Leaderboard

Anyone on here who is connected with a West Region club who would like a run-through of our experience in the licence process/move to the seniors, given we're a former West Region club who have taken that opportunity, feel free to message me. I ran the licence process for us, in terms of figuring out the requirements and working with the committee to get the boxes ticked and get us through audit, so I know the process/requirements inside out. When we left the juniors we were third bottom of the lowest Tier, essentially Tier 9 and plenty of people questioned the logic, not knowing our plans behind the scenes. Next season we'll play in the Scottish Cup and this season we're competing at the top of Tier 7 (2 levels above where we were in the WRSJFA) and play the South Cup Quarter Final on Saturday, our first such tie in over a decade, having beaten Bonnyrigg in the last round. Anyone from any of the Top West clubs close to drinking the Kool-aid on why progress can't be made need only look at the size of club we are and what we've managed in less than 2 years.

Well I didn't want to scare you's before I knew the game would defo go ahead, but the sight that awaited us on Sunday morning was the worst ever. Still soft and will cut up but at least it's on. Before and after below.

GET IT RIGHT UP YOU HIBS WALLIES

Ain’t nobody ...

Lee Miller made a big difference

Two teams terrified to lose.

Passing it to the feet of pur centre backs is pretty sound attacking strategy

My favourite Facebook poster was the boy who argued we should sign Gary Glen, upper the ante by suggesting we had signed Gary Glen, and then attempted to explain his non arrival by stating Gary had went off the idea after reading the club’s Facebook page.

Actual grown adults in positions of great power and responsibility making wishes to a non-existent, imaginary man like an adult version of Santa Claus. Nothing on this planet puts me closer to headsgone territory than this nonsense.

Because they know there are some west clubs out there that see through the nonsense and genuinely want to progress into the new wosl.

There's no irony at all. Our pessimism is rather less destructive than what the players are currently bringing to the table. There is no contradiction either in enjoying and praising success, while greeting sustained failure with criticism. I've never got why some people see supporting a football team as requiring the surrender of all critical faculties.

Spot on; M&M should have known he was going to get injured and signed somebody else. Preferably someone with a guaranteed no-injury clause.

Doesnt say anything about pineapples or coconuts...

Just to add to this, two former Junior clubs played each other in a league game on Saturday. The gate was over 1,500, and the home club made a 5 figure sum from the game. 3 seasons ago, these two were playing in the East Superleague in front of 150.

Our only "complaint" thus far is a second season at Tier 7 conferences next year, rather than a first division. But that was done openly, via a vote of all the clubs, so it's not really a complaint and was done the right way. Our experience, and this goes for all the league's (LL/EoS/SoS) is that it's far more open, everyone from the largest club to the smallest club has the same voice and the league committees treat all those voices equally. Nothing is decided behind closed doors and told to the clubs, the committee's operate more from a position of providing workable options for the clubs to choose between, facilitating discussion and decision making and then making the required rule changes etc. to implement those decisions. The office bearers are fantastic, always available to help with queries and the level of organisation in terms of how things operate is certainly, in our opinion, night and day. I think most of our former junior colleagues would echo this statement, but seeing how the EoS runs and our experience within that has been a breath of fresh air. In terms of licence spend, not going to give any figures on that in public, but it's nowhere near what has been quoted. We've had floodlights at Westfield since the 70's and those were replaced as part of our park regeneration, but none of the other licence requirements were part of the regeneration work. Covered Enclosure, Disabled enclosure, Toilet Block, Dressing Room Upgrades, fencing, signage, policies etc were all self funded post ground upgrade. There are several ways to do that, including grants etc. The biggest commitment, and I know this from experience, is time. The time to understand what you need, to come up with a plan for that and to then chunk that up into deliverable pieces.

The EoS last season went with seeded Conferences for all, current members and newbies. Each Conference had an even balance of good teams, middle of the road, and weaker teams. The winners played-off for the title and LL promotion, the next 4 or 5 in each Conference went to this seasons Premier. It was tense all the way through, we scraped a Premier place on the last day on goal difference. Sure there were some humpings, but at the end of the day everyone knew it was for one season, and just got on with it and as has been said, you visited grounds you would never normally visit out with cup games. We also hosted (and visited) the likes of Linlithgow in a league game for the first time in over 30 years, we went to Ormiston for the first time in a very long time. It was enjoyable. On the flip side. maybe the smaller west teams who fancy moving will welcome a season hosting a few of the big fishes. As for floodlights, I've seen figures quoted from anywhere between £40k to £80k, it really does depend on individual clubs circumstances. Haddington have just switched on their lights, and they are a smaller club in the scheme of things. A combination of grants (Council and SFP), sponsors and fundraising usually sees clubs push it over the line. Not easy, but it is achievable and you don't need to do it immediately (or at all!). Dunipace are a great club for west clubs to talk to and find out their experiences. they've came from the bottom of the pile in the west and achieved a hell of a lot in a short space of time. The bottom line is, the WoSFL is a brand new league and it will take time to settle, there will be bumps along the way and no doubt mumps and moans, but clubs should be looking at where they want to be in 10 years time, not next year. None of the east clubs who left the Juniors regret it, it has been refreshing and a lot more professional, and the Scottish Cup for those who are licenced is great to look forward to and take part in. In 5 years time I guarantee you'll look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.

If only we could further service the long term gain for the country by pointing it at Tories and No voters......

This is typical Scotland. An unwanted infection started with a Dundonian pump.

He is the person going door to door. He is on the WR management committee. The 'salvation of the association' should not be at the expense of the clubs who could lose out big time if they follow this Fool's errand. He allegedly is telling people (meeting tonight) - without any evidence - that the WoSL will cherry pick clubs. Wise up. You lack any neutrality on this. I have followed this whole thing very closely for years and while I would have liked the SJFA / West Region to have succeeded, they have not. It has moved on.

[emoji108]

You know what they say - even a stopped clock is right twice a day...

Ah, now we know what Tayport are up to!

Did the Montrose management team not get their dinner or something? Perma-raging.

Arses have been kicked

Imo it all comes down to the fact that some committees are made up of older guys who aren't internet savvy and are blissfully unaware of what has happened over the last few years. The WRJFA campaign will be relying largely on trust, not facts, as they will hope that some clubs will follow them blindly wherever they might lead.

The world where Hearts have managed to win 1 game out of 10 against fellow tail-enders Ross County, Hamilton, St Mirren and St Johnstone this season.

That's actually not quite right.[emoji6] A WRJFA run league would be MORE EXPENSIVE than a LL run one. Presumably the Junior variant would retain fines for yellow and red cards which don't exist in the Pyramid (even for the top teams) or charging for permits for friendlies (permits don't exist in the senior leagues either), for example. I'm also pretty sure the yearly membership fee is a good bit less in the EoS and that includes all 4 types of insurance supplied by the league. Our screen fencing costs for meeting the licence criteria were covered entirely by those reduced fine and friendly costs within the pyramid.

I rather suspect he does but, disappointingly, he is just the latest in a recent run of posters who are on this thread to obfuscate and confuse before making the claim that they and the Junior grade have been disrespected in some way when the answers they seek are set out patiently and clearly and turn out not to be to their liking. Understanding both the WRSJFA WoSFL offering and the LL/EoSFL WoSFL offering is indeed, as subsequently pointed out, exactly what he and many should be doing - but pedantically querying the LL/EoSFL position while making next to no (no?) queries of the WRSJFA position really isn't going to uncover the answers.

Correct and thankfully my club has. re. community. As someone who has lived next door to Hampden for most of their life then I'd like to think that QP represent me and my kind . That's why I support them. However I obviously realise that the vast majority of people in the area still only care about the two cheeks. So I'd say we represent the community in the southside (and a bit further afield) who want an alternative. That's certainly the aim now anyway. We currently run loads of community coaching sessions, as well as other community programmes, all of which are very well attended by locals. The hope is that we convince these same locals to come along and fill Lesser Hampden once it is re-developed. An ambitious target I admit.

You'd like to think that he would get "settled status" no problem but I don't trust this shower. The sooner Scotland handles our own immigration the better.

^^^^^This a millions times over. My team played Dunipace in a friendly at Westfield Park a few weeks ago, and it was the first time I had been up there in a few years. I knew there had been developments, but I was blown away by the improvements and it was a real eye-opener as to what can be achieved in a short timescale if your club really commits to it. I just wish there had been more than two of our committee guys there that night to see it for themselves and talk to the Dunipace people, none of whom had any regrets whatsoever about having made the move.

3100 tickets available to us - initially - and folk are moaning that the way they’ve done it isn’t fair. Someone in the Facebook page said it was “disgusting” [emoji23]

Thanks for all the messages and thanks to Syd, Neil Hood has been in touch with me and a number of other people have sent messages

Just back from attempting to drown myself with terrible lager (and Tennents) in der große Apfel, but I've already got the tins in the fridge for this tomorrow. The Hibs boeys won't thank me for this, but I've got a real hunch for an absolutely stinking 1-0 Hearts win, with more football being played in the Handicap Chase at Exeter. Hopefully the fans can rise above this however, and engage the eyes of the country with the racism, coin throwing and class A fuelled stupidity the fixture has become known for.

Are you off your head - 95% of what I've wrote these past couple of weeks has been for this new League. Now and then I do get sarcastic though.

Approximately 48 more than TJ told the PWG would be interested anyway.

If only we could further service the long term gain for the country by pointing it at Tories and No voters...... I think "Elderly" covers a significant portion of both in Scotland.

One simple fact that the WRSJFA guys can't get away from, despite what they say, is that the Lowland league will only accept one West feeder league, and that will be the one they are creating. No amount of posturing about SFA agms will change that. In that regard some things I would want answered by the WOSFL when they meet with interested clubs: 1. Will all applicants be accepted (assuming they meet any ground criteria)? 2. What is the proposed new league format (Just a rough idea of the plans, obviously numbers will dictate the final set up) ? 3. Given that they are starting a new league with no cash in the bank, what benefits are there for clubs (e.g. prize money, first aid/coaching courses, grant funding for improvements)?

No one's missed it Robert, you've just not read the previous posts in the forum again.

Not at all. Gerrard will not select Morelos for the Scottish Cup Semi final. Get your tent on it m8.

Paul Anka-Diana

Instead of coming up with all the permutations let's just wait a few days when they'll no doubt explain what they intend to happen. And...….……..it's back to the permutations we go.

Just looking at the FAQ thing on cup final tickets. Seems a bit strange not letting season ticket holders buy a ticket without the bus package and making them wait for the general sale. Not everyone wants to travel on buses up to the game and some will live outside Kirkcaldy. I know it won’t sell out so there’s no way they will miss out, but folk who have stumped up for a season ticket and backed the club should always get some sort of priority. A rare misstep by the club

I'm yours?

You're welcome.

The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You

The bit you've put in bold is a good thing, no? More money for fewer games being shown; less disruption to fans with bonkers kick off times (although I'd imagine the BBC Scotland random kick off generator will still be in operation). Of course in an ideal world the TV companies wouldn't be showing all the Celtic and Rangers* away games but what does broadcasting Hamilton v Aberdeen actually achieve when it inconveniences fans of those clubs and barely anyone watches the game live on TV anyway. As someone who struggles to get to many games due to work and previously football commitments, I absolutely love watching SPFL games on the telly. The more the merrier. Hamilton v Aberdeen? Absolutely will watch. Elgin v Peterhead? Fucking gies it. Suggesting that true fans go to all the games doesnt account for all the fans that would love to go every week but can't because of work/family/financial commitments.

Never let it be said that following Thistle is dull. Foreign investors show an interest in Thistle A small group of fans decide this is no way to go and start a movement for Fan Ownership - TfE. TfE shows little uplift, pledges are low and the majority of fans make it clear that Fan Ownership is not really something they want for the Club. Without any prior indication that he was an avid fan of Fan Ownership, Colin Weir backs TfE. The only issue is, it's a completely different Proposal to the one TfE suggested to the fans. Now (when previously one wasn't required) Colin Weir/3BC will act as a go between, taking temporary ownership of the Shares for 4 months whilst the newly formed Working Group build and put forward a proposal that meets 3BC's requirements to what they deem as a suitable way for the fans to own their OWN Club. why there was a sudden requirement for the shares to be bought and held by 3BC's, only TfE know. As the sale goes through, 3BC's confirm they will buy and return the Propco Land to the Club within 7 days - The Training Complex is still going ahead. 3BC's appoint their own Interim Board including a couple of folk from The Trust set up by Colin Weir, on the back of him previously buying some shares. Only 1 member of TfE is appointed to the Interim Board. Colin Weir suddenly, sadly dies. and what happens next, to some, beggars belief... for 4 WEEKS, the Press is filled with tributes as Weir's takeover and transfer to fan ownership is lauded up and down the Country. Weir is proclaimed the "Saviour" of Partick Thistle, i kid you not, our Saviour!!! what we needed saved from, no one is sure and so the wheels are set in motion as Colin's "legacy" must be fulfilled so that we can "realise his dream" of fan ownership. all the while a PR Spin exercise is set in full motion that would see the greatest comeback since Lazurus. Who said smoke n mirrors? The land is still not transferred to the Club. 3BC's owns 50% of the Club's land. and it's now being stated that the Training Ground won't go ahead, it turns out that 3BC had originally sold us a pup. they never had enough money to do both. deciding without consultation to jack the training ground in favour of Fan Ownership(which carries little support). I've no idea what would have influenced Colin Weir to suddenly become a cheerleader for Fan Ownership. February's quite a quiet month, but that doesn't last long. Half 4 on the last Friday of the month, the interim Board announce the news that absolutely no one was surprised about. Our former Chairman Jacqui Low has returned to take control of the Club, apparently guys like Charan Gill and those 3BC appointed to the Interim Board have suddenly became incapable of Chairing meetings... despite having done so for the last couple of months. along side this, an announcement that the Club will be meeting with the Working Group to revise the timetable for handover, yet again comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone. i'm going to be honest, i've no idea why there would need to be a revised date for handover.

The Ultimate Super Ayr Thread rooting out the Tories. Good to see.