Boaby Fisher

Spot on. England are on that sort of level. Performance was poor but it is what it is.

Aye that's a fair question. I think it's just that there are two 'top teams' in the HL who are clearly better than the rest whereas the LL is a lot closer and I still have no idea who will win it. I don't really rate the Spartans but maybe that's just because the Shire managed to give them a good game recently.

I'm surprised to see Bonnyrigg stranded at the bottom of the league, maybe it was one step too far for them. At the current pace, I would fancy the winner of the HL to be the team in pole position, but not sure if Buckie or Brechin will be that team. Should be an interesting play-off when it happens.

Liverpool played Real off the park in the last final. Nine times out of ten Real would have been pumped in that game. Man City are the best club side in the world. Looks about right to me. PSG's odds should be longer.

Really thought we might open up the season with 9 points when I looked at the fixtures. Didn't think 2 points was even possible.

What do we think of the new kits? Overwhelmingly positive response on social media but not to my liking. Prefer the tartan look we had.

Clarke definitely has to shoulder much of the blame here but I'm hugely disappointed by the players' lack of fire in such an important game. Ukraine are a good side, but I would contend they are nowhere near as good as England, who we managed to draw with and easily could have beaten at the Euros (didn't they beat Ukraine 4-0 in the KO stages?). This pish about raising your game for the 'auld enemy' and then laying down and surrendering to anyone else who is half decent gets on my tits.

Aye very disappointing. Was really hoping we might kick on next year but probably another season of being not quite good enough beckons.

Thank you to everyone who answered my question and contributed to my education on the Scottish non-league scene, It is much appreciated.

Apologies if this isn't the right thread for this question, but it's something that has been fascinating me more and more since I started following non-league fitba. Do you think Scotland is the only European nation that has all of these decent teams that are tucked away in the lower reaches who could cruise up three or four levels quite comfortably as we are now seeing with Cove and Kelty? I grew up down south and now live in the US so never really learned much about lower league fitba, only really following the Shire as they meandered their way ever downwards (my Dad and his Dad were both Shire fans). Now I see teams that are ostensibly lower in the pyramid pecking order but are a lot stronger than most Tier 5 clubs - BoD being the latest team to ascend and who would bet against them winning the HL next year? I've also become more familiar with English non-league now that my local team down there, Southend has slipped into oblivion. There's nobody in the lower reaches there who you would fancy to sweep through a few divisions. I don't believe there's another nation in Europe quite like Scotland in this respect, so what is it about the Scottish scene that fostered such strong junior/amateur clubs who were capable of beating professionals? Any insight on this would be much appreciated.

Maybe the bookies paid Fort off not to play because even at 1/5 that BoD price is a license to print money.

Very pleased with the win today. Puts us up to 4th when you ignore the Colts. Any of you lads go, how did they look?

I hate this draw for us now. We are going to hear a load of old bollocks about Ukraine being 'everyone's second favourite team' and you know FIFA will want them to go through. I expect the officials will do us no favours either. I really fancy us to stuff these and the Welsh, and then I would definitely back us to get out of the group. England are good but seem to freeze against Scotland and Iran and the US are diddies.

Nah, Shire will reach the final and thoroughly outplay EK or Berwick and lose 1-0.

I'm absolutely convinced that England's improved performances at the major tournaments are due to Colts teams playing in the Leyland DAF Cup or whatever it's called now.

I like that, but let's not f**k about and make it 8 teams. 3 from Europe, 2 from S America and one each from Asia, Africa and North America/Oceania.

Think we have a genuine chance of winning this. Between us, EK and Berwick I reckon. But as you say, any of the 8 could.

The lads have exceeded my expectations for sure. Like you, I think they could do even better next year if we keep the squad largely intact and make a couple of shrewd signings. Any chance we can get Offord on loan again next year?

F**k me that was fantastic. ESPN Plus even co-operated which never happens. The better team (by far) won. No doubt we will qualify, none whatsoever. Bring on Portugal, Italy, f**k 'em all. EDIT: Just remembered that our brilliant record means we play one of the diddies. Like Wales. f**k them too.

I grew up in Essex and my wee English team is Southend United. I live in New Mexico so the Shire aren't really my local team, but my Dad and his Dad followed the Shire so I do too. Two sides, both non-league now. What a fucking glory hunter I am.

We could let the Danes get two draws if we scored about 30 goals. Piece o’pish

There were veritable scenes at full time in my corner of New Mexico.

Been some decent results this season (and some utter pish tbf) but none of them made me as happy as Friday's.

Thanks for that report mate, sounds like plenty to be optimistic about but maybe not this year. C’mon the Shire.

Shite result today. Any of you lads see it? Another stodgy 6th or 7th beckons.