welshbairn Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 I don't think Halkirk are inconceivable if they've got some money behind them. They've got Thurso and Dounreay (which has a good few years with a decent sized workforce yet), and the possible new space port to the West. It's whether the demographics would be enough to keep a strong Wick team as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 2 hours ago, ArabAuslander said: Stonehaven is a side I've heard/seen mentioned a few times on here, I think there's a new 4G pitch next to their ground as well. However, I don't think they have any intention of going senior. They're not interested. One of the many north teams who voted "no" in the juniors' pyramid survey. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanius Mullarkey Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 2 minutes ago, welshbairn said: I don't think Halkirk are inconceivable if they've got some money behind them. They've got Thurso and Dounreay (which has a good few years with a decent sized workforce yet), and the possible new space port to the West. It's whether the demographics would be enough to keep a strong Wick team as well. Go Isotopes. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Shaker Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Is this going to go on all summer? Jossie’s Giants are more likely to step up than Halkirk. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 16 minutes ago, Jimmy Shaker said: Is this going to go on all summer? Jossie’s Giants are more likely to step up than Halkirk. It does seem very much a game of <insert random north team here> We know from the juniors' survey how many are just not interested, including most of the big names. The NCL expressed an interest in becoming a pyramid league, but none of the teams are likely to want, or be able, to step up. The HFL will just run with 17 clubs for the foreseeable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Wilson Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 2 hours ago, welshbairn said: the possible new space port to the West. That might help with the travelling. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 As somebody said previously, there are so many postponements from about November to March in the HL that having an odd number of teams won't be noticed. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Connolly Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 21 hours ago, FairWeatherFan said: Everyone North of the Tay bridge falls into the Highland League catchment area. Gives you 11 clubs now out of the 42 in the SPFL. Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ross County, Peterhead, Elgin City, Arbroath, Montrose, Brechin City, Forfar Athletic and now Cove Rangers. Don't forget Dumbarton... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitburn Vale Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 The SHFL will run with 17 teams for the foreseeable,we've played with an odd numbered league before and will do so again. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doonhamer1969 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 On 19/05/2019 at 22:44, FairWeatherFan said: It's unlikely. Groundsharing with Montrose FC gives them a ground that would aid them getting licensed. However, one of the HFL rules is having access to your registered ground every Saturday of the season. So that rules them out of the HFL. Could be available every Saturday. Doesn't specify 'between the hours of 3pm and 4.45pm.... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 On 19/05/2019 at 22:44, FairWeatherFan said: It's unlikely. Groundsharing with Montrose FC gives them a ground that would aid them getting licensed. However, one of the HFL rules is having access to your registered ground every Saturday of the season. So that rules them out of the HFL. Didn't bother Cove Rangers. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 11 minutes ago, welshbairn said: Didn't bother Cove Rangers. In the Junior thread someone with ties to Montrose Roselea has repeated they're not interested in joining the Highland League just now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeLurker Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 On 5/20/2019 at 04:16, NEFarab said: ...As for potential new HL clubs, any sizeable town either already has a HL club or SPFL club... Don't think that's entirely true. Thurso, Ellon, Stonehaven and Banchory? Then you have suburbs of Aberdeen like Dyce, Peterculter and Bridge of Don. Think the main obstacle is the catch 22 of having to be licensed to be able to apply and having to be in the pyramid to be able to be licensed. That leaves Torry as the only option basically. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarapoa Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 21 hours ago, Snafu said: It's the OCD. Walls will be driven up. My OCD cannot cope with the idea of a 17 team league - that's just not a number associated with any league anywhere..... The sooner Atletico Aviemore get their application in, the better for all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 (edited) Press & Journal reports HL clubs meet on Monday to decide between 4 options, namely: (1) invite Banks o'Dee to join; (2) invite Inverness Caledonian Thistle 'B' to join; (3) invite no-one at all to join; and (4) invite anyone to join - but only in 12 months time via applications like in 2009 (presumably it'd be dependant on Cove, Elgin or Brechin not coming down and putting them back to 18). It doesn't say how they will decide, but presumably not by a single straight vote as in theory as few as 5 clubs could win the day. Disappointing to see possibilities of admitting a 'B' team, IMO. Edited May 22, 2019 by HibeeJibee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 The article in question https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/1754171/highland-league-to-mull-over-four-options-as-they-prepare-for-life-without-cove-rangers/ The Highland League have already written to Banks O'Dee to ask their intentions now that Cove have been promoted. Don't know if BoD have responded to the league, but they declined to comment on today's article. Quote Highland League clubs will discuss four proposals at Monday’s annual meeting in Lossiemouth as they prepare for life without Cove Rangers. The Aberdeen side created history by defeating Berwick Rangers 7-0 on aggregate in the pyramid play-off finalto earn promotion to the SPFL. Their departure to League 2 opens up a potential space in the Highland League and two of the prosposal set to be discussed at Monday’s meeting are to consider either a Caley Thistle Colts team or Aberdeen juniors Banks o’ Dee as a potential replacement. The other options on the table are to continue with a 17-team league or to take a year to invite applications to join the division. A Highland League source said: “The league has written to Banks o’ Dee to enquire what their intentions are now that Cove Rangers have been promoted. “Banks o’ Dee may wish to join the Highland League because they are members of the Scottish FA and have signed up to the football pyramid. “All of those options will be considered on Monday evening at the annual genereal meeting because every member club has a right to have a say on the matter.” If the league decides to continue with 17 teams then each club would enjoy two separate weeks off during the season. Barry Wilson, Caley Thistle first-team coach and under-18s manager, believes playing in the Highland League would be beneficial for the club’s youngsters. He said: “John (Robertson) has spoken to the Highland League and has put forward a proposal. We’re waiting to hear. “The benefits that it would give us would keep our promising under-18s and 19s together as a team, because they’d be too old for the under-18s and we don’t have a reserve side. “We would be playing against men and organised teams, which would allow players to learn the physical aspect of the game.” The Caley Jags would impose a limit of two over-age players in their team, who would only play if they were coming back from injury. Banks o’ Dee chairman Brian Winton has repeatedly said the junior club would not be interested in joining the Highland League. Winton was unavailable for comment yesterday. Meanwhile, the SPFL are to ask the Scottish FA to ensure that Highland and Lowland League clubs no longer have an advantage when it comes to player recruitment by aligning transfer windows across the game. League 1 and League 2 SPFL member clubs believe that under a pyramid structure the transfer windows should be the same. The issue was raised in March after high profile recruitments in the Highland League, and at a SPFL club’s meeting earlier this month it was agreed to formally ask for a change. The anomaly was highlighted when Brora Rangers were able to bring in former Caley Thistle and Dundee midfielder Nick Ross after the summer transfer window had closed, and their rivals Cove Rangers signed former Ross County and Hibs striker Martin Scott following his release from Cowdenbeath after the January transfer window had closed. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Chuckling at that bottom bit over aligning transfer windows to stop clubs in the pyramid gaining an advantage... Will they align automatic promotion/relegation and playoffs at the same time? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peternapper Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 1 hour ago, HibeeJibee said: Press & Journal reports HL clubs meet on Monday to decide between 4 options, namely: (1) invite Banks o'Dee to join; (2) invite Inverness Caledonian Thistle 'B' to join; (3) invite no-one at all to join; and (4) invite anyone to join - but only in 12 months time via applications like in 2009 (presumably it'd be dependant on Cove, Elgin or Brechin not coming down and putting them back to 18). It doesn't say how they will decide, but presumably not by a single straight vote as in theory as few as 5 clubs could win the day. Disappointing to see possibilities of admitting a 'B' team, IMO. Agree it is disappointing to hear of Caley trying the B Team route, it would set a dangerous precedent for the Colt carry on to be pushed in the other leagues. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 57 minutes ago, peternapper said: Agree it is disappointing to hear of Caley trying the B Team route, it would set a dangerous precedent for the Colt carry on to be pushed in the other leagues. That's maybe the reason for their application. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNU_Linux Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Could the ICT colt idea even happen? Reserve teams can't be a member of a league thats covered by the Professional Game Body ie SPFL, HL & LL. This is why despite winning the SOS Stranraer Reserves were inelligible to take part in promotion playoff vs EOS winner. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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