Born To Run

I believe so, yes. Would be tough to replace those study fees with individual £50 shares...

Before I say my piece, disclaimer - I've spoken with Chris in the run up to this scheme launching, and as a result am hoping that it proves to be successful! I see a few comments talking about the old cliches...no history, no fanbase, no identity. Let's take them individually: History - well, many clubs at this level are in the same boat. Why should being a new club preclude you from experiencing success? Fanbase - this one has a basis in fact...however, most clubs in this league have sparse supports generally. The SPFL stats recently showed League 2 comes in at just over a 300 average in most cases, with Edinburgh City proving a boost comes with promotion. Back to Edusport: surely launching this scheme specifically looking to increase awareness and following can only be a good thing? If it doesn't work in the end, the club loses next to nothing and gains media exposure for being bold. Identity - are you really saying the club lack this? I'd argue that their identity is extremely clear, give young players from francophone Europe a chance to learn English while training under well qualified coaches on the football side, supplementing the top team with talented loanees from the main Scottish academies. The team play good passing football, which seems to be ingrained in them through every training session. Giving talented youth a chance while helping to prepare them for life after football should things not work out. Any comparisons to My Football Club (Ebbsfleet) are unfair as well IMO - under this scheme, only 30% of the club is on offer, and the role investors play is completely different. As someone who considered getting involved with MyFC initially, the idea that people could pick the team and make transfers was always mad to me! I'd suggest the list of benefits here shows that Chris has learnt from the mistakes others have made previously...

Jesus, horrible stuff. Thoughts with the lad.

According to this article, he certainly offered to chuck it... http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/sport/football/15612936.Lowland_League_round_up___Shire__39_s_South_Challenge_Cup_relief/

Is it too soon to declare the league a two horse race?

Is the keeper back from injury then? Saw that Star had to put the gaffer in vs Shire for the whole second half, still scraped a draw which tells you how tough they are at home!

I believe some locals in Annan do when Athletic play away. On Saturday at BSC, there were a fair number of fellow Academy students watching on. It probably doesn't help that both they and BSC see themselves as Glasgow teams, but are currently exiled. Harder to build a long-term organic support that way. ...and as for the last post, behave yourself sureiknow. Ridiculous comment.

Just out of interest - anyone know how much money licensed clubs receive?

Think it's more a case of the league's overall standard improving, while Shire are relatively similar (possibly weaker up front without Glasgow & Grant). Having seen most of the teams in the league now I reckon they'll come 4th or 5th.

Right, if you are correct, and contracts (bonuses) were altered: It'll all come out in the court action for Lauchlan anyway. Why would EKFC go to court if it's such an obvious case and they'd be liable for fees on top? Why did most of the squad stay on, Billy Stark (who would've sounded out people in "football circles" about the club) take the job and other experienced pros sign on? More to this story than meets the eye IMO - especially given we've only heard Martins side in public (shock horror).

Not as far as I know. Still showing on the club website...

Agreed on the young keeper, a couple of nervy drops but on the whole assured and impressive. Made a great stop from Rodgers at one point too. Based on yesterday's game and the others I've seen, Shire won't be challenging for the title this campaign unless something drastically changes. EK still seem stronger, while BSC are credible threats and Stirling Uni seem to have found another gear under Geddes. While Gala FR were solid, and Noble lead the line really well, they lacked a thrust in midfield and are the kind of side Shire really need to beat if wanting a return to the SPFL.

From the couple of times I've seen BSC thus far, not been majorly impressed. Would say he's in decent shape though...just seems to be a water carrier, giving the ball to the more dangerous guys around him and recycling possession.

Saw Fergus at the game last night - think he left at 2-1. Would be interesting to know what his thoughts were given the difference after half-time!

Can't add too much to the earlier summary from The Judge. My main thoughts watching the game (having watched EK at Stenny previously) were that BSC might well have the best strike partnership in the Lowland given time, and that Kilby badly need one of their strikers to step up and lead the way. Put Grehan in that EK side and you'd have the makings of another major winning streak IMO.

I was just thinking the other day that I hadn't seen a bad news story re any team withdrawing from their league this summer. Hope the club bounces back successfully, especially after such a good campaign last time around. Surely the time has come for the SFA to form a proper "West" Level 6 feeder, to combine with the SoS and EoS? Suppose it'll come down to demand, but no doubt they'd be able to pick up a couple of SPFL reserves and Glasgow Uni for starters.

Yup. Hyndman, Forrester and O'Halloran all played from what I've read. The supporters of this idea will say it's just a pre-season kick about, so we'll need to use another poor year (hopefully) in the Irn-Bru Cup as proof of how bad this concept is...

City just liked this tweet? The plot thickens...

You're missing the key point with the reserve sides in Tier 6 - promotion from that level is forbidden for them, and the level is amateur generally played to sub-100 crowds.

Seems to be that all recent chatter has surrounded Kelty - any update on Bo'ness or the unnamed 3rd club?

http://www.edusportacademy.com/en/fees/ Quoting £16k fees for next season - ouch! I notice they host a "training camp" in July for prospective joiners, which I suspect doubles up as trials for the main squad. As someone who knew very little about them, I'm intrigued now I've read up. Hopefully will be a decent side to watch in terms of quality.

Congrats guys - proving that the pyramid works! Brilliant effort especially with the dodgy start to your season.

Bordeaux is a brilliant long weekend. Not as pricey as expected either! For eating, L'Entrecote is famous for lunch and dinner - only has one set menu consisting of a walnut salad (bizzarely), then steak cooked in garlic and butter with chips , but I can't do justice to just how good the grub is using my limited vocab! Phenomenal. Best drinking can be done at the Wine University café (can't remember the exact name) across the road from this restaurant. Staffed by students training to become sommeliers, local wines sold at a discount for helping them train. Mix of all sorts including sweet wines. We stayed in the Adagio Aparthotel which was decent for the deal we got via trivago. Be aware that star ratings there seem to be on the optimistic side too, our "4 star" apartment was a solid 3 star IMO. Other thing worth doing is a day trip to St Emillion on the train. Cracking wee cobbled village with cheap Grand Crus to try in one of the many local bars.

Just noticed Bazza has come in to 2/1 for the Sevco job...please, please happen!

Looking more and more like a Buckie Thistle vs East Kilbride playoff is on the cards - assuming the hoops can keep this great run ticking over. EK are already unlikely to be caught in the Lowland. Think either side would be a tough obstacle for whoever finishes bottom of League 2...