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VodkaTap

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Posts posted by VodkaTap

  1. 34 minutes ago, rhubarb1974 said:

    Do you think ground sharing is good? If so why, and what limits do you place on it?

     

    Do you think 3G surfaces are good? If so why a top flights leagues against them i.e. England, Spain, Italy etc...

     

    I put Gretna down 100% as a cage type pitch. 

    Groundsharing ?- don't really have a problem with it. There are plenty of examples of where it has worked without too much of an issue. Certainly none that couldn't be overcome with a bit of goodwill on both sides.

    I can't believe you are seriously comparing what is suitable for the top flight leagues around the world with what clubs deem suitable for the fifth, sixth and lower tiers of Scottish football.

    To consider both Gala & Gretna as cage type grounds simply because they have a 4G or 3G pitch is not living in the real world.

  2. 2 hours ago, rhubarb1974 said:

    East Kilbride

    Cumbernauld Colts just rent a ground

    Hearts B just ground share with Whitehill - non competitive team

    Celtic B just ground share with Airdrie - non competitive team

    University of Stirling

    Caley Braves

    Gretna 

    Edinburgh Uni 

    Gala fairydean

    Broomhill just rent a ground. 

    This is just a mishmash list that makes no sense in the real world !! No way is this a list of teams who play in cages.

    It has a small number of accurate info, total fabrications, prejudice against teams who share and also prejudice against plastic pitches.

    Gala, Gretna and Edinburgh uni not a cage in sight

    University of Stirling share with Stirling Albion & Cumbernald colts - they both rent 

    Against the B teams - I get that prejudice but again, not a cage in sight

    I think this is simply spewing false  bile for the sake of trying to make a point -

    I have no issue with that -  if facts were used !!!

  3. 16 hours ago, berwicksfinest said:

    What we do get is, our next turn of duty by 10.30 the day before, we can start anywhere between 00.01 and 23.59, any day of the week, that is including Christmas Day, bank holidays etc. and a culture of guilty until proved innocent, (thankfully with q-tron in the cab much easier now)

    That's been the working conditions of a train driver for a very very long time indeed.

    My faither was a train driver and it like that for him - and he retired 28years ago !!

  4. I have to say I find it amusing that the there is this notion that the LL is blocking promotion from the lower tiers.

    Since the Lowland league comprises the members within it, of course each and every one of its members will look out for what is best for themselves. Every single time.

    Just like every other club in this pyramid - from top to bottom. We only need to look at the recent attempt to foist a conference into the pyramid. Is anybody gonna claim that was not done to suit the wishes of certain clubs ???

    Right now change is all just wishful thinking. Until the majority of LL members vote for change then that all it can be.

    For the absence of doubt - I am also firmly in favour of more relegation and promotion to and from the lower leagues.

  5. 3 hours ago, HorseyGhirl said:

    Sorry big man. Was just under the impression you weren't allowed to leave the West Central Belt. You know stipulation of restraining order or whatever. 😄😄😄

    So what's your thoughts on it.

    Have you applied for an entry visa; we don't just allow any Tom, Dick or Whomever to enter our beautiful county. 😉😉😉

    Tut Tut Tut Mr H !!!

    I have great difficulty dealing with the scenario where someone who decamped (maybe deported ?) from Cumbernauld and is now attempting to apply entry restrictions on anyone that wants to come to the lovely area that is D & G !

    Lets be honest here - the bar has been set fairly low already with your acceptance !!

  6. 11 hours ago, HorseyGhirl said:

    One of my local clubs Turncoat Rovers at Meadow Park have a thriving wee social club. Wherein they have ample seating, fully stocked bar, excellent catering, and multiple tv's for football and racing coverage. It can be busy before, during and after a game as they have a range of hospitality packages on offer.

    Additionally they have acts on Saturday nights and other functions. 

     

    What have Threave done to you that you need to be so disparaging about them ????

    I agree about their great facilities, they are just what is needed and am sure provides a regular welcome boost to their coffers.

    I have been there quite a few times, from even before they upgraded their social club. and their committee has to commended for the way they run their club for the benefit of the community. 

  7. We have constantly been told that any change to the HL/LL/club 42 playoff required the agreement of the 4 parties involved. Namely SFA, SPFL, HL, LL.

    So I would presume that if the HL or LL did not accept any change, how could a conference playoff be introduced ??

  8. 2 minutes ago, Burnieman said:

    I don't think it is.

    If this is voted against at AGM, it's dead in the water (they can't invite clubs to a league that has not been approved by members) and the SFA will need to go back to the table and actually start talking to clubs. All clubs. Not the PWG, but get off their arses and actually go and engage and above all, listen.

    Any idea which way are Gretna voting?

    I agree that the only other way for the conference to be killed is if enough vote against it at the AGM.

    I have no idea regarding Gretna's intentions on this matter.

  9. We can moan about the conference league all we want.
    We can demand that both the LL & HL have nothing to do with this league.
    And if that happened then the conference would be strangled at birth.

    The next obvious step would be for the SFA to then invite teams to join the conference.
    Would all clubs decline that invitation?? – not a hope in hell!!
    I am sure enough of them would jump at the chance.

    This is the reality of the situation we are now faced with.

  10. 7 hours ago, Kennie said:

    The WoSFL was set up by the LL.

    Bonnyton applied for inclusion based on the fact they were from Kilmarnock. They were also deemed as a Tier 6 Club due to them being in a Tier 6 League (SoSFL).

    No other Tier 6 club asked to join the LL run WoSFL at that time.

    After the WoSFL was handed over, and prompted by rumours that some West Lothian clubs other than Harthill Royal, had also contemplated joining the WoSFL, it was decided to set up geographical boundaries for any new applicants to stop teams floating between them. The WoSFL & EoSFL both agreed on theirs. The SoSFL did not want any boundaries between them and either the East or the West. Hence why Threave could apply to join the WoSFL and Glasgow Wellington could apply to join the SoSFL. Relegation from the LL was not part of those discussions and relegated teams would have to return to their origins. If Dalbeattie were to be relegated they would only be allowed entry to the WoSFL by application to join at the lowest level and would need to go through the same process as any other applicant. Just like Threave.

     

    Gretna 2008 must be a bit of anomaly then, if what you said in bold is correct.

    Gretna 2008 have never played in the SOS league. Their application to join was rejected.

    That is why they played in the EoSFL and are still members of the EoSFA.

  11. 7 hours ago, cowdenbeath said:

    There will be another 2 ties as the B teams don’t take part.

    The team going into the play off can also opt out so Bo’ness may progress to the second round without kicking a ball.

    Terrible patter from the LL that you have to find a cup draw here rather than any official outlets.

    Not quite right I am afraid.

    You can sign up to get email notifications from the LL, as I did a long time ago, and I received all the cup draw details earlier this morning.

  12. On 14/02/2023 at 20:32, HorseyGhirl said:

    My self appointing as a crusader of one league in the west was tongue in cheek tbh, it was designed to garner reactions. I remember our discussion and I did apologise for unilaterally declaring SOS was not a tier 6 league, not my place to say that. Initially I did start from a bad position being angry at Wellington application. Its easy from there to back yourself into a corner and lose your point of view defending a previous statement.

    Re EK/Braves, there only was SOS servicing the West back then surely, so would say it's different now. Both leagues in Mission Statements claim to cover the West of the Lowland area. So do we now have 2 Leagues covering  the West of the country?                                  Is that not contrary to how the pyramid is meant to run?         

    What do you think about Wellington's application to the SOS? It smacks as a publicity stunt.

    I was surprised Threave's move to the WOS seemed to go through without any objections.

    I believe there should be one East League set up and one West League set up beneath the Lowland and enjoy discussing it whether other posters agree or not. In the end I might be proved wrong in my view, that's cool.

    Covered a few different points but ones to discuss I feel?

    Will be at Alba Cup Final so I'm not anti-south football. Just anti 2 league setups in the west.

    I know dug wi a bone.

    My main issue that I have with your one person crusade, as you chew on that bone - is that it's no' your bone in the first place !

    That bone belongs tae all the teams in the SOS league, its fur them alone tae chew on, fur them decide their league future and fur them tae admit or reject anyone that applies !

    It's not fur anyone tae tell them whit tae dae - unless it's the SFA !!

  13. 3 minutes ago, HorseyGhirl said:

    There was a few others that had a go a while back, basically was told to leave the SOS alone. Yeah VT gets very passionate about it. Even to the point where Threave are circumventing the system by dropping down to Tier 10. Makes no sense that one.

    I don't know the answer, but it should have been thrashed out when WOS was set up, but the silence was deafening. 

    I believe Threave's results have shown that the SOS teams would benefit from a season or so in a lower tier than they are now.  But, obviously nothing can be forced onto the SOS and if they are happy to waddle along as they are not much can be done. 

    I do find it slightly odd that if someone has a different view regarding the future of the SOS league that they are having a go at you ?? Nothing could be further from the truth.

    We did have a healthy discussion on this topic some time back but to my mind it is something for the SOS clubs to sort out for themselves. I don't believe imposing a solution on them is the way to go.

    You mentioned in a post earlier that you are on a one person crusade to get them into the WOS and mentioned Glasgow Wellington as the outlier. What you seem to have conveniently forgotten was that East Kilbride & Cally Braves were also admitted to the SOS league. So they have previous in accepting clubs from the west of Scotland !

    I believe the only application that the SOS league rejected in recent times was Gretna 2008 !

    But feel free to carry on with your one person crusade - just don't lump everyone who has a different view as having a go !!!

  14. 2 hours ago, HorseyGhirl said:

    First off apologies for saying earlier that SOS teams arent Tier 6. That was wrong and actually irrelevant to my thoughts on the system.

    Excellent results for both and also good showing by Abbey Vale, unfortunately local team St.Cuthberts didn't fare as well.

    Hoping Threave get through to 4th as would love to see them play St.Cadocs. Which is one of my points would love these games to become the norm down here.

    Still standby what I said about Wellington, legally trying to leapfrog the system.

    EOS any new team has to join at Tier 9. WOS any new team joins at Tier 10. SOS a new team can go straight in at Tier 6. 

    It's a loophole, don't like loopholes.

    Another point to make EOS covers Lothians, Borders, Fife, Stirling/Falkirk, parts of Perthshire. WOS Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde and Argyll. SOS covers Dumfries&Galloway there must be others who see this anomaly. And I don't buy this the South isn't harming anyone. It should be a vibrant part of the system not a tag-on. Threave have brought an added vibrancy and interest to Tier 10.

    Rant over. Looking forward to getting shot down.

    You keep repeating those same comments -  as if that will give them more legitimacy !

    I disagreed with those comments before and will have to continue to do so.

    If the SOS had more teams then they also would have a second division - but they do not so, any new entrant joins with the rest

    And no - I don't accept you premise that D & G is an anomaly either.

    But - continue to enjoy your rants on this matter!!

  15. 1 hour ago, Clown Job said:

    Celtic haven’t used the term for over a decade now (since before liquidation)

    They promote the game as the Glasgow derby. 

    Its trademarked so others can’t profit from it 

    It also seems to really annoy RFC that we don’t use it. 

     

    Whether Celtic use it or not - that's entirely their choice

    But to the rest of scottish football - both Rangers and Celtic will always be the Old Firm since they have been referred to in that manner for such a long time

    Its simply a shorthand way of collectively referring to both those teams

    It would also appear that the use of that term seems to annoy Celtic - and their fans !!

  16. My view as to what is people regard as an acceptable entry cost all depends on what they have paid in the past.

    The fans of the former SPFL clubs have been used to paying a higher rate when in League 2 and consequently feel that a double digit entry cost is acceptable.

    Whereas I believe the fans of either existing LL clubs or former EOS clubs, whose experience is that of generally lower single digit entry cost as the norm and they feel that it should be the appropriate rate.

    I reckon it really is all about each fan's perception of what is appropriate based on their previous experience.

    Nobody is right or wrong in their views on this matter.

  17. 34 minutes ago, HorseyGhirl said:

    Vodka, I am not attached to any West team so my thoughts are not that of any team or teams just my personal feelings.

    I have a love of non-league and would be happy if the South teams were more competitive against other league's. In fact I personally feel Threave had a case for going into West Premier being at Tier 6.

    Its not the level the South play at that is the issue, it's more to do with Geography; the East covers from the Tay to the English Border, South covers D&G. I would like to see the West and South merging solely to make the lowland pyramid more complete. I hope Threave are promoted and find their place in the system, same with Abbey Vale, St.Cuthberts at al.

    Just for clarity I live in the Stewartry and would love to see my local teams playing  against the West teams. The Kilsyth and Thorniewood games were so much more enjoyable then the Nithsdale and Mids games in the South Challenge. 

    No agenda just a love of football.

    I always assume that any comment made on a forum is only ever a personal view - as is mine.

    No matter which league a team plays in, they will always find their appropriate level.

    To move teams from one association to another simply on the basis that geography would make it neater, just does not make sense.

    Teams in the SoS league have enough issues moving back and forth along the A75 corridor without the not inconsiderable  additional travel involved within the Wos league setup.

    If the SoS teams are happy to be in that league setup then leave them be - they only interact occasionally with the other leagues in any case.

  18. 1 hour ago, HorseyGhirl said:

    Agree with this part of your statement, and within this viewpoint lies a problem.                                  Wherein most of the WOS teams who have no interest in  progressing out of the West are in the lower tiers, all the teams in the SOS who dont wish to proress are in Tier 6. I realise it doesnt seem to impact on the eventual promoted  team, but the fact they are there is an issue that stops the pyramid working functionally.                            The proof is in the pudding, Threave have moved to the West and dropped down to Tier 10, where they have lost 3 games to ex boys clubs, as they are referred to.       The gulf in the standard is stark and quite simply needs addressing.

    Also for fairness agree HL/LL playoff winner must be promoted and then at an agreed date both winners are promoted.

    Lots agree with but also so much to disagree with 

    I don't believe the level at which the SoS teams play at, really matters at all.

    The comments against the SoS teams appears to smack of ego's being hurt - WoS are better than them and they want that recognised !

    I don't reckon the WoS premier teams give much thought to the SoS teams at all. They would be the only ones possibly impacted.

    To claim that an extra two games is such an issue as to stop the pyramid working functionally is just plain ludicrous.

    I do accept that more teams relegated would help enormously and should happen asap.

  19. 7 hours ago, gretnascotty said:

    There is plenty of local talent but i would look closer to home as to why there are none playing for Gretna! 

    We've had quite a few players from Cumbria playing for us since the club was founded, a number of these players i would call club legends think we're an absolute shambles and have done for a few seasons now, Dean Rea, John Jardine, Sam Atkinson to name a few have said this on social media.  Robbie Ivison, Gretna's player of the season last season was asked to play for someone else during the summer, he turned the club down as he said he was happy at Gretna, only to be told weeks later that there was no place for him at the club and he wasn't wanted because the club had a new squad of players (see mcindoe & his Edinburgh based boys) We were told at a fans forum in June that the club had a list of local players they were in the process of signing, we were also told by the manager directly that we would be training twice a week from Raydale when the club itself had other ideas.

    The fans are told what we want to hear by lies from the hierarchy who clearly had plans to bring a squad of players in via Mcindoe & they would train out of Edinburgh (something it seems was news to Hatfield) we were seemingly to bring in 3 players from south west scotland to appease the supporters.

    My question to the club now is what happens if McIndoe decides at the end of the season he's had enough? He takes HIS squad with him, who are the club to turn to if/when this happens?  I can't see any player in the local area wanting to play for Gretna 2008.

    That's me weel telt !!

  20. 2 hours ago, annan4eva said:

    I’m absolutely convinced there should be enough local talent within a say 25/30 mind radius to get Gretna at the top end of that table ? Annan should be the same lazy lazy clubs ( never mind producing their own ) 

    Enough local talent ??  I really wonder about that.

    You will find that almost all of the good local talent have at some time or other played for the top local sides, Dalbeattie, Gretna 2008, Threave & whatever SOS team decides to have a go for the league that season.

    With the dropping of a league by Queen of the South they are having to fish in a lower pond that was maybe Annan's preserve and so Annan are looking around and picking up the best of the LL in the local area.

    when you look at the population hotspots in Dumfries & Galloway they really are well spread out and consequently the availability of a large good player pool is not possible.

    Plus of course, availability of good players in an area does go in cycles and maybe there are just not too many around right now.

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