ruby murray

They were told it wasn't high enough and as it only goes round 2/3rds of ground due to the wall along the pitch side. In response to the tin man If the LL is the holy grail for clubs to reach the spfl l2 why haven't the massive super league East and west junior not bitten the SFA's hand off to join as we all know that was what the SFA hoped for they wanted the likes of auchinleck, Hurlford, Irvine Meadow, Linlithgow, Bo'ness, Bonnyrigg and Newtongrange all to apply but not a single club showed interest. Simple reason and one the Brora Rangers chairman stated the set up of the whole of Scottish football is flawed part time senior clubs in league 2 being asked to play midweek fixtures such as Berwick V Elgin or Annan V Peterhead ludicrous. If they had defeated Montrose in the play off the splf2 adventure could have potentially bankrupted them. There is no money in Scottish football at all levels yet the SFA expect clubs at EOS level to spend near on £100000 to redevelop grounds to make the standard for LL Easthouses ground improvements perimeter fence £30000 floodlights £40000 new changing rooms completed by former players, players and volunteers for nothing but the materials required to complete easy £10000-£15000 but yeah they have chosen greed over a league that has done nothing to improve its standing over the past 3 or 4 seasons. No they have chosen a new challenge a chance to climb 3 leagues and an adventure in the Scottish junior cup . Something the EOS could give them I remember about 6 season ago the Scottish cup was to become an open draw after the qualifying cup north and South was dissolved allowing all EOS clubs entry to the Scottish Cup but it was kicked out by the full member clubs who would have had to split the sponsor money even further with these clubs.

I was at a coaching course a couple months back and was speaking to a Coldstream representative they have spent near to £80000 bringing their ground up to what was meant to be the LL standard to be then told the perimeter fence did not meet the requirement. Easthouses were told the same and then given another reason that there was no onsite parking for the officials on match days. Yet there are already clubs in the LL where the onsite parking is limited or the officials still have a considerable walk to the changing rooms. As I also stated previously clubs also have to pay £2000 for the privelged just to apply to be considered by the SFA and if rejected don't see a penny of that money back. Where do the LL/SFA think EOS clubs are getting the money for all these requirements when you are now down to a handful of teams who actually pay their players any sort of wage. Junior football was the best move for Easthouses a new challenge a goal to aim for a chance to play in the Scottish junior cup. Local derbies in cups against Dalkeith, Newtongrange, Bonnyrigg and Arniston where the chance of bigger crowds and extra revenue I wouldn't be surprised if other clubs followed suit.

I'll take different league new challenge and a target to aim for, Scottish Junior Cup participation rather than a league that is now dead on its feet. As I said unless EOS clubs are gonna pump tens of thousands of pounds to develop their facilities to the standard the lowland league want there is nowhere to aim for. Good sides like LTHV, yes Leith will get bored struggle to attract players and the standard will decline further and further. The top 3 premier league sides finished 20 points better than 4th place the previous season Easthouses were 25 better off than the 3rd best side in the first in gaining promotion no disrespect to the hard working commitees of the 1st division sides but they are nowhere near the standard required to make the EOS a strong competitive league. One plus point are Peebles a good young side who will do well next season and I tip them to run LTHV and Leith close.

The lowland league (Sfa) don't want anymore EOS clubs joining they have made that clear by the constant changing of the requirements. Made that clear when they told Easthouses, Civil and Coldstream that their main perimeter fence wasn't suitable. Throw in the £2000 non refundable application fee it turns the whole thing into a joke you could have a scenario where the likes of LTHV, Civil, Duns, Burntisland & Coldstream all apply all get rejected and the Sfa pocket a nice £10000. These clubs have made considerable efforts to improve their facilities but are now being asked to spend even more money for more adjustments.