Redhall Star AFC – History

Founded in 1971, the club has always been based in the Longstone area on the west side of Edinburgh. For the majority of its existence, the club has always comprised predominantly of local players from the Longstone, Kingsknowe and surrounding areas. Playing in the Edinburgh Amateur leagues, the club fostered a true community identity and whilst success on the playing front was not always forthcoming, the club continued to exist, achieving a longevity which eludes so many amateur sides.

The stature of the club began to change in the late 1990s, with the appointment of ex-Links United manager Willie Smith. The club began recruiting players from a wider catchment area and soon promotion and cup success were to follow in 1999, with the club victorious in the Dunedin Cup final. Keen to increase the stature of the club, entry to the McEwan’s Central League was gained in 2002. This period saw the club playing against clubs of an alleged higher standard week-in, week-out however in truth the facilities and playing surfaces were not as anticipated and after four seasons in this league, the club decided to return to the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association for the start of the 2006-07 season.

Re-joining LEAFA heralded the start of the most successful period on the field for the club, with back to back league wins in the firstly the Edinburgh West and then Lothian West divisions in consecutive seasons. In addition, the club were victorious in the Brunton Cup in the 2007-08 season. Having roared from the lowest tier of LEAFA to the Premier Division in only two years, a period of consolidation was inevitable and the season 2008-09 saw the club finish a respectable 8th position in an extremely competitive league. Now under the management of Keith Kinnaird, the club will be looking to build on last season’s solid platform and push further up the table when the campaign kicks off this August.

During the summer of 2009, the club continued to demonstrate its growing stature by the creation of a second amateur side; Redhall Star 2008. The second team will play in the Edinburgh West Division with the intention of the club being to allow as much participation in amateur football as possible. Under the management of Colin Campbell and Gavin Thomson, Redhall Star 2008 will be seeking to gain promotion at the earliest opportunity and perhaps add a cup run or two into the bargain during the forthcoming season...

In addition to the amateur side of the club, youth football is being fostered at various levels with increasing participation year on year. The club currently runs colts, under 10s and under 15s sides operating within the Scottish Youth Football Association East of Scotland leagues. The continued growth of youth involvement with the club is part of Chairman Ian McDonald’s overall plan for Redhall Star to become a true community club.