[heedthebaa]

juniors slightly better standard overall, juniors a lot more exciting games to watch

[Cicero]

Basically its a nonsense that there is a split in Scottish non-league football. For reasons of geography, I follow my local(ish) team in a senior league. If Gretna was located a few miles north west, I would more than likely be following them in a Junior league. Once we get rid of the terms Junior and Senior, non-league football in Scotland will be all the better for it.

I recently attended a Junior game in Glasgow and there was not much difference to being at a game in the East of Scotland League in terms of facilities and atmosphere. Two evenly matched teams can be exciting to watch at any level.

[stanton4]

As someone who has been around EoS for a few years but have been watching Junior this season, I must say I have been generally impressed with what I have seen in the South Division. I would say that the overall standard is better than EoS2, I think a few of the teams would cope in EoS1.

The top of EoS1 is similar to the standard of the top of the juniors, but there is no depth to it. Admittedly this year there is more competition with Stirling and Gretna adding to the usual suspects, but I think the rest are Junior Prem standard, and Junior South at the bottom end.

The facitlities, ( if not perhaps the pitches themselves....WTF is that whitburn pitch all about ???) while being a bit run down, are significantly better. eg Whitehill is seen as a pretty good set up in EoS terms, but is run of the mill in the junior world. The crowds are certainly better. The small towns in West Lothian support their clubs better than the small towns in the EoS region, maybe a rugby thing, but thats the way it is. And of course nobody really supports the Edinburgh clubs.

If we get to consolidated leagues, rather than just EoS and Junior staying separate under some kind of SFL4 then it will all come out in the wash, but I do think that aside one obvious exception, that the Juniors are in better shape to take advantage of any pyramid. And I dont suppose the Uni teams are in the slightest bit interested.

One thing that does occur to me is that the current split waters down the playing standard in the region. what we will see is a handfull of east region clubs becoming even more powerful, and that the removal of the divide would mean that the East Region will become a more consistent match for the west.

[newcastle broon]

stanton4, on 29 December 2011 - 09:48, said:

As someone who has been around EoS for a few years but have been watching Junior this season, I must say I have been generally impressed with what I have seen in the South Division. I would say that the overall standard is better than EoS2, I think a few of the teams would cope in EoS1.

The top of EoS1 is similar to the standard of the top of the juniors, but there is no depth to it. Admittedly this year there is more competition with Stirling and Gretna adding to the usual suspects, but I think the rest are Junior Prem standard, and Junior South at the bottom end.

The facitlities, ( if not perhaps the pitches themselves....WTF is that whitburn pitch all about ???) while being a bit run down, are significantly better. eg Whitehill is seen as a pretty good set up in EoS terms, but is run of the mill in the junior world. The crowds are certainly better. The small towns in West Lothian support their clubs better than the small towns in the EoS region, maybe a rugby thing, but thats the way it is. And of course nobody really supports the Edinburgh clubs.

If we get to consolidated leagues, rather than just EoS and Junior staying separate under some kind of SFL4 then it will all come out in the wash, but I do think that aside one obvious exception, that the Juniors are in better shape to take advantage of any pyramid. And I dont suppose the Uni teams are in the slightest bit interested.

One thing that does occur to me is that the current split waters down the playing standard in the region. what we will see is a handfull of east region clubs becoming even more powerful, and that the removal of the divide would mean that the East Region will become a more consistent match for the west.

what is meant by run of the mill ?

I would say having to demolish the odd condemned grandstand/shed and rebuilding would cost a lot more than putting the odd seat in here and there.

WW with all the success in the world would always be poorly supported due to the geographical location of the place having to compete wi your very well followed penicuiks,bonnyrigg and nitten stars who could well match there west counterparts crowd wise ?

Im sure a successful and challenging gala or hawick (especially on a friday night) would challenge any non league crowd.

This post has been edited by newcastle broon: 29 December 2011 - 12:51

[Scotty Gormley]

I have played in both and Junior is better.

Scotty G 13 in 13

[Grim O'Grady]

Scotty Gormley, on 29 December 2011 - 19:27, said:

I have played in both and Junior is better.

Scotty G 13 in 13

So why is Scotty playing in the inferior Senior football then?

Grim

[jaggywaggy]

Grim O, on 30 December 2011 - 01:10, said:

So why is Scotty playing in the inferior Senior football then?

Grim

Possibly cos he is still retained by Whitburn and they want some riduculous amount of compensation?

[Scotty Gormley]

Grim O, on 30 December 2011 - 01:10, said:

So why is Scotty playing in the inferior Senior football then?

Grim

Inferior Scotty is playing Senior footbal cause he want to Grim, you got a problem with that.

Scotty G 13 in 13

[Grim O'Grady]

Scotty Gormley, on 30 December 2011 - 12:09, said:

Inferior Scotty is playing Senior footbal cause he want to Grim, you got a problem with that.

Scotty G 13 in 13

No problem, Scotty does what Scotty wants, I just don't see why anyone would want to play in a league that they feel is below them? Obviously I don't see it as being beneath you, I like this league, that's why I post positively on this forum! Seems a bit gormless to me.

Grim

[Scotty Gormley]

Grim O, on 30 December 2011 - 13:20, said:

No problem, Scotty does what Scotty wants, I just don't see why anyone would want to play in a league that they feel is below them? Obviously I don't see it as being beneath you, I like this league, that's why I post positively on this forum! Seems a bit gormless to me.

Grim

Good post Grim.

Scotty G 13 in 13