Robert James

I am not in favour of SPFL clubs entering 'B'/Reserve teams into the pyramid. However, it is possible (probable ?) that Hibernian will seek to enter their 2nd XI into the Lowland League, alongside their neighbours, sooner rather than later. Prior to the Pandemic, Inverness Caley Thistle did make an unofficial approach about entering its' 'B' team into the Highland League, so the HFL isn't immune from a further approach ? If so, Aberdeen might also decide to apply to the HFL ?. Hopefully NOT, as this trend would have an adverse effect on the Pyramid IMO.

Looking at the Border League, Eyemouth United Amateurs and Duns Amateurs seem to be on the rise. Selkirk Victoria are struggling, and it is a very long time since Chirnside had an SFA member club. It is a shame that there aren't more border clubs in the EoSL. Some good grounds, in pleasant surroundings, and some good pubs,

The WoSFL has invited interested/ambitious clubs to apply to join the league by 31st March. Does anybody have any news/rumours about amateur clubs who may apply ?

Yes "good news", but Is there an official target date for completion ? In the meantime, why not open 3 sides of the ground, and secure the side of the ground where further work is planned. This would reduce costs on hiring other venues for home games.

Fort William on the rise, but Loch Ness look to be uncatchable. Golspie Sutherland are very unlikely to become champions again. As Loch Ness aren't licensed, there will not be another champion NCL club which is eligible for promotion, there won't be a promotion contender from the North Caley this season. Furthermore, will there be any eligible licensed clubs from the Midlands and North Regional Leagues, to contest the HFL promotion play-offs this season ? If so, can we assume therefore that Strathspey Thistle (or any other HFL club) will be reprieved this season ? .

Shire will survive this season, with Dalbeattie & Edinburgh Uni going down IMO. Not confident about the long term situation, especially if clubs like EoSL Linlithgow are promoted, as the overall Lowland standard improves year on year. Darvel's money doesn't look like running out soon.........unfortunately. Half a dozen other clubs in the West will be promoted to the Lowland during the next 10 years.

Having established a nationwide pyramid after years of hassle from the SJFA, Scotland would become the laughingstock of EUFA, if it gave any time to this football fantasy suggestion. There is no room for 2 competing/national football associations, and the Scottish FA should quickly kill off this ludicrous suggestion, which would be detrimental to the on-going development of the pyramid. The only pyramid change which I consider is needed urgently, is to automatically promote the WINNERS of the Highland v Lowland championship play-off, and relegate SPFL club 42, to Tier 5. Similarly, SPFL club 41 should participate in play-off against the DEFEATED Highland/Lowland championship play-off, resulting in the defeated club playing at Tier 5 in the Highland or Lowland league, the following season. This would have two significant benefits : * club movement through the league/non-league pyramid would be accelerated, to the benefit of ambitious clubs and fans * relegated SPFL Division 2 clubs would have an enhanced opportunity to return to Tier 4 (League Two) thereafter. If adopted, the system regarding the two clubs finishing bottom of League Two, would mirror the relegation system, currently operating in the SPFL Premiership, in the Championship, and in League One.

A bridge over less troubled waters, and 3 points as Bonar crossed over.

Banks o Dee are in the big league now, and no are longer in the Juniors.

Yes then, but where are we now with the development ?

Yes I agree, most clubs understand the "pathway" if they want to progress upwards through the pyramid, or remain as they are. I certainly agree that "SPFL club 42" (ie : the bottom club in SPFL 2) should be relegated automatically (each season) replaced by the winners of a Lowland/Highland league champions play-off. All of the Tier 5 clubs are licensed so promotion would be granted the winners. This change should be negotiated and implemented from 2023/24. However, I do NOT agree that the Lowland/Highland play-off losers should also be promoted automatically. The existing SPFL clubs would be very unlikely to approve a 2nd Tier 5 promotion place, as it would be a bridge too far for existing SPFL clubs to agree this extra promotion place, at the present time (turkeys voting for Christmas). Looking ahead say FIVE years from the implementation of automatic one up/one down, it may be possible to introduce a 2nd Tier 4/Tier 5 play-off between "SPFL club 41" and the Lowland/Highland play-off losers. The winning club should be placed/retained in SPFL 2, for the following season, with the losing club being placed /retained at Tier 5. Scottish football evolves slowly, so this would be a one step at a time approach. Existing SPFL clubs who are relegated to Tier 5, may be relieved that there could/should be an extra promotion opportunity.

Excellent start to the season (as above), but is the Rose ready for the Darvel challenge, when Lowland league promotion beckons ?

St Cuthberts in decline. Why ?

If Thurso followed the Coldstream ground example, they could obtain a licence without too much effort or expenditure IMO .

5th October : Strathspey hammered 0-11 tonight. Are they already HFL relegation favourites ? If Thistle finish 18th, and lose the Tier 5/Tier 6 playoff(s), would they be relegated to the North Caley, or to the North Junior League ? Or do they have a choice given their close proximity to the River Spey 'boundary' ?

Where are the photos of the new ground ? I haven't been to the 'stadium' since Meadowbank Thistle folded. It doesn't sound like it's worth going/seeing the developoment ?

Very tidy ground, and a good welcome given to away fans. I've followed Golspie's. progress since they became SFA members way back in the late Sixties/early seventies, as far as I can remember. Split loyalties for me however, in their impending cup clash with Glasgow Uni.

Scottish Cup on Saturday 27/8. How will the 3 NCL clubs fare ? Fort William v Benburb Glasgow University v Golspie Sutherland Invergordon v Newtongrange Star No Cup replays this season.

I have to agree that the new name of FC Edinburgh is bland, and as you suggest is "an abomination". If a name change was unavoidable, there would have been better alternatives, namely : Edinburgh Meadowbank FC or Edinburgh Thistle, (Livingston FC didn't retain the name Thistle) : City of Edinburgh OR Edinburgh Citadel (reflecting the club's previous name). Like some other current City supporters, I was an original Meadowbank Thistle fan (I still have the programme for their first Scottish League match), and to me, the spirit of the current Edinburgh club is an historic throwback to MT. No new name consultation ? Shocking if true.

A comparison for 2022/23 between the North Caley league (NCL), and the South of Scotland League (SoSL), is - NCL : 13 member clubs (+2) including 2 reserve teams : 2 SFA licenced clubs (+1) SoSL : 12 member clubs (-1) including 2 reserve teams : 3 SFA licensed clubs (-1)

Yes

So 2 existing clubs have gone into abeyance for 2022/23, with Banks O'Dee 'Juniors' being admitted. Has the new North divisional structure been confirmed yet ?

Fort attended the NCL AGM on 7th June 2022. and were accepted into the league, subject to their HFL appeal being unsuccessful (or it didn't take place). The NCL has become stronger in recent seasons, and I doubt Fort would be champions in 2022/23.