Edinburgh Accies - Raeburn Place

16^th December 2006

Edinburgh Accies 21-12 Cartha QP

Edinburgh Academical Football Club (rugby football, that is) was formed way back in 1857, and can justly claim to be the oldest football club (round or oval ball) in Scotland.  The club for the whole of their existence have played at Raeburn Place in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh.  

And it was at this very ground that the first ever international rugby match took place in 1871.  They played 20-a-side in those days so, perhaps not surprisingly it was a low scoring encounter; Scotland defeating England by one goal to nil.  The attendance was recorded as 4,000, with Welsh-born William Cross notching the only score, converting a try.  Note no points were awarded for tries themselves back in those whimsical times. 

A further 22 internationals were played at the ground, which for a time boasted stands on all four sides, before the SRU chose, in 1899, to switch their home matches up the road to Inverleith.  Those stands are long gone now, of course with, in 2006 anyway, just a rickety wee shelter housing benching the sole facilities for spectators.  Plans are afoot however, I believe, for a major redevelopment of the ground.

Who are the Accies playing today?  It's a secret (2006)

Come 2022, there is still no indication of this afternoon's opponents outside
the upgraded venue.  (It is Hawick, but keep it quiet)

Looking towards the wooden enclosure (2006)

Looking towards the wooden enclosure (2022)

Inside the enclosure (2022)

Inside the enclosure (2022)

Bit of action, with the club pavilion in the background (2006)

Some 2022 action - but the old club pavilion is long gone.

Panorama of Edinburgh Accies' Raeburn Place in 2006.

Panorama of Edinburgh Accies' Raeburn Place in 2022.

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2017

2017

2017

Raeburn Place from Inverleith Park 2017

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Edinburgh Accies 12-13 Hawick

17th September 2022

The recently completed new stand at Raeburn Place

As the new structure abuts the commercial development on
Comely Bank Road it is, by necessity, some way from the rugby pitch.

Why not move the pitch?

Edinburgh Accies v Hawick (September 2022)