AlansHotBath

Listening to the Official Catch-Up interview with Thomas Brown, it was interesting to here part of the original OF money was spent on "PR consultancy to assist the board" (alongside paying insurance for all clubs, spending on reserve league and social media output). Given the current reputation of the League they may want to look for a refund for that bit...

A particuarly embarrassing decision after voting against increased relegation. What a message to send to clubs at the level below who are supposed to see the LL as a target to aim for.

I feel like most fans would be against them if it was put to a vote. From memory the only club that consulted fans and then voted in favour because of that was Caledonian Braves, and they don't really have a 'traditional' fanbase in the way most other clubs in the league do. There's nothing wrong with what you have proposed, the issue is getting everyone - in a variety of leagues - to agree when, as we've seen again with the recent LL vote, self-interest is going to come out on top. Can't even get teams agreeing on increased relegation as a concept, never mind the specific numbers involved at every level. TBH I can't really blame the people that run the clubs too much for that, they should be doing what is best for their club and if they believe it's less movement between the leagues then that is their view. In any case, I hope Shire vote against the Colts returning, but I'm not sure how it would go. Personally I'd like to hear what they view as being the positives from having them in the league this season that would prompt someone to vote in favour again. In terms of attendances being boosted, where that is true (it's difficult to gauge), I would not be surprised to see the numbers dwindling again once the novelty wears off.

Great news for Kieran and for St Mirren. I'd love to keep him around at the Shire for longer than this season but his level is clearly above the LL, I'm sure he has a decent career ahead of him.

I'm massively disappointed in Berwick. Was another goal really so much to ask? Fair play to Edinburgh Uni, topping a pretty tricky group.

https://eastkilbridefootballclub.co.uk/news/club-announcement-25-03-2022 Aitken 2 gone. Bit of a surprising one, from the outside at least, as results had picked up under him. Sacked after a 6-0 win must be a fairly rare achievement.

Possibly, but there's also the chance they view more teams following them from tier 6 being a potential challenge to them winning the league themselves. Most clubs will revert to self-interest (which is understandable), I suppose it depends on what they view as being best for them, rather than the overall concept and reputation of a league they have only just become members of themselves

That is disappointing. Wonder who voted for what?

Looking at Shire's team I think any rotations were down to fitness than not taking it as seriously. Bo'ness just seem gubbed by injuries atm, hence the smaller squad in their game. Every manager and team will have their own motivations, but I can't really see why teams wouldn't prioritise the Cup ahead of the league? There's not much to play for in the league with 1st and relegation sorted.

I've heard some chat that top 6 this year will get you into the Challenge Cup, has anyone seen that confirmed? It might be a misunderstanding of the top 6 being 4 eligible teams plus the OF.

Grenta 2008 now confirmed as finishing no higher than 17th, so there is still potential relegation for them if the pyramid playoff goes a certain way. They could still finish bottom but that relies on Vale doubling their current points tally in the remainder of the season.

Hopefully if we can keep voting out two clubs that finish above us we'll start moving back up the table.

Could you also find out "tin pot" "no fans" and "fake club" please? Cheers.

How do you say "are BSC moving to Scotstoun?" in Portuguese?

It was one-off in the sense that the vote to allow them in covered this season only, any further seasons would need another vote. It would be interesting to see what, if any, votes changed either way and whether clubs felt any genuine benefits from the Colts, or whether it's not worth the hassle for them again.

An enjoyable match today against Caledonian Braves, it was unfortunate to drop points to a late goal that really looked offside, but a draw is fair overall. Braves had a number of chances in the first half to score and were probably unlucky themselves not be to at least level at half time. Their away strip looks like the type of top you get for free when you pre-order the new Fifa. Nice, I'm sure it will appeal to some, but not really for me.

Along at Alloa today for my first Shire game of 2022. It was an impressive performance to win a hard-fought game - the whole team seem to be functioning pretty well together at the moment, and while it was fairly even we restricted Broomhill to very few good chances to score, and took the few we had well. It's funny in hindsight because we won in the end, but the ref not giving a penalty for a Broomhill player holding Offard's leg as he was through on goal was the highlight of a lousy performance from him.

Good result today and sounded like a good performance as well. 6 points in 4 games against the Colts is probably a fair return considering they'll both finish above us and possibly in the top 4. Hopefully this is the last we have to worry about playing them

I think a lot of teams this season have been inconsistent, but EK are something else.

I assumed that was to make space for any games postponed earlier in the season due to Covid/weather. I'd imagine it will start filling up soon

I think it's a fan account rather than a fake account. I'm sure I've seen them live-tweeting their matches

It's good to see the multitude of ways Rangers are preparing their youth teams for playing for the first team.

I think the season will be finished (although I thought that last season so make of that what you will). I cant see there being further lockdowns at the severity there was before given the boosters, Covid passports and lack of furlough. As others have noted January is a bad time for postponments anyway. I'd not considered this before but part time clubs maybe actually benefit here, it's less likely that Covid can run through an entire squad when they don't spend more than a few hours a week together. Far easier to socially distance at games as well. Admittedly it's also easier to cancel the season because hardly anyone would notice compared to the top flight.

Interesting article with a terrible closing pun, I'd no idea about the recent financial history. I do think it's only Colts-related nonsense hampering the play-offs that will stop them being promoted this season now.