Voice of Reason

The uncertainty also adds spice. We know EK will be the SLFL representatives but the unknowns are with the SHFL and SPFL. My bet at the moment is that will be Buckie Thistle and Stranraer. Exciting!

The University may just have pressed the 'self destruct' button. Well outplayed in the first half they went in 0-3 down at half time but then made a bright start to the second half with the advantage of the wind tunnel at Broadwood. Having got a goal back and created several good chances, they conceded a penalty when the keeper was adjudged to have brought down a Colts player bearing down on goal. Opinions were divided on the merit of the award but at least the keeper avoided a red card - temporarily. As soon as the goal was scored the keeper was shown a straight red - presumably for giving the referee some advice. So, the Uni go into the vital head-to-head relegation decider with Gretna on the same points but with a slightly worse goal difference - and minus their first choice goalkeeper.

A potentially valuable point for Edinburgh University today in a game which they could so easily have won. Their cause was not helped by going down to ten men half way through the first half but they then became the dominant team and took the lead early in the second half. As so often happens, Broomhill also went down to ten men and scored the equaliser. A tense, edgy game rather than a thing of beauty but gives the Uni just a chance to finish second bottom. However, as has been stated elsewhere, that might not be enough.

You are right - applications would be invited. Logically, it would be the highest-placed licence club in Tier 6, but that is up to the SLFL members. Here is the relevant rule: Admission by Application B5: If the number of clubs for the forthcoming season is less than sixteen having taken account of promotion and relegation as described in rules B3 and B4 above, applications for membership will be invited. Applications must be advertised and received in accordance with procedures established by the Board at the time of identification that there may be a vacancy to be filled by admission. Applications will be considered by the member clubs, whose decision regarding admission is absolute and final."

No. And that was the purpose of the rule. There is always one team promoted (assuming there is an eligible Tier 6 champion) and depending on what happens at the top of the league, 0 1 or 2 teams are relegated.

The important thing is that a Tier 6 promotion place is always protected, irrespective of how many clubs are relegated.

A win for East Stirlingshire would ensure that Edinburgh University end up in one of the bottom two positions. Whether or not they are relegated will depend on the final positions (Gretna 2008 and Edinburgh University still have to play each other) and whether there are two, one or zero teams relegated.

I agree that it was a strange game. I thought the University rode their luck a fair bit in the first half but managed to frustrate Linlithgow and go in 1-0 in front at half time. Linlithgow certainly upped their game in the second half and rightly became dominant. Probably the University succumbed to their 'losing mentality' but don't take anything away from a good Linlithgow performance. Thanks, also, to the Linlithgow fans for a good atttendance on a dreich day.

Good point. Would it make a difference if any 'parachute payments' also involved the receiving league(s)?

That would be a very interesting (but separate) post.

Thank you for your opinion. There are lots of posts about the need to enhance promotion and relegation but no suggestions about how we can make this happen. My suggestion has weaknesses but at least in the case of promotion and relegation from the SPFL the "parachute payment" helped bring change. Please be assured that by inviting a discussion I was not being disrespectful. Look forward to other suggestions for positive change.

Gretna 2008 and Edinburgh University are now detached from the rest of the league. Should the SLFL invest some of the funds they have received from the 'B' teams to give a parachute payment to both clubs to resign?

Or a new Tier 5 league covering the "Midlands"?

This thread has been unusual in that it has generally been a constructive and respectful expression of differing positions. Ultimately, clubs need to justify league membership on the basis of financial fair play, commitment to club licensing and on-field performance. The clubs rather patronisingly referred to as "rubbish" will find their own level but it was their hard work and commitment that means there is a Lowland League and a pyramid system for clubs like Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh City, Kelty, Spartans and Cove to also have the opportunity to find their own (higher) level.

I presume there would be a knock-on effect of increased relegation in the EoS and that the EoS accept that. Or would the EoS Premier expand?