Leaderboard

Let’s get one thing out of the way once and for all, you seem fixated on my club. To repeat, I do not have any input into the running of the club. I used to, I no longer do. Therefore I comment as a fan of the club, and as a fan of the non-league game in Scotland. Try and remember that. You obviously have a close working relationship with the SJFA Exec Committee, you know what the agenda was that much is obvious and people can speculate as to who you are but it’s a fairy unprofessional approach to go arguing the toss on here instead of engaging with member clubs in a meaningful manner to gauge their current opinion on the Pyramid. To not do that for 5 years (and counting) is reprehensible. I’ll pull no punches, you appear to be the living embodiment of a dinosaur and one which will do untold damage to Junior clubs as the gradual slide into insignificance continues. The landscape has changed forever and whether you like it or not, the Lowland League and the Pyramid is the future, it’s not going away and it will evolve, other clubs will follow Kelty’s lead if the SJFA refuse to integrate. That’s a fact, no ifs and no buts. As such, working with other members clubs to make the Junior grade better as you suggest is just an exercise in flogging a dead horse, why would people put efforts into something that has no long term future? In the East you are one or two clubs away from a trickle of defections turning into a tide. We have reached the point that there is little left to lose, the centrepiece of the grade is a sponsorless Junior Cup which costs clubs money to take part in and which brings the fixtures to a grinding halt almost every year when bad weather hits. We still don’t have fixture lists. We still have fixture chaos in May/June. We still don’t play under floodlights. We still have a re-instatement rule. Meanwhile, everyone can look over the fence and see the LL being run on a more professional level, with clubs benefitting financially from full SFA membership and Scottish Cup participation, with a chance to progress to the SPFL. It’s not perfect, but Junior clubs participation can shape it’s future. Bottom line is, more and more people are waking upto the fact that they support a football club, not a grade of football (just look at this thread as evidence and others over the last couple of years). If by looking over the fence they see that there is something on offer that will help progress the club on and off the pitch then that will be something that they will seek, whether by moving through the gate as part of an overall integration of the game, or by jumping the fence. The SJFA have the chance to bring the Junior clubs into the Pyramid in an organised and agreeable manner, there are various ways to achieve this, but in light of your comments and lack of consulation, I have little faith that will happen.

.........and that folks, is what you're dealing with.

Wit the f**k

Majority of that shitrags readers are ***s. Who took interest in this whole mess due to our two players having Irish Catholic sounding names and Wee Dean playing for the tribute act. They somehow think its something to do with them. Who cares what daily record readers think of our club?

What happened to Shiels isn’t acceptable but his Da is still a w**k.

In the past 2 days this has been done to death. O'Hara is an arsehole on the park -> Apologizes and is rightly banned McKee denies the offence -> Club defends him and tries the case, loses so he is therefore banned Fans sing about DS at ICT -> Club issues statement apologising Fans are out of order at EEP -> Club attacks them, apologizes to DS and DAFC and vows to punish them if found What else is supposed to happen here? All sensible, appropriate action has been taken, With the fans, when it happened again and the abuse is obviously much worse the board came out strongly against their own fans. I'm not sure where our board have went majorly wrong here. Time to get back to talking about football (where I'm sure we all have a lot of complaints about the board).

Complaining that Shiels was asked questions at a disciplinary hearing

Interesting news I've heard tonight, an "established" East Premierleague club have applied for membership of the EoSFL within the last few days and are intending to obtain a Licence. If true, things could get very interesting. Deadline for applications to EoSFL is end of March I believe. Will there be more? Watch this space I guess.

f**k the lot of them. Couldn't give a flying f**k what fans of any other club think of us.

Handout Money? Money that’s a reward for good practice and meeting requirements for your club members and customers (supporters), Money that’s re-invested into the club to improve on and off the pitch, Money that’s given as a reward for on the field success. Whats wrong with that? See when you invest so much time and money into a club over the years it’s sometimes nice to be rewarded for that work and investment, the SJFA treat their clubs with contempt and it’s now being recognised by most.

A lazy, and frankly absolutely shit, excuse for a midfielder. I'd rather have Gary Locke as power of attorney, using my life savings to buy magic beans than ever see Thomson ever again.

The North is comfortably the most straightforward to resolve. But the sfa seems determined to let the Highland League teams retain a closed shop. I've said it before but will say it again. Thus far, the football authorities haven't given a single solitary f**k about the development of a logical pyramid. Their sole requirement was to meet a demand from UEFA that they implement a pyramid of some description. They've done that. Regan really needs to show that he is willing to support teams with aspiration and content to see those who have had their current status protected for years drop to their appropriate level. I don't think he's got the balls for it.

Saying we’ve never done anything in January?! How very fucking dare you!

FFS what an absolute roaster If this is what Junior football has to offer I'm sure your members will be banging down the door. Not yours, the SFA's

Seriously ?

Liam Henderson now off to Edinburgh city but permanently. Cameron Blues joins them on loan and Shepherd staying until end of the season. So 5 out in 24 hours- Gasparotto, Henderson, Blues, Shepherd and Nicholl.

Yes, I was on the committee, was delegate for the period under discussion (hence why I have a lot of knowledge of what went on) and was briefly Secretary. As for a direct answer, have a look at the below link and in particular page 4 http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=6299;guest=68405259 "Over 20 SJFA teams have expressed an interest to join the SHFL/LL and the pyramid structure" I think the final number was 27. At the time, we expressed an interest. What the current thinking is I don't know, but I suspect it's not changed. My own thinking at the time was that a club like us (at the time struggling in the South Division) would not be in a position to make the move without being part of a wider move by the SJFA towards a Pyramid. We were in no position (ground wise or financially) to take the risk alone and had other priorities to deal with to progress the club, but we were supporters of the principal of Junior football integrating.

An open goal for Dunfermline supporters sees their utter minks turn out looking worse. Oaft.

I can’t wait until your 2-stand joke of a club disappear into the seaside leagues. It’s gonna happen...

I reckon Scott Bain is happyaccie

Bain whining on the stv news tonight. He'd be better off practising trying to save a penalty. IMO. Thank you.

I listened to Scott Mercer's very honest interview after the Dumbarton game. He readily admitted that he has not performed well at QOS since his move from EF. He didn't make excuses - he said that he had found the step up very challenging and he sounded genuinely disappointed with his own performance in this time. He has had a few steady games but nothing more than that until Tuesday where he turned in a first class display - not only defending really solidly but showing some good skill, pace and touch when going forward. If he were to replicate this on a regular basis there is little doubt that he could become a "valuable regular" but as he says himself he has to maintain this level of performance on a consistent basis. It has taken Mercer a long time to deliver - and he is now basically trying to make up for lost time. Many players would have been moved on by now in similar circumstances but he may just be able to retrieve the situation. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Daily Record readers. Someone has to pay so let’s hammer the club rather than the individuals that did the damage as someone’s got to pay. Many will be the same bigots that turn up at Ibrox or Parkhead each week. Oh the irony!

I love it that for certain people, when associations and leagues outwith the juniors award money to their members due to them having actual (relatively) lucrative sponsorship agreements, this is somehow "subsidy" and keeping clubs "above their natural level".

It’s ‘bizarre’.

I'm hoping for a plain Oxford Blue top and my avatar on the chest. We have to do something for our 150th birthday.

It would get under my skin too if my team attempted to cheat in order to win the league and still came up short.

I've tried this twice. He shat it both times.

Great news. A truly abysmal signing that folk were happy to "give a chance" despite it being clear after about 80 minutes that he was a slow, ponderous, immobile blob who lacked strength, nous, or any semblance of a passing game. A big fat diddy.

The club came out and made a statement condemning the singing at Inverness.

The main issue with the McKee ban is that he wasn't even giving Sheils abuse about his eye but was allegedly slagging off him and his faither. Something which I'm sure happens week in week out on football parks around the country and is why he only got a 4 game ban instead of an 8 game ban like O'Hara. No evidence was provided to corroborate Sheils evidence and all witnesses called said they hadn't heard anything. The furore over the whole thing has seen him banned for a ridiculous number of games considering the offence which again although not being very nice happens all the time in various sports on a regular basis. O'Hara was a different case having pled guilty and was dealt with accordingly although to me 8 games is way over the top . The club like any other were not going to hang him out to dry in public though and have insured that he and the other staff at the club have gone on the correct awareness courses to try and make sure it doesn't happen again. When you consider that clubs across the UK are signing convicted rapists and players that have previously killed people whilst others are being kept on having assaulted police officers on more than one occasion and having to actually play matches whilst wearing monitoring tags I would say that O'Hara's case is pretty low down the scale for those calling for Falkirk to sack them etc.

I think you mean 'fit'!

New name for the Pars: Dadfermline FC

How sensitive are Dunfermline fans, by the way.

There's no real need for everything to be under one governing body to be integrated. They pyramid works in England with multiple bodies controlling the leagues, and as you get further down the pyramid, the regionalised leagues are independently run, while still being completely integrated. The FA officially oversees everything, but as far as I'm aware, they have no real input when it comes to the United Counties League or the Anglian Combination.

Happyaccie is Brogans Mum.

He only turned 21 three months ago. I assume you haven't watched him at U21 level where he has started in 5 games (the only Championship player to start in those games) and was MoM in most of them? In the game against the Netherlands in Paisley he made the £15M Oliver Burke look like he couldn't lace Morgan's boots. A truly exceptional two-footed talent who will be a huge success. Celtic are getting a bargain.

Please stop replying to it.

Personally I'd rather it was the other way about as I (and probably most other Dee's rate Gadzhalov). He's last choice pick for McCann though and only has 6 month left on his deal. Vincent unfortunately, has another 18 month and likely a juicy wage. I can only hope it is Gadz going out on loan because if Hendry goes I'd have Gadz ahead of O'Dea and Extabeguren but unfortunately McCann doesn't seem to rate him.

Only if there's evidence to suggest clubs are interested. Which hasn't been the case. There was evidence 5 years ago when the SJFA surveyed its clubs. The survey was ignored and has never been repeated as they wouldn't like the result. How can TJ attend todays meeting without being armed with upto date data of what clubs would like to see and in what form. What is his negotiating position and who authorised him to go in with it?

Recently got a Patterdale terrier, she’s great.

I doubt I'm the only one expecting to be underwhelmed by the outcome of this meeting and the status quo to remain for at least another season.

There's no point comparing the incidents, they're both awful, trying to "out scumbag" one or the other is mental. Dunfermline have released many statements to bring attention to it and the bloke has been fined and will now be banned from EEP, it couldn't have been dealt with better. I do believe though that the board of Falkirk could have dealt with this far, far better. The statement is a good one, but it's simply far too late, a similar one should have been issued after O'Hara was banned, at the very least it should have been released when the Falkirk fans started singing about Dean Shiels, to then not do anything when McKee was also convicted was dreadful, you could see a mile away that at the very least Falkirk fans were going to sign about Shiels, where was the statement then? Heard from an extremely reliable source that the Falkirk board were offered to deal with the original issue behind closed doors but they were intent on "fighting it", sticking up for your employees is great, however the whole episode and the way they've dealt with it has quite rightfully shown them in the incompetent light that they deserve, can't have any sympathy for the club nor for the vast majority of fans, I'm sure there was only a couple who seemed uncomfortable with it before the game.

3:00 on the second video: Willie Miller spluttering a salty soliloquy only to be drowned out by the delirious Hampden Hibbies singing 'Glory Glory To The Hibees'. 'I would like(AT) to(EAST-) con(-ER)grat(ROAD)ul(THEY)ate (PLAY)Hibs – for (WHEN) their(HIBS) perfor(WENT)mance(UP) and(TO) their (LIFT)resil(THE)ience (SCOT-) in(-TISH) – (CUP) fight(WE)ing(WERE) back(THERE) to(WE) lift (WERE)the tro(THERE)phy – BUT (WHEN)since (HIBS)the (WENT)final (UP) - whis(TO)tle I(LIFT) didn't(THE) think (SCOT-)we(-TISH) would (CUP) see(WE) scenes like(THERE) this (WE)ever (WERE)again (THERE)in my lifetime – I(AS) think(HIBS) it's (GO)depr(MARCH-)ess(-ING)ing for(OOOOO-) the(-OOOO-) game(-OONNNNN) – I think, eh... it's (GLO-) some(-RY)thing that(GLO-) we (-RY)don't (TO)want(THE) to(HIIIII-) see (-IIIIIIIIII-)I'm(-IIIIIIII-) sure(BEEEEE-) they'll(-EEEEEEE-) be (-EEEEEEES)flashed 'round the world...' There was a lot of 'set us back decades' chat when the Scottish media described the Hibees' celebrations... The only decade reminiscent of 'The Gray Day At Hampden' is the 1900s, when the Hibees celebrated another Scottish Cup win by invading the Celtic Park pitch. (Before Hibernian hammered Hibernia's hernias (Celtc) in the 1902 final, Hibs were victorious against a former Victori*** side in the semi-final at Ibrox. One-hundred-and-fourteen years later, with Elizabeth II on the throne, Rangers II set us back decades by freely singing sectarian songs and roaming in the goading.) edited to add: 'GGTTH' was the most rousing rendition of all the hymns chanted that day: 'I ONLY WANT TO SAY THE SCOTTISH CUP IS IN THE BAG!' The roar of that line was the moment that reality returned; Hibs had won the Scottish Cup – albeit the runners-up medals were 'in the bag', bestowed on the brave Rangers players after they walked away with their heads held in their hands.

I have no idea what sort of character Dean Shiels is but I suspect that he has been on the receiving end of taunts ever since he first pulled on a pair of boots and fair play to him for overcoming the challenges and making a career in football, albeit as a modestly paid journeyman. I would also say he has acted with more dignity and restraint than his bitter wee wierdo of a faither has.

I’ve caved in #panicbuy

Those Community Chest's are a hit or a miss.

Was just told we were "one of a number" of clubs who'd contacted his agent. Aberdeen, Motherwell, the two Edinburgh sides and some League One English club also interested. Dundee not even spoken to him yet. Well that is false. O'Hara and Dundee have been in talks for a few weeks, and he is expected to sign on. As stated in the press 2weeks ago by O'Hara himself. You should try and keep your gaffer happy, he wants out of St Johnstone, no wonder though. Anyway, Dundee are a decent club that are improving with McCann looking at 2 decent players, with Bain now gone and 2 others to go. Keep United down and St Johnstone in your back pocket, Dundee! Good night chaps.

Sorry, I really dont see mocking a disability as "PC Shite" Regardless of what else goes on in Scottish football, it was a horrible incident and should be treated accordingly.