[Mr Maryfield]

What are your views on the quality of the South league nowadays compared to 10 years ago?

Has the introduction of the new teams into the league improved it or have they lowered the quality of football that is played nowadays in the South League?

[Hoss]

Mr Maryfield, on Mar 24 2008, 19:49, said:

What are your views on the quality of the South league nowadays compared to 10 years ago?

Has the introduction of the new teams into the league improved it or have they lowered the quality of football that is played nowadays in the South League?

Which teams did the league consist of back then compared to now???????

[P.A.F.C]

Hoss, on Mar 24 2008, 20:03, said:

Which teams did the league consist of back then compared to now???????

SINCE 70s , 80s and 90s league is worse (PERSONAL OPINION). Three teams since gone are Lincluden Swifts ,Tarff Rovers and Girvan Amateurs.

[Galabankie]

P.A.F.C, on Mar 24 2008, 22:07, said:

SINCE 70s , 80s and 90s league is worse (PERSONAL OPINION). Three teams since gone are Lincluden Swifts ,Tarff Rovers and Girvan Amateurs.

Add Annan and Dalbeattie

[P.A.F.C]

Galabankie, on Mar 24 2008, 22:26, said:

Add Annan and Dalbeattie

Annan and Dalbeattie are still in the league (Iknow they are second string outfits but nevertheless they are still there).

[DG7]

Mr Ed, on Mar 24 2008, 22:46, said:

I think that the loss of the two teams named above to the East of Scotland League and the likes of Queens not having a reserve side in the League have had an impact on the quality of the league. But I would have to say that there are a lot less quality players going about now, you only have to see how few teams are left in amateur football to see that the general pool of players to choose from has deminished. The new teams that have come into the league will take time to make an impact as it can take years to put the infrastructure in place to compete with the more established teams. The lure of playing in the Scottish cup will always be a draw for the bigger clubs thus making it harder for the newer teams to win the league.

I'm afraid I have to agree with you there Mr Ed. Queen of the South reserves brought some quality to the league. They should be reintroduced. It would hopefully lift the motivation for other teams.

[FC_1919]

DG7, on Mar 25 2008, 11:16, said:

I'm afraid I have to agree with you there Mr Ed. Queen of the South reserves brought some quality to the league. They should be reintroduced. It would hopefully lift the motivation for other teams.

We dont have enough players for it this year. Even if we did I dont kno if its that great an exercise for us. The scorline against an "improved", Fleet Star says it all.

[DG7]

FC_1919, on Mar 25 2008, 12:00, said:

We dont have enough players for it this year. Even if we did I dont kno if its that great an exercise for us. The scorline against an improved Fleet Star says it all.

Point taken. Still, Queens brought a bit more excitement to the league and everyone wanted to beat them.

[FC_1919]

saintslad, on Mar 25 2008, 12:32, said:

You do realise it was Queens first team playing in that game against Fleet Star dont you? Dobbie, O'Conner, McQuliken, Bingham, O'Neil and Mole were all playing not much chance for Fleet Star

Yes, but as we dont have a reserves its a bit of a farce with us in that cup. That team could easily put 10 on most South team. We ran over the top of the Crichton last year in a friendly with youths, Scott Morrison and Ian McCall pulling the strings.

If we have an under 19's next year, I would rather they played against other 19's from other league clubs.

[FC_1919]

saint scoop, on Mar 25 2008, 15:02, said:

yes would improve the queens and stranraer fc not good enough teams to test young talent in south

I honestly cant tell if you're argeeing or diagreing with me?

[P.A.F.C]

saint scoop, on Mar 25 2008, 15:02, said:

yes would improve the queens and stranraer fc not good enough teams to test young talent in south

Queens U19s hardly covered themselves in glory in scottish cup this year and Stranraer as been pointed out were meant to be putting under 19 team in south but haven,t.

[Blue1870]

P.A.F.C, on Mar 25 2008, 17:17, said:

Stranraer as been pointed out were meant to be putting under 19 team in south but haven,t.

Were they?? The initial idea was to be u-19 but that was even before a squad had been thought about. It was not possible at that time to get a full u-19 team so it's a mix ie reserves which to be honest is better because you can blend the u-17's up in to the reserves with some more experienced players. next year will be u-13,u-15,u-17 and reserves i think. Which is great news for the local youngsters. The youngsters are very lucky to have this chance.

[FC_1919]

P.A.F.C, on Mar 25 2008, 17:17, said:

Queens U19s hardly covered themselves in glory in scottish cup this year and Stranraer as been pointed out were meant to be putting under 19 team in south but haven,t.

It was the under 16's that played.

[P.A.F.C]

FC_1919, on Mar 25 2008, 23:50, said:

It was the under 16's that played.

WHY?

[FC_1919]

P.A.F.C, on Mar 26 2008, 00:08, said:

WHY?

Thats the oldest age group we have.

The 17's/19's were dispanded, Chis said at the AGM that they were not seen as good enough.

[P.A.F.C]

FC_1919, on Mar 26 2008, 00:15, said:

Thats the oldest age group we have.

The 17's/19's were dispanded, Chis said at the AGM that they were not seen as good enough.

I don,t know anything about Queens set up , do they have younger than under 16 or a reserve side for instance how are potential new players tried out it,s a big gap u16 to 1st team.The scottish youth cup score is now clearer if it was u16 against Hibs.

[FC_1919]

P.A.F.C, on Mar 26 2008, 00:38, said:

I don,t know anything about Queens set up , do they have younger than under 16 or a reserve side for instance how are potential new players tried out it,s a big gap u16 to 1st team.The scottish youth cup score is now clearer if it was u16 against Hibs.

There are teams from 12/13's up to 16's and there will be 17's next year. Theres no reserves, but we were entered in the reserve league west last year. The 17's from last year were dispanded, as they were not thought good enough.

This post has been edited by FC_1919: 26 March 2008 - 00:51

[P.A.F.C]

Mr Maryfield, on Mar 24 2008, 19:49, said:

What are your views on the quality of the South league nowadays compared to 10 years ago?

Has the introduction of the new teams into the league improved it or have they lowered the quality of football that is played nowadays in the South League?

Lets have your answers lads to the original question now.Do you think league today is worse in quality?

[FC_1919]

marf-1870, on Mar 26 2008, 22:54, said:

Qu*ens tried to string a 17s team together for the league cup but pooled out. I think Stranraer starting a 17s had a big effect on the 17s down there, with at least seven boys at Stranraer this season who were down there last season.

Yeah thats what I am led to believe, same with a few of the 19's playing for the reserves, correct?

I heard on WestSound last week that "youth product" Stuart McColm had signed a new contract. It made me laugh!

[Mr Maryfield]

P.A.F.C, on Mar 27 2008, 00:02, said:

Lets have your answers lads to the original question now.Do you think league today is worse in quality?

Unfortunately i cannot comment on the standard of the league 10 years ago as i was just a youngster in those days and not very familiar with the South of Scotland league.