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We can confirm that Jude Smith has joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper joined the club last summer after leaving Celtic, where he came through their youth system, and made his debut for the club against Cove Rangers in August 2021. Jude made the number 1 shirt his own as the season progressed, becoming one of the youngest starting goalkeepers in Britain.

Jude racked up 28 appearances last season, keeping 4 clean sheets, and caught the eye with a number of assured performances between the sticks. He added another 2 appearances to his name at the start of this season prior to this move.

Manager Stevie Crawford: “Everyone at the club is delighted for Jude to earn a move to one of the biggest clubs in the English Premier League."

“Although we are obviously disappointed to lose him, we also recognise what a great opportunity this is for Jude.”

“It reflects well on East Fife and the type of club we are trying to be, giving young players an opportunity to develop, do well for the club and move on to full-time opportunities”.

“We wish Jude well and thank him for his service to East Fife”.

Goalkeeping Coach Lindsay Hamilton: “Moving from full-time football to part-time can be a culture shock and a big risk for some players but Jude has shown that with hard work and a good work ethic you can make the step back up, which is impressive.”

“Jude has surpassed my expectations, not only with the number of games he’s played, but the performances that have accompanied them. He was thrown into the deep end a bit with the injury to Scott Gallacher but made the transition to our number one with ease and deserves his move to Newcastle.”

“Echoing what Stevie said, we’re disappointed to be losing Jude, but it does show that we’re willing to help players improve where we can and won’t stand in their way if an opportunity like this comes along.”

“Jude has been a pleasure to work with over the last year at East Fife and I wish him all the best for the future”.

Chairman Jim Stevenson: “Everyone at East Fife would like to wish Jude all the best at Newcastle, it’s a move that’s richly deserved. He showed maturity beyond his years at times last season and I have every confidence he will be a success at Newcastle. Thank you & good luck”

Jude leaves with the thanks of everyone and the club and we wish him every success at Newcastle!

Jude Smith to Newcastle

East Fife went into the game as league leaders, having beaten Elgin 3-1 in our season opener last weekend, Bonnyrigg Rose however had also picked up 3 points in their opening match with a 2-0 win against Angus club Forfar Athletic. The Fifers were seeking to make it two wins on the bounce, this time in front of the Fife Faithful.

No changes were made to the starting eleven that had beaten Elgin city 3-1 with recent loan signing Joao Balde taking his place on the bench.

Kevin Smith got the game underway for Bonnyrigg Rose but the first chance of the half fell the way of the hosts. Ryan Schiavone nicely flicked the ball to Brogan Walls who turned his man to shoot from the edge of the box, however Weir gathers the ball safely and calmly in the Bonnyrigg goal. 8 minutes after the chance for the Fifers, Bonnyrigg won a penalty when Walls was adjudged to have bundled over Ross Gray in the area. Neil Martyniuk stepped up and sent Fleming the wrong way, making it 1-0 to the travelling team. Directly after the goal, Crawford was forced to make a double substitution with Walls making way for Mikey Cunningham and new signing Joao Balde making his debut for the club coming on for Scott Shepard.

Nearing the half hour mark, Bonnyrigg Rose doubled their lead as ex-Fifer Jonny Stewart sent a low pass into the box from the wing, which was met by Kieran McGachie in the centre, who laid it off to Dean Brett just inside the area who placed home a curling effort into the bottom corner.

The final chance of the half came with 5 minutes to go, when Hibs Loanee Joao Balde took a shot from outside the box, however his effort was narrowly dragged wide of the goal. A short while after the referee blew up for half time, despite the relatively even game, it gave East Fife a mountain to climb in the second half.

On the hour mark, East Fife legend, Kevin Smith further extended the lead of the visitors Martyniuk’s low free kick found feet of Smith who fired past Fleming into the bottom corner.

With 20 minutes of the game remaining, East Fife made a third substitution with Alex Ferguson making way for Jack Healy. Healy didn’t take long to get into the game, as he sent a perfectly placed cross from the right wing onto the head of Mikey Cunningham, however Cunningham failed to find the net as his close-range header went wide and over.

East Fife made their fourth and final change of the game as Cunningham limped off injured to be replaced by Pat Slattery. With 10 minutes remaining, East Fife began to ramp up the pressure and went close to pulling one back as Scott Mercer’s cross narrowly evaded the outstretched Aaron Steele at the back post. Two minutes later Balde sent a good cross into the danger area, however no is there to meet it and the ‘keeper was able to collect.

Bonnyrigg finished the game a man down as Connolly receives a second yellow for taking down Balde. The resulting free kick from Mercer forced Weir to make a good save. After 3 minutes of added time the referee blew the full-time whistle. A disappointing result for the Fifer makes next week’s away trip to Albion Rovers all the more important.

Andrew Laing

We welcome SPFL newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose to the Locality Hub Bayview stadium this afternoon for our first home league match of the season.

There are a few familiar faces in the Bonnyrigg squad, most notably former Club Captain Kevin Smith but fans will also remember midfielder Jonny Stewart and goalkeeper Mikey Andrews from their time at Bayview with Alex Connor and Darren Smith also part of the visitor's coaching staff.

 

Squad News

Lewis Anderson misses out this week with an ankle injury joining long-term absentees Connor McManus and Scott Gallacher on the treatment table.

New signing Joao Balde joins the squad after completing his loan move from Hibernian yesterday.

 

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our traditional home colours of black/gold strips, black shorts and black stockings with the goalkeeper in all-turquoise.

Bonnyrigg Rose will also be in their traditional colours of red/white shirts, red shorts and white stockings with the goalkeeper in all green.

 

Previous Encounter

This is the first meeting between the sides.

 

Match Tickets

Tickets for today’s match are available to buy online here ahead of the game. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be presented digitally or printed at home. Those unable to purchase tickets online can buy theirs over the phone (01333 426323) and collect from the matchday reception. Parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £18

Concessions* - £14

Under 16s** - £5

Parent & Child - £21

Parent & 2 Children - £24

*Over 65s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested

All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC will be admitted free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season. Tickets for this are being organised through EFCFC.

Season tickets are valid for this match. Those who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so up until kick off this afternoon.

Turnstiles will open at 2pm.

 

Car Parking

Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.

 

Live Streaming

No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.

Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.

 

Matchday Catering

The stadium bars will be open to both sets of supporters from 12.30 pm this afternoon for pre- and post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2pm. Please note, our pie stalls are cash only.

 

Matchday Programme

Issue 3 of our new-look matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.

We’re delighted to announce the signing of Joao Balde on a season-long loan from Hibernian.

The 20-year-old midfielder joined Hibs in January from Civil Service Strollers before being loaned back to the Lowland League side for the remainder of the season.

Joao originally came through the Academy at Rangers before making the move to Livingston in the summer of 2020 then onto Civil Service Strollers for the start of the following season.

Stevie Crawford: “We are delighted to add Joao to our squad. He brings something different to what we already have, and he can play in a number of positions which gives us more options. He is very comfortable on the ball, has good energy and we are looking forward to working with him this season”.

Joao goes straight into the squad for tomorrow game against Bonnyrigg Rose.

Welcome to Bayview Joao!