YFS Magazine Issue 1 | Page 47

CLUB PROFILE Hutchison Vale F.C. Hutchison Vale, or ‘Hutchie’ as they are perhaps better known throughout Scottish youth football, were formed in the Hutchison area of Edinburgh back in 1940. The club enjoyed moderate success in the 21s Juvenile League until 1958 when Hutchie, consisting of just one team at the time disbanded. Following a ten year period of inactivity, the club was re-founded in 1968 by former player Jackie Landells and went on to compete in the Boys Club of Scotland League. The 1978/79 season saw Vincent Abbasciano, an Italian school teacher, expand the club further by bringing in players from primary schools in the Leith and Granton areas of Edinburgh. Hutchie’s pioneering attitude to the development of youth football was shown further in 1989 when they became the first club in Scotland to start a kids school. In more recent years, Hutchie have established themselves as one of the most successful youth football teams in the South East region of Scotland. Many current and ex-professional football players have featured for the Edinburgh side in their youth football days. The list of players, who have enjoyed a spell at Hutchison Vale early in their career includes a number of hugely successful players. Hutchison Vale have enjoyed great success in 2013, winning a total of 11 trophies. The Under 14s side in particular were hugely impressive with four cup wins, including Hutchison Vale Colts’ South East Region Cup victory over rivals Tynecastle FC. Aside from this, the 14s team claimed the Kenny McLean Cup, the John Crawford Cup and the Bill Sheridan Cup. Hutchison Vale’s Under 15’s squad furthered the success of the club by claiming the Federation of Hearts Supporters Cup, the John McConnell Cup and the prestigious Scottish Cup at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium, battling hard for a 3-2 victory over Dundee United. Hutchie’s Under 13’s also had a successful year, lifting the South East Region Cup and the Ken Ritchie and Stewart Brien Cups respectively. Hutchie’s Under 19s cruised to victory in the Federation of Hibs Supporters Cup with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Musselburgh Windsor. Andrew Driver (Houston Dynamo) Danny Wilson (Hearts) Gary Locke (Manager- Hearts) Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps) Kevin Thomson (Hibernian) Leigh Griffiths (Wolves) Steven Whittaker (Norwich City) Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic) - pictured below Issue # 1 | YFS Magazine | 47