Stag Nation

In a sane world, yes.

Or both?

I agree, but could a new league afford to take legal action? Even the SJFA's famous £500k wouldn't get them far once the lawyers are involved. Come to think about it, doesn't the same apply to the Juniors' reinstatement fees?

They also have a big lever in the shape of player registration: anyone playing in the "outside" could effectively be banned from any SFA-affiliated competition (and in any FIFA member country), so no career progression available. I also wouldn't underestimate the task of recruiting and training referees.

The only body punishing them will be the WRJFA, if they pursue their "all in" agenda and leave the "remainers" without a league to play in. That needn't be a disaster. Forming a new league isn't difficult, and they would probably be welcomed as "Juniors" by the SJFA, who would be glad of a few new members.

Won't he do what he thinks is best for the club? it's not the same thing.

Maybe make it subject to an IQ test for the committees.

I also agree. I don't see why the guy needs totally to sever his association with the club. His past service should be honoured and he should be encouraged to contribute at an appropriate level. The wider problem, with all "voluntary" organisations, is that people who put in stalwart service at a low level tend to be rewarded with promotion to higher and higher positons , for which they are not always fitted. I don't know the answer. BTW if I'm wrong and the offending statement wasn't his own, but was agreed by the committee, then they all need to resign.

It's hardly nitpicking. He issued a statement - in the club's name - full of what can charitably be described as inaccuracies. Less charitably, lies. He had to go. I'd like to think his fellow committee members told him so.

If the club pays the fine for the player, then that is a taxable benefit. I trust that is all being declared ...

The annual fee is minimal (about £50, I can't be bothered looking it up). However, that is kept artificially low by charging fines, reinstatements, permits, etc.

And if that happened, we'd never get to the World Cup finals. Oh, hang on ...

Anybody who bases a club’s business plan on winning a KO competition needs his head examined. Short-term, it’s very risky (see Rangers’ 2012 European failure and subsequent liquidation). Long-term, even more so.

We were discussing the choice facing clubs, i.e. whether to join the new WoSFL or to remain in whatever is left of the junior league. Do you believe that all will be compelled to move, with no choice?

If the alleged compromise involves adopting the West Junior structure (possibly with some others slotted in), then for some clubs the choice may be between stayng Junior or going to Tier 9! Or have I misunderstood?

Turning the question round, would the leagues need the SJFA? I'm sure a 10- or 12-team West Lothian league could easily administer its own discipline, at no cost and without fines. And without contributing to TJ's salary.

Won't it still have the North Juniors, plus any junior leagues that evolve from Tayside and West Lothian?

The English FA abolished the distinction between amateur and professional in the 1970s.

I suspect you know the answer!

It'll probably be worth a lot less now after the recent share price collapse.

In Northern Ireland, an agreement was essential. No agreement is necessary here. If talks fail, those clubs joining the WOSFL will go their way, and any others will still be Junior, just like in the East. Simples.

Agreed, there is no issue with them applying for and joining the new league. The issue arises if they want to keep SJFL membership and/or play in the Junior Cup, which some people seem to think is important. It was suggested that this was part of the "compromise". I was merely pointing out that so far as I can see no-one on the Junior side has the power to agree to that.

But the second point would need a change in the constitution, which no one has the power to agree. It would need a majority vote at a GM.

Because the SFA stopped football at all levels, and the English FA hasn't. The decision to close down was made by the EPL and EFL, not the FA.

Under the SJFA constitution, if the clubs remain junior then (a) they need permission to join another league or association, and (b) that league or association must be subject to SJFA rules. The latter is never going to happen. The SJFA may chnge their constitution to oblige, but I wouldn't rely on it.