer League in 1966, playing in the league until 1970 before it folded ahead of an unsuccessful 1971 season.

Arrival of Hamish Black (1972–1996)
With the Edmonton Eagles of the Western Canada Soccer League folding in 1971, a number of players, including superstar Hamish Black, would join Scottish to continue playing within the city. With a strong lineup, Scottish would win the province's Challenge Cup, earning a berth in the 1972 Challenge Trophy, where they would eventually lose to the New Westminster Blues in Western qualifying. Despite not qualifying for the tournament proper, the Scots would win two local titles, capturing the Klondike Cup and the city league title.

Success would continue for Scottish in 1973, as they would go on an impressive undefeated run, winning the Dragoon Cup, the Carling O'Keefe invitational tournament, and the city's league title. Black would go on to also win the scoring title that year, but would then break his leg in early 1974 — never donning the Tartans' strip again, and instead, taking over the coaching helm from Canada Soccer Hall of Fame manager, Bill Gilhespy.


 * two year streak broken during indoor play (470667774), lose in 1974 Challenge Cup and Klondike Cup finals (481926025)(471069267), third in league play (471061565), add Harold Hansen from nat'l team (471111761)
 * AMSL announced for 1975 season (471104886), Joe Petrone added from CAN nat'l team (471304405) and Geoff Bird from AUS nat'l team (471137818), remain undefeated the whole season (481326497), win league (471972573)
 * Handed first ever AMSL loss in 1976 (729640481), poor start at bottom of table (729635207), lose in Challenge Cup final (729636716) but win league cup (729624673)
 * Led league for majority of season in 1977 (471292821) but came up short against Springer-Kickers (471545627)
 * All-stars played Hibs in 1978 (471545035), win league cup to begin season (471550769) only silverware
 * Shaun Lowther joins Drillers and Man Utd in 1979 (471915403), Scottish win Challenge Cup (471762515), win vs Regina Concordia 4–1 but lose in Challenge Trophy qualifier vs Winnipeg Tatra (495847581)
 * Scottish win league, AMSL folds after 1980 season in favour of North-South league (482733693)

Semi-professional pathway (2021–present)
In 2023, they will participate in a League1 Alberta exhibition series before the league launches in 2024.

Grant MacEwan Park
As part of a 1967 Centennial project, the Edmonton Scottish Society acquired a 20-acre parcel of ancestral land in the Ellerslie neighbourhood of Edmonton — an area that had been previously settled by Scots, dating back to as early as 1895. Constructing six soccer fields and a fully fixtured soccer pavilion for its senior teams on the property, the society would officially open the park in 1970 and name it after Lieutenant Governor Grant MacEwan.

In 2018, the grounds were named in the United 2026 FIFA World Cup bid as a potential team base camp. In 2019, plans to build a new, 2200 m2 banquet hall and clubhouse (including twelve changing rooms, a bar, and a restaurant) were announced, with further plans to build a microstadium revealed in 2021.

Hamish Black Field
Located within Grant MacEwan Park, Hamish Black Field is a natural grass pitch that measures 105 m long by 73 m wide, serves as the home field for Edmonton Scottish teams, and has often been regarded as the best pitch in the city. For ticketed matches such as the 2021 Summer Series, the club sets up beer gardens and brings in temporary seating, increasing the capacity to 1,612 spectators.

Edmonton Soccer Dome
In October 2018, construction was completed on the Edmonton Soccer Dome, a CA$7 million air-supported structure that features a FieldTurf CORE artificial turf playing surface. Located in Grant MacEwan Park, the dome is the club's primary training facility and is occasionally used for matches that may have otherwise been impacted by inclement weather.

Rivalries
Since 1907, the Callies, and later Edmonton Scottish, have maintained three distinct rivalries. Most prominently, the club has had a century-long rivalry with their Scottish Battle of Alberta counterparts, the Calgary Callies, and throughout the 1950s, developed a cross-city rivalry with 1st DFC Victoria following consecutive meetings in Dragoon Cup Finals. A third rivalry with Edmonton Ital-Canadians emerged in the 1970s, with the teams often competing for league titles in EDSA, and later the first iteration of AMSL.

Tartan Army
Supporters of Edmonton Scottish are known collectively as the tartan army. For ticketed matches, they are joined by the Clan MacNaughton pipe band, who provide a guard of honour as teams walk onto the pitch.

Highland Herd Crew
In 2023, an independent group of ultras called the Highland Herd Crew was founded by Scottish supporters to cheer on its League1 Alberta and AMSL squads. Occupying the west stands of Hamish Black Field, they quickly became known for their drumming, use of smoke grenades, and tifo displays.

Team colours and crest
Edmonton Scottish SC's crest is inspired by the crest worn by Scotland's national soccer team. A roundel encloses a shield, with the words "Edmonton Scottish Soccer Club" written around the outside. In the shield's background lays a lion rampant surrounded by 11 thistle, representing the national flower of Scotland and the number of players on a soccer pitch. The club's official colours are Big Stone Blue and Polo Blue, which symbolize loyalty, strength, trust, and their connection to Scotland, as well as Maroon Flush, which pays homage to the autumn colours of the nearby Ewing Trail tree tunnel.

Kits and sponsorship
Beginning in 2009, Edmonton Scottish have signed deals with specific kit manufacturers, with Macron currently supplying the club until at least 2024. The club wore Scotland replica kits throughout the '80s and '90s, but have since moved back to their traditional dark blue shirts with white shorts and white socks as its home kit — reversing the colours for its change strip.

Having previously partnered with local businesses, the club has gone without shirt or sleeve sponsors since moving to Macron in 2019.

The club has permanently retired number 20 in honour of midfielder Chris Kooy, who died from colon cancer in 2020.

Current staff

 * 🇨🇦 John Pegg – Head Coach
 * 🇨🇦 James Black – Assistant Coach
 * 🇨🇦 Andrzej Zadora – Assistant Coach

Notable players
This is a list of players who have played for a national team or have played professionally, either before or after joining Edmonton Scottish.

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tomi Ameobi

• 🇨🇦 James Black

• 🇨🇦 Chance Carter

• 🇨🇦 Michael Cox

• 🇨🇦 André Duberry

• 🇵🇱 Waldemar Dutra

• 🇧🇦 Amer Halilić

• 🇨🇦 Paul Hamilton

• 🇨🇦 Harold Hansen

• 🇨🇦 Connor James

• 🇨🇦 Chris Kooy

• 🇨🇦 Matt Lam

• 🇨🇦 Sam Lam

• 🇨🇦 Chris Lemire

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Shaun Lowther

• Ousman Maheshe

•  Gordon Menzies

• 🇬🇭 Edem Mortotsi

• 🇨🇦 Dylon Powley

• 🇨🇦 Niko Saler

• 🇨🇦 Ajeej Sarkaria

• 🇬🇾 Marcus Simmons

• 🇸🇻 Marcus Velado-Tsegaye

• 🇨🇦 Kyle Yamada

Scottish United
Founded in 2004, Scottish United serves as the youth extension of Edmonton Scottish. Among the inaugural recipients of the Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence, its youth teams compete in the Alberta Youth Soccer League (AYSL) and within the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association (EMSA). Many of the senior squad's players coach within the youth system, and as of 2022, its youth teams encompass over 1,200 players — with over 40% of the female teams in the Greater Edmonton Area playing for the club.

Players training in the youth stream receive MLS homegrown player benefits and are generally eligible to play for the first team or reserve squads as youth trialists by age 16. In recent years, Scottish United players have gone on to trial in the Canadian Premier League, joined Whitecaps FC Academy, signed with ACAC and U Sports universities, played internationally, or have graduated from youth soccer to the senior club's League1, AMSL, or EDSA teams.

Broadcasting
In order to provide programming to its members during the COVID-19 pandemic, Edmonton Scottish began its own free, in-house streaming service called Fitba.TV along with its youth affiliate, Scottish United in 2020. While the club has since began using its Fitba.TV service to broadcast its 2021 Summer Series home matches, its AMSL matches are live-streamed by CFN Media.

Honours
{{flex columns
 * 1 = {{heading|National competitions|2}}


 * Challenge Trophy
 * Winners (1): 2016
 * Runners-up (3): 1992, 2012, 2015

League titles

 * Alberta Major Soccer League (present)
 * Winners (8): 1994, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2022, 2023
 * Runners-up (8): 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2014, 2019


 * Alberta Major Soccer League (1975–1980)
 * Winners (2): 1975, 1980


 * Alberta Intercity Soccer League (1959–1964)
 * Runners-up (1): 1963

Cups

 * Bennett Shield
 * Winners (1): 1913
 * Runners-up (4): 1908, 1909, 1912, 1926


 * Campbell Cup
 * Runners-up (1): 1935


 * Jack Bushnell League Cup
 * Runners-up (3): 2000, 2002, 2003


 * John Dolan League Cup
 * Winners (2): 1976, 1978


 * Mike Traficante Challenge Cup
 * Winners (12): 1972, 1979, 1987, 1992, 1996, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023
 * Runners-up (7): 1974, 1976, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2010, 2022


 * 2 =
 * Alberta Soccer Golden Shoe
 * Winners (3): 1992, 2012, 2016

League titles

 * Edmonton City Football League Series
 * Winners (6): 1908, 1909, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914


 * Edmonton Senior League Championship
 * Runners-up (3): 1922, 1926, 1927

Cups and tournaments

 * Carling O'Keefe Trophy
 * Winners (1): 1973


 * Charity Shield
 * Winners (4): 1912, 1913, 1924, 1927
 * Runners-up (1): 1928


 * Dragoon Cup
 * Winners (11): 1921, 1926, 1927, 1933, 1934, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1973, 1974, 1975
 * Runners-up (5): 1925, 1928, 1930, 1959, 1964


 * Germania Cup
 * Winners (1): 1958


 * Klondike Cup
 * Winners (1): 1972
 * Runners-up (1): 1974


 * Vets-Martin Trophy
 * Winners (3): 1925, 1926, 1927
 * Runners-up (4): 1928, 1931, 1934, 1936

}}

Year-by-year
† Prior to 1995, two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw