Spartans SFL bid hangs in the balance

Jun 29 2008 By Gordon Waddell & Scott McDermott

SPARTANS fear nit-picking inspectors may have damaged their bid to join the Scottish league - after they refused to mark them on their brand-new stadium.

The Edinburgh club are the bookies' favourites to win the election to the Irn Bru Third Division's vacant slot created by the demise of Gretna.

But a bizarre site inspection last week has blown a hole in their hopes.

The SFL's inspection team looking at the club's facilities gave Spartans zero marks in 11 of the 15 judging categories.

That ignored the club's £3.5million community ground and academy due for opening on September 13.

A Spartans source said: "We've spent years preparing the right foundations for our club and the facilities we're developing are outstanding.

"We only hope the 29 chairmen who vote will look beyond the first six weeks and see what we have to offer."

Spartans have plans to groundshare for the first six weeks of the season at Meadowbank. The former Commonwealth stadium flew through a similar inspection for fellow bidders Edinburgh City.

Annan Athletic top-scored in the league's ratings ahead of Preston Athletic and City.

Cove Rangers suffered a similar result to Spartans despite plans for a new ground - but the marks are only given as guidance to the chairmen who'll vote on Thursday.

Spartans co-boss Mickey Lawson is praying football's decision makers won't be influenced by the report.

He reckons the Ainslie Park side can become the Partick Thistle of Edinburgh - if they get the vote.

Despite being favourites, a criticism levelled at the club is they lack a genuine fan base.

But Lawson, joint-manager with Sam Lynch, disagrees that Spartans could end up like Meadowbank Thistle who folded 13 years ago.

Mickey said: "We get tarred all the time with the Meadowbank brush. People say we'd be just like them and they don't want another Edinburgh team.

"But Spartans took 1,000 fans to Love Street for a Scottish Cup tie recently. That shows our potential.

"We've taken more than 400 supporters to places like Alloa and Arbroath in Scottish Cup ties.

"There are no SFL clubs in the capital so there is a void for a third team after Hibs and Hearts.

"We could become a bit like Edinburgh's Partick Thistle, everyone's neutral side."

Spartans vice-president Colin Hutchison is certain the club would attract a decent crowd.

He has already watched in amazement at how they filled their old City Park for the visit of SPL sides Livingston and St Mirren in the Scottish Cup.

Colin said: "Throughout our cup runs all our tickets were sold within the club - we never had to sell one ticket publicly.

"And we could have sold them several times over.

"Our fan base will be focused on who uses the Academy. We have 500 kids involved at the club, three men's sides and two ladies' teams.

"If we're successful in our application we're confident we can bring people here.

"Even Hibs or Hearts fans would come here if their side was playing on a Sunday. It's up to us to capture them and make them come back."