How many clubs have left the SAFA to go Senior in the last 3 seasons? A handful at most.
Off the top of my head, Thorn Athletic, Linlithgow Thistle, Rothie Rovers, West Park United? I’d say the SAFA have more pressing matters to worry about than losing teams to Senior leagues.
I think it’s entirely fair for the WOSFL to expect prospective applicant clubs to have at least shown some determination to run an adult mens team instead of just deciding one day to bypass existing amateur leagues because a better option has come up.
After all, these boys clubs-turned-senior clubs who’ve joined the pyramid in recent years all preach about a “pathway”. If they’re that serious about having a pathway then already having a functioning mens team should be a non-negotiable.