FairWeatherFan

It takes a bit of getting used to, all these same questions were asked back in 2018 when the EoSFL saw its increase in membership. Some obvious new wrinkles this year due to COVID19. If this had been a normal year the fixture lists and cup draws would all be out by now making it easier to navigate.

The Lowland League play-off is for automatic promotion. It only involves the licenced champions of the WoSFL, EoSFL, and SoSFL.

I'm not sure that there is a time limit, to be honest. As long as it ties in with the finish of the other two leagues, which I'm sure Kenny McLean will make sure happens. They changed the SFA Licencing Committee schedule so there's now just a meeting in February and then its the SFA AGM in May/June. This only happened this year. Which basically meant you had to pass the February committee meeting and be forwarded for approval to the SFA Board ahead of the following season. February is now seen as the deadline to get your licence ready. No idea how COVID19 will impact things.

They're likely going to want to finish in advance of Euro 2020 kicking off. Especially as Scotland does take on a hosting role. Which also means the SFA AGM is likely to be just before the Euros as well and most leagues try to have their AGMs done before the SFA one. So you're looking at mid-June at the latest. The SPFL, Highland and Lowland Leagues will all be finishing around the usual time. Regular season end of April/early May. With a couple of weeks of playoffs taking it to the middle of May. That's based on the SPFL Premiership's final weekend of games being on the May 15th weekend. The lower leagues will have finished a couple of weeks before then due to the way the formats work making all the leagues interlinked. Fortunately that doesn't include the WoSFL, EoSFL, and SoSFL. As the Lowland League playoff is independent of that. Just you've got to time things for a similar finish between a 38 game season (WoSFL), 34 game season (EoSFL), and 26 game season (SoSFL).

The 3 Conference set up is only for this season. From 2021-22 there will be a Premier Division, First Division, Second Division and Third Division. So there's likely to be 3 automatic promotion spots to the Top 3 in the First Division.

Those two games being the 3-2 loss to Kelty and a 1-1 draw at home to CSS. Which were the first points they'd dropped since September. It's hardly this massive drop off in form.

Best wait until nearer the time when it comes to drawing up plans. After 2018 everyone was expecting another wave of applications from the East Region. Syngenta announced their intentions basically a year in advance. Even hiring a coaching staff for their first and u20 teams. With Glenrothes Strollers coming in nearer the deadline. 2 clubs came in, none of those named. This year it was known for months that almost all of the Fife Juniors were leaving for the EoS. With that much notice the rest of the East Juniors had to consider their options? Not really, other than Livingston United's late attempt. Until Feb/March 2021 rolls around its all just a fantasy.

The EoS will be forming a single division below the Premier. They aren't going to split that by 3.

Considering how quickly a lot of similar recruitments took place I imagine it will get filled pretty soon.

The SPFL Reserve League is on hold in 2020-21 I believe. It was gutted by so many of the top teams withdrawing anyway. If you look at SPFL Reserve League 2 there's maybe a couple of candidates for next season's Development League. EDIT: When East Fife joined there was the rumour that Alloa Athletic had also been looking into it for instance.

"The Big Two" don't even play in the SPFL Reserve League. They aren't going to field a side in the Lowland Development League. This is just another SPFL side joining since it has a better structure and less travel than the half arsed SPFL Reserve League.

If Irvine Meadow were already signed up for the Development League. What's happened with the structure they put in place for it? Because it sounds like they've picked up an entirely new coaching staff and squad.

That's kind of what the last of the Fife Juniors did (Tayport don't seem to count). With the majority of Fife semi-pro teams based in the South of Fife, i'm not convinced the "Midland League" that gets talked about would be very popular with them.

14-9-10 17-13 Are what's expected. No rumours of anyone coming into the East Region. I imagine there would have been some gossip filtered through by now since there was plenty of advance noticed of Linlithgow, Bo'ness, Sauchie & Syngenta last year. At least they're not losing Syngenta and Livingston United as was feared. Still haven't heard where Syngenta are due to play this year though? Unless its been confirmed Grangemouth Stadium is permanent.

It's just a quirk of the system as its in progress. Last year the First Division table was initially an all in 24 team table.

Guessing by this that Royal Albert and Bellshill never retained SJFA membership.

Predictions Champions: Auchinleck Talbot Relegation 7: Benburb, Blantyre Victoria, Bonnyton Thistle, Cumbernauld United, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, Rossvale, Troon

I think it has been known for a while now that Kennie would be involved in the fixture lists this season. Mainly the in season management as it would be too much for Kenny with all the other leagues he oversees.

There is at least one new Junior for 2020-21. As Rothie Rovers have been accepted to the NRSJFA subject to SJFA approval. Looks like the SJFA AGM is on the 23rd July. Which will be an indicator on what they expect the 2020-21 season to look like.

Ellon United & Stonehaven tend to get a shout as people see them has clubs that can grow. On the pitch pedigree wise they tend to be Super league level. But they'd need floodlights, cover, and who knows what else to get up to standard. So if you have some spare cash lying around, I doubt they'd mind getting a donation

I doubt they'd ever do a mid season split due to the difficulty in getting everyone to finish at the same time.

Even the possibility of it if the WoSFL champion is promoted. Especially this year with the Lowland League relegating 2-3 clubs instead of 1-2. But unless Gretna 2008 & Dalbeattie Star get classed as WoSFL clubs for relegation purposes. Its probably not going to be something to worry about for a while.

Nobody promoted to the Lowland League from the WoSFL, but a club or clubs come get relegated from the Lowland League.

Some seem to have aligned with existing youth clubs/teams so its just moving from one banner to another. Probably helps from the youth point of view as they can sell things as a pathway to first team/senior football and keep that pool of players together. EDIT: Maryhill came to mind as a club that had a public call for support not too long ago. They've linked up with an existing yfc.

Happy for the names and to see the one season attempt to rejig things. Has it been considered to follow the EoS model for the Conferences this season? Calling them First Division Conference A, B, C and a playoff for an overall First Division champion?