Lowland League General Discussion

[xenualba]

23 hours ago, FairWeatherFan said:

South of Scotland.

Possible they could apply to join the East of Scotland League, they did used to be members for a while.  Threave did decide to become also-rans in the WoSFL this season, after all.

[LongTimeLurker]

1 hour ago, xenualba said:

Possible they could apply to join the East of Scotland League, they did used to be members for a while.  Threave did decide to become also-rans in the WoSFL this season, after all.

That would mean starting from the bottom division if done by application like Threave did rather than through relegation though. It's worth noting that although certain people on here like to claim they know things definitively, for some reason this sort of information does not get announced publicly by the leagues involved at the start of each season and well connected people in EoS circles seemed to think for whatever reason that Gretna might be heading their way last season. My guess would be that Dalbeattie are definitely expected by the leagues involved to wind up in the SoS if relegated but what would happen if they appealed that to the SFA in some way provides a lingering doubt.

Edited March 16, 2023 by LongTimeLurker

[Burnieman]

4 hours ago, LongTimeLurker said:

That would mean starting from the bottom division if done by application like Threave did rather than through relegation though. It's worth noting that although certain people on here like to claim they know things definitively, for some reason this sort of information does not get announced publicly by the leagues involved at the start of each season and well connected people in EoS circles seemed to think for whatever reason that Gretna might be heading their way last season. My guess would be that Dalbeattie are definitely expected by the leagues involved to wind up in the SoS if relegated but what would happen if they appealed that to the SFA in some way provides a lingering doubt.

Happy to help, the meeting of the 4 leagues on 20/06/22;

Designated Leagues for each SLFL club in event of relegation

The meeting decided which League each SLFL club would go to if it was to be relegated at the end of season 2022/23.

To the East of Scotland Football League: Berwick Rangers, Bo’ness United, Civil Service Strollers, Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, Edinburgh University, Gala Fairydean Rovers, Spartans, Tranent Juniors and University of Stirling.

To the South of Scotland Football League: Dalbeattie Star and Gretna 2008.

To the West of Scotland Football League: Caledonian Braves, Cumbernauld Colts, East Kilbride and Open Goal Broomhill

[FairWeatherFan]

29 minutes ago, Burnieman said:

Happy to help, the meeting of the 4 leagues on 20/06/22;

Designated Leagues for each SLFL club in event of relegation

The meeting decided which League each SLFL club would go to if it was to be relegated at the end of season 2022/23.

To the East of Scotland Football League: Berwick Rangers, Bo’ness United, Civil Service Strollers, Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, Edinburgh University, Gala Fairydean Rovers, Spartans, Tranent Juniors and University of Stirling.

To the South of Scotland Football League: Dalbeattie Star and Gretna 2008.

To the West of Scotland Football League: Caledonian Braves, Cumbernauld Colts, East Kilbride and Open Goal Broomhill

And people will still speculate. 

[Burnieman]

1 minute ago, FairWeatherFan said:

And people will still speculate. 

I wonder if clubs had any say in this at all, clearly if they do it would need to be aired/agreed at the time as you can't have Dalbeattie fancying the WoS or EoS come May which would then have an impact on those leagues.

[welshbairn]

1 hour ago, Burnieman said:

Happy to help, the meeting of the 4 leagues on 20/06/22;

Designated Leagues for each SLFL club in event of relegation

The meeting decided which League each SLFL club would go to if it was to be relegated at the end of season 2022/23.

To the East of Scotland Football League: Berwick Rangers, Bo’ness United, Civil Service Strollers, Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, Edinburgh University, Gala Fairydean Rovers, Spartans, Tranent Juniors and University of Stirling.

To the South of Scotland Football League: Dalbeattie Star and Gretna 2008.

To the West of Scotland Football League: Caledonian Braves, Cumbernauld Colts, East Kilbride and Open Goal Broomhill

Highland League clubs have to choose where they'd like to be be relegated to in July if they come bottom and lose any playoff the next season, but annoyingly it's kept top secret, and the Highland League is shite for leaks compared to the Lowland League.

[LongTimeLurker]

It's also similar with the Club 42 relegation destination choices not being made public on official websites AFAIA. Either a case of Scottish football adopting the mushroom treatment approach to its fanbase or there is an extra procedural step involved that may just be a rubber stamp in reality but still makes them hold off announcing it.

[Guest]

16 hours ago, xenualba said:

Possible they could apply to join the East of Scotland League, they did used to be members for a while.  Threave did decide to become also-rans in the WoSFL this season, after all.

This brings up an interesting point.

As an existing Tier 6 member, what would have been the response if Threave had asked to join the West at Tier 6?

This scenario only applies to SOS and WOS of course as league's cover same geographical area. (For those of you who aren't aware, this is my hobby highlighting this anomaly)

Awaits response from VT 

Different from being relegated, I'm aware.

Edit afaia Threave knew or felt they couldn't compete at Tier 6 in the West, a wise decision with promotion to Div 3 hanging in the balance.

Edited March 17, 2023 by HorseyGhirl

[LongTimeLurker]

Think the window of opportunity to get in at tier 6 was only when Bonnyton Thistle did it when the WoS was first set up.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, LongTimeLurker said:

Think the window of opportunity to get in at tier 6 was only when Bonnyton Thistle did it when the WoS was first set up.

Have the same feeling, but would have been good to see how it would have played out if Threave had went down that route.

Mute point of course if it's already covered in the consituation of the league's involved.

[Kennie]

The WoSFL was set up by the LL.

Bonnyton applied for inclusion based on the fact they were from Kilmarnock. They were also deemed as a Tier 6 Club due to them being in a Tier 6 League (SoSFL).

No other Tier 6 club asked to join the LL run WoSFL at that time.

After the WoSFL was handed over, and prompted by rumours that some West Lothian clubs other than Harthill Royal, had also contemplated joining the WoSFL, it was decided to set up geographical boundaries for any new applicants to stop teams floating between them. The WoSFL & EoSFL both agreed on theirs. The SoSFL did not want any boundaries between them and either the East or the West. Hence why Threave could apply to join the WoSFL and Glasgow Wellington could apply to join the SoSFL. Relegation from the LL was not part of those discussions and relegated teams would have to return to their origins. If Dalbeattie were to be relegated they would only be allowed entry to the WoSFL by application to join at the lowest level and would need to go through the same process as any other applicant. Just like Threave.

 

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, Kennie said:

The WoSFL was set up by the LL.

Bonnyton applied for inclusion based on the fact they were from Kilmarnock. They were also deemed as a Tier 6 Club due to them being in a Tier 6 League (SoSFL).

No other Tier 6 club asked to join the LL run WoSFL at that time.

After the WoSFL was handed over, and prompted by rumours that some West Lothian clubs other than Harthill Royal, had also contemplated joining the WoSFL, it was decided to set up geographical boundaries for any new applicants to stop teams floating between them. The WoSFL & EoSFL both agreed on theirs. The SoSFL did not want any boundaries between them and either the East or the West. Hence why Threave could apply to join the WoSFL and Glasgow Wellington could apply to join the SoSFL. Relegation from the LL was not part of those discussions and relegated teams would have to return to their origins. If Dalbeattie were to be relegated they would only be allowed entry to the WoSFL by application to join at the lowest level and would need to go through the same process as any other applicant. Just like Threave.

 

Brilliant, thanks for that clear and concise reply @Kennie. Love it when someone in the know can clear up any apparent confusion and answer your thoughts conclusively.

Have said a few times as a devotee of Div 4, cap doffed to all who opened up for the new clubs to join. It has been an excellent watch and been an exciting end to the season.

Congrats and gratitude.

[VodkaTap]

7 hours ago, Kennie said:

The WoSFL was set up by the LL.

Bonnyton applied for inclusion based on the fact they were from Kilmarnock. They were also deemed as a Tier 6 Club due to them being in a Tier 6 League (SoSFL).

No other Tier 6 club asked to join the LL run WoSFL at that time.

After the WoSFL was handed over, and prompted by rumours that some West Lothian clubs other than Harthill Royal, had also contemplated joining the WoSFL, it was decided to set up geographical boundaries for any new applicants to stop teams floating between them. The WoSFL & EoSFL both agreed on theirs. The SoSFL did not want any boundaries between them and either the East or the West. Hence why Threave could apply to join the WoSFL and Glasgow Wellington could apply to join the SoSFL. Relegation from the LL was not part of those discussions and relegated teams would have to return to their origins. If Dalbeattie were to be relegated they would only be allowed entry to the WoSFL by application to join at the lowest level and would need to go through the same process as any other applicant. Just like Threave.

 

Gretna 2008 must be a bit of anomaly then, if what you said in bold is correct.

Gretna 2008 have never played in the SOS league. Their application to join was rejected.

That is why they played in the EoSFL and are still members of the EoSFA.

[FairWeatherFan]

1 minute ago, VodkaTap said:

Gretna 2008 must be a bit of anomaly then, if what you said in bold is correct.

Gretna 2008 have never played in the SOS league. Their application to join was rejected.

That is why they played in the EoSFL and are still members of the EoSFA.

A bigger one on paper is Caledonian Braves going to the WoSFL with their reserves in the South. 

[Kennie]

11 minutes ago, VodkaTap said:

Gretna 2008 must be a bit of anomaly then, if what you said in bold is correct.

Gretna 2008 have never played in the SOS league. Their application to join was rejected.

That is why they played in the EoSFL and are still members of the EoSFA.

Sorry, perhaps I should have said 'geographic' origins.

[Guest]

Following on from what @Kennie said 're SOS not wanting boundaries; from my perspective it seems strange that the SOS didn't want to 'protect' themselves from exactly what Threave have done in applying to WOS. It would only take possibly 2 more to apply and be accepted for the SOS to become unviable as a Tier 6 standalone league.

I just can't get past the feeling that the SOS are happy to sit quietly in the background, almost forgotten about and enjoy their position of not being seen as a threat to the other 2 Leagues. Not what I would call a vibrant member of our pyramid system.

N.B. Not expecting or wanting a reply or any view from @Kennie 're any future applications from existing SOS clubs.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, VodkaTap said:

Gretna 2008 must be a bit of anomaly then, if what you said in bold is correct.

Gretna 2008 have never played in the SOS league. Their application to join was rejected.

That is why they played in the EoSFL and are still members of the EoSFA.

Seems a bit unfair on Gretna if they are ever unfortunate to be in the relegation position, to be sent to a league that didnt want them in the first place. What do you and other Gretna fans feel about this?

I know you disagree with me but this for me is a part of the debate needed about the SOS and WOS covering the same geographical area as has been confirmed by a WOS official.

My OCD is bad tonight.

[Cowdenleith]

Anyway, if anyone is actually interested about the football on the pitch, Celtic grab an injury time equaliser against Spartans.  A sair one for Spartans.

[Connor7]

Spartans so close to a huge 3 points tonight. It opens the door for Stirling & Tranent to close the gap tomorrow. 
 

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Cowdenleith said:

Anyway, if anyone is actually interested about the football on the pitch, Celtic grab an injury time equaliser against Spartans.  A sair one for Spartans.

Fair point @Cowdenleith but until the 'bitches' clubs are removed and door opened fully to Tiers 6, the LL is viewed suspiciously by many. It's unfortunate as pre-'bitches', it was seen as the flag bearer for the pyramid. There was a feeling that the door to Tier 6 would naturally sort itself out. That has been lost by the actions and attitudes of some within the league.