East Junior Football League
# East Junior Football League

The East Junior Football League, also known as the Edinburgh & District Junior League, the Midlothian Junior League and the Lothians Junior League, was a football league competition operated in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Falkirk under the Scottish Junior Football Association. It had fluctuations in membership and territory but had a continuous operation as the top league in the east of Scotland until a merger in 2002; it existed as the Lothians District for a further four years as a second-tier league before the name was discontinued in 2006.

## History

Junior football competitions had been organised in the Edinburgh area since the 1890s, with a Edinburgh & District Junior League formed in 1892 followed by other small groups in each part of the Lothians region surrounding the city; by the 1910s, the Midlothian Junior League emerged as the strongest of these, drawing membership from the many small mining communities which regularly produced skilled players and attracted a loyal local support. The East of Scotland Junior League covering all parts was set up in a 1922 reorganisation, but this was at the same time as the formation of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL), an unrelated 'senior' organisation below, and more closely linked to, the professional Scottish Football League. The majority of emerging clubs within Edinburgh and those in the Scottish Borders joined the EoSFL rather than the East Juniors, who were unable to successfully agree on a new format in this lopsided geography, with the predominant Midlothian clubs and those in East Lothian breaking away to form a new Midlothian Junior League in 1928. Those in West Lothian found themselves with little option but to apply for this 'rebel' setup, which retained the Midlothian name until its suspension during World War II. After the war, some teams from the defunct Scottish Junior Football League from further afield joined the setup, and the league was again re-named Edinburgh & District but operated with 'West' and 'Mid & East' divisions whose winners would play off for the championship.

Despite the true footballing strength of the area never being fully recognised due to the enduring split between the Juniors and the EoSFL, the Edinburgh & District Junior League was considered sufficiently strong to form the East Region, one of the six 'regions' across Scotland in a re-organisation of Junior football in 1968, requiring little adjustment to its operations (the West/East divisions remained until 1973). The period following the change was successful for the territory in terms of East member clubs reaching the Scottish Junior Cup final, achieving this 9 times (3 wins) in 15 years, compared with 15 appearances (8 wins) in the previous 42 years. This was followed by another strong spell with 7 finals (3 wins) in the 14 years from 1989.

However, the small-town teams in the region had generally declined with the closure of local heavy industry, and the surviving clubs looked to boost their income by playing more matches against the leading teams in other areas. In 2002 the new East Region Superleague was created in the east of the country in combination with the Fife League and the Tayside League. The East setup was retained as a feeder division to the Superleague as the Lothians District along with the other historic areas until 2006, when they were fully integrated into the East Region; the Lothians section became the South Division below the Super League and a new Premier Division. The pattern of local appearances in the Scottish Cup final continued at a similar rate, with 3 of 8 finalists lifting the trophy over a 12-year period.

### Later movement of East clubs

In 2018, a large group of East Junior clubs (18 from the old Lothians) joined the East of Scotland (EoSFL) association en masse, aspiring to gain entry to the senior Scottish Professional Football League in future years; This would mean the traditional EoSFL teams and East Juniors could finally be playing together, although with so many teams moving at once, there was not immediate parity, as the new members were placed in a multi-conference system with only one promotion place made available to the Lowland League (where the likes of Spartans had established themselves) and the majority facing some years of battling with their old rivals to make it to the next level. Back in the East Juniors, the remaining teams formed the majority of a new Super League South in 2019 along with those from Fife who had chosen not to switch.

## Champions

### 1922–1968 era

Key:

* Club also won the Scottish Junior Cup (doubles in bold).
* Club were also runners-up in the Scottish Junior Cup.

| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Other member in Scottish Cup final |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1922–23 | Newtongrange Star | Musselburgh Bruntonians | Arniston Rangers |
| 1923–24 | Newtongrange Star | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1924–25 | Newtongrange Star | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1925–26 | Newtongrange Star | Portobello Thistle | |
| 1926–27 | Newtongrange Star | Wallyford Bluebell | |
| 1927–28 | Dunbar United | Dalkeith Thistle | |
| 1928–29 | Tranent Juniors | Stoneyburn Juniors | |
| 1929–30 | Newtongrange Star | Tranent Juniors | |
| 1930–31 | Tranent Juniors | Rosewell Rosedale | |
| 1931–32 | Dalkeith Thistle | Tranent Juniors | |
| 1932–33 | Newtongrange Star | Musselburgh Bruntonians | Tranent Juniors |
| 1933–34 | Blackburn Athletic | Bo'ness Cadora | |
| 1934–35 | Stoneyburn Juniors | Bo'ness Cadora | Tranent Juniors |
| 1935–36 | Bo'ness Cadora | Arniston Rangers | |
| 1936–37 | Tranent Juniors | Musselburgh Athletic | |
| 1937–38 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Winchburgh Juniors | |
| 1938–39 | Stoneyburn Juniors | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1939–40 | Armadale Thistle | Tranent Juniors | |
| 1940–41 | Armadale Thistle | Winchburgh Juniors | |
| 1941–42 | Not played | Not played | Not played |
| 1942–43 | Not played | Not played | Not played |
| 1943–44 | Not played | Not played | Not played |
| 1944–45 | Not played | Not played | Not played |
| 1945–46 | Fauldhouse United | Bo'ness United | |
| 1946–47 | Bo'ness United | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1947–48 | Bo'ness United | Armadale Thistle | |
| 1948–49 | Bo'ness United | Armadale Thistle | |
| 1949–50 | Armadale Thistle | Arniston Rangers | |
| 1950–51 | Newtongrange Star | Camelon Juniors | |
| 1951–52 | Newtongrange Star | Broxburn Athletic | Camelon Juniors |
| 1952–53 | Armadale Thistle | Newtongrange Star | |
| 1953–54 | Arniston Rangers | Bo'ness United | |
| 1954–55 | Newtongrange Star | Bo'ness United | |
| 1955–56 | Dalkeith Thistle | Broxburn Athletic | |
| 1956–57 | Haddington Athletic | Broxburn Athletic | |
| 1957–58 | Bo'ness United | Ormiston Primrose | Pumpherston |
| 1958–59 | Newtongrange Star | Bo'ness United | |
| 1959–60 | Loanhead Mayflower | West Calder United | |
| 1960–61 | Dalkeith Thistle | Armadale Thistle | Dunbar United |
| 1961–62 | Dunbar United | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1962–63 | Sauchie Juniors | Newtongrange Star | |
| 1963–64 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1964–65 | Linlithgow Rose | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1965–66 | Linlithgow Rose | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Whitburn |
| 1966–67 | Linlithgow Rose | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1967–68 | Linlithgow Rose | Newtongrange Star | |

Notes

* ↑ Separate West Section played, won by Livingston United.
* 1 2 Separate South Section played, won by Gala Hailes Villa.
* 1 2 Separate West Section played, won by Linlithgow Rose.
* ↑ Separate South Section played, won by Vale of Leithen.
* ↑ Separate South Section played, won by Duns.
* ↑ Separate West Sectionplayed, won by Vale of Grange.
* ↑ Separate West Lothian Junior Lesgue played.
* ↑ Winners of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'A' Division and 'B' Division.
* ↑ Losers of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'A' Division and 'B' Division.
* ↑ Winners of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'West' Division and 'East' Division.
* ↑ Losers of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'West' Division and 'East' Division.
* ↑ Title was revoked then reinstated after protest and appeal regarding ineligible player.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Winners of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'West' Division and 'Mid-East' Division.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Losers of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'West' Division and 'Mid-East' Division.
* ↑ 'West' Division winners Bo'ness United refused to play the championship playoff in Midlothian as they had done so and lost the previous season - the league awarded the title to 'Mid-East' Division winners Newtongrange Star without a match being played.

### 1968–2002 era

* Club also won the Scottish Junior Cup (doubles in bold).
* Club were also runners-up in the Scottish Junior Cup.

| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Other member in Scottish Cup final |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1968–69 | Bo'ness United | Newtongrange Star | |
| 1969–70 | Arniston Rangers | Pumpherston | Penicuik Athletic |
| 1970–71 | Musselburgh Athletic | Broxburn Athletic | Newtongrange Star |
| 1971–72 | Arniston Rangers | Whitburn Juniors | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic |
| 1972–73 | Broxburn Athletic | Musselburgh Athletic | |
| 1973–74 | Broxburn Athletic | Musselburgh Athletic | Linlithgow Rose |
| 1974–75 | Linlithgow Rose | Dalkeith Thistle | |
| 1975–76 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Arniston Rangers | Bo'ness United |
| 1976–77 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Linlithgow Rose | |
| 1977–78 | Linlithgow Rose | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1978–79 | Penicuik Athletic | Camelon Juniors | Bo'ness United |
| 1979–80 | Camelon Juniors | Linlithgow Rose | |
| 1980–81 | Penicuik Athletic | Arniston Rangers | |
| 1981–82 | Linlithgow Rose | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1982–83 | Fauldhouse United | Tranent Juniors | Bo'ness United |
| 1983–84 | Linlithgow Rose | Broxburn Athletic | Bo'ness United |
| 1984–85 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1985–86 | Whitburn Juniors | Linlithgow Rose | |
| 1986–87 | Whitburn Juniors | Newtongrange Star | |
| 1987–88 | Linlithgow Rose | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1988–89 | Whitburn Juniors | Linlithgow Rose | Ormiston Primrose |
| 1989–90 | Whitburn Juniors | Bo'ness United | |
| 1990–91 | Newtongrange Star | Fauldhouse United | |
| 1991–92 | Newtongrange Star | Bo'ness United | |
| 1992–93 | Fauldhouse United | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1993–94 | Camelon Juniors | Newtongrange Star | |
| 1994–95 | Camelon Juniors | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1995–96 | Whitburn Juniors | Arniston Rangers | Camelon Juniors |
| 1996–97 | Linlithgow Rose | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | |
| 1997–98 | Whitburn Juniors | Linlithgow Rose | |
| 1998–99 | Linlithgow Rose | Whitburn Juniors | |
| 1999–2000 | Linlithgow Rose | Newtongrange Star | Whitburn Juniors |
| 2000–01 | Whitburn Juniors | Linlithgow Rose | |
| 2001–02 | Linlithgow Rose | Whitburn Juniors | |

Notes

* ↑ Runners-up incomplete.
* 1 2 3 4 5 Winners of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'West' Division and 'Mid-East' Division.
* 1 2 3 4 5 Losers of playoff between clubs who finished top of 'West' Division and 'Mid-East' Division.

## List of winners

| Club | 1922–1968 era | 1922–1968 era | 1922–1968 era | 1922–1968 era | 1968–2002 era | 1968–2002 era | 1968–2002 era | 1968–2002 era | Overall | Overall |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Club | Win | R-up | First win | Last win | Win | R-up | First win | Last win | Win | R-up |
| Newtongrange Star | 11 | 3 | 1922–23 | 1958–59 | 2 | 4 | 1990–91 | 1991–92 | 13 | 7 |
| Linlithgow Rose | 4 | 0 | 1964–65 | 1967–68 | 9 | 5 | 1974–75 | 2001–02 | 13 | 6 |
| Whitburn Juniors | 0 | 4 | N/A | N/A | 7 | 7 | 1985–86 | 2000–01 | 7 | 11 |
| Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 2 | 5 | 1937–38 | 1963–64 | 3 | 3 | 1975–76 | 1984–85 | 5 | 8 |
| Bo'ness United | 4 | 4 | 1948–49 | 1957–58 | 1 | 2 | 1968–69 | 1968–69 | 5 | 6 |
| Armadale Thistle | 4 | 2 | 1939–40 | 1952–53 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 4 | 2 |
| Arniston Rangers | 1 | 2 | 1953–54 | 1953–54 | 2 | 3 | 1969–70 | 1971–72 | 3 | 5 |
| Tranent Juniors | 3 | 3 | 1928–29 | 1936–37 | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 3 | 4 |
| Camelon Juniors | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 3 | 1 | 1979–80 | 1994–95 | 3 | 2 |
| Dalkeith Thistle | 3 | 1 | 1931–32 | 1960–61 | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 3 | 2 |
| Fauldhouse United | 1 | 0 | 1945–46 | 1945–46 | 2 | 1 | 1982–83 | 1992–93 | 3 | 1 |
| Broxburn Athletic | 0 | 3 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 2 | 1972–73 | 1973–74 | 2 | 5 |
| Stoneyburn Juniors | 2 | 1 | 1934–35 | 1938–39 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 1 |
| Penicuik Athletic | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 0 | 1978–79 | 1980–81 | 2 | 0 |
| Dunbar United | 2 | 0 | 1927–28 | 1961–62 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 0 |
| Musselburgh Athletic | 0 | 3 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 2 | 1970–71 | 1970–71 | 1 | 5 |
| Bo'ness Cadora | 1 | 2 | 1935–36 | 1935–36 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 2 |
| Blackburn Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1933–34 | 1933–34 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 0 |
| Haddington Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1956–57 | 1956–57 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 0 |
| Loanhead Mayflower | 1 | 0 | 1959–60 | 1959–60 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 0 |
| Sauchie Juniors | 1 | 0 | 1962–63 | 1962–63 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 0 |
| Winchburgh Juniors | 0 | 2 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 2 |
| West Calder United | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 |
| Pumpherston | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 |
| Ormiston Primrose | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 |
| Portobello Thistle | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 |
| Rosewell Rosedale | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 |
| Wallyford Bluebell | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 |
