HibeeJibee

BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Reduced pool for Scotland B clash BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Old Firm pair in Scots B call-up BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Scotland B 3-0 N Ireland B Today is 15yrs since Scotland B last took to the field. Northern Ireland B were blown away 3-0 before 2,110 at Airdrie; but the whole affair was a farce... arranged in closing weeks of the league season George Burley had agreed not to call up any OF players (derby Sunday after); then also had to forego Edinburgh and New Firm derby players as those games were played the night after the game; English Championship playoff participants were also ruled out. Mark Wilson of Celtic was called-up anyway (ditto Steven Naismith of Rangers) but he withdrew as did Darren Barr of Falkirk, Craig Bryson of Kilmarnock, Graham Dorrans of WBA, Ross Wallace of Preston and Paul Gallacher of Plymouth. So a motley mix: many went onto international honours, some did not... Scotland B 3-0 N Ireland B http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45743000/jpg/_45743035_georgeboydvni.226b.jpg Boyd enjoyed a good first outing in the colours of Scotland Scotland turned in an encouraging display to earn a B international victory at a rain-lashed Broadwood. Rangers defender Andy Webster opened the scoring on 47 minutes, slamming the ball home after his header had been blocked by keeper Jonathan Tuffey. Scotland's David Marshall made saves to deny Andy Little and Oliver Norwood. The lively George Boyd then smacked in a wonderful strike from 20 yards and set up Leigh Griffiths to slip home the third goal with five minutes left. Scotland manager George Burley described the game as "a worthwhile exercise" and had words of praise for the goal-scorers and Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes, who shone in the first half before a deluge made the pitch very heavy. The Northern Ireland team were younger and less experienced than the hosts and soon found themselves under pressure. An early Stevie Hammell free-kick appeared to beat Tuffey at the near post and cross the line before the Partick Thistle keeper scooped it back out. And Tuffey was called into action to stop shots from Steven Naismith and Chris Burke before the interval. A flash-flood at the break put the game in some doubt but when play resumed with puddles forming on the pitch, Scotland took the lead within two minutes. Ian Black played a short corner with Naismith and when his cross came over, Webster's header was saved by Tuffey before the Rangers played followed in to ram home the rebound. Scotland keeper Marshall was forced to dive at the feet of Little to prevent an equaliser after Mark Reynolds failed to clear his lines. As a raft of substitutions began to take its toll on the flow of the game, Northern Ireland continued to press for the leveller. In the 70th minute Norwood drew a fantastic save from Marshall with a 30-yard free-kick, the former Celtic keeper leaping acrobatically to tip the ball over the crossbar. Six minutes later Boyd made the game certain when he took a pass from Griffiths and rifled the ball low past Tuffey. And in the 85th minute Boyd returned the compliment when he sent Griffiths clear of the visiting defence and the Livingston teenager showed great confidence to roll the ball under the diving Tuffey.

EK on 274 is similar to Spartans last season (313) tbh and they leapt to 536 in SPFL2. Edinburgh City went from <150 (they were printed in their programme) to 400, 326, 403, 324 then 340 in SPFL2. EDIT: ironically enough 2 seasons ago Albion Rovers averaged 279 and Stranraer averaged 286 in SPFL2 i.e. almost exactly what EK averaged in LL this season... they 'rallied' to 313 and 358 respectively last season, then Stranraer to 389 this season (helped by 535 v Bonnyrigg last month and bumper 738 v Stenhousemuir yesterday).

Tranent chastened Darvel on their own park only time this has been tested for real tbf. Given that EOSL has now sent 4 clubs to SPFL (Edinburgh City, Kelty, Bonnyrigg, Spartans)... and another 6-7 to LL who are still there (Bo'ness, Tranent, Linlithgow, Gala, CSS, Stirling Uni, Broxburn?)... remarkable the issue is even up for debate? Approaches a whole division's worth of strength compared to undiminished WOSL. Beith still haven't lights?

This lot have even aped our logo:

Interesting quirk in local elections for Castle Point a district & borough in south Essex centred on Canvey Island (who knew?). All mainstream parties lost all their seats, and council is now divided between the localist PIP and the separatist CIIP: 24 People's Independent Party 15 Canvey Island Independent Party The People's Independent Party - Wikipedia The People's Independent Party (PIP) is a localist political party based in Castle Point, England. Formed in 2021[1] by independent councillor Steven Cole and registered in 2023,[2] PIP sought to prevent a local plan to build 5,000 homes in the borough, mostly on Green Belt, by taking control of the council from the ruling Conservatives.[3] Canvey Island Independent Party - Wikipedia The Canvey Island Independent Party (CIIP) is a local political party active on Canvey Island, in Essex, England.[2] It was established in 2004 to campaign for a separate district council for Canvey Island.

There used to be an excellent database on an old version of the Hibs site - and an excellent Hibs Programmes website. You can still get the later archived online though unsure if all pages work: Hibs Programmes (archive.org) EDIT: incredibly the official Hibs site results database also seems to still be accessible though again no idea if every page will be available: Hibernian FC Official Site (archive.org) Some brilliant sites have gone defunct over the years; recall great Rangers, Airdrie and Ayr programmes sites and this East Fife database: The East Fife Football Historian (archive.org)

Cove literally averaged 583 this season in SPFL1 and haven't been sub-400. If you took hardheaded economic and social viewpoint 5 clubs who averaged 1,900 in their last SPFL seasons made way for 5 who average 2,900 this season (with 3 having further ascended to SPFL1). Completely understand some posters wish there was no trapdoor... and that in this year's scenario many have a 'soft spot' for Stranraer or else disinclination to EK (or at least the manager); but some are just mythologizing hardly anybody outside 'the 42' had or has much support (or potential) and/or want up.

It's raised in the context of relegation sending it up but the travel is little different to before when those other factors also applied. Btw clearly is a considerable mileage for them, no minimising that. However no more so than before (when I don't recall anybody doubting them btw). Level down is inevitably a lower standard - equally after battling relegation they may now challenge for promotion?

I've no idea what people are on about here... Newburgh's total travel should be no different to this season. Indeed in a scenario I just ran based on a fair assumption - it saw them make 2nd trips to Lochgelly; 2 of the 4 clubs in West Lothian; 1 of the 2 clubs in Edinburgh; and 1 of the 2 clubs in the Borders - they would drive 20 miles less than in this season's Second Division?! In the very worst scenario that can be mathematically contrived they would drive 170 miles more than this season (representing an increase of 10%) but equally in the very best scenario they would drive 70 miles less (reduction of 4%). Even that very worst scenario conceivable is 40 miles less than they did in last season's Second Division incidentally. Bizarre discussion. EDIT: maybe people simply don't know where Newburgh is. To illustrate it more holistically using the extremes: they only had 2 round trips under 60 miles this season (Kennoway and Thornton - even Burntisland is further); and they only had 4 round trips over 120 miles (Ormiston, Peebles, Coldstream, Tweedmouth - but latter 2 were over 180 miles). Next season would be 1 or 2 trips under 60 miles (Lochgelly); and most likely about 4 but on paper 3 to 6 trips over 120 miles (Ormiston, Linton, Hawick - with only latter being over 180 miles). Even then Ormiston + Linton are sub-130 miles. Obviously this represents a considerable amount of travel - credit to them - but assuming it'll increase considerably in Third Division compared to before isn't actually correct.

... plus all 4's attendances grew also Cove! Get a high 5 figures rise in league + cup £ too. Travel would increase but already have long trips to Wick/Brora/etc. Don't half of Buckie's squad train in Aberdeen btw (i.e. indicating they're actually drawn from much further south than Inverness and Moray?).

Bump. There's evidently to be a playoff between 10th in A Division and 3rd in B Division this season. (Playoffs got introduced last season between 8th and 3rd in the 3 small divisions... but they ended up irrelevant after shift to 2 larger divisions). It'll be Hawick Utd v Biggar Utd or derby v Hawick Legion if win last game this Tuesday. Is it 1 tie at neutral venue again? Any idea of date(s)/venue?

Myth bingo time again? Every promoted club has substantially increased attendances btw. EDIT: indeed Edinburgh City went from <150 in LL to 300-450. Cove debuted biggest in SPFL2, still over 500. Kelty debuted biggest in SPFL2, still over 500. Bonnyrigg debuted biggest in SPFL2, repeated this season. Spartans also over 500. Don't be ridiculous. Eh...? Kelty? Bonnyrigg? Spartans? There are 10 averaging 250+* in LL & EOSP alone. Most simply have similar fanbases and populations (or more). *Albion Rovers (281); Berwick (425); Bo'ness Utd (409); Broxburn (245); Cowdenbeath (289); Dunbar (285); East Kilbride (274); Linlithgow (561); Musselburgh (256); Tranent (316).

Bathgate are all but mathematically up, and their win over West Calder leaves a lip-smacking race for the title: Monday 6th May Bathgate v Livingston Utd Saturday 11th May Harthill v Bathgate West Calder v Edinburgh Community Tuesday 14th May Livingston Utd v Bathgate West Calder v Harthill Saturday 18th May Bathgate v Fauldhouse Pumpherston v West Calder Harthill will be aiming to keep the points ticking over. Hawick drop to bottom half.

Thornton Hibs are PROMOTED Thornton have now won 17 in a row ... giving them run at title: Tuesday 7th May Edinburgh Utd v Bo'ness Athletic Wednessday 8th May Thornton v Easthouses Saturday 11th May Thornton v Bo'ness Athletic Monday 13th May Ormiston v Bo'ness Athletic Tuesday 14th May Kennoway v Thornton Saturday 18th May Bo'ness Athletic v Dalkeith Coldstream v Thornton but Armadale's hopes hanging: Wednesday 8th May Burntisland v Edinburgh South Saturday 11th May Dalkeith v Armadale Stirling Uni EOS v Edinburgh South Tuesday 14th May Edinburgh South v Coldstream Saturday 18th May Burntisland v Armadale Edinburgh South v Kennoway Gaggle around 13th bank on Broxburn. Where on earth did Ormiston 7-0 Easthouses come from ?

Dunipace very close to title. Camelon's loss to Preston leave St Andrews and Whitburn in driving seats: Wednesday 8th May St Andrews v Whitburn Saturday 11th May Camelon v Oakley Kirkcaldy & Dysart v Whitburn Newtongrange v Dunipace St Andrews v Arniston Tuesday 14th May Newtongrange v St Andrews Wednesday 15th May Whitburn v Lochore Saturday 18th May Lochore v St Andrews Whitburn v Newtongrange Whitehill v Camelon All over down bottom unless you've great confidence in Oakley or Dalbeattie/Creetown.

Crossgates look doomed after 5yrs in top deck. Delicious final week instore down bottom with 1pt separating Luncarty, Glenrothes and Inverkeithing: Tuesday 7th May Crossgates v Haddington Glenrothes v Dunbar Luncarty v Jeanfield Saturday 11th May Broxburn v Crossgates Hill of Beath v Inverkeithing Luncarty v Hutchison Vale Tynecastle v Glenrothes Broxburn face Dalbeattie/Creetown over 2-legs: Saturday 18th May Creetown/Dalbeattie Star v Broxburn Athletic Friday 24th May Broxburn Athletic v Creetown/Dalbeattie

Official seemingly. In what looks to be the biggest deduction in the 100 year history of the East of Scotland League, it seems they have been deducted 9pts, due to fielding suspended player in losses at Edinburgh South on Saturday 9th March; Bo'ness Athletic on Tuesday 19th; and to Easthouses on Saturday 23rd. Had already been relegated by now, but drops them to bottom on 3pts, below Newburgh.

As an aside - I thought Annan and Stranraer weren't limited companies?

Fans fear for survival of historic Scottish football club Stranraer - BBC News Fans of one of the world's oldest football clubs fear for its future if it slips out of the national leagues for the first time in its history. Alan Hannah, who has supported them for more than half a century, described his dismay. "Things have declined and declined for the past 15 or 20 years, and there's less and less fans coming through the gates". Alex Smith, who has moved away from his native Wigtownshire to Durham, but travels more than 17,000 miles every season to attend all of Stranraer's fixtures - home and away. The 73-year-old feels it would be "catastrophic" for the area if the team fall into the regional Lowland League. Rhuri Paton said the current plight was "tough to take. The 31-year-old feels that the lack of funding is to blame. He said: "There's been a slow decline. We have one of the lowest crowds, and expenses like bus travel that others don't so this sadly isn't a surprise in the fan base". He believes relegation is a one-way ticket for the Blues. Laurence Nelson hosts the "It’s No Easy" unofficial Stranraer FC weekly podcast. The 61-year-old fears the club he's supported since the 1960s is set to go through "one of its darkest episodes". "But it feels like we're swilling the drain." There was me concerned Stranraer fans might be taking a darkly pessimistic view of their prospects ...

Rangers wanted 2 divisions of 16 back as had operated until 1955 (when C Division was abolished and a Scottish Reserve League began). To get around supermajorities they proposed winding-up SFL then immediately forming a new league with 5 'smallest' clubs excluded (not bottom 5 clubs: they'd actually finished 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 15th out of 19 in 1963-64). At a secret meeting of 'the 32' threats were made to 10 more - Alloa, Arbroath, Ayr, Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton, East Fife, Montrose, Queen's Park, Raith and Stirling Albion - that some of them might find themself 'swapped' for the 5 if voted against. 28th April 1964 20th May 1964 26th May 1964 The press sided with Rangers in their illogical attempts at bullying | borussiabeefburg (wordpress.com)

Correct. BBs still own Letham Park... Edinburgh HQ ('Pollock Pavilion') is adjacent @ 227 Ferry Road: formerly @ 73 (which until recently had become HQ of the Prince's Trust):

I think Easthouses Lily are the only senior club ever relegated (under regular conditions) without negative GD... EOS Premier Division 2008-09: came 11th on 0. Inverness have come 9th on +1 ! Playoffs await them... Dumbarton were promoted via playoffs from SFL2 2011-12: finished 3rd on 0... Brechin from SPFL1 2016-17: finished 4th on -6... Edinburgh City from SPFL2 2021-22: finished 4th on -6.

Quite, it's junk: a GB extrapolation Lab 35%, Con 25%, LDs 15%, Rest 25% (high in council elections from Inds: was 10% in 2019 GE). Polls have Lab far higher, LDs far lower, Rest lower (despite Reform)/etc.

Thankfully the court says "carry on": Demolition work to resume at Ayr Station Hotel following owner's court challenge | STV News

Chancelot Park in Bonnington, off Ferry Road - now Letham Park - that season: Incidentally they took-over Edinburgh Civil Service's record halfway through 1923-24.