Football in Edinburgh.

There are hundreds of small football teams in Edinburgh that regularly play in the public parks, even the Cab trade has a team! But if you mention Football in an Edinburgh pub everyone immediately thinks you're talking about the big professional teams, in Edinburgh- Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) and Hibernian (Hibs), you'll also find fans of the Glasgow teams- Rangers and Celtic.
If you do find yourself in a pub where the drink has been flowing well, it's a good idea to play dumb and plead ignorance if asked which team you prefer, there are old rivalries between the fans, religious bigotry and pure stupidity, that can sometimes boil over through drink leading to violence. Don't be too worried, it isn't really that common, but if you know that two of these teams are playing each other, then it can be a good idea to stick to the more restrained and up-market drinking places.

     Heart of Midlothian F.C.
   The older of the two big professional teams, Hearts (as they are known) was founded over 120 years ago (the official date is 1874, but there is apparently some evidence that they may have been in existance earlier than this). The story is that it was formed by a group of friends who frequented a dancehall of the time which had been named after the novel by Sir Walter Scott -"The Heart of Midlothian". Midlothian was the name for the county in which Edinburgh stood.
     At the present moment the team has just finished their season in the third place in the Scottish Premier division and having won the Scottish Cup for the first time for 42 years, so if you do get talking with any of their fans you should have no worries about discussing football.
   The ground in which they play is Tynecastle Park, Gorgie Road, just to the West of the city centre and their colours are maroon and white.

     Hibernian F.C.
   The second of Edinburgh's Old Firm, legend has it that it was formed by Irish immigrants who objected to the Protestant background of the teams of the time and decided that they should have a team of their own. Ever since that time their supporters have kept up a religious divide between themselves and the Hearts supporters who proclaim a Protestant background. (Although the vast majority of both groups probably never see the inside of a church unless for weddings, funerals or christenings).
     The season which is just finished has not been a good one for Hibs, they finished in last place in the Scottish Premier division and are relegated to the First division. So if you do meet with any of their fans, it might be a good idea to keep the conversation away from football if possible.
   The ground in which they play is Easter Road Stadium, Albion Road, just to the East of the city centre and their colours are green and white.

     Livingston F.C.
   Although they are not strictly speaking an Edinburgh Football Team any more, I would like to put in a mention for them. Livingston started out as a works team in Edinburgh, Ferranti Thistle F.C., and they gained entry to the senior ranks when the S.F.A. reorganised the League set-up. As the powers that be would not allow them to play under the name of a Commercial firm they had to change title and became Meadowbank Thistle, playing at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh. Competition with the established teams in Edinburgh meant that their crowds were small and eventually they made the very sensible decision to move to Livingston where a purpose built stadium has been erected for them at Almondvale Stadium. For those who don't know, Livingston was a small village to the west of Edinburgh which has been expanded into a thriving town which needed a Senior football team of it's own.
   The season which is just finished has been a bit of a disappointment for Livingston. For almost all of it the team were either first or second in the league and seemed favourites to be promoted up a league, but losses in the last two matches cost them dearly and they finished in third place.