Robert James Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 On 28/05/2021 at 08:44, Marten said: It's not unlikely that 2 or even 3 teams will be in the PO indeed. I don't think any team other than Golspie can get licensed soon in the NCL (if anyone in the know thinks I'm wrong, please advise), but Golspie could well win the league and there is a decent chance the ML will produce a licensed champion. Pure speculation on my part, but in addition to Golspie, the following NCL clubs could consider licensing over the next 3 years (or so) : Alness Utd : have an excellent youth setup, and have secured a new ground at the academy Thurso FC : if the club secures a long term lease at the 'Dammies' . (The town has a population, which is equivalent to, or higher than, several existing HFL clubs) Halkirk Utd : already have 2 modern covered stands St Duthus : another ambitious club, and a ground which could be enclosed without much difficulty Invergordon : enclosing the ground shouldn't be a major problem. and then of course we have : Loch Ness : although I doubt if they have an agreed/ongoing groundshare arrangement at Canal Street (?) + Fort William (already licensed) if/when the club is relegated to the NCL. Gaining approval for, and funding the purchase & installation of floodlights, is a stumbling block for NCL and Junior clubs, alike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 18 minutes ago, Robert James said: Pure speculation on my part, but in addition to Golspie, the following NCL clubs could consider licensing over the next 3 years (or so) : I think three years is optimistic! I'm all for progress, but need a bit of realism here... Alness Utd : have an excellent youth setup, and have secured a new ground at the academy. It's going to be a caged astro pitch, so not ideal. Thurso FC : if the club secures a long term lease at the 'Dammies' . (The town has a population, which is equivalent to, or higher than, several existing HFL clubs) Would still need properly enclosed, cover and lights and drainage sorted Halkirk Utd : already have 2 modern covered stands. They also have floodlights, but would need enclosed and the changing rooms are across a road St Duthus : another ambitious club, and a ground which could be enclosed without much difficulty. Perhaps, but the changing rooms are across the road and there's no cover or lights. Invergordon : enclosing the ground shouldn't be a major problem. It's a public park, so it probably would be, no cover or lights. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranaldo Bairn Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 10 minutes ago, Cyclizine said: Aye, but apart from that! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 Loch Ness who are basically a T Shirt manufacturer are going to get licensed? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 (edited) 33 minutes ago, invergowrie arab said: Loch Ness who are basically a T Shirt manufacturer are going to get licensed? There's no way they'll be able to play at Canal Park long-term. They've got away with it this season because of Covid and the rugby cancelling their season. More likely they'll move to the IRA now Athletic have moved out of the city again. There's a lack of other potential options in Inverness, realistically. The funding for updated facilities at the Bught will focus on the stadium pitch (shinty) and the amateur pitches. The council won't spend money on football grounds (a topic that's been covered here multiple times). Edited June 9, 2021 by Cyclizine 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Cyclizine said: There's no way they'll be able to play at Canal Park long-term. They've got away with it this season because of Covid and the rugby cancelling their season. More likely they'll move to the IRA now Athletic have moved out of the city again. There's a lack of other potential options in Inverness, realistically. The funding for updated facilities at the Bught will focus on the stadium pitch (shinty) and the amateur pitches. The council won't spend money on football grounds (a topic that's been covered here multiple times). Very frustrating isn't it. University of the Highlands & Islands facility ?? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 5 hours ago, Robert James said: Invergordon : enclosing the ground shouldn't be a major problem. The path between Canteen Road and Castle Avenue along the south side of the pitch is a public footpath, and is even on Highland Council's core paths plan. When I was there entry was taken by a bucket taken along that touchline soon after kick-off, but folk turned up all through the game on that path and watched all or part of it. Coldstream had a similar issue and I don't know how they resolved it - maybe the council could give permission for the path to be closed only during matches. The diversion wouldn't add much and it wouldn't be shut often. I think there are even lockable gates at either end. But I wouldn't make any assumptions. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 10 hours ago, Robert James said: Very frustrating isn't it. University of the Highlands & Islands facility ?? That's what i was thinking but with the pyramid now in place these clubs would need to move again as the UoHi and Canal Park won't be/aren't enclosed and can't really accommodate fans. Canal Park can but it's see through fencing round it so no one will pay to get in and just stand at the fence and watch the game. That's a no to licensing right there surely? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginaro Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 10 hours ago, GordonS said: The path between Canteen Road and Castle Avenue along the south side of the pitch is a public footpath, and is even on Highland Council's core paths plan. When I was there entry was taken by a bucket taken along that touchline soon after kick-off, but folk turned up all through the game on that path and watched all or part of it. Coldstream had a similar issue and I don't know how they resolved it - maybe the council could give permission for the path to be closed only during matches. The diversion wouldn't add much and it wouldn't be shut often. I think there are even lockable gates at either end. But I wouldn't make any assumptions. It's cut off at the bottom of the photo but Coldstream enclosed it with a fence and added a gate so people can walk through outwith matchdays. Even if it was a core path I'm sure the council would be ok with it being closed for a couple of hours every fortnight. Not really something that would require a section 11 order... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 39 minutes ago, Ginaro said: It's cut off at the bottom of the photo but Coldstream enclosed it with a fence and added a gate so people can walk through outwith matchdays. Even if it was a core path I'm sure the council would be ok with it being closed for a couple of hours every fortnight. Not really something that would require a section 11 order... Aye, I've been to Coldstream since it was enclosed, I just didn't know what the deal was with the path. For the sake of something like 40 hours a year the community should be able to live with the path being closed. But you always get someone moaning. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNU_Linux Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 1 hour ago, Ginaro said: It's cut off at the bottom of the photo but Coldstream enclosed it with a fence and added a gate so people can walk through outwith matchdays. Even if it was a core path I'm sure the council would be ok with it being closed for a couple of hours every fortnight. Not really something that would require a section 11 order... You underestimate the wrath of local area dog walkers. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsforlife Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 6 hours ago, TheScarf said: That's what i was thinking but with the pyramid now in place these clubs would need to move again as the UoHi and Canal Park won't be/aren't enclosed and can't really accommodate fans. Canal Park can but it's see through fencing round it so no one will pay to get in and just stand at the fence and watch the game. That's a no to licensing right there surely? 2m boundary ‘wall’ needed. (You can attach screening to fencing if you want, or grow a hedge I guess. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 1 minute ago, parsforlife said: 2m boundary ‘wall’ needed. (You can attach screening to fencing if you want, or grow a hedge I guess. Yep, so both of these grounds (when the UoHI one is built) would need that for the tenants to progress, or they'd need to go elsewhere. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsforlife Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 4 minutes ago, TheScarf said: Yep, so both of these grounds (when the UoHI one is built) would need that for the tenants to progress, or they'd need to go elsewhere. Yes, but tbf that’s kinda the point of club licensing and the pyramid. Gradual progression as you move through the leagues. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 9 hours ago, parsforlife said: Yes, but tbf that’s kinda the point of club licensing and the pyramid. Gradual progression as you move through the leagues. Absolutely ! Coldstream worked closely with the local council, which is something that Invergordan, and other clubs can/should do. Having been to Home Park on match days, I can't see why a similar arrangement couldn't apply to several other clubs at this level. It is a pity that NCL club Bunillidh Thistle are in abeyance for 2021/22. Is this because the damage to their changing facilities has not yet been repaired ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 On 09/06/2021 at 21:46, Cyclizine said: There's no way they'll be able to play at Canal Park long-term. They've got away with it this season because of Covid and the rugby cancelling their season. More likely they'll move to the IRA now Athletic have moved out of the city again. There's a lack of other potential options in Inverness, realistically. The funding for updated facilities at the Bught will focus on the stadium pitch (shinty) and the amateur pitches. The council won't spend money on football grounds (a topic that's been covered here multiple times). I know these pyramid debates can get a bit heated, but I don't think things are that bad. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Jacksgranda said: I know these pyramid debates can get a bit heated, but I don't think things are that bad. It's only a Provisional move 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 6 minutes ago, Cyclizine said: It's only a Provisional move As long as it's not Real. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 On 10/06/2021 at 14:51, GNU_Linux said: You underestimate the wrath of local area dog walkers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert James Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 On 10/06/2021 at 14:51, GNU_Linux said: You underestimate the wrath of local area dog walkers. The dog walkers are barking up the wrong tree ! Also congratulations to Golspie Sutherland who are the NCL champions for 2020/21, as Thurso defeated Invergordon today. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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