stanley

I think we need to move past the discussion of who is to blame for the way the pyramid was implemented (personally, I don't think any one party is to blame; there is no easy answer and it's a combination of many factors) and find a way to move forward into an integrated pyramid set-up.

In an ideal world, there would be a Highland League, Lowland League West and Lowland League East. As that seems unlikely any time soon, I'd like to see (at some point), them forming some kind of Lowland League Division One West and East where they invite applications from clubs. There would be some kind of licensing rule (although maybe something which gives clubs a year or so to gain a licence) and the leagues would slot in below the Lowland League. You'd get any of the East/South of Scotland clubs who have a licence/potential to get one and who are actually interested in the pyramid joining along with juniors and any other interested clubs. Whatever remains could stay as the East/South of Scotland Leagues below that (the majority of clubs in both leagues would probably stay where they are anyway; particularly in the South of Scotland League). Of course, all of that would depend on clubs actually applying from the juniors but it would be one way of avoiding clubs having to work their way through the East/South Leagues (and potentially two divisions of the EoS League longer term) and could let a group of juniors join at once and retain their rivalries/general standard of football. Not expecting it any time soon but could work one day down the line.

Clydebank would surely go to the South of Scotland league? East of Scotland League would be harder with Lothian Thistle (and Kelty Hearts if they fail to win the league this season).

Full-strength LTHV team? Seems like a very strange result.

Disappointing that some people aren't able to debate the topic without descending into insults. Not a lot of credibility left for someone in a discussion after making those types of comments.

And it would soon become a league full of junior clubs if the junior leagues were tagged on. Most of the teams in the league currently would fall to a lower level.

Yes, why?

Definitely not a guaranteed league win for Kelty Hearts. Lothian Thistle HV have already beaten them in the Scottish Cup this season (and a couple of seasons ago too).

Any word on interest from junior clubs? Bo'ness seem pretty keen judging by the statement a few months ago.

Is anything being done about trying to get a ground in Glasgow long-term?

I'm not really in favour of teams groundsharing to get a licence but wouldn't LTHV consider groundsharing to gain promotion to the Lowland League? There are already a few teams in the Lowland League without a ground of their own. Civil Service and Edinburgh Uni both have licensed grounds so they could be options to share with. If they got into the Lowland League then it would help them financially as well as help them keep their best players and they could try to bring Saughton Park up to licensing standards in the meantime. The issue at the moment is that you could potentially see an unlicensed team like LTHV regularly winning the league and preventing promotion for other teams. They should really let the highest licensed team get promoted (as long as they finish in, say, the top three) but I'm sure that it won't happen any time soon.

It was reported that he turned down Livingston in December 2015.

Sounds very promising. I'm glad they are pushing for more promotion spots. One down from a league of 16 is not enough (although there has been no need for more relegation spots so far due to the lack of licensed clubs; hopefully that changes). Certainly seems like Bo'ness could apply next season which would be great for the league and the pyramid in general.

Any other new clubs like Duns?

If the move does happen then good luck to everyone at Kelty Hearts. It will be great to see a successful juniors side move across and it will be exciting to see how they progress. I hope they can do very well and set an example for any other junior clubs that might be interested in moving in the future. Out of interest, how has Craig Thomson done at Kelty? And Stephen Husband, actually. I'm assuming this is simply a case of the move being approved at the East of Scotland League AGM but I understand if you're not wanting to give too much away.

Looks like Kelty will be joining the East of Scotland League: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBdxdGGXYAAgJ8m.jpg:large They explored the possibility of running two teams (one in juniors; one in seniors) but they've opted for one team only and in the East of Scotland League. "If we get ratified and accepted I would fully expect Kelty Hearts to be an East of Scotland League club next season".

Off to the juniors?

According to a post in the Kelty Hearts thread, they will release a statement after Saturday about their future. Should be interesting. Got to wonder if that means a statement saying they are moving to the East of Scotland League. Waiting until after their last match of the season could well suggest that they're waiting until they finish the junior season before announcing they are leaving. Otherwise, I'd assume they'd announce it sooner that they are staying to avoid uncertainty.

I don't think any clubs have left the league and returned in recent years (apart from maybe a reserves side like Berwick). Duns left in the 70s and a new Duns came back a few years ago. There's talk of them returning again but I don't think it would be fair to say that clubs regularly come and go as they please. Much more likely to happen in the juniors with clubs going into abeyance for a season and returning. Kelty would presumably be certainties to be accepted because of their ground, facilities etc. That's if they have definitely applied; we will find in the next couple of weeks with the AGM.

Seems like it's pretty certain now that they're moving (judging by the various posts online; obviously not a fact yet though). I don't think anyone could have predicted a big junior club to move like this at the start of this season. Game changer.

Hopefully Preston will do well in the East of Scotland League but good to see a team being relegated. Second bottom in 2015 and 2016 (ahead of Threave both times) and last this season. Just need to get LTHV, Leith and Tynecastle licensed and we could see some regular promotion/relegation between the leagues. Heriot-Watt did pretty well this year as well...I wonder if they could get licensed with the new Oriam? Interesting to see what will happen with Wigtown/St. Cuthbert/Threave should they win the league next season and no East team is licensed. In future seasons, if a north team is relegated from League Two to the Highland League and a Lowland League team wins the playoffs and is promoted, would they simply have no relegation from the Lowland League? One team up from the East/South and no teams down?

Where has it been said that they are having their licences withdrawn? I don't think it would be possible to remove the licences of clubs in the north. They have no possible access to the Highland League no matter how much they want it (Banks O'Dee obviously applied and I'd guess that Golspie aren't interested). You can't exactly strip a club of its licence for not being committed to the pyramid when there is no pyramid in the north at all. Glasgow Uni could simply be told to join the South of Scotland League or lose it. I don't, however, think that Glasgow Uni joining the South of Scotland League would be particularly viable when they are based in Airdrie and all of the other clubs are in Dumfries & Galloway. I know that Edusport moved to Annan to participate in the league but it's a bit different when Glasgow Uni's team consists of students in Glasgow.

I'm totally against the idea or colt teams in the pyramid. It might help my own side, Hearts, but that doesn't change my opinion. I think the benefits to the colt teams is questionable anyway. I think it would be better with no reserve teams in the East/South leagues but it's not a pressing matter right now. Stirling Uni aren't winning the league and preventing other teams being promoted and they also aren't taking the place of a first team (there are only 11 teams in the league so plenty of space for more). The colt idea seems to me like an excuse to get the Old Firm colt teams into the league and I'd be surprised if those running the game care much beyond that.

It would be great to see a big junior club like Kelty Hearts join the East of Scotland League next season but it's hard to see it happening. Not impossible but it'd be a big step for them to take. If only one big club does it then it's not a huge risk as it should be a fairly easy route up to the Lowland League. If a few did it at once then things would get a lot more complicated. Anyone know when the AGM is or when applications need to be made by?

My main issue with them is simply that they have no recognised hometown. Their name has nothing to do with any town either. Therefore, they really have no chance of ever building any support. The concept seems quite interesting actually (whether or not that concept is suitable for the Lowland League and potentially promotion to the SPFL is another matter for debate). The way the system is right now, they should be promoted and it's better that they come up than other South of Scotland League clubs which are allegedly desperate to avoid promotion. Also, I think it's important to have the weaker Lowland League teams relegated as well. Very important to have regular movement between the leagues and have the teams finishing bottom relegated. It will be interesting to see how they perform. I wonder what the reaction would be like in the future if they were ever to be promoted to League Two? That could get very interesting...