Spyro Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 7 minutes ago, highlandcowden said: pretty sure muir of ord were playing in the highland amateur cup this year My apologies, totally missed them last time I looked through the Amateurs!!! Always a team I look out for, but totally slipped by me there 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandcowden Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 51 minutes ago, Robert James said: Correct regarding Inverness City, but don't forget that as a new club, they joined the NCL, playing their home matches at North Kessock. Small beginnings for City, and now for Inverness Athletic, who appear to be progressive. Let's hope they are successful, as the NCL needs an Inverness club. aye but my point was that inverness citys being in the juniors gave them far less options with regards to where they played as a junior team,especially when they made the step up to the laughingly named superleague. if athletic harbour similar ambitions they will face similar problems but sure they'll be fine if theyre happy to stay in the NCL anything further about bonar bridge? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 11 minutes ago, highlandcowden said: anything further about bonar bridge? They’ve got a page on the official website, so hopefully all is good and they’ll be playing just season http://northcaleyfa.co.uk/club.php?id=42 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandcowden Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 7 minutes ago, Spyro said: They’ve got a page on the official website, so hopefully all is good and they’ll be playing just season http://northcaleyfa.co.uk/club.php?id=42 says theyre a member club,hopefully they'll be participating in the NCL itself and not just cups 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 1 hour ago, highlandcowden said: says theyre a member club,hopefully they'll be participating in the NCL itself and not just cups Looks that way, which is encouraging. (We recently enjoyed a stay in Ardguy - lovely area). If Bonar Bridge proves to be competitive in the NCL, if may encourage former North Caley clubs like Dingwall Thistle, Balintore, or Dornoch to reform/rejoin ? Or even lead to the formation of a 'United' club from the Black Isle, to play winter football. Pure fantasy of course (from Uncle Bob) ! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwl123 Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 12 hours ago, Robert James said: Looks that way, which is encouraging. (We recently enjoyed a stay in Ardguy - lovely area). If Bonar Bridge proves to be competitive in the NCL, if may encourage former North Caley clubs like Dingwall Thistle, Balintore, or Dornoch to reform/rejoin ? Or even lead to the formation of a 'United' club from the Black Isle, to play winter football. Pure fantasy of course (from Uncle Bob) ! What about the Rossshire amateur teams who play in the summer Inverness Amateur League? Surely one or two might fancy a crack at winter league footy? Im thinking Avoch, Culbokie, Contin etc... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dev Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 42 minutes ago, dwl123 said: What about the Rossshire amateur teams who play in the summer Inverness Amateur League? Surely one or two might fancy a crack at winter league footy? Im thinking Avoch, Culbokie, Contin etc... Has anyone come across the Highland Amateur (Winter) League? It showed up in the Inverness Courier newspaper but is/was it for adult men or some other group? Highland District Amateur League (Winter) 2015-16 (9 teams) Caledonian (Pockets) Dingwall Highland Rovers Hilton ICM Electrical Innes CI Police Sams Scotrail 2016-17 (10 teams) Bellmac Caley Club (Drumnadrochit) Contin Fortrose & Rosemarkie Union Highland Rovers (Inverness) Innes CI Invergordon Social Maryburgh NMM Sams (Inverness) Police 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 It was adult teams. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandcowden Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 6 hours ago, Dev said: Has anyone come across the Highland Amateur (Winter) League? It showed up in the Inverness Courier newspaper but is/was it for adult men or some other group? Highland District Amateur League (Winter) 2015-16 (9 teams) Caledonian (Pockets) Dingwall Highland Rovers Hilton ICM Electrical Innes CI Police Sams Scotrail 2016-17 (10 teams) Bellmac Caley Club (Drumnadrochit) Contin Fortrose & Rosemarkie Union Highland Rovers (Inverness) Innes CI Invergordon Social Maryburgh NMM Sams (Inverness) Police no,never heard of it,dont buy the courier though 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 On 29/06/2019 at 12:21, dwl123 said: What about the Rossshire amateur teams who play in the summer Inverness Amateur League? Surely one or two might fancy a crack at winter league footy? Im thinking Avoch, Culbokie, Contin etc... My earlier post queried why there isn't a Black Isle Welfare (or United) FC playing winter football in the NCL ? Surely from the 'summer' clubs (etc) you mention, there would be enough players to form a 'representative' club in the North Caley League ? Home NCL matches could be played at several Welfare grounds, and it would also encourage the development of youth football in the area. If there is nervousness about committing to the full League itself, then entering/playing in a few of the NCL cup competitions (like Lewis & Harris FC), would provide a start point, and see how it goes from there. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strathman Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Can remember Avoch playing in what used to be known as the 2nd XI League in the sixties. They were either Rovers or Rangers forget which. Smart wee park. Decent shout though. Muir of Ord might be technically in the Black Isle in fact it probably is as it was the venue for the Black Isle Show. They were in the league from the seventies for a good number of years. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 8 hours ago, Strathman said: Can remember Avoch playing in what used to be known as the 2nd XI League in the sixties. They were either Rovers or Rangers forget which. Smart wee park. Decent shout though. Muir of Ord might be technically in the Black Isle in fact it probably is as it was the venue for the Black Isle Show. They were in the league from the seventies for a good number of years. Avoch’s park is brilliant, seen it packed a couple of times too but was working so just driving by. Muir were a great team too, nice ground tucked away in the middle of the town behind the houses. Hear good things about Culbokie’s park too, it’s used as a neutral venue a lot. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRS Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 18 hours ago, Strathman said: Can remember Avoch playing in what used to be known as the 2nd XI League in the sixties. They were either Rovers or Rangers forget which. Smart wee park. Decent shout though. Muir of Ord might be technically in the Black Isle in fact it probably is as it was the venue for the Black Isle Show. They were in the league from the seventies for a good number of years. They were Avoch Rovers and won the North Reserve League in the late 60s, Avoch has produced a few good players over the years - Ross Jack (Everton, Norwich, Dundee, Dunfermline) and the Belshaw brothers - David (Ross Co) and Johnstone (Caley, Ross Co) and George Patience (Ross Co) Although Muir of Ord hosts the Black Isle show, it is not in the Black isle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Following the AGM of the North Caledonian FA, a Media Release has been issued (dated 16th July)., and is available on its web site. It confirms that Bonar Bridge FC has been unanimously elected into the North Caley League for 2019/20. Lewis & Harris FC and Nairn County Under 20's will continue to participate in 2 of the NCLFA's Cup competitions, whilst Shetland FC are not mentioned as entering any of the Cups next season.. The Media Release also confirms details of the main Cup Draws for 2019/20. Best wishes to Bonar Bridge FC for the coming season. And congratulations to Iain Whitehead (NCL Secretary) for being elected as its new President. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitburn Vale Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 (edited) A return to a 10 team NCL is most welcome!!! Would like to see the SHFL show more encouragement in involving the NCL teams in some shape or form. They are supportive of the pyramid and thus should be accorded the respect they deserve unlike the north or tayside juniors. Edited July 16, 2019 by Whitburn Vale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 (edited) I see the Nairn County U20s are taking part in a couple of the Cups, the only one out of the 6 team North of Scotland FA U20 League, the others being Clach, Rothes, Lossie, Forres and Elgin City. I know there's a lot of resistance to colt teams, and some might not have the squads to play more regular fixtures, but more U20 teams getting involved might raise the profile of North football a bit. I can see both sides and am unsure about it, but don't think the thin end of the wedge argument really applies for such a low populated area. Edited July 16, 2019 by welshbairn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 17 minutes ago, welshbairn said: I see the Nairn County U20s are taking part in a couple of the Cups, the only one out of the 6 team North of Scotland FA U20 League, the others being Clach, Rothes, Lossie, Forres and Elgin City. I know there's a lot of resistance to colt teams, and some might not have the squads to play more regular fixtures, but more U20 teams getting involved might raise the profile of North football a bit. I can see both sides and am unsure about it, but don't think the thin end of the wedge argument really applies for such a low populated area. Elgin, Lossiemouth and Clach have periodically entered Development or Reserve sides in the NCL during the last twenty years, or so. Also Fort William Reserves had a few seasons in the NCL. Perhaps surprisingly, neither Wick Academy nor Brora Rangers have done so, even though they are situated in the core NCL geographical area. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Whitburn Vale said: A return to a 10 team NCL is most welcome!!! Would like to see the SHFL show more encouragement in involving the NCL teams in some shape or form. They are supportive of the pyramid and thus should be accorded the respect they deserve unlike the north or tayside juniors. It is unclear to me whether the Highland League wants a Tier 6 pyramid feeder league. It certainly doesn't appear to be encouraging the creation of one. There are a couple of ambitious NCL clubs, but the entry requirements for the HFL require floodlights. It has been confirmed that SFA member club Golspie Sutherland's application for planning permission (a few years ago) was turned down by the council, following objections from some local residents. As far as I know, the club didn't appeal this decision, and it may be worth reapplying as some UK clubs have successfully won planning appeals, on the basis that they can only be used on XX occasions per year, and within certain 'time of use' restrictions. Tier 6 status would probably further boost the NCL clubs, and also provide a 'safety net' for clubs (eg Fort William, Clach, Lossiemouth, Nairn, Wick, etc) when/if any of the North of Scotland clubs get relegated from the HFL. These senior clubs have never shown any desire to join the junior ranks, which is why TWO pyramid feeder leagues (NCL and NRJFA) are required, should the PWG get an agreed solution for a northern pyramid. However this isn't helped by the NRJFA's current disinterest in the pyramid. The 'stand off' taken by Banks O'Dee, hasn't encouraged junior clubs to join either. The SFA hasn't helped in the recent past, as it should have granted Scottish Cup entry to the NCL champion club each year, regardless as to whether or not it is licensed. This opportunity is given currently to unlicensed club champions in the EoSL, SoSL, the 3 Junior Leagues, the Junior Cup Winners, and the Scottish FA Amateur Cup Winners, each season. Will the PWG bite the bullet ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 11 minutes ago, Robert James said: It is unclear to me whether the Highland League wants a Tier 6 pyramid feeder league. It certainly doesn't appear to be encouraging the creation of one. Yeah, it's not like they've hosted meetings with the NRJFA only to be told not interested. Kept the NCL in the loop and have publicly stated and voted on creating a 2nd division if they exceed 20 members. As for the floodlights issue it's tied into licensing now so it's no longer a case of the HFL having a say in it. They needed it before then due to the 34 game season, each club competing in at least 3 cups and finishing in time for the SPFL playoff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitburn Vale Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 (edited) Yep,the NCL champs licensed or not should get a crack at the Scottish cup like everyone else,especially as they're pyramid friendly so to speak. Edited July 16, 2019 by Whitburn Vale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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