Arthurlie1981

Beith have better facilities than many clubs at this level, yes they lack some things to get a licence but to say that they are putting money into the team rather than infrastructure is nonsense.

Same here, turned off after Berrington's wicket to get back to work. Checked BBC sport and saw we needed 8 off the last and turned it back on just as Leask hit the winning runs.

Our depth is something I never thought I would see again. Being able to bring on the players we did late on and looking at the remaining players on the bench and not even in the squad. A wealth of options for Stevie Clarke.

YASSSSSS

Is this going to be the latest game to finish in Scotland? We are looking at least after 11pm. Can't be many later?

Thanks for the info

That a simplistic way to look at it as that was not the only reason. There was a massive chunk of the country not covered by the pyramid and it had been worked on for years (and hindered by certain parties too) to get the west of Scotland covered. There was also some general unrest (for some clubs at least) at how the SJFA had handles things. Remember Bankies were off to the EOS if this hadn't come together but once Bankies signalled their intention to move I know a number of clubs (including my own) looked at their own options. Any pyramid needs a bottom level but also we should find a way to get all clubs in who want to come in. I wonder how England do it at the bottom tier of the pyramid. Do they have clubs applying every year or do they have a closed shop unless the work?

One possible solution is for the West to ask for clubs who would be interested in joining the league within the next 5 years. This would give them an opportunity to see how many clubs are interested and if expansion is workable and give these clubs 5 years to get their houses in order with things like grounds and facilities etc with the view of entering 5 years down the line (similar to expansions in American sports) but there does need to be cut off point.

Having been involved at this level for a long time now, I can say confidently that not many people volunteer for these positions. it is difficult to get people to come one board, while at the same time they are looking after their own club, it is a thankless task too. What you are describing is utopian but it not achievable imo.

So what do they do, keep expanding every few years making it harder to run? There needs to be a cap at some point and it should be now. If other clubs want to look at moving up then l would say to the to look at what was suggested above and get their existing league to negotiate a promotion relegation with the WOSFL.

You are correct, I had been told there was potentially going to be 1 put into the constitution from this season. Were St Pats going to groundshare for the coming season with Vale of Leven?

The 80 clubs rule can only be challenged by members. It was obviously agreed that it would be in the constitution and as such both Knightswood and St Pats would have known there was only 1 space. The member clubs will have voted whatever way they wanted and will have their own reasons for doing so. I am guessing that both clubs ticked all the boxes to make it onto a shortlist and I am guessing that both clubs were aware that only 1 of them would be voted in so I struggle to see where the challenge comes from for St Pats?

Members were told at the AGM that the club felt it was better to hold an EGM where this is the only item for discussion as it would, rightful, generate a lot of discussion which might have been curtailed at the AGM. As someone who was involved in 3 previous discussions looking at moving ground, I am sceptical when it comes to East Renfrewshire and their motives but will see what is being said this time.

Swifty

Maybe no,t but I am sure the fact that they were proposing a ground share on a grass park and I wonder if they haven't got a permanent solution set in stone with the carry on with clubs not having permanent grounds over the past few seasons that swayed a few votes. Feel for them though as they seemed really set up for taking the step up.

Big Ruggie back for a 2nd time?

I’m guessing for most club it is not about being the strongest but who the league scored as having better facilities etc.

The bit that was closed last season should be reopened for the start of the new season with other minor improvements including accessible toilets being opened too. In terms of other things we are not far away imo but as you point out it all comes down to money. Will be an interesting meeting.

At the end of the day, players deserve the opportunity to find their levels. Teams may very in terms of quality year to year but that is always going to be the case when it comes to player development.

Congrats to Cumnock, what a dour final though, but they wont care.

Most if not all clubs will report their wage bill to members at their AGM, but it is not hard to hide wages. There have been several clubs over the years whose players were paid through a business and not the club. I am not saying Pollok are doing that all I am pointing out is that the wage budget on a spreadsheet is not always an accurate picture of what a club is paying.

They might with the money that are apparently being asked for them.

I dont dislike anyone, I respect what St Cadocs have done and know people involved in running them and the hard they put into the club, I have spent money watching them play on a couple of occasions this year so if I disliked them so much why would I do that? I have given you my views on this. Why play devil's advocate and just give your own opinion on this issue!! I know plenty about both clubs situations and know that you are wrong about Huntershill and I am well aware of some of the issues St Cadocs have faced (some of which are not of their own doing) but it doesnt take away from the fact that they are playing 8 miles away from the town they are from. It might not seem a lot but the fact is they were accepted into the league without a longterm ground plan in place and given their current situation can put more money into a playing squad than many other clubs given their reduced facility costs. Sorry to people coming here for info on Darvel and this will be the last I post in this thread on this subject. Happy to continue the discussion in the ground improvements thread.

I don't disagree but having worked for the council for a number of years things like these are always impacted by NIMBYs and that would have been obvious the St Cadocs before the entered the league. I also don't only blame St Cadocs for this, the league have to accept some responsibility for things like this.

Im sure he is playing just for the honour of being coached by Maxi!!