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I've heard this argument a lot of times, but I don't really get where it's coming from. The East of Scotland League sits at the bottom of the pyramid and is the only place that any club in the east of Scotland who want to participate in the pyramid can apply to. They have run more than one division in the past, and will do so again next season. There is no real reason why they couldn't even run three or four divisions if need be. What you are essentially saying is that they should stop letting perfectly viable and acceptable teams in right now, just in case several Junior clubs want to apply a couple of years down the line. That would be unfair on the new clubs, and would stand against the very principles of the pyramid system.

It's very easy to identify who the Aberdeen fans are on this thread, even if you're on mobile, because they're the only ones who don't think that Willie Miller is an atrocious pundit and a generally slavering mess of a man.

Feedback i got from both meetings was Tuesdays SJFA meet done nothing to strengthen the SJFAs case in pleasing its Member clubs while at Thursdays EOS meeting it was clear in that it provides a better run setup with a host of benefits that has been spoke about previously. They have a better relationship with the SFA, the pyramid system and licencing, SJFA had a non existent one up until 4 weeks ago. The SJFA have had years to sort something out for its Member clubs in terms of Licencing and the pyramid. Stance was always “our clubs aren’t interested in either, we are fine how we are.” Clubs are pi**ed off now due to a constant decline of the grade and a host of other reasons plastered almost daily on here and social media, SJFA ignored this situation last year when we left thinking we were wrong in what we were doing (we may still be wrong, time will tell) instead of looking in the mirror, looking into improving the setup they run and trying to stop other clubs doing the same. They are now in re-active mode when pro-active was the move years ago. Last year with Kelty going it should have been a wake up call for the SJFA, they disrespected our decision publicly and out of snobbery continued to think the grade was bullet proof. It was only a matter of time before clubs looked at other avenues if they felt it bettered their club. You have to ask yourself why the SFA would only allow clubs part of the pyramid to be Licenced? why would they put competition winning SJFA clubs in the Scottish Cup preliminaries? Why would they have talks about removing those places only recently? The SJFA have become an irrelevance to the SFA from their own doing, in turn hurting it’s clubs. SJFA have no bargaining power due to previous actions and now that there’s a route for progressive clubs to join the pyramid in the EOS, SOS and the imminent WOS division in 19/20 that will be seen as tier 6 covering all regions, a Super Duper League (that got voted out few years back) that covers Angus to Ayrshire bolted on because it’s convenient for the SJFA is surely a non starter Clubs who want to be progressive can move into the pyramid, those who are happy where they are can stick it out with TJ and co. If there is a merger with the SJFA and the pyramid then it will be bolting onto existing divisions. All clubs had and have a choice.

I think as someone mentioned a few pages back, you definitely seem, particularly since the East Juniors meeting on Tuesday, to have drifted into viewing everything through the prism of what you would like to see happen rather than what is likely to happen. The EoSFL are an organisation already within the Pyramid who, I would assume, have built up strong and lasting relationships with the SFA, with the Lowland League and with the SPFL, working with them in a progressive way to formulate and to agree many aspects of the governance of the game in the lower tiers. Such close working relationships will build trust and will build support for each other and each others viewpoints. The SJFA, on the other hand, have been reluctant to the point of intransigence to involve themselves in any of the structuring of the game at these lower levels. The EoSFL are, I'd imagine, almost certain to use the relationships they have nurtured and the influence they have accordingly built up to state simply that Tier 6 already exists in the east and that a rival Tier 6 coexisting in exactly the same region of the country is entirely unacceptable to them. Who, then, are the decision makers likely to listen to in this scenario? Using the same analogy as above, are we really to expect that, like a drunk storming into the party several hours after the birthday cake has been cut to demand that the music be changed, the SJFA will turn up late with all sorts of demands and be listened to with a sympathetic ear?

Pixie's attempt at being a rectangle.

In Scotland, more so.

Spfl can suck ma girthy welt

In an alternate dimension, we avoided Gary Locke and are riding high in the championship with Bates at the heart of defence, Callachan driving the team forward from midfield and Vaughan up front, we got in first and re-signed Aiden Connolly and Louis Longridge instead of Chris Jonhston and Scott Roberts. Our keepers aren't crap, and we have enough of them.

It’s good to see that the junior football community can come together to sort things out. An enquiry from the Wishaw end regarding filming, a hint from our end (Hurlford) to Fitbashorts and a few message from Shannon (Irvine Meadow fan) to Eddie (I think a Kilwinning fan) at Fitbashorts and things are sorted for both legs . Well done guys. And thanks to all.!

I think that video just confirms, although it doesn’t need confirming really, that their is a deep racist culture within the Football club. Let’s not forget a player getting forced out of the club just a few months ago.

As an outsider I see Rose in a perfect position - right in the middle of the biggest catchment area for players, from a town that is in one of the wealthiest parts of the country.... http://simd.scot/2016/#/simd2016/BTTTFTT/11/-3.6985/55.9561/ With a population of about 20,000 you could sustain regular 4 figure crowds (I believe the sensible limit for any urban area is 10% but that doesn't take into account existing allegances) . With the revenue available in the higher reaches, increased wage costs are offset. Linlithgow Rose, with the right guidance, could conceivably become the biggest semi pro side in the country. That will never happen in Junior football. What will attract a bigger crowd (long term) to Prestonfield - games vs. Dundee United or St. Mirren or games vs Bathgate or Forfar West End?

Yes, bit like your trolling.

Your chairman is quoted as saying Linlithgow are a progressive club that don't want to be left behind and who have aspirations of getting to the SPFL. Presumably that's a personal opinion as it's clear the club is going in the opposite direction. Care to explain why you are not a fan of the concept of a pyramid? So where is the playing pathway for teams entering the SJFA East Region pyramid? Craigroyston joined the South Division two seasons ago, which feeder league did they come from and how did they actually improve the league? The concept of a pyramid means that anyone can join at the bottom - quality control is carried out by the process of promotion/relegation. And given that most of the teams applying for the EoS will be better than bottom placed Tweedmouth, by definition they will improve the league, and in time the extra numbers will allow two divisions which will each be more competitive than this season's 13 team league.

The meeting last night was very well attended - apart from one club who couldn't make it due to another commitment. It was a really great meeting with nothing but positive vibes coming from both the Board and the rest of the room. The key thing for me is that the EOS board and their member clubs are so welcoming and willing to help newbies compared to the SJFA. This is a massively exciting time for us all.

He's got a heart of screwdriver now.

This is just another illustration of where we are rotten.

How come everytime something controversial occurs, new poster/posters appear on here and within about 3 posts make a rip roaring c**t of themselves??

Until we start selling our poppies m9. Kerching.

Deefiant must be working at Dens these days.

As Dom says, there is a sinister culture of racism at Tynecastle. The media may have bought into the cuddly granny role that Klan Budge plays, but we Hibs fans know better.

I’ve not been this excited since Kipre signed the last of his 3 contracts this season.

He said Scotland, not Dundee...

Absolutely. Without O'Halloran's early season contribution we certainly wouldn't be safe now. I don't think he was disinterested but he did strike me as a player carrying injuries after Dundee clogged him out of the game in September. I'd love to have him back again but I don't want us holding off, waiting until August, not getting him and either signing no one or Denny Johnstone's winger cousin. I'd imagine we'll be asking about him and Swanson again in the summer. If we're being fucked about by either club or player, we should move on sharpish and go full tilt for the next player on our list.

Just don't let your dog dig in the garden...

I am sure that people are interested to read about the team that got the club to the semi final in 1935 - but I am also every bit as sure that people would like to read about the guys that have got to the semi final in 2018.......we can't change what happened in 1935 - but we CAN cheer the 2018 team on, to hopefully go all the way!!! More posters in windows for people to see when they walk up the street is a start to getting a massive crowd....... if people know they might just go! Go on Wishy 2018.......

I wanna......I wanna......I wanna..... I wanna be Edouard......

Was the offer formal, time-specific, made in writing or minuted in a meeting? Just trying to get a handle on how much of it is wishful thinking and formalised. It's complicated by the fact that it's attributed to a now departed chief executive. In life we can be promised a lot but until it's in writing, signed, sealed and delivered many things can derail it!

There could be, but would be a bad idea because * reduces quality on the field, why split the best sub LL east clubs across two parallel leagues? * reduces quality off the field, an all entry-licensed tier 6 is an obvious and progressive next step * unnecessarily complicates promotion by adding extra play offs for issues which would be better settled over a season * unnecessarily complicates relegation from LL, who goes where and why? Are there any reasons which make it a good idea?

Very nice to read this, lovely that the match is going to get such coverage, let's just hope it does justice. My recurring nightmare at the moment, having watched too many of these European games, is the Ford scoring 3 or 4 within a short space of time on Saturday and killing the tie (I wake up sweating with my alarm sounding like yon bloody bell!), hopefully Wishy are well briefed on the dangers. Personally, I'd be very happy to get to Hurlford on level terms and play winner takes all in a one-off game there. It is a shame that it coincides with the Motherwell semi-final but I think the Sunday would have been as bad, bearing in mind how many in the area follow the Old Firm (and the game might have been a bit lost in all their hoo-ha). Hopefully some of their (sensible) local supporters turn up at the Beltane to witness a bit of history being made, they've had 3 semi-finals in a row, Wishy have waited 85 years for this one. BTW, fascinating to read on the club website the pen pictures of the men who got Wishy to the semis then. If I've been reading them correctly (I've just got back from Central Europe after 3 flights and my head is a bit of a mush), some of the players featured went on to sign for Newcastle, Chelsea and Hibs, quite an incentive for the boys to raise their game at the weekend! I hadn't known that Jimmy Gordon (famed as the sidekick of Clough and Taylor) played for Wishy in that match (or indeed at all). Hopefully Saturday's programme will give more details of the Tranent game in 1935, I'll wager the crowd (at Tynecastle!) was in five figures. My faither (who was a boy at the time) always talked about football special trains leaving Wishy packed for big games, I'm sure this must have been what he was referring to (although as a known haverer I had always been highly sceptical). Anyway, looking forward so much to being there, great to see the local shops and community getting behind the team, C'MOAN WISHY, HISTORY BECKONS!

How low was it before?

Generally, there are lots of seats still empty half an hour before a match kicks off. But I suppose it’s not your fault that you didn’t know this, as TV coverage only usually shows the stadium just as the match is beginning.

Dunfermline Athletic - classless to a man I will relish the return of the good times next season when we cuff them and finish above them in the league. There is no doubt in my mind that we will take more points than them in the head to head and more points in the league as a whole.

Matt Elder tweeting that the financial benefit may be "lucrative" Drysdale in!!! Plastic pitch in!!!!!

What he said. There's an existing pyramid in the East so nothing to change.

There’s no way there will be an East Juniors and an East Seniors in the same area at the same level.

One reason might be that the Juniors and EOS might never agree to some of the plans getting banded about. Mixing the current East super, EOS and lowland would be a messy affair, with all parties looking after their own interests. East Super and EOS becoming tier 6 for the Lowland might be not be be palatable for some who believe their team should be placed higher but you can't expect to just turn up late to the party and take control of the music

Fri 3/10. Happy New Year everyone. I wish you all success in the quizzing leagues as from Monday. Today is the start of the 3 day festive. If someone could take charge of the playoff for this weekend, it would much appricated. I don't have the time. See you all on Monday.

Cream - Sitting On Top Of The World

He sounds perfect for Hearts.

The Pogues - Sitting On Top Of The World

The Carpenters - Top Of The World Live at The White House - May 1973

One thing is for certain frok the events since last weekend.... Anyone calling anyone else needy has a serious issue with self awareness.

I don’t want this develop into a tedious exchange (though some will say it already has), but I cannot endorse the view than an adult using fantasy as a coping method for reality is a good or positive thing.

I have to say you sound pretty fucked for 26. Come back in 20 years.

Sadly, I'll be older than probably everyone else posting. 30 ain't old; it ain't even getting old. However, it's a good age to take stock. I did that at 50 once mid life crisis kicked in. Better diet (I learnt to cook - no ready meals); restrict yourself to one fish supper or whatever a week; make an effort to exercise (I started running a couple of times a week and took the decision not to have a car, so walk 90 minutes each work day) and I only have a bevvy at the weekend (well, watching QP just now means getting plastered is mandatory). If you don't have a love interest, sort that out; even someone to go to the pics with once a week is better than 7 nights in front of the TV on your own. Have regular self-abuse (which is actually medical advice). Duly smear crap onto the bits of cardboard that the doc sends you each couple of years to test for whatever. Hardly pleasant, but a better alternative to leaving it too late. Everyone says that I don't look my age; sadly I looked like shite when I was 30, so that's not saying much. Hair is going quickly and what's left is grey, and the waistband is increasing, but under control. No double chin yet. Luckily that old football injury isn't translating into dead-cert arthritis yet. I'm just taking the creeping signs of ageing in my stride. I take cod liver oil, a high vitamin D dose and a general vitamin pill each day. Unfortunately, I have a dreadful sleep pattern; something to work at. I creak a bit so I find it worthwhile to visit a chiropractor once every 6 weeks or so; try that or some other bone manipulator. I find it worth the cost. I have guys I was at school who look like death warmed up, and a good number of them who are actually dead. I see youngsters at work who are the size of barrage balloons (particularly the young girls) and feel so sorry for them that they are content to be like this. Unfortunately you might have a body that is simply going to age badly, but you can make an effort to make things a bit better. The earlier you do, the better.