Newtongrange Star F.C.

Newtongrange Star

Full name	Newtongrange Star Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Star, Nitten
Founded	1890
Ground	New Victoria Park, Newtongrange
Capacity	2,300 (30 seated)
Manager	Paul Milligan
League	East of Scotland League First Division
2023–24	East of Scotland League First Division, 5th of 15
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours

Newtongrange Star Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the village of Newtongrange, Midlothian. The home ground is New Victoria Park. The facility includes an enclosed pitch with full floodlighting, covered enclosure, changing rooms, with a separate social club. The club also runs an actively used 7-a-side all-weather pitch, also floodlit.

History

Star reached the 1991 Scottish Junior Cup Final before narrowly losing 1–0 to Auchinleck Talbot in an evenly matched contest.

The SJFA restructured prior to the 2006–07 season, and Star found themselves in the 15-team East Region, South Division. They finished as champions in their first season in the division and were promoted to the Premier League. The following season, they just missed promotion to the Superleague, which was achieved in the following season, 2008–09.

While still in the Premier League, the Star defeated Superleague teams in their League Cup run, reaching the final against Camelon played at Bathgate. After 90 minutes, the game was tied at 1-1. Going to a penalty shootout, the Star won with a series of saves from the Starkeeper. This was the first silverware for the club in some 20 years. In the Scottish Junior Cup, progress was made to the quarterfinal only to concede to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

The first season in the Superleague ended with a creditable fourth position after having been in second place for much of the season. However, the 2010–11 season with a limited squad was less successful, resulting in Graeme Armstrong resigning as manager in February 2011. During his five years at the club, Armstrong built a team around a few experienced players, but mainly younger players with pace and skill. The teams he put out played an expansive game, with fit players playing at a high tempo but with discipline, which drew plaudits from the supporters of the club and opposition alike.

John Coughlin, an ex-player and former manager of senior clubs like St. Mirren, Stenhousemuir, and Berwick Rangers, stepped in on a temporary basis while a permanent appointment was made. On 12 May 2011, Alan Miller, an ex-player and most recently manager of Bonnyrigg Rose, was appointed manager. He brought with him his assistants at Bonnyrigg, Ian Black, and Finlay Wells.

The team currently plays in the East of Scotland Football League (Conference A), having moved from the SJFA East Region Super League in 2018. ^[1]

Nitten have been managed by former player Chris King since November 2019. ^[2]

On 26 March 2023, Newtongrange Star Football Club can confirm Chris King has decided to step down as manager. ^[3]

On 23 April 2023, Newtowngrange Star Football Club can confirm Paul Milligan has been appointed the new manager.

Current squad

As of 26 June 2024 ^[4]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK   SCO Liam McCathie — GK   SCO Shea Dowie — DF   SCO Ross Larner — DF   SCO Jordan Mungall — DF   SCO Chris Moffat — DF   SCO Evan Glendinning — DF   SCO Ryan Ferguson — MF   SCO Callum Murray — MF   SCO Shaun Conlon — MF   SCO Adam Nelson(captain) — MF   SCO Daniel McBay

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF   SCO Jack Gillan — MF   SCO Liam McIntosh — MF   SCO Ryan Porteous — MF   SCO Dan Rennie — MF   SCO Steven Tait — MF   SCO Kyle Mitchell — MF   SCO Kevin Bracks — FW   SCO Craig O'Reilly — FW   SCO Tom Davies — FW   SCO Dean Apicella — FW   SCO Brad Rixon

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW   SCO Gary Nicholson(on loan at Arniston Rangers)

Staff

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Manager	Paul Milligan
Assistant	Kris Murdoch	First Team coaches	Scott Reid & Rab Ure	Goalkeeping coach	Brad Murray & Shane Thomson
Sports Therapist	Bernie Morocco

Honours

Scottish Junior Cup

• Winner: 1929–30

SJFA East Region Premier League

• Winners: 2012–13
• Runners-up: 2008–09

Other Honours

• East of Scotland Cup winner: 1906–07, 1925–26, 1929–30, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2010–11
• Midlothian Junior League winner: 1905–06, 1906–07, 1907–08, 1919–20, 1920–21
• Edinburgh & District League winner: 1921–22, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27, 1929–30, 1932–33, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1954–55, 1958–59
• East Region Premier League winner: 1990–91, 1991–92
• East Region B Division winner: 1974–75, 1976–77
• East Region South Division: 2006–07
• Dechmont Forklift South League Cup winner: 2008–09
• Brown Cup winner: 1951–52, 1952–53, 1961–62, 1980–81, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94
• St Michael Cup winner: 1927–28, 1950–51, 1961–62
• National Dryborough Cup winner: 1974–75
• Fife & Lothians Cup winner: 1977–78, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91
• East Junior League Cup winner: 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1996–97, 2008–09
• Peter Craigie Cup winner: 1989–90, 1991–92

Notable former players

• Bobby Johnstone
• Willie Bauld
• Freddie Glidden
• Dave Mackay
• Alex Munro
• Alex Young
• John Hughes
• John Coughlin
• Walter Kidd

References

1. McLauchlin, Brian (7 June 2018). "East of Scotland League vote signals exodus of 25 junior clubs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
2. "East of Scotland: Chris King on life as Newtongrange manager and his surprise at appointment". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
3. "Club Statement – Chris King Steps down".
4. "The Squad – Newtongrange Star FC" . Retrieved 28 September 2020.

External links

• Official club site
• The History of Newtongrange Star
• facebook
• twitter

55°52′18″N3°04′19″W / 55.871776°N 3.071972°W / 55.871776; -3.071972