The Spartans FC History

After the disruptions to seasons 2019-20 and 2020-21 caused by the pandemic, season 2021-22 saw Spartans finish fifth in the Lowland League some 21 points behind champions, Bonnyrigg Rose.

The Board, coaching staff, players and fans all hoped that season 2022-23 would finally see the “holy grail” of promotion to the Scottish Professional Football League (“SPFL”) achieved.

The evening of Wednesday 9th November 2022 is generally accepted as a key turning point in the season. On a dark, dreich night at Forthbank Stadium, Spartans played poorly in a 3-0 loss to the University of Stirling for the club’s fifth league defeat. Conventional wisdom was that this was probably the most games any club could lose and still win the league. Remaining unbeaten in its final 19 league games, the title was won at Ainslie Park with a narrow 1-0 win over Cowdenbeath with a game to spare.

First up in the play offs were Highland League champions, Brechin City and, before a crowd of just over 2,000, ten man Spartans scored a last minute Blair Henderson goal to take a slender lead to Glebe Park seven days later. In a thrilling game, Spartans were edged out 3-2 on the day but prevailed in the penalty shoot out with keeper Blair Carswell the hero as he saved two penalties in the spot kick decider which was won 4-3.

Just one more hurdle remained – “Club 42”, Albion Rovers. A close first leg at Ainslie Park in front of another fantastic crowd of over 2,100 saw the sides play out a 1-1 draw. Seven days later in Coatbridge and history was made as Spartans promotion to the SPFL was clinched thanks to a first half Blair Henderson penalty in front of a sell out crowd of 1,200.
Sadly, as for many clubs the length and breadth of the country, the season was brought to a premature end due to the global Covid 19 pandemic. The league took the decision to declare Kelty Hearts as champions based on points per game, per league standings, as at the time of the cessation of football on 13 March 2020. Spartans had been sitting in fifth position with 49 points from the 25 games played.

Season 2019-20 saw the club kick off against a Liverpool under 23 side to celebrate ten years at Ainslie Park. A bumper crowd of 1,975 watched the game and caught a glimpse of some of the Liverpool stars of the future – including Neco Williams who would go on to feature as a starter in both the FA Cup and English Premier League later in the season; and, Rhys Williams who would play in the Carabao Cup and EPL the following season. Spartans put up a valiant fight against their illustrious opponents succumbing to a late goal in a 1-0 defeat which saw the visitors take home the Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup.

Sadly, as for many clubs the length and breadth of the country, the season was brought to a premature end due to the global Covid 19 pandemic. The league took the decision to declare Kelty Hearts as champions based on points per game, per league standings, as at the time of the cessation of football on 13 March 2020. Spartans had been sitting in fifth position with 49 points from the 25 games played.

Season 2017-18 was to see the club clinch the Lowland League title for a second time. A tense championship race went down to the last game of the season, with the club knowing that victory would see them crowned champions. A tense 0-0 draw ensued at home to East Stirlingshire; however, word came through that East Kilbride had lost and the title was destined for Ainslie Park. Alas, dreams of making it into the SPFL were dashed as Highland League champions, Cove Rangers, prevailed in a two legged play-off match. Cove would go on to beat Berwick Rangers and secure the coveted SPFL place.

In July 2008 Spartans applied to take up a membership vacancy in the Scottish Football League, but lost the election to East of Scotland League rivals Annan Athletic.

In June 2009 Spartans top Amateur side successfully applied to join the Scottish Junior Football Association and their first season in the Juniors was the 2009/10 season, where they played in the East Region South Division, finishing 2nd.

In 2005/06 Spartans took two more Scottish League scalps at City Park when Third Division leaders Berwick Rangers were beaten 1-0 and Queen’s Park defeated 3-2. First Division leader St Mirren then escaped from City Park with a 0-0 draw in the fourth round, Spartans squandering a good chance just a few minutes from time to cause one of the greatest cup upsets of all time. With the Spartans fans clad in sombrero-style hats, a record crowd of 3,346 crammed into City Park for the match, with temporary seating used to increase the capacity. Saints won the replay 3-0 on a romantic night for Spartans at Love Street on Valentine’s Night. Although the official attendance was originally given as 4,295, a record for a match involving Spartans, St Mirren later confirmed that the real figure was in well excess of 5,000. The biggest travelling support – estimated at over 900 – ever to follow Spartans pitched up at Love Street that night, adding a splash of colour to the occassion and giving the team a vociferous backing.