28/08/2026
Embo AFC – 2026 Season Summary⚽️ 🐟🐟
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved with the club in one way or another throughout the season. Without the efforts of so many people behind the scenes, it simply would not be possible to field a team each week.
The season started on a positive note with the completion of the new substitutes' huts and the arrival of new portable goals. The much-needed huts have provided valuable shelter from the Highland elements, while the portable goals should hopefully allow the goalmouth areas to take a little less of a hammering over the course of the season.
The committee has continued from last year and has provided valuable support throughout the season, continuing to do so through thick and thin.
A big thank you must also go to the ground staff for their continued efforts in maintaining the pitch each week. The club is now very fortunate to have one of the best parks and facilities in the league, something that everyone involved should be proud of.
On the playing side, the squad has welcomed a few new faces this season, which has been great to see. The majority of the squad returned from last season too, which must have been for football reasons and definitely not for the banter!
As it turns out, it takes a little more time to develop a squad made up largely of school leavers into seasoned campaigners. This is particularly evident when competing against some of the teams at the upper end of the table, as well as the ever-increasing number of dual-registered players who seem to be saturating the local game and, at times, limiting opportunities for local players.
The only real way for young players to develop, learn and improve is by playing competitive football and we will continue to provide those opportunities.
After two seasons with the current management structure, the final league position may suggest that there has been little improvement. However, the performances, game statistics and individual results would suggest otherwise.
The team has conceded significantly fewer goals, although there are still clear areas for improvement if we are to return to being the formidable, hard-to-break-down defensive side that the club has previously been known for. Several score lines have been a lot closer than last season against the same opposition.
Going forward, there is also plenty of room for improvement in the attacking areas. More players have contributed goals this season, which is encouraging, but there is still the potential to score far more with a little extra directness, confidence and belief in the final third.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 season, the management team were unfortunately relieved of their duties.
Unfortunately, as nobody else appears daft enough to take the job on, the same team will somehow return for the 2027 season!
On a wider note, the post-league split clearly remains an issue and, in its current format, does not appear to be working as intended. Hopefully, a serious review will take place in the coming months ahead of next season.
Despite the challenges, there have been plenty of positives throughout 2026. The squad continues to develop, new players have come into the club, the facilities continue to improve, and the foundations remain in place to keep moving forward.
Players player of the year award 2026 - Curtis Cross
Coaches player of the year award 2026 - Shaun Anderson
Young player of the year 2026 - Brodie Munro
Thank you once again to everyone who has played, coached, supported, sponsored, volunteered or helped Embo AFC throughout the season.
🔴⚪️⚫️
🐟🐟
