morley

With all that is going on with Ukraine and UK relations at the moment, I bet we are going to see Borris Johnston at this game in order to be seen showing solidarity to Ukraine. Can you imagine what the crowd will be like if he rocks up with Jacob Rees Mog. Might even have the Ukraine president come to the game. If he gets poisoned in Glasgow more likely to be a dodgy kebab shop than Russian spy's.

I thought teams cant now move games purely for commercial reasons. Its only if its on the basis of police advice.

781 according to the BBC results page

With it looking possible VOL may over take Gretna, would Gretna drop into the EoS or SoS? I know Gretna are associated with both organisations but recent legacy is in the EoS, all be it pre pyramid expansion days.....if they do end up relegated surely better chance of coming back from the SoS than EoS.

I think EK and Clydebank both have a great chance. I have seen EK, Clydebank and Annan play this season and neither Peterhead or Annan playing great. Then in order of likelyhood from the other 3, BoD at home could surprise Raith, likewise Darvel/Brechin against Arbroath could surprise especially if Brechin got through the replay and with the added spice of an Angus derby. Talbot least likely but then again they are playing at home with a full house behind them.

Quite possible there could be 3 out of 5 non league sides get through to the last 16. Add more pressure on the spfl to open up to the pyramid.

The HL and the two Angus clubs closest to the bottom of the spfl may also be quietly lobbying Petrie in the background. While Brechin are now in the HL, the HL faces the prospect say over the next 5 years of maybe Forfar and Montrose dropping down, plus a number of ambitious Dundee/Tayside based clubs coming up from the Midland League who even compared to Brechin means another hours commute south for the current HL clubs. Plus most people expect the standard of the LL to only improve with big clubs coming up from the WoS and EoS so less chance of a HL club going up into the SPFL. After Fort William drop out the HL, that means a high probability of a number of long established HL clubs will need relegated into the North Juniors or Caledonia league to make way for these Tayside and Angus clubs coming into the HL. So you can maybe see why the HL may still be keen for the rule to change allowing clubs to choose if LL/HL on the assumption that most if not all the spfl and Midland league clubs in the area would choose the LL.

BBC Scotlands football coverage is getting worse. Their website for Scottish results is shocking, sportscene which was never great just seems so amateur now. I started watching expecting Scottish cup highlights but turned off after a few mins when clear weren't showing any. Do they not own the rights to show cup highlights or is it more a technical thing about the video quality not being up to tv standard?

You just know the R2 draw will see Brechin v Kelty.

Do we know what the nature of the agreement is between the LL and Old Firm colts in a situation where they are kicked out mid season. Might the LL actually be liable to have to pay off the Old Firm clubs to leave?

Didnt the BBC results say the same for the last game also

Ian Maxwell been on a wee caravan holiday up to Fort William maybe?

Anyone getting a sinking feeling there is news yet to be released about big names missing. Maybe we will not know until the team lists are announced? There doesnt appear to have been any interviews or quotes from any Scotland players this morning, and twitter accounts all seem very quiet. Has there been any press coverage of the bus leaving the hotel yet to see who is on the bus?

Such a great website and source of info especially now that we are about to have a truly nationwide non league pyramid, where having one website linking all the leagues and clubs together makes it arguably even more relevant today. But can imagine the amount of effort to keep it maintained.

Don't underestimate the influence covid may have for all teams. Could easily see some teams having to self isolate half their squads and with games coming so quickly will see teams having to use all 26 players. So even if he is several players down the pecking order, John Fleck may well have a big part to play yet.

Not just myself, most journalists seem to have missed that summary graphic aswell.

From the press reports I am still unclear as the term used seems to keep changing. Is it Old Firm Colt Teams as in under 21 teams and if so what is the criteria ie an allowance for up to 3 players over 21, or is it adult B teams as in reserve teams? Who will be playing in the LL.

Forfar sustains 3 semi professional mens clubs, a semi professional women's team, plus amateur teams, and all 3 of those will likely be senior sides next season once the Midland feeder to the HL is approved by the SFA. Its population and size is about the same as Bo'ness.

Not that it really makes a difference, but if the new development league (4th division) is to be a standalone league, is it technically therefore not considered part of the pyramid and therefore the clubs not classed as senior teams?

With Campbeltown Pupils AFC joining thought I would share this video from the BBC "a view from the terrace" last year about them if not seen it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0852fxw

One way the LL could save some face with fans is at at the end of the season they open up to have a revolving door of 2 spfl colt teams take part in the league each year. So at the end of this season Rangers and Celtic regardless of position in the LL league (you could factor league position in via home/away advantage) have to play the top 2 from the spfl development league in a mini playoff for the resulting top 2 teams to play in the LL the following season, the other two dropping back/staying in the spfl development league. Atleast that way the colt teams are there on merit of some type and adds an element of competition to the spfl development league by playing for promotion into the LL. Then that process repeats each year. It will often be Rangers & Celtic taking those places but could just as well be a Hibs & Hamilton for example. Then it really is all about supporting youth development and you would imagine all spfl clubs can afford a £25k joining fee .

So is the LL now obliged to accept applications from other SPFL clubs for their colt/B teams? If they are willing to pay the same fee to join.

Destroyed the good will built up around the club 42, reduced chances of the spfl L1 and L2 teams ever voting to expand pro/rel, damaged their relationship with all 3 tier 6 feeder leagues by ignoring their views, and challenged the sporting integrity of the pyramid. Hope its worth it LL.

Isn't it the case that many LL clubs remain members of the EoS and SoS football associations? With such a strong statement coming out from the League side although effectively the same organisations, you would imagine those clubs have to pay attention or risk being kicked out the associations if ignore this and vote for the colts

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=305665524468748&id=104616121240357 Joint statement from the 3 tier 6 leagues just come out