[caledoniaman]

Sounds like the death knell. This will likely be a temporary move so that Airdrie and Stranraer can move up and more importantly start buying players of a calibre to suit their new status.

I expect to see Gretna shrug off the mortal coil in the next few days and the Spartans marketing exercise to kick off in earnest along with that of other clubs interested in taking their place.

[boardroomshuffler]

Is it Huntly or Spartans?

[caledoniaman]

boardroomshuffler, on May 29 2008, 20:53, said:

Is it Huntly or Spartans?

Apparently Talksport are saying that Gretna are unlikely to be involved next season and Spartans are the clear favourites to take their place. Don't shoot the messenger.

[Simplistic]

I would very much love Spartans to be there next season.

However I think this has a long long way to go

[tamthebam]

Gretna were going to be in the draw for the Challenge Cup... I presume that if they are replaced in the league then the club who replaces them will face the team Gretna were drawing against?

My head hurts.....

[Simplistic]

tamthebam, on May 29 2008, 21:33, said:

Gretna were going to be in the draw for the Challenge Cup... I presume that if they are replaced in the league then the club who replaces them will face the team Gretna were drawing against?

My head hurts.....

I guess so however it has been drawn in a north south draw - kinda like what they do with johnstone's paint trophy da'an s'aff

so if it was huntly would they re-do the draw?

Only time will tell I guess

[boardroomshuffler]

WJR, on May 29 2008, 21:53, said:

Now that's a job for HibeeJibee!

[Grumpy Panner]

boardroomshuffler, on May 29 2008, 22:43, said:

Spartans have got to be favourites as they are the only East of Scotland team who are offering League wages!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! !!!!

[boardroomshuffler]

Grumpy Panner, on May 29 2008, 23:51, said:

Spartans have got to be favourites as they are the only East of Scotland team who are offering League wages!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! !!!!

It will be close

[HibeeJibee]

WJR, on May 29 2008, 21:53, said:

Now that's a job for HibeeJibee!

The new team, if required, will play away to Clyde whether they come from NE or SW sections. It doesn't really matter anyway, the sections are only in R1 and are being played at weekend now.

You shan't find me endorsing any team for the (possible) vacancy, EOS or otherwise, but what I will say is - there are several strong contenders in the EOS, and they'll all put up a fine showing.

[boardroomshuffler]

Huntly have a decent chance and so have Preston.

[HibeeJibee]

boardroomshuffler, on May 30 2008, 12:16, said:

Huntly have a decent chance and so have Preston.

I think every club bidding, or being linked with a bid, have pros and cons. Some clubs have better playing standards, but not the ground or the finance. Some clubs have the ground, but not the playing standard. Some come from unrepresented areas of Scotland geographically. Some have a history of bids, others have never bid before. I don't believe any club can 'assume' they've got a high chance of winning, however much the (ill-informed) newspapers and radio may claim that.

Of course, if we had a pyramid system it wouldn't come down to smoky rooms and all that...

[aseyecit]

caledoniaman, on May 29 2008, 16:56, said:

Sounds like the death knell. This will likely be a temporary move so that Airdrie and Stranraer can move up and more importantly start buying players of a calibre to suit their new status.

I expect to see Gretna shrug off the mortal coil in the next few days and the Spartans marketing exercise to kick off in earnest along with that of other clubs interested in taking their place.

I doubt if Gretna will still be around after this week but Spartans must be worried about 'that' letter last season. If it happens it will come to a vote and how many chairmen will remember that another club tried to gain entry to the league before there was a vacancy?

[HibeeJibee]

WJR, on May 30 2008, 14:44, said:

I think you would find that what would concern (not worry) Spartans would be

working their socks off to put together a top quality bid to do justice to the footballing track record of the team, to the youth and community inititiatives, to the opportunity for all ethos and all the hard work over the last five years inspired by Craig Graham and Derick Rodier.

If that fell short then whoever was successful would have put together one hell of a bid and would go into the SFL with our best wishes.

However, you must agree, WJR, that many other clubs who could apply have similar credentials.

[aseyecit]

WJR, on May 30 2008, 14:44, said:

I think you would find that what would concern (not worry) Spartans would be working their socks off to put together a top quality bid to do justice to the footballing track record of the team, to the youth and community inititiatives, to the opportunity for all ethos and all the hard work over the last five years inspired by Craig Graham and Derick Rodier. If that fell short then whoever was successful would have put together one hell of a bid and would go into the SFL with our best wishes.

But really this is all still at the stage of "if my auntie had ..."

I agree with you about where the situation is at the moment, or if I were on the telly, "at this present moment in time."( Does that sentence annoy you as it does me?). It is just that these sort of things can turn into a bit of not what you have done or can achieve but who you know. A nudge here and a nod there makes a vote for or against. I wouldn't trust the right hand against the left one in this case. Without a pyramid even the best clubs can miss out.

[aseyecit]

WJR, on May 30 2008, 15:39, said:

"Does that sentence annoy you as it does me?" Oh yes. Back to the world of ifs and buts for a mo, if we did get in I would like to think that we would continue to work for a pyramid structure which of course could see us coming back down to earth with a bump and tail between our legs.

Right, would love to stay and chat but Craig has asked me to pop out and buy a wad of brown envelopes.

Don't go and buy any envelopes I've a load of A4s here. It's what you intend putting in them that counts, so for one full envelope you can have the rest. Any good? No? Well, never mind I tried.