welshbairn Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 15 minutes ago, mcruic said: Apologies - my piss-take-o-meter needs recalibrated The only reason I can see for anyone obsessing with it is that it might spell the end of title/cup wins if they are promoted to a league where they are mid-table material. But this only applies to the teams who won league titles (which was quite a small set of clubs). For the also-ran junior teams, I can't see any reason for them obsessing about their grade. Surely they don't enjoy finishing next-to-bottom ten years in a row just because it has the junior label? A load of blazers worried about losing their nice ties and wee drinkies at away games imo. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcruic Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 1 minute ago, welshbairn said: A load of blazers worried about losing their nice ties and wee drinkies at away games imo. Isn't that why old men play bowls? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsimButtHitsASix Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Just now, mcruic said: Isn't that why old men play bowls? Nah. They do that for the bitches 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hampden Diehard Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 On 18/05/2020 at 06:10, virginton said: Try running your finger under each word in that post again until you comprehend your mistake champ. Nope. Point it out, champ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 On 16/05/2020 at 13:24, welshbairn said: The Juniors have some backbone up here, unlike you weak kneed West Regioners, giving up the grade like it was an old pair of pyjamas. They'll join the pyramid if and when they're good and ready, and not before. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Starko Rover Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 Hopefully the NCL does become a feeder to the HL as it really doesn’t matter if the teams are likely to be licensed any time soon but it’s important to have a level that unlicensed teams can start from. Actually surprised the NRJFA aren’t more in favour of joining as at worst it’ll see BoD promoted to stop their dominance of their league. Surely joining the pyramid at least gives teams in the NCL, NRJFA and ERJFA (Tayside) the option to work towards becoming licensed no matter how far down the line and any teams against moving up simply don’t get licensed. Orkney to become licensed please for an interesting away day in the cup. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsimButtHitsASix Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 On 19/05/2020 at 17:45, Hampden Diehard said: Nope. Point it out, champ. It's pretty obvious. He doesn't say Brechin "have" a social club. He says they are a glorified social club. There's a difference between the two. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 52 minutes ago, AsimButtHitsASix said: It's pretty obvious. He doesn't say Brechin "have" a social club. He says they are a glorified social club. There's a difference between the two. And if they recruit most of their players from the central belt, as they claim to, that's exactly what they are. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 17 hours ago, San Starko Rover said: Hopefully the NCL does become a feeder to the HL as it really doesn’t matter if the teams are likely to be licensed any time soon but it’s important to have a level that unlicensed teams can start from. Actually surprised the NRJFA aren’t more in favour of joining as at worst it’ll see BoD promoted to stop their dominance of their league. Surely joining the pyramid at least gives teams in the NCL, NRJFA and ERJFA (Tayside) the option to work towards becoming licensed no matter how far down the line and any teams against moving up simply don’t get licensed. Orkney to become licensed please for an interesting away day in the cup. During the latter part of 2019, and again more recently, talks have been held between the HFL & the North Caley about the possibility of the latter joining the pyramid, in time for next season. The SFA have also been in dialogue with the NCL, and pyramid talks have been stated as being "positive". The suggestion (supported by the NCL clubs), was that the NCL and the North Juniors would both slot under the HFL, at tier 6. (The 2 leagues cover different geographical regions). Subsequently the NRJFA appears to be disinterested in joining the pyramid (as reported in the media), which is disappointing. Also, BoD allegedly rejected an invitation to fill the vacancy, when Cove Rangers were promoted to the SPFL last year. Northern press reports attributed to the HFL states that it wants the formation of a pyramid to go ahead with the North Caley, including promotion & relegation, when its champion clubs are licensed. These press reports are available on the "Expansion of the North Caledonian League" P&B forum. These reports also include information that 3 new clubs have applied to join the NCL, for next season, in addition to the return of Alness Utd, after its' one year absence. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 I thought this was interesting given the reluctance some teams, with 10 x the resources of a second division village shinty team have at their disposal, have about travelling more than an hour on a bus. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 22 minutes ago, invergowrie arab said: I thought this was interesting given the reluctance some teams, with 10 x the resources of a second division village shinty team have at their disposal, have about travelling more than an hour on a bus. I don't think people appreciate the kind of travel that a lot of leagues put in. The Highland League, NCL, South of Scotland aren't exactly local leagues. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Shaker Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 Depends on where in the league your club plays. The league travelling distances in the SHFL when Cove were still in it were worked out as... 1 Wick Academy 5208 2 Fort William 4010 3 Brora Rangers 3736 4 Cove Rangers 2724 5 Fraserburgh 2510 6 Formartine Utd 2218 7 Clach 2140 8 Inverurie Locos 2124 9 Strathspey Thistle 1948 10 Turriff Utd 1916 11 Deveronvale 1896 12 Nairn County 1878 13 Lossiemouth 1768 13 Buckie 1768 15 Forres Mech 1736 16 Huntly 1688 17 Rothes 1632 18 Keith 1608 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy groundhopper Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Difficult to see the North ever being part of the pyramid, if only for travel distances alone. These aren't vastly populated areas and I'm guessing,not the wealthiest clubs either. Suppose you could get clubs going up to below the HL and then thinking Oh shit,do we want to really go up ? How many HL clubs realistically want to join the spfl i wonder ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, Andy groundhopper said: Difficult to see the North ever being part of the pyramid, if only for travel distances alone. These aren't vastly populated areas and I'm guessing,not the wealthiest clubs either. Suppose you could get clubs going up to below the HL and then thinking Oh shit,do we want to really go up ? How many HL clubs realistically want to join the spfl i wonder ? If last season completed Cove would have travelled an average of 238 miles per game, compared to 160 in the HL. So quite a bit further but not game changing I'd have thought. Wick already travel further than that and Brora and Fort William aren't far off. The roads are often better heading south too, so time and comfort wise the edge is taken off a bit. I think attitudes are changing and most clubs with a shot at promotion would be up for it. Edited May 24, 2020 by welshbairn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dev Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 https://www.irishfa.com/news/2020/june/irish-fa-issue-updated-covid-19-guidelines This looks interesting. Northern Ireland FA is ahead of others about Covid-19 recovery plans. Their latest plan: Saturday 06 Jun 2020 Irish FA: Covid-19 recovery plan update The Irish FA has issued an updated document looking ahead to measures to help an incremental return of grassroots football to Northern Ireland. The measures will be introduced from Monday 8 June. Coronavirus: Irish FA updates Some subjects that the document will include are as follows: Playing football individually. Playing football with your family or people living in your household. Football training or fitness activities in groups of no more than six keeping two metres apart at all times. Training for two or more groups of six (including coach). The document will also cover suggested safety instructions and hygiene protocols. You can download the full Covid-19 recovery plan below (i.e. go to their web site). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 SPFL restructuring is back on according to Sky Sports tonight. Sky claims that the majority of clubs now support this structure, and want to move on. Subject to a vote next week, it seems that a 14-10-10-10 structure would be implemented, with Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts being promoted to fill the 2 SPFL League 2 vacancies. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) From FitbaNorth Edited June 22, 2020 by welshbairn 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 On 03/05/2020 at 15:49, ArabAuslander said: Broughty Athletic are the only club who would be near licensing, and then that's only if you got the Tayside League on board. Aberdeen University FC have floodlights, good facilities, and (prior to covid19 ?), had a secure financial framework. The Uni was a Member of the SFA, half a century ago, but they may not be interested in joining the HFL/ pyramid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dev Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 3 minutes ago, Robert James said: Aberdeen University FC have floodlights, good facilities, and (prior to covid19 ?), had a secure financial framework. The Uni was a Member of the SFA, half a century ago, but they may not be interested in joining the HFL/ pyramid. The thing is though, once the opportunities are created, present Junior, Amateur and Youth clubs can start to plan for the future knowing that there is nothing to stop them from progressing other than their own abilities to raise funds and other resources (e.g. playing) so that, in time, they can reach a Pyramid League which in turn would allow them to aim for club licencing and entry into the SFA cup, etc. Most clubs cannot make the step-up but the door would be open for those which want to try to progress via the Pyramid. It's about opportunity. Provide that and some clubs will grasp it as we have all seen in recent seasons elsewhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) 52 minutes ago, Dev said: The thing is though, once the opportunities are created, present Junior, Amateur and Youth clubs can start to plan for the future knowing that there is nothing to stop them from progressing other than their own abilities to raise funds and other resources (e.g. playing) so that, in time, they can reach a Pyramid League which in turn would allow them to aim for club licencing and entry into the SFA cup, etc. Most clubs cannot make the step-up but the door would be open for those which want to try to progress via the Pyramid. It's about opportunity. Provide that and some clubs will grasp it as we have all seen in recent seasons elsewhere. Dev : I agree 100%. That is why the NCL clubs fully support pyramid membership at Tier 6. As below, this STATEMENT also raises the league's profile, and pyramid entry for Divisions 1 & 2 in 2020/21 : Edited June 22, 2020 by Robert James additional question added 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.