Club Licencing

[FairWeatherFan]

The SFA have updated their list of licensed clubs for July. Got all the new faces in.

[Ginaro]

I see Whitehill were last reviewed in June 2019, makes sense that they were recently given a floodlights deadline of June next year. Coldstream as well, presumably why they've submitted and been approved planning permission.

Assuming that other clubs like Burntisland and Golspie will be told ahead of their next audit (last one was August 2018), might explain why we've not heard anything from them.

[Burnie_man]

With floodlights being a hot topic, interesting to see it's also a hot topic Down Under, but at least they try and help fund it

https://footballfacilities.com.au/lets-light-up-football/

[supersmith]

What's all the fuss about boundaries, Clubs have to be willing to leave the 'juniors' to make this an issue. Seems to be if you are 'north' of a certain point you go into, for eg a north region league to go into pyramid via Highland League eventually, really? Highland League is a closed shop. So if for instance Tayport decided the way forward was to get licenced and move into the pyramid why would EoS be a bad idea, the bulk of the travelling is down to Tayport in most cases the other sides would only travel to Tayport once a season. But then again I don't ever see a time where all clubs will be part of a pyramid, there are teams out there that don't want in.

[FairWeatherFan]

3 hours ago, supersmith said:

What's all the fuss about boundaries, Clubs have to be willing to leave the 'juniors' to make this an issue. Seems to be if you are 'north' of a certain point you go into, for eg a north region league to go into pyramid via Highland League eventually, really? Highland League is a closed shop. So if for instance Tayport decided the way forward was to get licenced and move into the pyramid why would EoS be a bad idea, the bulk of the travelling is down to Tayport in most cases the other sides would only travel to Tayport once a season. But then again I don't ever see a time where all clubs will be part of a pyramid, there are teams out there that don't want in.

Tayport are a club that falls into the Lowland League catchment area so its not the best example for what you're going for.

As for the Highland League being a closed shop, did you not see them hand out invites this summer?

[AlanCamelonfan]

4 hours ago, supersmith said:

What's all the fuss about boundaries, Clubs have to be willing to leave the 'juniors' to make this an issue. Seems to be if you are 'north' of a certain point you go into, for eg a north region league to go into pyramid via Highland League eventually, really? Highland League is a closed shop. So if for instance Tayport decided the way forward was to get licenced and move into the pyramid why would EoS be a bad idea, the bulk of the travelling is down to Tayport in most cases the other sides would only travel to Tayport once a season. But then again I don't ever see a time where all clubs will be part of a pyramid, there are teams out there that don't want in.

I think you should maybe read up on the issue rather that coming on here talking pish when you don't even know what you are talking about

[The Mantis]

1 hour ago, AlanCamelonfan said:

I think you should maybe read up on the issue rather that coming on here talking pish when you don't even know what you are talking about

Come off the fence now Alan, those splinters must be murder

[Burnie_man]

6 hours ago, supersmith said:

What's all the fuss about boundaries, Clubs have to be willing to leave the 'juniors' to make this an issue. Seems to be if you are 'north' of a certain point you go into, for eg a north region league to go into pyramid via Highland League eventually, really? Highland League is a closed shop. So if for instance Tayport decided the way forward was to get licenced and move into the pyramid why would EoS be a bad idea, the bulk of the travelling is down to Tayport in most cases the other sides would only travel to Tayport once a season. But then again I don't ever see a time where all clubs will be part of a pyramid, there are teams out there that don't want in.

As others have pointed out, Tayport fall into the Lowland League area and therefore can join the EoS next season if they wish.

The Highland League isn't a closed shop, anyone in the HL area can apply at any time.  they invited Banks O'Dee to join last month but they decided not to. they may join next season.

[Marten]

7 hours ago, supersmith said:

What's all the fuss about boundaries, Clubs have to be willing to leave the 'juniors' to make this an issue. Seems to be if you are 'north' of a certain point you go into, for eg a north region league to go into pyramid via Highland League eventually, really? Highland League is a closed shop. So if for instance Tayport decided the way forward was to get licenced and move into the pyramid why would EoS be a bad idea, the bulk of the travelling is down to Tayport in most cases the other sides would only travel to Tayport once a season. But then again I don't ever see a time where all clubs will be part of a pyramid, there are teams out there that don't want in.

As others said, Tayport are the wrong example. But imagine if Broughty Athletic want to get licensed. They are doing a lot of work on their ground currently, so it wouldn't be too surprising if they match the licensing rules soon anyway (regardless of whether or not licensing is actually their intention). They can't be knocked back for not being in a pyramid league, as long as they commit to joining the HL once licensed. If they then get their license and apply to the HL, it's very unlikely that the HL will turn them down.

[LongTimeLurker]

4 hours ago, Marten said:

....If they then get their license and apply to the HL, it's very unlikely that the HL will turn them down.

That needs to be tested in practice before it will become clear what would happen.

Edited July 9, 2019 by LongTimeLurker

[GordonS]

55 minutes ago, LongTimeLurker said:

That needs to be tested in practice before it will become clear what would happen.

If the HL turned them down there would surely be a huge chance that they would have their promotion play-off place withdrawn.

Question is, how many of the current 17 HL clubs would care? 

[Robert James]

On 27/06/2019 at 14:58, Whitburn Vale said:

Great post.

Why the hell should anyone co-tow to an organisation who have shown next to no interest in joining the pyramid.

They've had their chance to join for God knows how long,if your south of the Tay line then join the EoS if you want in the pyramid.

To the north,the lazy SFA need to kick ass and get the SHFL,NCL,NRJFA and the Tayside juniors round the table and get leagues set up below the SHFL.

 

The PWG has already met with the NCL, which has confirmed that its clubs support joining the pyramid.   Unfortunately the NCL's stance is not replicated by the NRJFA clubs, which would be needed, to provide a 'balanced' feeder league structure in the north. Also, the HFL appears to be 'content' with the current situation where there are no northern feeder leagues.

[Robert James]

On 25/06/2019 at 22:19, G4Mac said:

Hopefully so burnie, a lot of man hours, some real hard work, and some great support from local sponsors and businesses, as well as our hard working committee, has made all the progress possible.

The icing on the cake would defo be entry into the full Scottish next season. 10 years of hard work has gone into getting the new park down, now another year of hard work behind the scenes and some fantastic support from others in the local community has given the club the chance of making an aspiration a reality. (hopefully)

Really pleased for those involved at every stage of this process. As I say hopefully we have met the criteria at audit time and get our sfa licence in the next couple of months.

Congratulations on your club's ambition and effort, and best wishes for the future.  Regretfully too late for 2019/20 Scottish entry.

The SFA website has confirmed the non league clubs and cup dates for the 2019/20  as :

Preliminary Round 1    10 August 2019

Preliminary Round 2    31 August 2019

Round One                 21 September 2019

The List of Licensed Clubs has been updated for July 2019. It is good to see the number of non league  clubs increasing  to 56 in total :

Lowland 16    Highland 17    EoSL 15    SoSL 4    Junior 2    NCL 1    Amateur 1.

[Robert James]

On 27/06/2019 at 16:46, LongTimeLurker said:

...which is why I said the LL are the party that would probably block a change and that a boundary shift would be difficult but not impossible. Are you even reading my posts?

Sorry LTL, but it is very unlikely IMO that neither the Lowland,  nor the East of Scotland League's management committees, nor their member clubs, would support the boundary being moved to embrace north Tayside clubs into the southern part of the pyramid. 

The line has been drawn in the sand (or river),  and I also doubt whether SPFL clubs Brechin City, Montrose, Arbroath, and Forfar, would support this change either, especially if the West Junior clubs form the Lowland pyramid 'feeder' League structure. (The 2 Dundee clubs probably don't care, as they consider they would never become "Club 42", and be faced with possible demotion from the SPFL). 

The SFA should CONFIRM the current Highland/Lowland boundary, and let the PWG resolve the other issues surrounding the pyramid in time for 2020/21 (as directed). So, can we please move on from the "boundary" issue ?

[Dev]

It’s interesting (to me anyway) to look back and see the changes which have happened at the former SJFA clubs since the 2017/18 season. The South of Tay Bridge clubs which have made the move to the East of Scotland Senior League are shown Under-lined.  In 2017/18 there were 12 South of Tay Bridge Junior clubs playing in the ERJFA Super League:

Bo'ness United  *

Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic [SFA & Lowland League]

Broxburn Athletic  [SFA]

Camelon Juniors  *

Dundonald Bluebell  [SFA]

Hill of Beath Hawthorn  [SFA]

Jeanfield Swifts  [SFA]

Kennoway Star Hearts

Linlithgow Rose  [SFA]

Newtongrange Star

Penicuik Athletic  [SFA]

Sauchie Juniors

 

Only Kennoway Star Hearts didn’t make the move to the EoS Senior League. Seven clubs have achieved SFA status with Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic now moving up to the Lowland League. * marked clubs, Bo’ness United and Camelon Juniors, are thought to be in or close to entering the Licencing process.

The South of Tay Bridge clubs from the 2017/18 ERJFA Premier League were:

Arniston Rangers

Bathgate Thistle

Blackburn United  [SFA]

Dalkeith Thistle  *

Dunbar United

Fauldhouse United

Glenrothes  *

Haddington Athletic  *

Musselburgh Athletic  *

St Andrews United  *

Tayport

Thornton Hibs

Tranent Juniors  *

Whitburn Juniors

 

Of these 14 clubs some 8 (Under-lined) have made the move to the East of Scotland Senior League. Blackburn United are now SFA members with 6 (* marked) of the remaining 7 clubs thought to be in or close to entering the Licencing process.

There were 16 South of Tay Bridge ERJFA clubs in the two First Division Leagues. 6 of these clubs (Under-lined) made the move:

Armadale Thistle

Craigroyston

Crossgates Primrose  *

Easthouses Lily MW  [SFA]

Edinburgh United  *

Harthill Royal

Kirkcaldy YM  (& Dysart)

Livingston United

Lochgelly Albert

Oakley United  *

Pumpherston Juniors

Rosyth

Stoneyburn Juniors

West Calder United

Kinnoull

Scone Thistle

 

Easthouses Lily MW have already become full SFA members and it is thought that others (* marked) may be working their way towards Licencing.

Over-all 25 out of 42 clubs have made the move to the East of Scotland Senior League. One has already moved up to the Lowland League. 9 clubs have full SFA status with, maybe, about 11 further clubs either in the Licencing process or working towards making the necessary application.

In addition Dunipace switched from the West Region Juniors and are working towards Licencing so a possible 12 or so clubs appear to be involved in the process of gaining full SFA status in due course.

Just to bring this up to date. We can add Dunbar United to the list of clubs gearing themselves up for a Licence application. Anyone know of other such moves by ex-Junior clubs in the EoS?

 

 

Edited September 12, 2019 by Dev
up-date

[LongTimeLurker]

2 hours ago, Robert James said:

...The line has been drawn in the sand (or river),...

To such an extent that Ian Maxwell and Rod Petrie had to have its existence explained to them when they met with EoS and LL clubs late last season.

[FairWeatherFan]

There was a point raised I hadn't quite considered till now. The Angus SPFL clubs might actually be happy in the Highland League now as the Lowland League has continued to strengthen over the years.

You'd certainly consider them challengers to the Highland League title which wouldn't be the case necessarily in the Lowland.

[Spyro]

1 hour ago, FairWeatherFan said:

There was a point raised I hadn't quite considered till now. The Angus SPFL clubs might actually be happy in the Highland League now as the Lowland League has continued to strengthen over the years.

You'd certainly consider them challengers to the Highland League title which wouldn't be the case necessarily in the Lowland.

It would’ve been interesting if Brora never threw their game against Montrose as to what would’ve happened... plenty of shenanigans around that game that will not be forgotten 

[vikingTON]

Erm yes, because nothing says throwing a match quite like 'going ahead in the tie and then being done over in no time at all by a set-piece and complete worldy effort'. That was all factored into their grand plan. 

 

 

[Spyro]

2 hours ago, virginton said:

Erm yes, because nothing says throwing a match quite like 'going ahead in the tie and then being done over in no time at all by a set-piece and complete worldy effort'. That was all factored into their grand plan. 

 

 

And the chairman/owner saying before the game that they didn’t even want to be promoted