Lowland League General Discussion

[Deanburn Dave]

I think there's a group of 4 who can win :-
East Kilbride
Open Goal Broomhill
Rangers B
Celtic B

A group of 4 who can cause the big boys trouble in games:-
Spartans 
Berwick
Bo'ness
Tranent

The teams that will most likely finish in spots 9 to 15:-
CSS
Cowden
Hearts B
Caledonian Braves
Cumbernauld Colts
East Stirling 
Stirling Uni

Four teams battling to avoid relegation :-
Gretna
Gala Fairydean 
Edinburgh Uni
Dalbeattie
 
 
 
 

[Omnishambles]

East Kilbride, Open Goal and Rangers/Celtic B up at the top. Somewhere around 8th for us would be a good first season, anything above that a bonus.

[RossBFaeDundee]

32 minutes ago, Deanburn Dave said:

I think there's a group of 4 who can win :-
East Kilbride
Open Goal Broomhill
Rangers B
Celtic B

Jesus, that's so depressing to read, I hate this league. Think I would genuinely rather see the colts finish higher than fucking Open Goal fucking Broomhill.

[leomessi1984]

6 hours ago, Deanburn Dave said:

10 hours ago, leomessi1984 said:

East Kilbride
Open Goal Broomhill
Rangers B
Celtic B
Spartans 
Berwick
Hearts B
Bo'ness
Tranent
CSS
Cowden
Caledonian Braves
Cumbernauld Colts
East Stirling 
Stirling Uni
Gretna
Gala Fairydean 
Edinburgh Uni
Dalbeattie
 
 
 
 

I reckon Hearts B will finish 3 to 5 places lower.

Haven't seen anything of them Deanburn but presumed weaker that the other two.

I think Dalbeattie may be in bother this year near the bottom.

Edited July 20, 2022 by leomessi1984

[Footballfirst]

20 hours ago, Deanburn Dave said:

On 20/07/2022 at 08:53, leomessi1984 said:

East Kilbride
Open Goal Broomhill
Rangers B
Celtic B
Spartans 
Berwick
Hearts B
Bo'ness
Tranent
CSS
Cowden
Caledonian Braves
Cumbernauld Colts
East Stirling 
Stirling Uni
Gretna
Gala Fairydean 
Edinburgh Uni
Dalbeattie
 
 
 
 

I reckon Hearts B will finish 3 to 5 places lower.

Hearts is an odd one. It will depend on who they keep for the B Team and who goes out on loan.  I watched them lose 2-1 to Arsenal U21s in a friendly on Tuesday with a strong side. If they keep that team together, then they will be top six, if not it will be mid table at best.

They have 7 players who were playing on loan in the Championship, L1 or L2 last season (5 played v Arsenal). Would it be better for their development to be playing in Tier 5 this season? I think not.

Edited July 21, 2022 by Footballfirst

[Burnieman]

31 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

Hearts is an odd one. It will depend on who they keep for the B Team and who goes out on loan.  I watched them lose 2-1 to Arsenal U21s in a friendly on Tuesday with a strong side. If they keep that team together, then they will be top six, if not it will be mid table at best.

They have 7 players who were playing on loan in the Championship, L1 or L2 last season (5 played v Arsenal). Would it be better for their development to be playing in Tier 5 this season? I think not.

Just an alternative viewpoint, my team in the EoS Premier have had three loan players from Hamilton Accies in the last 2 seasons who are all now first team with them.  Marley Redfern, Fergus Owens and keeper Jamie Smith, all promoted the season after being out on loan with us.

Hamilton are one of the best Academies in Scotland, and presumably are happy that sending players out to us (tier 6) as part of their development path to first team football is beneficial.

Whether it proves the loan system works better than B teams, and playing at tier 5 or 6 helps improve players, I don't know. It certainly seems to work for Hamilton.

That said, if a player has been out of loan at Ch/L1/L2 level, and now finds himself in a B team in the LL instead of being involved with the first team, there may be a subtle message there.

 

 

 

[AsimButtHitsASix]

3 hours ago, Burnieman said:

Just an alternative viewpoint, my team in the EoS Premier have had three loan players from Hamilton Accies in the last 2 seasons who are all now first team with them.  Marley Redfern, Fergus Owens and keeper Jamie Smith, all promoted the season after being out on loan with us.

Hamilton are one of the best Academies in Scotland, and presumably are happy that sending players out to us (tier 6) as part of their development path to first team football is beneficial.

Whether it proves the loan system works better than B teams, and playing at tier 5 or 6 helps improve players, I don't know. It certainly seems to work for Hamilton.

That said, if a player has been out of loan at Ch/L1/L2 level, and now finds himself in a B team in the LL instead of being involved with the first team, there may be a subtle message there.

Were the Accies players also able to play for their own development side during the season as well?

[Deanburn Dave]

Not long until the proper Fitbaw starts........it has been too long.......cannot wait.

Mon the BU's !!

[Number seven]

I am hearing that the 3 b teams in the lowland league have to field at least 7 home grown players in their starting 11. Are there any other stipulations regarding there participation this season?

[Burnieman]

5 hours ago, AsimButtHitsASix said:

Were the Accies players also able to play for their own development side during the season as well?

I think they only have an U18 side downwards, no U20/B, however I think they can play for the U18's as well as the loan club.

Edited July 21, 2022 by Burnieman

[craigiemack]

I've seen some horrible takes on the predictions for the season so I feel it is time to add my *educated* tuppence on the up coming seasons shenanigans. 

1st-2nd: Imo a straight shoot out between 'Kilby' and Trojans. Last season they were both miles off Bonnyrigg but miles clear of the chasing pack. They've both probably improved and no one has improved enough to catch up to them. EK are always touted to win the league but fail to live up to the promise while this is the first year in a good few seasons that Spartans have a serious chance of winning the league. I think EKs squad is more balanced, they'll be defensively sound as usual and the attacking threats of McLaughlin, Elliot and Vitoria will be boosted further by Bob McHugh. Spartans attack has the potential to be the most potent since the 0-4-6 total football of East Stirlingshire in 2016/17. Penker, Brown, Russell, Henderson and Dishington is certainly a mouth watering proposition but fitting them all in will be a problem. I think EK will pip Spartans but if Spartans attack fires then they might run them close. 

3rd-6th: The battle for the UEFA SPFL Trust Conference League spots is always the tightest battle in the league and this year is no different with i'd say about 10/11 teams thinking they have an outside shot of getting in. I think the ones at the forefront of that battle will be Borrowstounness, Tranent (the only town in the world to have every shop in its town centre listed on its wikepedia page. Including 3, count em, 3 bookies), the East Stirlingshire Chinese money launderers and Open Goal KFC Alloa. Bo'ness had a pretty miserable season last year but they look to have strengthened somewhat and if they manage to get 18 players to each game I'd imagine they finish closer to the expected level they'd be at when they entered the league. Tranent are an unknown but winning breeds confidence and I think the feel good factor around the club will be similar to what Kelty and Bonnyrigg achieved. Maybe not as successful but they certainly won't be anywhere near mid table. Trying to be as neutral as possible here but from what I've seen of the Shire, people are sleeping on us. We've certainly improved in a lot of areas and have a lot of talented young players that might rip teams apart at the Grangemouth Stadium. If we can get a decent goalscorer in on loan then I'm confident we'll be top half at the very least. Only Bonnyrigg had a better defence than us last year and despite having the best goalie in the league (fact) we look to have improved it further, Kyle Ewing looks like he could be a serious player at this level. KFC Alloa finished a lowly 15th last year but with the investment from the Own Goal podcast I'm sure they'll improve. I'm 99% certain they will not be higher than 3rd and it would not surprise me to see them down in 10th or so. I'll get to Berwick in a minute but if you're announcing a player with the phrase 'with over 300+ SPFL appearances' then chances are, as history has shown in the LL, you are signing an utter dud. 

7th-11th: 1st Cowdenbeath Boys Brigade, Berwick Rangers Walking Football Club, Edufrance Academy of STV documentary fame, Civil Service Meanderers, and the Croy Colts. Despite placing these teams in such lowly positions I wouldn't be surprised if any graced the top 6, I just think they lack what the others have. I admire what Cowdenbeath are doing, but from experience. A young squad will make a lot of mistakes and lack the knowledge to get through sticky situations. The League Cup games don't help either, chasing shadows for 4 games against much better sides doesn't help anbody. I'm sure their season will have some highs, confident in saying they'll take a few scalps but I don't think it'll be enough. If they get off to a bad start it could be a long year. Berwick just baffle me, just a bunch of players that are past it. I am shocked that people are tipping them to challenge for the title, mid table at best. Edusport and Cumbernauld, they keep their business quiet but will be two solid outfits again. A few players from Dunipaces treble winning u20 team have gone to Colts so intrigued to see how they get on. The job Gary Jardine has done at CSS is unbeleivable but things are just getting harder for them each year. Other clubs invest but Civil dont have the capability to, always a solid side and the tactical nous will keep them punching way above their weight.

12th-14th: University of Bridge of Allan, the artists formally known as Gretna and Gala Pixiedean Rovers. Impossible to call Stirling Uni untill they play but they've lost quite a few influential members of their squad, namely Penker to Spartans and Doan to Bonnyrigg. Unless they have some hot fresh meat then they might be in danger. Gretna have a completely new squad after moving to the central belt I think. Currie and Dickinson were stand outs for Dalbeattie which should propel Gretna away slightly from the threat of relegation. Gala have been stalwarts of the LL but year by year they're slipping down the table. Some brutal hammerings in pre season doesn't whet the whistle. 

15th-16th: University of Peffermill Baking Faculty and Dalbeattie self-luminous gaseous spheroidal celestial body of great mass. My relegation candidates for this year. Edinburgh Uni, much like Stirling but without the centre of sports excellence. If it wasn't for Vale they'd have gone a few years back. Dalbeattie were sliding down the table after their great start and have lost their management and a lot of players. We may sadly have to say goodbye to their Rangers Social Club, the junkie wains behind the goal and last but not least the Birchtree Hotel with its wonderful beer garden looking onto the burn. 

 

Looking forward to this season in what will be the first full season post COVID. Good luck to all the teams*, not the greatest league to be in with the Colts, vanity projects and universities but may the best outfit prevail. 

This post was made in tribute to bravehearts dad. Gone but never forgotton. Cmon the rose.

 

[Deanburn Dave]

"KFC Alloa". .........excellent bantz.

[craigiemack]

14 minutes ago, Deanburn Dave said:

"KFC Alloa". .........excellent bantz.

I've been abusing BSC for 6 years now, scraping the barrel

[Omnishambles]

11 hours ago, craigiemack said:

I've seen some horrible takes on the predictions for the season so I feel it is time to add my *educated* tuppence on the up coming seasons shenanigans. 

1st-2nd: Imo a straight shoot out between 'Kilby' and Trojans. Last season they were both miles off Bonnyrigg but miles clear of the chasing pack. They've both probably improved and no one has improved enough to catch up to them. EK are always touted to win the league but fail to live up to the promise while this is the first year in a good few seasons that Spartans have a serious chance of winning the league. I think EKs squad is more balanced, they'll be defensively sound as usual and the attacking threats of McLaughlin, Elliot and Vitoria will be boosted further by Bob McHugh. Spartans attack has the potential to be the most potent since the 0-4-6 total football of East Stirlingshire in 2016/17. Penker, Brown, Russell, Henderson and Dishington is certainly a mouth watering proposition but fitting them all in will be a problem. I think EK will pip Spartans but if Spartans attack fires then they might run them close. 

3rd-6th: The battle for the UEFA SPFL Trust Conference League spots is always the tightest battle in the league and this year is no different with i'd say about 10/11 teams thinking they have an outside shot of getting in. I think the ones at the forefront of that battle will be Borrowstounness, Tranent (the only town in the world to have every shop in its town centre listed on its wikepedia page. Including 3, count em, 3 bookies), the East Stirlingshire Chinese money launderers and Open Goal KFC Alloa. Bo'ness had a pretty miserable season last year but they look to have strengthened somewhat and if they manage to get 18 players to each game I'd imagine they finish closer to the expected level they'd be at when they entered the league. Tranent are an unknown but winning breeds confidence and I think the feel good factor around the club will be similar to what Kelty and Bonnyrigg achieved. Maybe not as successful but they certainly won't be anywhere near mid table. Trying to be as neutral as possible here but from what I've seen of the Shire, people are sleeping on us. We've certainly improved in a lot of areas and have a lot of talented young players that might rip teams apart at the Grangemouth Stadium. If we can get a decent goalscorer in on loan then I'm confident we'll be top half at the very least. Only Bonnyrigg had a better defence than us last year and despite having the best goalie in the league (fact) we look to have improved it further, Kyle Ewing looks like he could be a serious player at this level. KFC Alloa finished a lowly 15th last year but with the investment from the Own Goal podcast I'm sure they'll improve. I'm 99% certain they will not be higher than 3rd and it would not surprise me to see them down in 10th or so. I'll get to Berwick in a minute but if you're announcing a player with the phrase 'with over 300+ SPFL appearances' then chances are, as history has shown in the LL, you are signing an utter dud. 

7th-11th: 1st Cowdenbeath Boys Brigade, Berwick Rangers Walking Football Club, Edufrance Academy of STV documentary fame, Civil Service Meanderers, and the Croy Colts. Despite placing these teams in such lowly positions I wouldn't be surprised if any graced the top 6, I just think they lack what the others have. I admire what Cowdenbeath are doing, but from experience. A young squad will make a lot of mistakes and lack the knowledge to get through sticky situations. The League Cup games don't help either, chasing shadows for 4 games against much better sides doesn't help anbody. I'm sure their season will have some highs, confident in saying they'll take a few scalps but I don't think it'll be enough. If they get off to a bad start it could be a long year. Berwick just baffle me, just a bunch of players that are past it. I am shocked that people are tipping them to challenge for the title, mid table at best. Edusport and Cumbernauld, they keep their business quiet but will be two solid outfits again. A few players from Dunipaces treble winning u20 team have gone to Colts so intrigued to see how they get on. The job Gary Jardine has done at CSS is unbeleivable but things are just getting harder for them each year. Other clubs invest but Civil dont have the capability to, always a solid side and the tactical nous will keep them punching way above their weight.

12th-14th: University of Bridge of Allan, the artists formally known as Gretna and Gala Pixiedean Rovers. Impossible to call Stirling Uni untill they play but they've lost quite a few influential members of their squad, namely Penker to Spartans and Doan to Bonnyrigg. Unless they have some hot fresh meat then they might be in danger. Gretna have a completely new squad after moving to the central belt I think. Currie and Dickinson were stand outs for Dalbeattie which should propel Gretna away slightly from the threat of relegation. Gala have been stalwarts of the LL but year by year they're slipping down the table. Some brutal hammerings in pre season doesn't whet the whistle. 

15th-16th: University of Peffermill Baking Faculty and Dalbeattie self-luminous gaseous spheroidal celestial body of great mass. My relegation candidates for this year. Edinburgh Uni, much like Stirling but without the centre of sports excellence. If it wasn't for Vale they'd have gone a few years back. Dalbeattie were sliding down the table after their great start and have lost their management and a lot of players. We may sadly have to say goodbye to their Rangers Social Club, the junkie wains behind the goal and last but not least the Birchtree Hotel with its wonderful beer garden looking onto the burn. 

 

Looking forward to this season in what will be the first full season post COVID. Good luck to all the teams*, not the greatest league to be in with the Colts, vanity projects and universities but may the best outfit prevail. 

This post was made in tribute to bravehearts dad. Gone but never forgotton. Cmon the rose.

 

I did not know that about Tranent's Wikipedia page. Deary me hahahaha

Edited July 22, 2022 by Omnishambles

[bravehearts dad]

Hi Craigiemack,

                           Very kind of you to remember me in your anti post predictions for the LL season. Will miss all my fellow posters in the LL thread. I certainly won’t miss the guest clubs in the League or KFC Alloa. I keep having a look at the thread to see what is happening in the LL, I like you think that East Kilbride will win the LL this season. Cowdenbeath have already won the prize for top posters on this thread.

May I wish you and your club well for the season ahead, and good luck. I hope that all the “ Good Lad clubs “ thrive this season, stick by their principles and eventually we will have a proper pyramid system in Scottish football.

C’mon The Rose

[Marshmallo]

Peffermill Baking Faculty 

Buckled at that and good shout out for the Birchtree Hotel

[craigiemack]

1 hour ago, Omnishambles said:

I did not know that about Tranent's Wikipedia page. Deary me hahahaha

I’ve acquired so much knowledge about Tranent town centre that I feel like I was brought up there 

[craigiemack]

34 minutes ago, bravehearts dad said:

Hi Craigiemack,

                           Very kind of you to remember me in your anti post predictions for the LL season. Will miss all my fellow posters in the LL thread. I certainly won’t miss the guest clubs in the League or KFC Alloa. I keep having a look at the thread to see what is happening in the LL, I like you think that East Kilbride will win the LL this season. Cowdenbeath have already won the prize for top posters on this thread.

May I wish you and your club well for the season ahead, and good luck. I hope that all the “ Good Lad clubs “ thrive this season, stick by their principles and eventually we will have a proper pyramid system in Scottish football.

C’mon The Rose

Good luck in the big leagues my man. Sure it will be a while till we meet again.

[craigiemack]

16 minutes ago, Marshmallo said:

Peffermill Baking Faculty 

Buckled at that and good shout out for the Birchtree Hotel

Birchtree Hotel on a sunny day is probably the pinnacle of LL drinking establishments. 

[Deanburn Dave]

11 hours ago, craigiemack said:

I've been abusing BSC for 6 years now, scraping the barrel

Should it not be "scraping the Bucket" to keep the KFC theme going.