Gimme

Only if they are actually granted though. Right from the start the whole licensing debacle has smacked of self preservation but to get to the point where the SFA is basically just closing the doors is wholly unacceptable.

Probably because the mainstream media doesn't really care. The old firm sell papers, Bonnyrigg and Broxburn don't. There are some pretty good local journalists though who you would like to think would pick up on it.

When licenses are due for review is this done solely by the licensing officer or is the board required to rubber stamp these as well?

The first half last night was decent entertainment, defensive errors on both sides for the goals. Second half wasn't great, suspect most of those in the ground were getting prepared for extra time which was the last thing we needed. The pitch, don't think anyone can argue that it could be construed as being a little bumpy in places. Thought the ref was overly fussy at times and saw stuff no one else did, that said he did try to play advantage most of the time. Didn't think there was all that much between the sides but I'd be hopeful one or two of our missing players will be back for next Wednesday.

Bryan Young was there but his hand was strapped up, understand he may have broken something.

He's the Under 19 keeper

Couple of new signings in this evenings team, presumably on loan. Jesus Garcia Tena from Stenhousmuir and Kyle McClung of Edinburgh City.

That was never on the cards after Deveronvale beat us in the Scottish.

Not at all, I fully expect us to win the Quintuple this season [emoji3]

Touched a nerve? We don't have a squad of 20, we've used 20 players over the course of the season, 2 of whom have left the club and a third has been out on loan since early on, compare that to say Dunipace who've used 49 I think at the last count. The 'youth' players I refer to will come from the Under 19 side if required, we've had their goalkeeper in the squad a few times this season. Finally I don't see the word meaningless in my post, I said nothing to play for, perhaps I should have qualified that with 'other than pride' the conference is won, the squads been rotated most of the season, that certainly won't change now. The club want to win every single game but you have to be realistic about it and ensure the strongest squad is available for the most important games which, at the moment are the round robin and the South Challenge Cup Final.

Bonnyrigg don't have a big squad, we've only used 20 (I think) players all season. As long as we can avoid injuries it'll be fine although one or two did pick up knocks last night. The next 2 Saturdays are league games against Bo'ness and Eyemouth but there's nothing to play for in them, the conference is already won. Wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of the youth players in the squad over the next few weeks.

Quite simply when you're pushed for time you do a deal for what you can get your hands on quickly. The lights were sourced very shortly after it was brought up that we needed them, they aren't new.

The one thing that surprised me was that Harvey must have spoken to Robbie Horn before taking the job and would be well aware of the behind the scenes goings on. I get that everyone wants a crack at league football but has his confidence/arrogance (delete as appropriate) gotten the better of him here. When Bonnyrigg were looking for a new manager (when Horn left for Berwick and before he came back) Harvey was expected to be in the running but I understand it was the players who put a stop to it actually happening.

Was £3 flat rate when Bonnyrigg were there in the League. EDIT: Dalkeith, Jeanfield and Sauchie were all £6 when we visited and Stirling Uni EoS was a donation.

Its nothing to do with the West coming in, the issue is, and always has been, the shitshow that's been suggested for the East. Bring the West on board, EoS absorbs East Region clubs below the dividing line and the problem goes away. The East, West and South then play off for whatever promotion slots can be negotiated once enough clubs are licensed. After that its up to the SFA and SJFA to sort the issues in the North, which includes the clubs North of the Tay because that's where they belong.

We don't have a free date until April 27th so it'll likely be that weekend, the only other alternative is that we play the game on a Monday night as all the Wednesdays are occupied until May 8th.

We're currently on 21 consecutive wins since the defeat at Deveronvale, its 16 league games and 5 in the cup.

Bonnyrigg v LTHV - Game Off

To be honest I don't think there would be much appetite from SoS, Lowland or Highland League clubs to participate here, I suspect even those in the East who left last season don't really miss the competition (one or two minor exceptions). Its time to get things right, not just some half arsed temporary solution to keep a few clubs happy. The Lowland League will eventually encompass a mix of teams from East, West and South. There will not be any Tayside clubs in the Lowland League, quite simply they don't belong there. The issue now is someone needs to stick there head above the parapet in the North and sort out the structure up there. If there are 3 feeders to the Lowland League there can be 3 for the Highland League based on Geography, short term pain for some clubs but in the next 5 years the Highland League would have a distinctly different look and spread to it as stronger clubs move up.

As it stands I'd guess there's technically no reason clubs north of the line can't join to EoS if they wanted, it would of course be up to the existing member clubs to decide whether or not to accept them. They would however not be eligible for promotion to the Lowland League (even if licensed) and as the EoS isn't a feeder for the Highland League they couldn't go there either. The only way this changes is if Scottish Football, as a whole, agrees to either move the dividing line or do away with the line completely and simply have the 18 most Northerly Tier 5 clubs in the Highland League and the 16 most Southerly Tier 5 clubs in the Lowland League. Whatever happens there will be those who are happy and those who aren't but as some have suggested previously, I honestly can't see the line being moved to suit a tiny minority of Junior clubs who in the grand scheme of things matter very little (as is the case with most clubs at this level in the eyes of both the SFA and the general man in the street)

Not this season, for me the Junior Cup was about away days at places you don't normally get to visit, we've had plenty of new grounds to visit this season so that element has been fulfilled.

Good result away from home today, bench was a little sparse for various reasons with only 1 real sub. Strong winds and a pitch that was very heavy in places meant it was never going to be a display of free flowing football but 3 points was the goal and that's what we came away with. Interested to see the highlights as I think we may have been a little fortunate with Dundonalds second goal being disallowed

Game ON

Its no different to the last few years to be honest. With more league games next season for the top division I presume one of the cups might be dropped, reformatted or restricted to just the Tier 7 clubs.

I don't see why they would be given anything, similarly any club in the East who now applies needs to adhere to the latest set of requirements which require floodlights. The issue with the existing applicants is that the goalposts were moved whilst clubs were already in the process.