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The Sevconian response is all over the place. The vast majority of them are seething, but they're not sure whether they want the allocation back to the full stand, or whether they want to boycott Easter Road entirely, or whether they want the allocation to stay as-is so that we flatter their egos by begging them to sell more tickets at some unspecified future time. They all know they don't like this, but they don't seem so hot at knowing what to do about it. Also, the outrage seems a bit funny when they unanimously want to cut Celtic's allocation at Ibrox down to the regulation 900 seats or so. It hurts them that Hibernian has done to Rangers what they've been urging Rangers to do to Celtic. Also the whining about their 'meagre' allocation of 1500-2000 seats out of a 20,000 seater stadium is amusing to contrast with the 900 tickets that away fans get when visiting the 50,000 seater Ibrox. Hypocrisy much? For any grumbling Sevco fans looking in - you're angry because you're being treated the same as most other teams. Hibs have just sent a message that you're not special - you belong beside the Aberdeens and the Motherwells and the St Mirrens of this world. That's why the complaints are so hypocritical (you're complaining that you're being treated the same way your team treats away fans) and why you can't work out the correct course of action (because you can't come out and say 'we demand special treatment to make our egos feel better', you have to make up one or other story to justify the seethe, and nobody's agreed on what the made-up-excuse is, so everyone's response is different.)

Yet another moment in the Banter Years where I am so, so proud of my club for, again, making The Rangers look like utter morons. It is utterly glorious. As soon as I heard the news I knew the heads gone official club statement was inbound. Keep up the good work Hibs.

The SPFL do not want more than one Lowland League The SPFL do not sit on the Pyramid Working Group There are not enough Licenced clubs to form two regional Lowland Leagues The SFA Licence process for current Junior clubs cannot begin until they join the Pyramid An SFA Licence process can take a lot longer than a season to work through depending on the starting point for each club Anyone with their head screwed on looking at the above facts realises that for clubs in the west, the starting point which delivers Pyramid entry and access to Licencing in the timescales being suggested is the creation of a WoSFL alongside the EoSFL. If you want to try and negotiate a tier 5 start point, go right ahead and check back here in a few years and tell us how you are getting on. Junior clubs need to walk before they can run, they need to become Licenced at the top end, they need to be trusted after years of derision. Once that happens, once we have a fully Licenced WoSFL and EoSFL then at that point, and only at that point, will anyone even entertain the idea of a LL West and LL East. Let’s deal in reality and not an imaginary world.

OOOAFFTT! Hell hath no fury like a Juniors fan scorned it seems. Been watching and greatly appreciating this thread for a while now, thank you to all contributors, it's really interesting. It's long been something I've looked for, the unification of the non-league game. It appears we're finally getting closer to that, although the devil will be in the detail, no doubt. I was glad to read the letter from the SFA chap last night confirming it's high on their 'to do' list. All this chat about a juniors 'grade' is absolute gunk though. You're just fitba teams. Same as mine, same as EoS, same as everyone else. You represent your communities proudly and will continue to do so in whatever new format exists. Time for a deep breath and sitting down with the SFA and other leagues to work out the best (it will not be perfect) future, because to this outsider, your current road appears to only lead to nowhere.

Thats fucking PLENTY

Dear Scottish football fans, You are most sincerely welcome. Yours, Hibernian FC.

I trust one of the Hibs boeys on this very site will take it upon themselves to absolutely melt one of the **** in the mouth with a Bovril cup of cold piss. A small child, preferably.

This is why I have a lot of respect and admiration for Kelty, they came into a league that was obviously beneath their standards, demanded nothing, nae greeting or whining, showed respect, humility and grace and have just got on with it. Even if Saturday doesn’t go for them, I’m sure it’ll continue the same. Then you come on here...........................

The bolded bit is correct. However, you neglect to keep in mind that now is not "The first place". That was several years back when the LL was being set up and the juniors decided to stay away. It is now a case of making the best of a bad situation. That, unfortunately for a lot of clubs, will mean accepting that others took a risk and have a head start. That's life.

As the pendulum has currently swung from hate to love, Ive been thinking back fondly on McCann’s time as manager. At the end of last season, as we looked at a squad full of duds, I think most of us said we would take 9th this year. That’s where we find ourselves, although there’s still time to f**k that up. Its been a tough season, but I don’t know why we expected anything else. During pre-season the fans had split opinions on Kamara, as it was a toss up for us to sign him or Nils Rutten. Shows how far he has kicked on this season under McCann that he’s been linked with seven figure bids. Same can be said for Hendry who looked a risky signing in the league cup game against Raith. Six months later he’s away to Celtic for a club record fee and has an international cap. Again, McCann has to take some credit for that. Signing Caulker was a coup, hopefully we can get a decent fee for him in future. If we had held on to Scott Allan then I think we may have been safe by now. I know McCann has made mistakes and signings haven’t worked out, but I’m happy to give him more time to build this team and offload more of the shite. Unless we’re relegated, in which case he can f**k off.

That arsehole Jackie Bird opens Reporting Scotland by saying the Scottish Government are under increasing pressure because the Welsh have agreed. Alternatively, the Scottish Government continue to negotiate to get the best deal for Scotland, and who gives a f**k about Wales.

It's a bit ironic how pyramid opponents from the juniors complain about the standard in the LL. When the LL got established, junior teams got invited. It would have been ideal if the top 4 from EOS/SOS/East Juniors/West Juniors all joined. After a few years of promotion/relegation the division would simply contain the 16 best non-league teams in the LL area. You decided not to join and have given up the right to enter at tier 5. Then also don't complain about the current standard. If a proper pyramid with a good promotion/relegation system involving junior clubs finally happens, then the teams that are good enough will join the LL soon enough, it's as simple as that.

Did anyone else read this and hear it in the voice of Darth Vader in their head

Time to stop crying foul at every opportunity. Hartley has not the said the board are talking pish. If you add the budget Houston had plus his late signings made over and above his pre season quota along with Hartleys emergency signings and January transfers I can see how it will be the single biggest budget to kick off with. To Hartley it might seem the same but when have we ever started a pre season with the aim to sign the same amount of players we did over the course of the whole of this season?

The usual sense of entitlement from the Sevco mutants. It's no wonder they attract such dregs who have the same entitled attitude, the type of stinking ned who thinks they're owed everything and isn't prepared to work for it. That same ethos sums up Sevco as well. They think they're entitled to league titles and trophies but aren't willing to work at it, instead chucking wads of cash at it. Why couldn't they have brought through their own players when they were in League 2 instead of spunking thousands a week on Kevin Kyle and the like. They're still spunking money on pish like Alves, Kranjkcar, Barton etc. Their fans won't let them take the time even if the club wanted to, due to their sense of entitlement. Look at the utter tears because they got pumped by Celtic. They just can't take it. Their fans wouldn't work to save the old Rangers and they let that club die, as they thought they were too big to die and that someone else would do it for them. They still have this mindset as they think there's someone out there who will give them millions. See their chat about warchests and such delusional pish. Anyway, I hope Sevco die. Like Rangers did.

And again in that respect its really no different from the Juniors and indeed many other leagues around the world. Does the bottom 3 in the West Superleague being so far adrift of the rest mean that the clubs in the league are "mediocre" ? As that seems to be what you are implying Does Petershill being so far ahead and already having wrapped up the championship make the rest of that leagues teams are "mediocre"? Does the gap between the top 4 in the Central First and the rest mean that the remainder of the league is "mediocre" ? Does the gap between the top 3 in the Central Second and the rest mean that the league is full of "mediocre" clubs ? Does Celtic having the SPFL title won and Man City having the EPL title won already mean those leagues are full of "mediocre" teams? Your insistence at screaming into the void isn't really helping you here.

Then they went on to face bottom of the league, getting hammered off everyone (bar Annan), Stirling at Forthbank. Our manager was at his own wedding Everyone thought we were going to get an absolute hiding. Was at school at the time and the school was full of ****. All i got all week was "it'll be 5-0 at the least." Game day comes around, I'm quietly confident of snatching at least a draw. Brian Allison puts us 1-0 up and Gary Thom almost kills Iain Black. We could have had more tbh. Full time whistles goes, the **** are seething. What a day, what a fucking day.

Off topic but there's quite a lot of debate going on that we should be reducing Old Firm allocations next season to only the stand behind the goal and leave all other stands free for St. Mirren supporters. The practice of giving Rangers and Celtic 1/3rd of one of our home stands has long since stuck in many a craw and with the atmosphere at the ground just now as good as it's ever been since we left Love Street, most don't want the lads who generate most noise displaced. Hopefully St. Mirren follow suit and do the right thing in the coming season.

Dunipace confirm they are looking to move East, Dunipace Football Club - The Future We would like to formally announce our aspiration to move into the Senior Scottish game for season 2018/19 by applying to both the East of Scotland League and FA. Our Club Executive Committee went through a process of due dilligence early in 2018 in order to come to this decision, carefully considering the detail available with regards pros and cons of all options open to us. At the end of this process the vote, for the benefit of the future of the entire club, was unanimous. At this time we would like to express our most sincere gratitude to both the SJFA and West Region Juniors for providing the club with a fantastic platform throughout our 130 year history. Our achievements through the generations; from a Scottish Junior Cup win in 1906, to the most recent success in the Evening Times Cup in 1999, via a lifetime membership of the SJFA award for our fondly remembered long term chairman George Hunter: The Junior grade has been a fantastic home for Dunipace FC. We are proud of our Junior history, but for the benefit of the club, the players (from kids through to adults) and the community we serve we have made this decision in order to ensure the club is in the best possible position to grow, improve and thrive for the next 130 years. In early 2018 the Club Executive Committee announced securing over �600,000 of investment for the Denny & Dunipace area to provide a state of the art facility that will become the new home of Dunipace FC (currently more than 250 players and growing at all levels).This has been the culmination of 8 years of hard work from the club and many partners, including: The Scottish Football Association, Falkirk Council, Sportscotland, Falkirk Community Trust, our local elected members; Cllr Paul Garner, Michael Mathieson MSP and John McNally MSP, and our local community. We will soon begin work on upgrading the surface, installing floodlights and a perimeter fence and providing new changing facilities that meet all the standards required of the partner organisations. This will mean that for the first time the whole club can have a single base to operate from with a quality surface that will allow ALL teams to train and play games. It will provide a hub of activity for the community with additional plans for an updated club room, enclosure and improved access already well underway. It will allow us to add over 35's, community programs and more, all from our own purpose built facility, all year round. With the huge amount of effort put in by everyone at the club over the last decade through our Quality Mark commitment we have put in place strong, inclusive and comprehensive supporting policies and procedures. The creation of this facility, aligned with this work, means SFA Licensing which once seemed unattainable is now a realistic goal for the club to work towards. We aim to work towards achieving Entry Level Licensing through 2018/19 with a view to having this in place for season 2019/20, where if successful Dunipace FC would, for the first time in our history, be eligible to participate in the Senior Scottish Cup. Our commitment to Licensing requires a commitment to the Pyramid and was a factor in the decision to make this move. Another major factor was access to an Under 20 Development league, as run by the East of Scotland league in conjunction with the South and Lowland leagues. Giving kids coming to the end of the community pathway a route into Senior football, via an established development pathway, will be a great addition to the structure at the club. Developing young players through the age groups and seeing them regularly pull on the black and white of the 'Pace First Team is the ambition of everyone connected with the club and this is another tool which will aid in that objective, better serving our local community in the process. We are working hard to make this a reality for season 2018/19 and hope to have a new and exciting partnership to announce on this front in the coming weeks, subject to the decision on our application by the EoS League and FA. With many other clubs also deciding that this is the right time to apply to become members of the Senior game, it means, if accepted as we hope, we will be moving to a superbly run, competitive league, with great facilities and a number of interesting games that we hope, along with a welcoming and upgraded facility, will peak the interest of the local community. No prospective game more-so than the potential local (friendly!) derby against our closest neighbours Camelon Juniors, who have also recently announced their application. This is a game that, despite our proximity of only a few miles, has rarely been played competitively but could be on the fixture list come June when the full season fixtures are announced. Given the speculation over recent weeks we felt it only right that we make this information available at this time. We hope that everyone connected with Dunipace FC, Denny, Dunipace and our wider community can understand our reasons for making this decision and, if we are successful on Thursday, will support the 'Pace as we embark on a new journey. A journey which will hopefully provide youngsters in and around the town a pathway from kids right through to Senior football without leaving the Denny and Dunipace area. Saturday's game versus Ashfield marked both the last home game on Grass and if our application is successful on Thursday, last home game as a Junior club. Thanks to those who came down to Westfield to support the team. Youth section players attended and had a photograph taken with the first team and this was great to see. We hope the work being done behind the scenes captures your imagination and we can welcome you all regularly on our journey long into the future. We look forward to a new and exciting future for the club and everyone around it. Well done to all involved!

He’s got 18 league goals in a terrible league 1. 4 goals in 32 championship games last season. No fucking thanks.

I genuinely had a dream last night (which is the reason why I came into this thread), where I was on Sportsound laying into an argument with Willie Miller about clubs being in or out of the top flight on merit. I was so raging that it woke me up. Miller is the worst for me because he most typifies the old pals' act. What I dislike most is his blatant lack of research on teams he is commentating on. Heaven forbid he even has to watch Sportscene to see how teams line up regularly, let alone big teams from outside Scotland.

Isa, you're going back over the same old ground. Your club have come out publicly and basically said they'll be dragged kicking and screaming into the Pyramid if they have to. Any problems with the current Pyramid set-up is entirely of Junior clubs own making. Deal with it, your Leader will sort it all out for you.

The reason those teams are at tier 5 is because no junior teams wanted to join when it was set up. Now they'll have to join below, but after a few years, the better teams will have found their way up and the weaker teams will have dropped down. It's fair to say, though, that most junior teams would struggle to match LTHV on the park.

I don't do hillwalking.

LOL when Scotland need a point at Wembley to qualify for a World Cup and big Maxi tells the FA to expect around 500 Scotland fans.

Another day, another statement Broken 'em again

Hibs have done nought but routinely ruin Sevco for about the last 3 years.

Final attempt was a North/South/East/West split... As we've already seen with the SoS league having possible parity with a West league (and the EoS) it seems a right sham considering their population. But just dropping Lanarkshire and Ayrshire into the south... (Borders is supposed to be Orange in that map at the end. Apologies for that f**k up) A geographic split which is equal on both population and area. Travel is fairly straight forward for all (apart from Fort William as always) and a few Tayside clubs might be huffy about trips North but, f**k 'em, such is life. Also these areas can be split further geographically at lower tiers (Ayrshire/Lanarkshire/D&G for south, North/South for East and the same kinda split for North) Go on, admit it, it's a beezer of a set up. Right. I've wasted the last hour of work. You can all get back to arguing about crowds and 100k toilets.

Hibs have now opened up South Stand at Easter Rd to home fans (who are on database) so Sevco getting much reduced allocation for final game of season. Which is nice. Statement incoming from Onion of Fannies etc,..........[emoji149][emoji149] https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-to-cut-rangers-ticket-allocation-for-final-day-showdown-1-4729765

I saw a lot of chat about the population disparity in a Highland/Lowland league split so, out of boredom, decided to rattle about the actual figures. So splitting the 32 council areas into a "traditional" divide. Obviously it's a bit skewed. So I wanted to see how south the split would need to be in order to be more even and yer pretty much making the Clyde/Forth rivers the dividing line to get anything close the equality... That seems a wee bit ridiculous to me. When ye've got Clydebank and Camelon in the same league as Wick (in theory) something's went aff. So if yer using a population argument then, obviously, Highland/Lowland is a stupid split for the 5th tier. I'd argue that because of the larger distances northern clubs have to travel then it should be a bit skewed in their favour in order to keep the 5th tier even but, obviously, there's those that disagree. Anyway, was a slow day at work. So decided to do the same for other types of split. Before anyone points out how pointless an exercise all this is A: I know B: Work's been boring as f**k recently C: I like fannying about with figures and MSPaint

Liquidating chip shops.

Wait, do people actually think Arfield singing that song 2 years ago on the Burnley team bus after they'd won the Championship is an indication of Rangers leanings? F*** me ETA: I saw a Rangers fan jokingly Tweet the video with a caption along the lines of 'he's one of our own' and, such is the level of 'journalism' in this country, the Daily Record have run it as a story.

This, he is a Scottish footballing deity and as such mere research is beneath him. I wish he didn't he didn't do open all mikes,. It is really irritating hearing Chick Young screaming about a throw at Ochilview only for Willie to chime in with "aye, there wiz a goal" about 10 minutes later. The format just doesn't suit him but, in the studio or passing comment his insight and knowledge is unsurpassed. It's hard for us mere mortals to understand how tedious it must be for a legend of European football and the greatest Scotland captian of our lifetimes to gift us with his wisdom, and yet, selflessly he does. The lack of respect on display here is frankly baffling. PROSTRATE YOURSELF BEFORE YOUR GOD

I wouldn't mind having Murray in as a squad player but I wouldn't be keen on paying Hibs a fee for him.

Again - most Junior games tomorrow and Saturday will struggle to 3 figures. Can we please have your derision for these clubs and this "grade"? Just so we don't all think you are against progress of any sort.

One that @Rugster will sympathise with here. Never had my usual 7.30am jobby this morning, was running a bit late. Had time for a coffee on the go whilst taking the kids to school, so was a little uncomfortable on the commute to work. Dumped my bag and jacket and made a beeline for the toilet. Was sitting, reading through P&B when the main door opened. Didn't think anything else of it as there was no "Anyone in?" call, so continued with my merry business. I decided to take my time with this pony, giving it the respect it deserved after denying it entry to my own toilet bowl nearly two hours previously, so was throwing in an occasional bottom burp too. Got to treat yourself. All the while I can hear someone washing their hands, the dryer going off occasionally, but no one else seems to be coming in or leaving for that matter. Started to panic when I heard the sound of the toilet roll holders being opened, with the noise quickly making its way to my latrine. Quickly finished up, and made a hasty escape to the sink area to wash my hands. Seems the mad cleaner woman has taken it upon herself to just head straight into the toilet, regardless if anyone is in or not! My cubicle was pure barking and she was heading into it just as I was taking my leave. Will now need to spend the rest of my existence trying to avoid her. Such a terrible start to my Tuesday.

Enjoy it. If you want to make the first game, you should probably set out now.

Davis and McManus commenting on the Brecel v Walden match are brilliant; not blaming pressure or trying to make out either player is unlucky, instead, they are calling shots rubbish when they are, asking what they are doing with bemusement and providing analysis instead of wittering on about God knows what or shouting about the cue ball going in. Makes a big difference.

Indeed, its called promotion and relegation.

I’m just hoping our keeper doesn’t try and decapitate an opposing forward in the 1st minute.

I was thinking two seasons

Sounds to me you just want things to stay as they are, for as long as possible, until you have no choice, then, with tears and snotters awewhere, barge your way into the pyramid, demanding to be put at the highest tier possible. Away and take a f**k to yourself. Scottish football is changing, for the better and if you don’t want in, fine, fester away where you are, it’ll be no big deal to the ones that do have the foresight and balls to do it #ayebeen

I'd be absolutely terrified going into the playoffs if Grant Gal is playing right back.

Bit bizarre that your board have said they've signed off on the biggest budget. Good to boost the fans but increases pressure unnecessarily on the manager tenfold and will be the first thing agents mention when you're in negotiations with any old average player. Bit of a mistake by your board IMO. Hartley trying to reign it in a little bit but in turn looks like he's having a pop at the board. All seems a bit unnecessary.

Think Hartleys just trying to take some pressure off himself with the chat regarding budgets. Nobody needs to be lying, it might be the biggest budget signed off since we’ve been in the championship, but that doesn’t mean it’s not of a similar size to last years budget.

So why are you so keen on doing it so often then?

Please don't ask him to type any more.

St Johnstone v Real Madrid at the Bernabeau, a game most folk have no idea ever happened.