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North Caledonian League Expansion


Robert James

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Just now, Robert James said:

 No floodlights last time I visited, which may be the main problem for Thurso.

Theoretically, the ground itself, is easily enclosed if it follows the Coldstream arrangement, where a moveable fence (at one end) is used on match days, to separate the pitch from the remainder of the (public) park.  This arrangement was accepted by the SFA, when Coldstream was awarded a Licence.

 

 

 

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Notwithstanding the fact that it's not all about the ground when it comes to licences, the Dammies would need a hell of a lot of work. Floodlights, new boundary wall, proper cover, new changing rooms at a minimum. Not insurmountable, but not easy either. I can't imagine we'll see any other NCL teams going for licencing any time soon.

Edited by Cyclizine
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A lot of people don't realise how lengthy it takes to get the admin things done. 

Safeguarding qualifications are always a faff - and the courses tend to be quite hard to get spaces on as there's quite high demand. It's obviously not the bricks and mortar stuff that we see such as Cover, Floodlights, Toilets etc - but it's equally an important part of the process and from the SFA POV more important.

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Despite the success of Caithness sides at the amateur level this year I doubt there are enough willing players for another Highland League club, given the struggle Wick are having fielding a consistently competitive team from week to week. 

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17 hours ago, Ray Patterson said:

A lot of people don't realise how lengthy it takes to get the admin things done. 

Safeguarding qualifications are always a faff - and the courses tend to be quite hard to get spaces on as there's quite high demand. It's obviously not the bricks and mortar stuff that we see such as Cover, Floodlights, Toilets etc - but it's equally an important part of the process and from the SFA POV more important.

Exactly, I know from Lochee United how much work is involved in that. And we're blessed with quite a large committee & other volunteers, even for them it was still quite the task to achieve. Plenty of clubs aren't as lucky with so many volunteers as we are, so that will only make it harder.

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It's fairly common knowledge there's more to an SFA licence that the nick of the ground, but it's the easy and obvious thing to gauge it by isn't it?  Some club playing at a public park could have all the quality marks, H&S certs, certain committee roles, but you can safely say they aren't getting a licence.  As opposed to a Midlands League side Tayport who (probably have the ground) but fuck all of the rest of the stuff.  

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2 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said:

Dozens of clubs in the southern pyramid are licensed/underway but don't harbour realistic ambitions of reaching LL.

Aye, but when talking about the NCL we're basically comparing it to the SoSFL. A single, relatively large council area. That's sparsely populated and already has a pretty full quota of full-time, part-time clubs higher up the pyramid.

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3 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said:

Dozens of clubs in the southern pyramid are licensed/underway but don't harbour realistic ambitions of reaching LL.

Could be different if many of your competitors have better facilities to attract players and supporters I suppose, but it doesn't really apply in the NCL. 

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26 minutes ago, welshbairn said:

No, but is it worth the expense and effort if that isn't the ambition?

 

They might want to play in the Scottish Cup, and also give themselves the opportunity to be eligible for promotion at some point down the line.

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