Marten Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 3 hours ago, welshbairn said: I see the women have got their act together regarding the islands. Interesting, I wonder how they manage it with Lewis and Harris in there? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrif John Bunnell Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 I know Nairn ladies played them in Ullapool a few weeks back. I don't know if that's where they play all their home games though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 4 hours ago, Marten said: Interesting, I wonder how they manage it with Lewis and Harris in there? By only playing 14 games each over the Summer! 1 hour ago, Sherrif John Bunnell said: I know Nairn ladies played them in Ullapool a few weeks back. I don't know if that's where they play all their home games though. Aye, Lewis & Harris are playing all home games in Ullapool. Kirkwall City, randomly are playing in Dounby, rather than any of the Kirkwall pitches. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 51 minutes ago, Cyclizine said: By only playing 14 games each over the Summer! The NCL only play 2 more at the moment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 16/05/2019 at 16:14, Cyclizine said: True, I forgot that. Flying is still unrealistic, even if it's the fastest as it's massively expensive for a squad of players and staff. Even foot passengers on the ferry takes ages and would be expensive. I could see perhaps an islands side negotiating to enter the Scottish Cup as a special case, but not sustained league competition. Orkney FC play in the North Caley League, and were champions in 2017/18, but 3rd in 2018/19. Shetland FC and Lewis & Harris FC both play in one or two NCL cup competitions, subject to weather. Skye surprisingly don't participate in any. A subsidy from the SFA to fund Scottish Cup entry, would be unlikely, as the northern and western isles are 'far away o'er the sea'. Shame though, as it would be a great away day (or weekend) for fans. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 10 minutes ago, Robert James said: Orkney FC play in the North Caley League, and were champions in 2017/18, but 3rd in 2018/19. Shetland FC and Lewis & Harris FC both play in one or two NCL cup competitions, subject to weather. Skye surprisingly don't participate in any. A subsidy from the SFA to fund Scottish Cup entry, would be unlikely, as the northern and western isles are 'far away o'er the sea'. Shame though, as it would be a great away day (or weekend) for fans. Think the reason Skye don’t have a ‘senior’ team is that there is a very healthy, old rivalry between all the amateur clubs. Don’t know if you could unite the North and South of the island tbh, there’s 4 decent amateur teams on the island and Kyle just off it who enjoy a good ding-dong every summer. A senior team would dilute that somewhat 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 17/05/2019 at 21:46, HibeeJibee said: I hadn't given any thought to the logistics of it I was just interested by the fact NCL were supportive of the idea of joining-up. Clearly there are logistical issues as they couldn't join-up on their own without bespoke mechanisms. It would be unrealistic for any relegated side from Aberdeenshire/Moray to drop down to NCL and there would be other aspects like playing so few games and how Orkney could play HL (near-impossible currently). It would be as if SOSL had joined-up under LL but EOSL hadn't... where would Preston have gone. A good post, but technically not totally correct. The North of Scotland Association has the following SFA Member clubs, within its traditional boundary) : Inverness CT, Clachnacuddin, Fort William, Elgin City, Forres Mechanics, Lossiemouth, Rothes, Wick Academy, Nairn County, Ross County, Brora Rangers, Strathspey Thistle, and Golspie Sutherland, By comparison, the other 'north' 2 Associations, have Aberdeenshire Association (SFA Member clubs) Aberdeen, Cove Rangers, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Peterhead, Buckie Thistle, Deveronvale, Keith, Inverurie Locos, Formartine United, Turiff United, and Banks O'Dee Angus & Perthshire Association (SFA Member clubs) Arbroath, Brechin City, Dundee, Dundee United, Forfar Athletic, Montrose, and St Johnstone. Several of the above SPFL and HFL clubs have entered their Reserve or Development teams in the North Caley League, and/or in its various cup competitions, during the last 20 years or so. Therefore, In my view, the above traditional boundaries are not as poorly drawn, as some posters suggest they are. Hence it makes a case for three pyramid feeder leagues below the HFL, also incorporating the non-SFA Member clubs in each of the North Caledonian League, the North Juniors, and the Angus & Perthshire Juniors. Of course, you can't force these clubs to join. In a much earlier post this year (from myself), I reported that the NCL would wish to join the pyramid, but only on the understanding that the North Juniors also joined. Your post suggests that they may now be interested in joining the pyramid (as a feeder league) without the North Juniors doing likewise. I hope that this is correct. I also said that it was unfair that the NCL's Champion club, was not invited to play in the Scottish Cup, whereas the EoSL, SoSL champions, and the Junior and Amateur Cup Winners, were being invited each season, even if they are not SFA member clubs. Together of course, with the 3 Junior SuperLeague champions, who have also "not committed to the pyramid". It is time that this anomaly was removed by the SFA. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 24 minutes ago, Spyro said: Think the reason Skye don’t have a ‘senior’ team is that there is a very healthy, old rivalry between all the amateur clubs. Don’t know if you could unite the North and South of the island tbh, there’s 4 decent amateur teams on the island and Kyle just off it who enjoy a good ding-dong every summer. A senior team would dilute that somewhat Why would it ? The NCL competitions are played in the winter, not the summer, and I understand that players are drawn from various summer league clubs. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northboy Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 31 minutes ago, Spyro said: Think the reason Skye don’t have a ‘senior’ team is that there is a very healthy, old rivalry between all the amateur clubs. Don’t know if you could unite the North and South of the island tbh, there’s 4 decent amateur teams on the island and Kyle just off it who enjoy a good ding-dong every summer. A senior team would dilute that somewhat But that's exactly how it is in Orkney and Shetland. Both island groups have a number of amateur clubs playing in local summer competitions. The Orkney and Shetland teams are essentially a select of the best players in the amateur teams. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 16/05/2019 at 09:25, Robert James said: 2019/20 NCL Any new clubs envisaged for the NCL next season ? Perhaps it would be a good time for the summer footballers of Fortrose, Avoch, Rosemarkie, etc to form a combined Black Isle AFC to play winter football, by joining the (now very competitive) North Caley League You'll be happy to hear this year's rumour is a return of Bonar Bridge. They last played in the 2010-11 season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 Tbh, if there was a pyramid. I'd quite welcome a season with Clach in the NCL, and hopefully back up again. Don't tell anyone. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 2 hours ago, FairWeatherFan said: You'll be happy to hear this year's rumour is a return of Bonar Bridge. They last played in the 2010-11 season. No Balintore FC then ? They had hoped to return last season, but didn't. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Lewis and Harris teams have no interest in a mainland league,no interest in playing winter football and probably most importantly no interest in competing regularly as a single team - although this has happened on occasion. The Highland Amateur suits them fine as its the right time of year and just a few games. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 16 hours ago, Robert James said: I also said that it was unfair that the NCL's Champion club, was not invited to play in the Scottish Cup, whereas the EoSL, SoSL champions, and the Junior and Amateur Cup Winners, were being invited each season, even if they are not SFA member clubs. Together of course, with the 3 Junior SuperLeague champions, who have also "not committed to the pyramid". It is time that this anomaly was removed by the SFA. With the league stabilised a bit and trying to become a pyramid league in some way, this could change. The Scottish Cup format is going to have a change a little and that would provide the opportunity. As Golspie won the NCL this year it's not something that matters, but for 2020-21 fingers crossed it could be a thing 13 hours ago, Robert James said: No Balintore FC then ? They had hoped to return last season, but didn't. Only saw mention of Bonar Bridge. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandcowden Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 16 hours ago, Robert James said: Why would it ? The NCL competitions are played in the winter, not the summer, and I understand that players are drawn from various summer league clubs. maybe playing through the winter instead of the summer in the Highlands aint that good an idea and the women have got it right 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 22 hours ago, FairWeatherFan said: You'll be happy to hear this year's rumour is a return of Bonar Bridge. They last played in the 2010-11 season. Brilliant new! Hopefully they’ll produce another Billy Ferris Regarding the Skye situation, you are all probably right but the summer amateur league there is very run and the banter/rivalry seems to be a little more deeper than in other places. Although if they were to make a ‘select’ team, the other NCL teams better watch out because it would be very competitive if not, a league winner. The amateurs seems to always do well enough in the highland cup 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestman54 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Did I read some where that Inverness Athletic were no longer? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 1 minute ago, honestman54 said: Did I read some where that Inverness Athletic were no longer? Inverness Athletic of the North Caledonian League are still a going concern. Junior side Inverness City officially folded after a year out in abeyance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestman54 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, FairWeatherFan said: Inverness Athletic of the North Caledonian League are still a going concern. Junior side Inverness City officially folded after a year out in abeyance. Thank you. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitburn Vale Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 Bonar Bridge were represented at the recent NCL agm. They have applied to join for next season subject to a ground inspection etc. Great news for the NCL to get up to 10 teams,a good turnaround in fortunes for the league in the last few years. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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