stanley

The risk involved in joining the Lowland League in its first season varied massively depending on which league the club was playing in at the time. There was very little risk involved in 9 EoS clubs joining the league and continuing to play mostly the same teams as before and remaining in the senior set up with a chance of possible promotion in the future to the SPFL. There was more risk for Threave and Dalbeattie who had already tried out the EoS and gone back to the SoS but they still had the option to go back to the SoS if it didn't work out (as Threave did when they resigned from the Lowland League). I can't see any risk at all for East Kilbride who took advantage of the opportunity. There was huge risk involved for any of the big West/East junior clubs in giving up their position in the juniors and moving to the Lowland League just like Kelty took a big risk in moving to the EoS. "Leap of faith" seems like a strong term for what the original 12 clubs did in joining the league. Again, credit to the clubs who started in the Lowland League in the first season and helped set up the pyramid for the future. They had to work on their grounds, get licensed etc. Regardless, that's really a separate discussion to clubs voting against increased relegation and voting in favour of B teams. It doesn't really matter what happened in 2013 when we're talking about the future of the league.

I don't think it was much of a leap of faith. The first season was essentially a glorified EoS Premier plus East Kilbride (EK clearly had nothing to lose by joining). Credit to the clubs involved in forming the league but I'm struggling to see the leap of faith involved. People complaining about potentially 0 relegation slots in the Lowland League or others being positive about the pyramid isn't going to change things. That comes down to the clubs themselves being willing to vote for increased relegation, vote against B teams etc. So far, clearly, the majority are unwilling to do so.

Stirling & District down to 10 (Braehead gone). Ayrshire Premier down to 10 (KFA gone) Greenock gone from Saturday Morning (many teams have folded from the league this season but it still has a huge number of clubs across many divisions)

The Scottish Premier AFL is really struggling. The Central Scottish finished last year with 19 clubs. When St. Pats and Campsie Minerva leave, there will be just 9 of those clubs left in the Scottish Premier AFL. Caley - St. Pats, Campsie Minerva, Dunipace, Drumchapel Greater Glasgow - Garrowhill Thistle Saturday Morning - Third Lanark Folded - Lesmahagow, Castlemilk Dynamo, Wishaw HSFPs, Holytown Colts It's starting to look like the Central Scottish has given up its position as possibly the strongest league with the merger and now be clearly behind the Caley. I suppose whatever is left of the league in a few years time might eventually merge with the Caley anyway...

Sure, and that's a ridiculous suggestion. EoS clearly still ahead for now with WoS still to catch up when more clubs get licensed (when the SFA finally open it up again...). The EoS have certainly been a good example for the pyramid so far whereas the Lowland League have been the opposite so far in terms of self-preservation and the B teams "one season only" saga.

Has there not only been one playoff so far? That's not exactly a big statement yet.

Give it a few more years and that will happen eventually. What with the 0 guaranteed relegation places, however, it won't happen very quickly.

Could well be Caley Braves that voted no as they had fans vote on it and they voted no last year after consulting fans. A bit shocked if Cowdenbeath voted yes considering all the other ex-SPFL and ex-juniors have come out against it.

They were never going to vote no anyway. Cowdenbeath, Civil Service and Caley Braves have all voted no in the past (and rumoured that Edinburgh Uni did last time).

No shock based on how things have gone so far. Same old clubs continuing to vote yes for the (limited) money it brings in. Give it another year or so and the vote would almost certainly be no hence they've gone for a two year proposal this time.

Safe to say that Bo'ness and Tranent will be against it as well so at least 6 no votes with another 3 needed. Presumably, the proposal is for two years as they realise the yes vote is gradually getting relegated out of the league and being replaced by no votes. I feel like a vote next year would likely be no but not confident about today.

Same thing happened last year with them putting it fans and they voted no so hopefully the same this year.

Hopefully the clubs that vote in favour will release statements and explain their reasons. Could be a long wait.

2021 confirmation:

I think Caledonian Braves voted against it last time as well. Confirmation here from last time: https://www.caledonianbraves.com/news/club-statement-b-teams-in-slfl

I'd love for you to be right but I still think a yes vote is probably the favourite at this stage. Hopefully the ex-junior and ex-SPFL clubs all vote against it and only another two no votes would be needed.

Any reason given for this?

Not sure on the exact details but it was 10-5 last for B teams to enter in 2023/24 with some clubs using the excuse of the Conference League threat to vote yes. Edit: 2022/23 was an 8-8 split "The secret ballot produced an 8-8 split, but the motion was carried thanks to Lowland League chairman Thomas Brown’s casting vote." https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/tranent-reveal-how-they-voted-after-lowland-league-accepts-celtic-hearts-and-rangers-b-teams-3723404

At least this has helped with youth development at Hearts as many youngsters have been given a chance after performing well for the B team. Oh, actually, basically none of them ever play.

Tommy Coyne didn't play for Hearts. Jim Hamilton must be up there. Dundee, Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Livingston, Motherwell and St. Mirren. Not sure if he actually played for Dundee in the Premier (possibly just the first) but definitely Premier with the rest.

Have licensing applications opened up again? Haven't heard any news for months. Any West teams possibly going for one?

Ah, yes perhaps they've simply moved leagues and are back to 0 games. Hell of a lot of games to catch up on in that case.

Notre Dame the eighth. The league is still going strong with 68 clubs so not facing challenges quite as big as the Saturday afternoon leagues.

Sorry to hear that. Was very hard to tell from the Twitter feed as no other details were given than the tweet above.

Whitburn v Dunipace abandoned in injury time.