Eastenders

Saturday 9th August 2014
Oban Saints AFC v Tynecastle AFC
Pre-season Friendly
Glencruitten 2
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott

Saints face their final pre-season test on Saturday with the visit to Glencruitten of top Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League side Tynecastle AFC. Established in 1978 Tynecastle hail originally from Tynecastle Street in Glasgow's East end and with thirty four completed seasons are their league's longest serving current members. Since joining what was then known as the Civil Service League for the 1978/79 season Tynecastle have notched up 4 league titles and 3 cup successes. After a nip and tuck league campaign last season Tynecastle eventually finished runner-up to undefeated champions Whitefield Rovers. Missing out on the title by just three points Tynecastle's only league defeat came in their final match of the campaign at the hands of the eventual champions. Tynecastle also narrowly missed out on silverware in the Challenge Cup Final losing 4 - 2 after extra time to Blochairn Star. However in a re-match in the Tommy Marshall Trophy Tynecastle avenged this defeat to ensure that the didn't end an excellent season trophyless.

Tynecastle AFC Roll of Honour:-

1989/90 Division 2A Champions (promoted)
1995/96 Division 1 Champions (promoted)
2005/06 Strathclyde Cup Winners
2008/09 Premier Division Champions
2010/11 Premier Division Champions
2011/12 Strathclyde Cup Winners
2013/14 Tommy Marshall Trophy Winners

Tynecastle AFC Tommy Marshall Trophy Winners 2013 - 14

Tynecatle have lead a slightly nomadic existence with spells playing at, amongst others, Greenfield, St John's, Cranhill School, Garthamlock School, Mount Ellen and Westwood. They currently play their home matches at Lochend Community High School, Easterhouse which is approximately 2.5 miles from their spiritual home in Tynecastle Street.

Tynecastle AFC in league action against Shawbridge at Lochend Community High School

Tynecastle have drawn all three of their pre-season games so far against F.C. Baillieston of the Glasgow Sunday Amateur Football League, Maryhill Thistle of the Glasgow Colleges Football Association Premier Division and Mearns Amateurs of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A.

Ross Maitland in action against Busby last season

Saints will be without injury victims Donald Campbell, Dene Cassells and Paul Kerr but on a more positive note Ross Maitland is now back in training and will join up with what will be a strong Saints squad. This is Manager Iain Jackson's final opportunity to assess his squad in match conditions before the season starts in earnest so once again everybody will get some game time. With a host of new faces added to the squad competition for starting places is sure to be fierce which bodes well for the season ahead. Saturday's opponents Tynecastle boast a number of former professionals and top amateur players among their playing and coaching staff which will provide another stiff test for the Saints boys against highly experienced opposition.

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