BANKIEBILL

There's zero chance of an SJFA league sitting at Tier 5 ... zero. The only issue at point here is the Junior Cup. It obviously still gets a number of people excited and in current context - 1200 and 1400 ish crowds are decent ( although in truth I expected the Beechwood crowd to be a lot higher and the photos look busy but ... ) . I don't think it's my business to tell other people what can float their boat. I do have a right to be concerned about what the Junior Cup does to the league. If the SJFA were serious about a Junior legacy then they could get on their bikes and go round trying to persuade all the "non-league" leagues and teams that a national cup was in their interest and attractive. If it was an all-in and replaced the North and South Cups then maybe we'd avoid a situation where a Junior Cup - is given precedence over league, where teams - less than a month from drop dead end date of league still have games to be scheduled. I see some games have started to be moved around and others pencilled in - but part of the problem is the disruption caused by the Junior Cup. Talbot could easily have played Darvel on the Tues / Weds last week but because of the free week nonsense it's still to be scheduled. It's not only that of course but we have a situation where we're sitting in middle of a 4 week idle period with 2 games left and we have others with 7 or 8 games to go. It's not a good way to be finishing what has been a great league campaign and one that is effectively ruling Talbot out the race. Which is a shame as it would be nice to have someone in the play off

Damn - why didn't I think to use atavistic in P&B post ... Always enjoy the too rare posts from you my friend

1185 ... surprised it wasnt more tbh

Look mate. Asides from this thread and partly in reaction to the "car share" video where I've posted a couple of things that imply criticism of your model - im not sure ive mentioned Gartcairn before. That reaction's mainly with regards to Alex McDowell ( with a paid position should he be connected with a specific team ? ) implying that it was a model that could be replicated. Its not. It's wholly dependent on a bunch of folk chucking money at it. It's not a pathway unless kids are coming through. If your keeper and centre mid have some through your academy then that's a legitimate retort. I suspect there's not much evidence of it though from a club that's based on a boys club. Re not spending £000s on players - give me a break. Its not illegal but McDowell gave the game away himself in the video. Chucking money at a team is not new - in fact it's becoming more prevalent. Its been happening since at least the 90s - Kilwinning, Bathgate, Meadow, Hurlford, Darvel, Johnstone Burgh, Drumchapel, St Cadocs and now you. There's probably more of it around and the inevitable end result is backers back out and the club has to face reality. As I say- it's not illegal but it has had the effect of clubs having to either accept they can't compete at same level or overreach and get into bother. Pollok seem to be an example of that. I'm sure there are others that are hiding it better. So tbh I don't pay that much attention to Gartcairn unless we're playing you. I wasn't at either game for family reasons. Guys at 1st game were complimentary at the start you made and that we were fortunate to get a point. 2nd game - which I saw on stream - there wasn't much in it. Given your struggles over season then a 1 point return was probably disappointing but you have some smashing players. I don't have any particular ill will towards Gartcairn - there's every chance that you'll be among front runners next season and we'll have to deal with that. I'm not sure what your end game is or the motivation of the guys involved but it's a legitimate club. Just don't pretend your something you're not. 200 fans doesn't count for much in the way of income or justify the kind of wages you'll be paying - you're entirely dependent on the input of a few guys. Best of luck with it

As long as they're working within the rules, being transparent with relevant authorities and to an extent - not preaching to everyone else - then there's not too much can be done - in absence of any financial fair play or anything approaching. Talbot ( and their fans obvs ) can be annoying of course but everything is done on a sustainable basis and on back of previous success, good management and a lot of hard work. It's hard to emulate and will take some time. Let's not kid ourselves on though. The business chucking tens of thousands at a new or small club, isn't emulating what Talbot have done. It's not a model for anyone other than what can be done when a group of guys decide to chuck some money at something. Gartcairn and St Cadocs aren't offering a pathway by spending thousands on a McShane or a Ferguson or by buying the entire East Kilbride side most of whom had senior experience I believe ?? It's happened elsewhere. If a legacy of facilities and organisation is left to build on then you can at least point to something positive. If not then of course it skews the playing field. The Drum haven't brought through talent, neither have Johnstone Burgh - they've been able to operate purely by chucking money at something. Its not against any rules, its incredibly frustrating if you are not following that "model" and you have to question what's the final goal for it , but we just have to try and compete. Just don't gaslight folk by calling it a model and imply that it can be done by everyone. No amount if Social Media is bringing fans to these clubs. That'll take years, decades. How long will these businessmen hang about ?

Big upsets in both semis ... Arthurlie v Darvel final

Indeed. We certainly couldn't.

Tbf he was only driving for the 1st wee bit

As a cat person, you learn to live with expectation

If that was their main concern they could've voted to expand LL with more coming up the way and automatic promotion ( 2 or 3 spots ) and relegation. Re more league games to fit in ... there are currently at least 3 that haven't even been scheduled and we're less than a month from the supposed last day of the season.

No really no. Did you actually expect an answer ? Ffs

Surprised he's not taken the Killiepio slot at Talbot. Making his way round the clubs - sellin the product

At end of day we lost by odd goal away to Beith, a late goal at home to Gartcairn who just spent £15k on a winger that morning and go's knows how much on his wages, a hugely disappointing- at the time - loss to Largs who have melted all in their path, and another late goal defeat away to Darvel who've still got a formidable squad. All results which taken individually are not hugely unexpected. We've come back with 1 loss in 4 but probably too late unless a few team actually DO shite the bed.

Well it was a bit ungracious tbh. I wish you all the best against the billionaires.

They'll say that the split is there to hedge against that. Could be a Gartcairn v St Cadocs semi for example

Assuming as much. Now over to Matt Bamford who will be doing his car share skit with Peter Kay ... Well it's all about the Social Medja and promoting the product innit ... Wonder if there will be fireworks

The semi final gates. The proceeds are - 40% to the home team and 60% to the SJFA. The explanation & justification for this being that they are allowing the participating clubs an extra game and that they'll make £5k from hospitality or they don't run their clubs professionally enough

Let's hope you don't shite any beds this weekend then or your season's looking pretty keech itself

I'm not posting pictures of my cats as there are some right weirdos on here but rest assured they are cute wee mites.

Those would be good Bankie cats names but mine are Saorsie and Georgie. Both named before we got them and both the cutest wee things you've ever seen.

Does he have lanterns ?

Do you know this fellow ? What's he like ?

And ... was doing some work there Pete. ie competitive pricing part.