[cmontheloknow]

HibeeJibee, on Apr 14 2008, 16:33, said:

I was talking with an official from a prominent EOS club last week, and he said the reason he couldn't see a pyramid working was because it would cost his club £32,000 to operate in the higher levels, while they run on about £10,000 currently. You can't argue with that, but the point is that the pyramid is not there to get teams into the SFL. That is one part of it, but the pyramid benefits every club - by allowing them to play the best opposition in their local area, and allowing them to rise / fall to a playing and commercial level suited to them.

This is why it won't happen - people who run clubs (and a lot of supporters) are sadly unable to separate a pyramid system and the apparent resultant need to play in the SFL if it is introduced.

[mcruic]

cmontheloknow, on Apr 11 2008, 21:31, said:

I can only go by what's reported seeing as the South League is one of the few leagues in Scotland (North Juniors the other) without an official site.

The North Juniors have now been incorporated along with the West Juniors on the SJFA site. East Juniors has a separate site for some reason, even thoush SJFA theoretically controls all 3 regions.

[ronniemc]

I`m going to throw this into the hat.

With the club due to move into a new stadium in 2009/10 would an Ayr United reserve team playing home games on an astrograss pitch be looked on as a welcome addition to the SOSFL?

This post has been edited by ronniemc: 14 May 2008 - 07:37

[HibeeJibee]

With the high possibility of an AFC Gretna joining the SOSFL next season, should the existing club go bust, would the SOSFL be able to cope with 17 teams - requiring 32 leagues matches a year?

[cmontheloknow]

saint scoop, on May 14 2008, 15:48, said:

to many teams as it is

They should split the potential 16 team league in two and play each other 3 times, league prog of 21 matches.

[ronniemc]

marf-1870, on May 14 2008, 13:58, said:

'due' being beeing the main word. Speaking to freinds in Ayr have been hearing they don't even have planning permission yet.

We are aiming to have the new stadium operational for the start of 2009/10. I`m not going into great detail mate but all the club are waiting on is for the final papers to being signed by South Ayrshire Council. Nothing is ever easy though when it comes to civil servants

When we move it will open up all sorts of opportunities and thats why I posted on here as one of the major problems at the moment is the lack of a reserve team.

Another reason for my interest in the SOSFL is I was made aware that during last season Nithsdale were scouting around the lower reaches of the Ayrshire Amateur Leagues for players (particularly for away games). Is that the norm or are Nithsdale struggling a bit at the moment?

cheers

[locharinn]

I MIGHT AS WELL JOIN THE DEBATE. The way the Dumfries Amateur League is going at the moment the amateur game in Dfs is on a downward slide with only 9 teams playing in the league at present. My thoughts would be that the amateur league amalgamated with the SOSL to form a 2 division set up, with a pyramid league above that. The teams at the bottom end, probably 6 or 7 teams, of the SOSL are of no better standard than most Amateur League teams at present, this would actually make a very good 2nd division in SOS football, with the top division closely balanced games as well. You could also have a promotion and relegation scenario at end of season. As for the cup competitions, the top league could play for 2 south cups, the 2nd division could play for 2 amateur cups, the dumfries sides could play for a cup and the stewartry and wigtownshire sides could play for a cup and you could have 1 cup for both leagues to see how far 2nd division clubs are improving.

[ziggs ball]

aftergood idea pal was thinking along those lines myself,maybe then we'd give the youth of today a better standard of football to play in.do you think big toddy johannsen platini would go for it like?doubt the sos league snobs would go for it either great idea tho,after all the crichton won the league with half o lochars team fae last year.[not the big step up it used to be]

[locharinn]

ziggs ball, on May 17 2008, 21:57, said:

aftergood idea pal was thinking along those lines myself,maybe then we'd give the youth of today a better standard of football to play in.do you think big toddy johannsen platini would go for it like?doubt the sos league snobs would go for it either great idea tho,after all the crichton won the league with half o lochars team fae last year.[not the big step up it used to be]

The amateur teams are mostly on an even standard at the moment. Lochar played abbey vale in friendlies twice this year and beat them, beat fleet star in friendly, and ran Dalbeattie close losing 3-2 in a friendly. I know friendlies are not as competitive but it just shows what can happen. Mr amateur League toddy should seriously consider such idea. SOSL clubs may not like the idea but you would think the lower teams would jump at the chance of having something to play for in a season whether it be cups or a promotion to top league. I'm no sur if half o lochars team ended at Crichton just a couple. I know big Speedy at Abbey Vale is on the tap for 3-4 players for next season. I just hope they don't want to lower their standards!!!!

[Hoss]

Speedy has about 300 players lined up for next season!!!!

[Clayhole Blue]

Mr Ed, on Apr 11 2008, 22:44, said:

I agree with your comments that the league would be poorer without the teams you mentioned, I also agree that it is really frustrating when these clubs send out their East team or a team beefed up with first team players. Perhaps one way round this would be if these clubs registered a pool of players that would take part in the South league only, with an allowance of 2 players per game from their first team pool, this would allow them to play players that were coming back from injury or not getting a game in the first team. Registered South league players could step up at any time to allow for player developement or to help the first team out to cover injuries. I realise this could only work on a voluntary basis as I am well aware that a player signs for a club not a league. If someone from the clubs mentioned reads this I would like to know your clubs views on this. B)

As far as I'm aware the two reasons for us entering the South league were 1) to provide a reserve team so we could give games to first team fringe players or returning injured players, and 2) to support local football. I doubt there would be a great deal of point in us being in the league if we couldn't use what is our reserve side as a genuine reserve side. There was also the point already made that there is no longer a useful reserve competition within the SFL.

[Jimmy MCcabe]

Indeed they did and it will but to think that they could put together a team of youngsters in the time scale was pie in the sky (something the Stranraer committee has admitted ) but with the formation of teams at all age levels below, the reserves will hopefully become the catalyst for producing some first team squad players with those not seen capable of doing so joining other South teams hopefully better players for the coaching and experience. Putting together squads at all levels has taken time, money and a lot of hard work from volunteer coaches but it may pay dividends in the long run not only for SFC but for other teams in the region.