Edinburgh has tens of thousands of passionate football fans. Sometimes, it feels like football clubs in Edinburgh get forgotten about on the national scale due to the fact that none of the clubs currently dominate the sport. However, the city has some fierce derbies as well as some clubs with rich, trophy-winning histories, and in this guide we’re looking at the football teams in Edinburgh and a bit of history about the major teams from the city.
Here's an overview of the Edinburgh football teams you should know, which we'll discuss in more detail in the article:
| Club Name | Founded | Home Ground | League | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Midlothian F.C. (Hearts) | 1874 | Tynecastle Park | Scottish Premiership | Multiple Scottish Cup victories |
| Hibernian F.C. (Hibs) | 1875 | Easter Road Stadium | Scottish Premiership | Several Scottish Cup and League Cup wins |
| The Spartans F.C. | 1951 | Ainslie Park | Scottish League Two | Promoted to Scottish League Two in 2023 |
| Edinburgh City F.C. | 1928 (as Postal United) | Meadowbank Stadium | Scottish League One | Promotion to Scottish League One in 2020 |
| Heriot-Watt University F.C. | 1945 | Heriot-Watt Sports Academy | East of Scotland Football League | East of Scotland League Cup winners 2005–06 |
| Boroughmuir Thistle F.C. | 2007 | Meggetland Sports Complex | Scottish Women's Premier League 2 | Notable growth in women's football |
| Craigroyston F.C. | 1976 | St Mark's Park | East of Scotland Football League | Alex Jack Cup winners 1993–94 |
Heart of Midlothian (Hearts)
Heart of Midlothian, commonly known as Hearts, is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in Edinburgh, having been founded way back in 1874. Midlothian is a council area in Edinburgh close to East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, hence the name, based on the club being located in the heart of this area.
The team’s primary colours are maroon and white. Their home kit typically features a maroon shirt, white shorts, and maroon socks. This iconic colour has been associated with the club since the 1800s and the club’s formation, showing its heritage and pride.
Hearts play their home matches at Tynecastle Park, located in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. The stadium, affectionately known as "Tynie," has undergone several renovations over the years and currently boasts a capacity of around 20,000, which is respectable but dwarfed by the capacity of some of the Glasgow football clubs as well as those south of the border. Tynecastle is renowned for its close-knit atmosphere, where fans are right on top of the action, creating an intimidating environment for visiting teams, especially on those big derby days.
Hearts have a rich history of success in Scottish football:
⚽️ Scottish League Champion Won four times
🏆 Scottish Cup Trophy
Won 8 times, including victories in 1998, 2006 and 2012
🥇 Scottish League Cup
Won four times
They have won the Scottish League Championship four times, with their most recent title coming in the 1959-60 season. The club has also enjoyed success in the Scottish Cup, lifting the trophy eight times, including memorable victories in 1998, 2006, and 2012. In addition, Hearts have won the Scottish League Cup four times. The club's rivalry with Hibernian, known as the Edinburgh Derby, is one of the fiercest and most historic in Scottish football.
Hibernian (Hibs)
Hibernian, also known as The Hibees or Hibs, is another major football club in Edinburgh, known for its vibrant green and white colours. The home kit traditionally features a green shirt with white sleeves, white shorts, and green socks. This green and white combination reflects the club’s Irish heritage, as Hibs was founded by Irish immigrants in 1875.
Hibernia, an ancient name for Ireland, was used by the immigrants who founded the club and gave it the iconic name. They’re based in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh.
Hibs play their home games at Easter Road Stadium, located in the Leith area of Edinburgh. Easter Road has a capacity of approximately 20,400 and is known for its passionate and vocal support. The stadium has seen numerous upgrades and expansions over the years, making it one of the top football venues in Scotland.
A musical connection is also one of the key reasons why people all over the UK recognise Hibs. The club is associated with celebrity fans and musicians The Proclaimers, and their songs are even part of the club’s heritage, as they are sung at the games.
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Edinburgh City
Though a much smaller club than Hibernian and Hearts, we couldn’t leave Edinburgh City off the list.
Established in its current form in 1986, has grown steadily within Scottish football. Interestingly, they were formerly called Postal United F.C.
The team's colours are white and black, often featuring a predominantly white kit with black shorts and white or black socks. These colours represent a modern and sleek identity as the club continues to build its reputation.
Edinburgh City plays its home matches at Meadowbank Stadium, which has a capacity of around 5000. The stadium, located near the city centre, has been an essential part of the club’s identity, providing a community hub for fans and players alike. Originally made to be one of the venues for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, Meadowbank Stadium has undergone significant redevelopment to improve facilities for both athletes and supporters.
While Edinburgh City does not have the lengthy history of some of its Edinburgh rivals, it has achieved notable success in recent years:
- The club has won the Lowland Football League twice, securing promotion to the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL)
- Their most significant achievement was earning promotion to the Scottish League Two in the 2015-16 season, marking a new era of professional football for the club
- Edinburgh City continues to aim high, building a strong foundation for future success and making strides in Scottish football
Check out this documentary for a more detailed history of Edinburgh City:
Spartans
Whatever you think of Edinburgh clubs, they certainly have interesting names. This is similar to London football clubs like Arsenal whose names have fascinating backgrounds.
The Spartans Football Club, founded in 1951, is known for its distinctive red and white kit. The home kit typically features a red shirt with white accents, white shorts, and red socks.
Spartans play their home games at Ainslie Park, which has a capacity of around 3,000. Located in the north of Edinburgh, Ainslie Park serves as both a football stadium and a community sports hub, with excellent facilities that support both the senior team and youth development programs.
Spartans have a proud record in non-league football, with numerous honours to their name. They have won the East of Scotland Football League multiple times, showcasing their dominance at this level, though they continue to be a relatively minor Scottish club.
Women’s Football in Edinburgh
Women's football in Edinburgh has seen significant growth and development over recent years, reflecting the broader rise in popularity and recognition of the women's game globally and the fact we see more teams in British cities such as Birmingham's football hub, Bristol, and elsewhere in the UK.
Both Hibs and Hearts have women's teams that compete in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Spartans FC Women are a well-respected team within Edinburgh’s football community, playing in the SWPL and performing at the top level of the women’s game. Spartans FC Women play their home matches at Ainslie Park, the same venue as their male counterparts.
Edinburgh Caledonia is another club contributing to the city’s women’s football landscape. They play in the lower tiers of the Scottish Women's Football League, but they have an enthusiastic following and are looking to grow their reach around Scotland.
Scottish women’s football is still growing a lot, but many of the teams are yet to reach professional status. Attendances are growing and it seems there is a bright future for the women’s game, but the history does not extend quite as far back as men’s football, and many of the current clubs are relatively new.
Edinburgh’s Football Heritage
While Glasgow clubs win a lot of the trophies, and the attendance in Edinburgh isn’t as high as in Manchester's club grounds or elsewhere around the UK, the city is one that loves football.
Edinburgh's football clubs each bring their unique histories, cultures, and successes to the city's vibrant football scene. From the fierce rivalries of Hearts and Hibs to the small but well-loved clubs like Spartans and Edinburgh City, each team contributes and has a following. This video offers an insightful look into the traditions and history of football in Edinburgh:
Boost Your Football Skills
From the Bristol football scene to Fife, if you are looking to boost your own football skills, there are many opportunities to do so with Superprof. Whether you are trying to get into a team or you just want to use football as a way to work on your fitness, you can connect with local coaches and tutors. Edinburgh has many opportunities to get involved, and a lot of Edinburgh football clubs can support people’s efforts, too.
Ready to boost your football skills? Reach out to a tutor on Superprof today.
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