BMan

I guess it would take the Tayside clubs and the NRJFA to start talking about it, I've not seen anything to suggest that they have. It would mean independent talks, leaving the West Lothian clubs aside. Carnoustie's statement today suggests dissatisfaction with the ERJFA's handling of issues to date. I would have no problem with Luncarty personally, not upto me though.

Luncarty won't open the door or change anything with the EoS I'm afraid. It remains upto members to decide who joins and who doesn't, and as it stands, there is no guarantee Luncarty will be accepted, although I'd be surprised if they were refused. Maybe it's me, but I can't see too much of a problem with this sort of set-up as a future for both Tayside and North at tier 6 and 7 in the HL Pyramid.

I think someone is wanting Tayside teams in the LL area and knows more about the ins and outs of this that they are admitting! It makes no sense to increase the amount of clubs falling into the overloaded LL catchment area. Tayside clubs should be seeking talks with the NRJFA about forming a new tier 6 senior league consisting of the top Tayside and NRJFA clubs, feeding into the HL and with access to licencing and SFA membership. They would sit at the same level as the top divisions in West and East. The link up with the north should really have happened way back in 2002 when the regions were reorganised. They already compete in a regional cup so it's not as if they are strangers, and if course Montrose Roselea moved to the NRJFA. That is where their future lies. Ultimately, it's for EoS members to decide who joins and who doesn't join their league. Would there be much of an appetite to admit Dundee and Angus clubs? I genuinely don't know.

You asked my opinion, I gave you an honest answer.

It's a question I can't answer with any feeling really as I'm not in it. If I was in Tynecastle's position I'd probably be gutted if there was no promotion as they are so obviously the best team in the Conferences by a mile and would have been up in normal circumstances. If I were in your position, I'd also be gutted not to have a chance to close the gap at the top, but maybe grudgingly accept it as you weren't looking likely to win it. It was between LTHV and Leith IMO. That's about as honest as I can be!

On your last point, off the top of my head Haddington, Burntisland, Hill of Beath, Ormiston, Tynecastle, Broxburn and maybe one or two others are represented on the board so I'd assume a good cross section of opinion.

I'm not losing any place, I'm happy with the proposal as offered by the EoS who care about the game as a whole. You on the other hand are a slightly unhinged freak who hangs around here like a bad smell red dotting people to bring meaning to your sad little life.

Null and void punishes everyone though, inc Tynecastle who you admit should go up, nobody would go up inc Bo'ness. At least what the EoS propose promotes 2 or 3 teams, and provides a Champion to go upto the LL if that opportunity is there, that has to be a good thing surely. The EoS proposal, or null & void, makes no difference to me personally as it sees my club still in the Premier. However I'd rather see as many clubs benefit as possible with the minimum of upheaval. I'd also back scrapping Conferences next season and going to First/Second, but then that disadvantages clubs who have applied (and those who just miss out and find themselves down a tier), so it won't be a goer. No easy answer.

Did you run our of red dots Mallow? I think your reputation on the Heads Gone thread has hit an all time low.

As explained, relegation due to circumstances out with your control is punishment (see Partick as an example), but not being one of the two or three not being promoted isn't punishment as I see it. It's gutting no doubt, but at least 2 or 3 clubs are still going up which was the intention at the start of the season, and which would not be on the table if the season was voided. Wanting clubs relegated isn't a good look BTW! I'll leave it there.

Just relegate us now

Easy for me to say because I have a vested interest, but I believe the EoS are correct in not relegating clubs when there is no need to do so (following the LL's lead), and extending the Premier to accommodate as many as they practically can from the Conferences. If they go down the null & void route (probably the only other practical option), then a lot more clubs are disadvantaged, that would have been the easy thing to do. Some like Dunipace, will miss out on promotion and be unhappy and that is understandable, but they have to come up with a solution, they are following the SPFL LL and HL as far as PPG is concerned and at least they are putting it to clubs to have a say.

We'll agree to disagree :-)

Behave.

I'd question if any of those clubs are being punished. They do not have the reward of being promoted, but I can't see it as a punishment not to go up under these circumstances. Gutting no doubt about it, but punishment? There are no easy answers. Void is the only alternative that I can see, that punishes even more clubs.

Yes, all Fife Junior clubs.

Why punish clubs when there is no need?

No East Region Champion either although that obviously doesn't affect the SCC.

You wont have a choice over the SCC.

Not so sure about that, some clubs in the North probably aren't such big fans of long costly journeys (or playing hosts) followed by an inevitable scudding. Some have withdrawn because of it in the past due to the financial risk. Anyway, we'll see how it turns out.

......for someone associated with the west complaining about the SoS before a ball is kicked.

EoS board meeting tonight so I expect we'll hear some news soon on how they conclude this season.

I would be surprised if the likes of Talbot, Petershill, Cumnock and others haven't been working away in the background. You can pretty much do the work required without needing too much involvement from the SFA Licencing Dept. So for example, Talbots lights go up in June, that may be the final box to tick and they ask to be audited, they'll be well ahead of the February deadline.

But if these clubs allow the WoS clubs to compete, it removes any realistic chance of them winning it, and the financial rewards that go with it. For what it's worth the West Lothian clubs feel the WRJFA shafted them after they had agreed to stick by the ERJFA.

What do the new members do meantime, they will have nowhere to play? How do we play in cups when everyone else is playing 20-21 season? How long will it take Kinnoul to play 17 league games? It's just not possible, and every other league is ending their season and EoS will almost certainly follow suit.