HibeeJibee

... but if there isn't a West participant it becomes 2 leg playoff EOSL v SOSL whose 1st leg is 3 days before that, in D&G rather than Broxburn, and not going to a penalty shootout if ends drawn.

He also neglects to mention Brechin themselves blew Strathspey away by 10 goals. I've read it several times and I'm no further forward: I think he feels it unfair Buckie played Strathspey twice near the end - both games were originally waterlogged (latter only last month) - as Buckie knew they needed GD, so blew them away by 12 goals. However if they hadn't rescheduled them by now HL would still be unfinished without a mathematical champion... and still no playoff entrant?

Returning to real issue: the "ignored letters" will almost certainly be the general reminder emails circulated to all clubs every few months. I suspect that is really just SPFL laying it on thick that no club could fail to have known what's required; the working relationship is with the SFA licensing department not SPFL. It sounds very much like Buckie foolishly didn't apply for grace period by last month, as they expected to be granted a Bronze this month with a few short-term derogations... only for SPFL to play it by the book and not give them a waiver, especially with their club doctor confirmation being delayed until next month. Not a good look for Buckie... and given past history (as the only senior club ever to vote against the pyramid) seems to be fuelling speculation they deliberately gamed the system, which I doubt is actually the case. That said the bad look doesn't necessarily fall 100% on them: Buckie seem to be in breach short-term, by the letter more than the spirit, thus had the SPFL let them proceed few might have batted an eyelid. You've also got 5 or 6 existing SPFL clubs who haven't achieve bronze yet either (interesting to see if they all do by July?) including Airdrie who could actually be promoted into the Premiership off an entry licence. Tbf you're wrong on this - there were only 10 days between the criteria being revised and the closing date for having to meet it. Bonnyrigg threatened legal action and were eventually granted dispensation after winning EOSL, so they could be promoted to LL. Several other clubs like Haddington and Tranent didn't get into the Scottish Cup until a year later than they rightfully should have. Tbf you're wrong on this - the club doctor must be present at home games. It was actually watered down rapidly from being present at all games - as many clubs, even at SPFL1&2 level, apparently just couldn't find anybody local who was also prepared to travel every other Saturday and several midweeks. Given the state of NHS and GP's workloads, it's clearly a major difficulty - especially in rural areas - quite apart from the expense. It'll probably be the issue behind some of those existing SPFL clubs who haven't achieved bronze yet.

In a wild case of "hold my beer", the Brechin chairman's out-doing how badly Buckie and SFA/SPFL emerge from this by attacking Highland League for... letting Buckie play Strathspey twice and on time: Buckie Thistle ban makes 'mockery' of SPFL pyramid as raging Brechin City chief blasts Highland League - Daily Record Raging Brechin City chairman Kevin Mackie was blasted the Highland League for making a "mockery" of the Scottish football pyramid after champions Buckie Thistle were booted out of the playoffs. Graeme Stewart's side clinched the league title on goal difference from the Glebe Park outfit, to set up what they thought would be a chance at promotion to League Two with a two-legged play off against Lowland League winners East Kilbride for the chance to face off against club 42 for a crack at league football next season. But they have sensationally been denied their shot at promotion after failing to obtain an SFA bronze licence. The governing body released a statement on Thursday confirming that Buckie were ineligible for the playoffs, and that East Kilbride would go straight through to play the SPFL's bottom club for a shot at promotion - likely to be either Clyde, Stranraer or Bonnyrigg Rose. Now Brechin chief Mackie has let rip at the Highland League, demanding to know why they re-arranged two Buckie games against hapless Strathspey Thistle. Thistle rattled 13 goals past them to help claim the crown, but have now seen their dreams crushed after "failing to respond" to reminders to ask league bosses for a grace period in order to gain the licence - something the club insists they did. "I am raging with the Highland League," Mackie told the Daily Mail. "This makes a mockery of the entire pyramid. This whole thing is shambolic and the Highland League needs to take a look at itself. They would have known that the champions had to be eligible for the play-offs and I am annoyed that they haven't made sure the champions could meet the criteria required. "They went out of their way to rearrange Buckie's outstanding games against Strathspey the other week when they knew that Strathspey had let in 133 goals and were miles below everyone else at the bottom of the league. We questioned then how a team going for the title could have two rearranged games against Strathspey when they didn't have a team and were fielding trialists? Unsurprisingly they won 6-1 and 7-0 and beat us to the title by two goals. How can that be fair?".

Entry into inaugural European Cup was by invitation, indeed R1 was arranged (not drawn)... only 7 of 16 clubs were champions. Hibs were a well-known touring side, and floodlight pioneer... by 1955 they'd toured every closed season since WWII - Germany several times, Norway, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, France, Czechoslovakia; been 1 of 2 sides from Europe for Octagonal Cup in Brazil (alongside Sporting Lisbon); reached Coronation Cup Final; helped found Anglo-Scottish Floodlight League; plus hosted Sparta Prague, Frem Copenhagen, and Rapid Vienna in a famous 'Festival of Britain' match. It was a short-lived competition based in North America... it was very financially lucrative so for a few seasons in early 1960s place went to the league runner-up, ahead of the Fairs Cup places, if the champion didn't double-up participation with the European Cup. Kilmarnock provided our best performance in 1960 when they topped a section involving Burnley, Bayern Munich, Nice, Glenavon and New York Americans before losing Final to Bangu of Brazil. Following season they faced Bangu, Everton, Karlsruher, Dynamo Bucharest, Besiktas, NYA and Montreal Concordia.

... for Fairs Cup of 1960 and 1961 it may have been as only Edinburgh was a member of the trade fairs body?

I was intrigued to see how often this happened... below is comprehensive list. Note for Fairs Cup of 1960 and 1961 it may have been as only Edinburgh was a member of the trade fairs body? 1955 Hibs (5th) were invited to play in the European Cup due to their reputation in world football 1960 Hibs (7th) were admitted to the Fairs Cup ahead of Dundee (4th), Motherwell (5th) and Clyde (6th) 1960 Celtic (9th) were admitted to the Anglo-Franco-Scottish Cup ahead of Ayr (8th) as Somerset Park didn't have floodlights 1961 Hearts (7th) and Hibs (8th) were admitted to the Fairs Cup ahead of Third Lanark (3rd), Celtic (4th), Motherwell (5th) and Aberdeen (6th) 1962 champions Dundee entered both the European Cup and the International Soccer League 1962 Hibs (8th) were admitted to the Fairs Cup ahead of Kilmarnock (5th), Hearts (6th) and Partick (7th)... unclear why ? 1964 Hearts (4th) were admitted to the International Soccer League ahead of Kilmarnock (2nd) and Celtic (3rd)... unclear why ? 1965 champions Kilmarnock entered both the European Cup and the International Soccer League 1967 Clyde (3rd) were not admitted to the Fairs Cup as Rangers (2nd) were also from Glasgow; the place went to Dundee (6th) 1970 Hearts (4th) were not admitted to the Fairs Cup as Hibs (3rd) were also from Edinburgh; the place went to Kilmarnock (7th) not Dundee (6th) as Dundee Utd (5th) were also from Dundee 1972 Rangers (holders) were banned from the Cup-Winners' Cup due to rioting 2009 Scotland won a Fair Play Place in the UEFA Cup and Motherwell (7th) were higher in the domestic Fair Play ranking than Dundee Utd (5th) and Hibs (6th) 2012 Rangers (2nd) were liquidated - the Champions League place went to Motherwell (3rd) and the Europa League place went to St Johnstone (6th) Note: most eligible Scottish clubs never applied to enter the Intertoto Cup

Madness: Edinburgh Bus Station could be 'lost' over lease decision - BBC News Edinburgh’s central bus station could be relocated to Ingliston Edinburgh’s bus station could be forced to relocate after its owners told the city council its lease would not be extended. Coal Pension Properties, which manages investments for former coal workers’ pension schemes, could look to sell the Elder Street site for housing. The local authority’s tenancy of the transport hub is due to expire in 2027. No replacement site has been identified, but the council’s transport spokesperson admitted the facility could be “lost”. Councillor Scott Arthur the authority was “considering his options”. He said he was “disappointed that such a modern and well used piece of Edinburgh’s substitutable transport infrastructure may be lost”. It is understood Ingliston Park and Ride could be used as a temporary measure if the station were to close, though councillors would prefer a site closer to the city centre. The 18-stance station originally opened in 1957, but closed in 2000 as part of a £50m redevelopment project which also included the Harvey Nichols department store. A row over the fees for operators to use the station briefly threatened its reopening, with plans drawn up to move it to the nearby Waverley Railway Station in order to connect buses with train services. However it became operational again in February 2003 – four months after its initially scheduled completion date.

It was very common for Scottish clubs to tour England the days either side of a Home Championship international at Wembley, but rare up here in the opposite years. This was about the only example, today in 1970. Hearts had just ended a decent campaign finishing 4th in Division One... although as Hibs finished above them this wasn't rewarded with European Fairs Cup entry (instead 5th place Dundee Utd and 7th place Kilmarnock both qualified - as 6th place Dundee also missed out) but only Texaco Cup participation; they went on to defeat Hibs in the East of Scotland Shield the next Friday to add silverware to the season. Coventry were a force in English football during this period and had just finished 6th in top tier, which took them into Europe for the first time, in what would prove the last-ever edition of the Fairs Cup before it became the UEFA Cup. Scotland-England finished 0-0 the following afternoon meaning a 3-way share of the title between England, Scotland and Wales. Friday 24th April 1970 Heart of Midlothian 0-0 Coventry City 5,729

Newburgh are RELEGATED *or a draw followed by winning the bonus point shootout

20 P20 W0 D3 L17 F14 A50 Sat 22 Mar 1930 SC SF Rangers 4-1 Hearts Sat 30 Mar 1935 SC SF Hearts 1-1 Rangers Wed 10 Apr 1935 SC SF r Rangers 2-0 Hearts Sat 10 May 1941 SLC Fin Hearts 1-1 Rangers Sat 17 Mar 1941 SLC Fin r Rangers 4-2 Hearts Sat 05 Jul 1941 SMC SF Rangers 4-2 Hearts Sat 27 Apr 1946 SLC SF Rangers 2-1 Hearts (aet) Sat 04 Apr 1953 SC SF Rangers 2-1 Hearts Sat 28 Oct 1961 LC Fin Hearts 1-1 Rangers (aet) Mon 18 Dec 1961 LC Fin r Rangers 3-1 Hearts Sat 01 May 1976 SC Fin Rangers 3-1 Hearts Wed 30 Mar 1977 SC SF Rangers 2-0 Hearts Wed 21 Sep 1988 LC SF Rangers 3-0 Hearts Sat 18 May 1996 SC Fin Rangers 5-1 Hearts Tue 04 Feb 2003 LC SF Rangers 1-0 Hearts Wed 30 Jan 2008 LC SF Rangers 2-0 Hearts Sun 03 Nov 2019 LC SF Rangers 3-0 Hearts Sat 21 May 2022 SC Fin Rangers 2-0 Hearts (aet) Sun 05 Nov 2023 LC SF Rangers 3-1 Hearts Sun 21 Apr 2024 SC SF Rangers 2-0 Hearts

aka "William the Silent".

Always been the case throughout the southerly pyramid that promotion-&-relegation will vary to keep each division at even numbers; e.g. last year saw 4-up-3-down throughout EOS divisions (as Linlithgow promoted from EOSL to LL but Dalbeattie relegated from LL to SOSL; only outlier is that in EK up/Forfar down scenario LL relegates nobody rather than bring up 2 from below).

Absolutely. War Shield (1917-18), Victory Cup (1918-19), War Emergency Cup (1939-40), Summer Cup (1940-41 > 1944-45) and Victory Cup (1945-46) were equivalent 'substitute' tournaments.

Interesting to look back at the 'shape' of Scottish football in 1943-44: Internationals Summer Cup (substitute Scottish Cup) Southern League Southern League Cup North-Eastern Leagues North-Eastern League Cups East of Scotland Shield Rosebery Charity Cup Glasgow Cup Glasgow Charity Cup Renfrewshire Cup

We did play a war international on Saturday 22nd April 1944... Scotland 2-3 England... before a then 'war record' of 132,835: Field Marshal Montgomery was guest of honour just weeks before D-Day: Sad aftermath:

Across pyramid, ignoring single division leagues, do well to better Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale... been a senior club for 30 seasons, and spent 27 of last 28 in East of Scotland League Premier Division*. *they won promotion from First Division in their 2nd season... got relegated by 1 place during the conference season of 2018-19... and promptly won promotion right back up to Premier Division in 2019-20, where they will appear again next season having finished comfortably top half

Top division format in Scotland yrs (chronological from 1890-91) 1 11 teams 1 12 teams 8 10 teams 1 11 teams 1 10 teams 1 12 teams 2 14 teams 1 16 teams 7 18 teams 4 20 teams 2 18 teams 3 22 teams 16 20 teams (6 war emergency) 9 16 teams 20 18 teams 11 10 teams playing x4 2 12 teams playing x4 3 10 teams playing x4 3 12 teams playing x4 6 10 teams playing x4 25+ 12 teams playing x4 with split Number of divisions in Scottish League yrs (chronological from 1890-91) 3 1 division 22 2 divisions 6 1 division 2 2 divisions 3 3 divisions 14 2 divisions (6 war emergency) 9 3 divisions 20 2 divisions 19 3 divisions 31+ 4 divisions

No time for BA to dwell on their consecutive promotion success - as they face arguably the biggest 2 single games in their history this week. Remember draws go to penalties for 1pt bonus. First up:

Luncarty... 12th !

Dunipace are PROMOTED Edinburgh University's relegation means 4th can no longer become a promotion place. Congratulations to Dunipace. I recall some scepticism even gentle mockery being expressed in other parts when they were revealed as the 'mystery' west club turning senior and moving east 6 years ago - but they've continually progressed on and off the park since. On-field they came 2nd bottom of their conference in 2018-19 (above just 'lowly' Eyemouth)... but improved to top 4 in their First Division conference in 2019-20 and 2021-22; solidly mid-table in the united First Division last season; and now promotion, maybe as champions. They also won the South Challenge Cup (with much less attention and credit than deserved: probably as it was badly delayed to August 2021), reached the King and League cup finals last season, plus the EOS Qualifying Cup SF this season. Off-field they've installed artificial turf, lights and enclosure then obtained their SFA licence (leading to Scottish Cup entry and annually improving results there too). I recall their U20s have also had some good campaigns. Great advert for what 'small' clubs can achieve.

Bo'ness Athletic are PROMOTED Edinburgh University's relegation means 4th can no longer become a promotion place. Congratulations to Bo'ness Athletic. Edinburgh South stocking-up on restoratives but if their winning streak can outlive an arduous month Armadale may be in a panic: Mon 22 Apr Edinburgh South v Dalkeith Wed 24 Apr Edinburgh South v Stirling Uni EOS Sun 29 Apr Edinburgh South v Newburgh Wed 1 May Thornton v Edinburgh South Sat 4 May Edinburgh South v Tweedmouth Wed 8 May Burntisland v Edinburgh South Sat 11 May Stirling Uni EOS v Edinburgh South Sat 18 May Edinburgh South v Kennoway date tbc Edinburgh South v Coldstream

Edinburgh University's relegation means 4th can no longer become a promotion place. Hawick and Pumpherston lose; Livingston Utd manage a win!

Tuesday 16th April (R2) Preston 4-2 Kinnoull (aet, FT 2-2) Newtongrange 0-2 Crossgates Wednesday 17th April (R2) St Andrews 0-1 Kirkcaldy & Dysart Saturday 20th April (R2) Glenrothes 1-0 Harthill (R2) Hill of Beath 3-2 Thornton (R2) Lochore 2-1 Camelon Arniston 3-2 Kirkcaldy & Dysart (aet, FT 2-2) Sauchie 5-0 Blackburn Whitburn 3-1 Jeanfield (aet, FT 1-1) Whitehill 1-3 Preston Tuesday 23rd April Broxburn v Glenrothes Haddington v Dunbar Lochore v Hill of Beath Whitburn the notable Saturday 'shock'. Fourth Round Arniston v Broxburn/Glenrothes Lochore/Hill of Beath v Sauchie Haddington/Dunbar v Crossgates Whitburn v Preston