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.
The season just finishing has not been a good one for Hearts, after winning the Scottish Cup the previous season they had been looking to build on that success, but after a fair start their form collapsed and they looked in danger of losing their place in the Premier division. However, a late rally has pulled them out of the danger zone and they are now sitting mid-league.
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 finishing has been a good one for Hibs, they finished in last place in the Scottish Premier division in the 1997-98 season and were relegated to the First division, but this Season they have strolled off with their league. So if you do meet with any of their fans, you should have no problems discussing football - in fact with Hibs going up to the Premier Division and Hearts looking like going down for much of the season, it might be difficult to get them to talk about anything else.
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 finishing has been a great one for Livingston. The team has just secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in their short history by winning the Second Division Championship. It had seemed that they were going to be promoted the previous Season but losses at the very end of the season left them in third place just missing out on promotion. But this time they have made it safe with games in hand.