Stag Nation

Let's keep a sense of proportion: it would not be "a big marketable occasion". It would be a play-off for entry to a league whose average attendance is barely into treble figure. The prize for the winner of that league, in turn, is the opportunity to try for entry to a league which is only marginally more attractive. Apple, Coca Cola and Nike will not be queueing up to sponsor it.

I imagine some of the players who are fined are pretty upset, particularly when their senior counterparts (some earning 100 times as much) don't.

But they are not equal. The SJFA is affiliated to the SFA, and all junior clubs are registered members of the SFA. They are, in all respects, "junior".

Maybe, but can you find anything in the SFA constitution to give them that power?

The problem is that LA boundaries get changed, by politicians who have nothing better to do. They've been "restructured" at least twice since postcodes were introduced.

Indeed it is, politically and administratively. The Tayside region was abolished years ago. However, it is unarguably on the side of the Tay.

Who are "their members with the most clout"? The Premier League? I suspect they know little, and care less, about non-league football.

AIUI the SJFA members have voted to join the pyramid en masse. If that should be achieved (which I seriously doubt), then any mind-changers would presumably have to form their own "breakaway" league(s) and association(s) and apply for affiliation to the SFA. They could call themselves the Real Juniors, or maybe the Provisional Juniors. All of this makes Brexit seem a model of sanity and good organisation.

If, for example, the West Juniors were to go it alone and opt to join the pyramid next season , what "power" does the SJFA have to stop them? What does continuing membership of the SJFA offer them?

Presumably the game was a bit one-sided?

Hardly surprising. Who reads the rag, apart from Sevco supporters?

£2,500 is well beyond Rangers credit limit.

And does it pay NI contributions, and deduct PAYE, on this benefit in kind?

So, if I understand it correctly, for identical offences - a Rangers or Celtic player who earns tens of thousands a week, pays nothing - a junior player, who earns next to nothing, is fined and this is justified to pay the wages of the officials. Bloody revolutions have started for less.

No, they're a multi-sport club. Do you think Barcelona aren't a "real football club"?

Nice to know that at least senior fans aren't afraid to leave the county.

But that is not a recent development, is it?

Indeed, it's bigger than Dingwall, to pick a SPFL venue at random. However, Dingwall has a vast hinterland. Mainly populated by sheep and deer, who are, of course, all staunch County supporters. On the face of it, nothing to stop Kelty making it to the Premier and indeed Europe.

No indeed. There's only one Sevco.

The club's names date from a time when Nottingham city was indeed within Nottinghamshire. Surely we don't expect clubs to be renamed with every daft local government reorganisation?

Exactly. The SJFA should now be doing the best it can for the remaining members. If TJ can achieve that, then the SJFA can be dissolved with some dignity, rather than facing a death by a thousand cuts over the next few years.

You're right, I got my tiers confused and was thinking of the HL. I doubt if any NCL clubs would want to be part of the pyramid. Geography is against them.

Fair point!

The HL goes as far North as Wick. How many teams are there "farther" North?

OK in the west, but there's already a long- established tier 6 league in the north. But you're right about the central non-role.