FairWeatherFan

Ellon United & Stonehaven tend to get a shout as people see them has clubs that can grow. On the pitch pedigree wise they tend to be Super league level. But they'd need floodlights, cover, and who knows what else to get up to standard. So if you have some spare cash lying around, I doubt they'd mind getting a donation

I doubt they'd ever do a mid season split due to the difficulty in getting everyone to finish at the same time.

Even the possibility of it if the WoSFL champion is promoted. Especially this year with the Lowland League relegating 2-3 clubs instead of 1-2. But unless Gretna 2008 & Dalbeattie Star get classed as WoSFL clubs for relegation purposes. Its probably not going to be something to worry about for a while.

Nobody promoted to the Lowland League from the WoSFL, but a club or clubs come get relegated from the Lowland League.

Some seem to have aligned with existing youth clubs/teams so its just moving from one banner to another. Probably helps from the youth point of view as they can sell things as a pathway to first team/senior football and keep that pool of players together. EDIT: Maryhill came to mind as a club that had a public call for support not too long ago. They've linked up with an existing yfc.

Happy for the names and to see the one season attempt to rejig things. Has it been considered to follow the EoS model for the Conferences this season? Calling them First Division Conference A, B, C and a playoff for an overall First Division champion?

The one thing about that interview that did ring true was the diffculty North Juniors had gaining sponsors & funding. Namely those in Aberdeen. You've got the cluster in Aberdeen without much to differentiate themselves. A bit like the old EoSFL problem with so many Edinburgh based clubs. Then a lot of the Juniors outwith Aberdeen are playing second fiddle to existing Highland League sides in small towns/villages.

Can't be the case as Renfrew's New Western Park to Glasgow Airport is about the same distance as Dyce Juniors ground to Aberdeen Airport & New Western Park has lights. If anything there may be some extra steps due to being on a flight path but nothing stopping the construction & use of lights. I remember the podcast as well, which is why I found it noteworthy. Think it was only from a couple of months ago on Down the Divisions? To dismiss the idea that the airport would prevent them examples of floodlit pitches at Dyce Academy and Bucksburn have been used. Not knowing the area well i'm not sure where in Bucksburn that would be, but Dyce Academy does look to be at similar distance to the Juniors ground.

Last few years of the North of Scotland Cup aren't that great. 2019-20 Golspie Sutherland 0-9 Brora Rangers 2019-20 Wick Academy 5-2 Invergordon 2018-19 Ross County 7-1 Invergordon 2017-18 Wick Academy 0-0 Invergordon (Invergordon win 5-4 on penalties) 2017-18 Golspie Sutherland 2-3 Lossiemouth 2016-17 Tain St Duthus 0-9 Brora Rangers 2016-17 Golspie Sutherland 0-3 Rothes 2016-17 Fort William 3-0 Invergordon 2016-17 Halkirk United 0-3 Forres Mechanics

Pointed out on FN that Dyce need floodlights, since the Cup & Shield are midweek competitions. They must have plans in place ahead of the new season.

Last year there were some withdrawals or changes. It's a possibility and one they've tried to prevent by organising largely at a local level.

Bonnyton & Mid-Annandale presumably ended up in the larger Conference because they're experienced Development League sides not expected to fold during the season. They've previously managed the travel schedule of the all in Lowland/East/South Conferences and have shown they can handle the 15 long-ish distance away games. Whereas the clubs that have to travel to them only do it for a total of 2 games.

Hope that helps!

In fairness if they're a EK fan how much action do you think they would of seen of players at other clubs in different leagues? No different to how a Celtic fan tries to talk up a £2m punt on some random forward from abroad.

The last round of the SPFL Premiership is the weekend of May 15th. Typically the other SPFL playoffs start about two weeks before that? So you get the cascade effect due to the way the playoffs work that the HL/LL are having to finish before the end of April. The league can certainly finish in time with a complete 32 game schedule. If it starts on time. The LL Cup is just an end of season affair. With 17 clubs you just exclude the Champion rather than them skipping the competition. Maybe have the clubs avoid the Qualifying Cup and Southern Counties Cups. Then its just the Scottish and SCC to basically focus on during the league season.

It's this one from the Official Catch Up Starts around 8 minutes in. Basic gist. Early in the year the LL were asked to change the rule. They then included a rule amendment for the AGM for a vote of the membership. Considering the environment of the time SPFL playoff cancelled / the apparent pressure put on the LL, the inference was that the LL member weren't necessarily encouraged to pass the vote. But its a membership vote so nothing has been decided and who knows how it will go.

Cheers! In one of his podcast appearances George Fraser mentioned a vote(?) over the SPFL playoff boundary would take place at the LL AGM. In the updated rules the SPFL playoff section still has the same 56,4513N line as before. So it had me wondering.

The last LL playoff format lasted from 2014-15 until 2019-20 and only had the full scenario happen once. I doubt the new format will last as long as that and we'll see how many times the 3 team scenario happens. Any idea if this means the LL has had its AGM?

Dyce Juniors have become have become the latest North Junior to sign up to the Aberdeenshire & District FA. They've now got the option to compete in the Aberdeenshire Cup and Shield competitions, as well as the u20 league the ADFA run. Banks O'Dee and Aberdeen University are the other Junior clubs in a majority senior local FA. EDIT: And they will be fielding a u20 side. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dycejuniorsfc/news/we-have-joined-the-aberdeen--district-football-association-2546591.html

From the EoS Facebook page. Pyramid Restart Group UPDATE The Lowland/East/South/West Pyramid Restart group had its first Zoom meeting last week. The meeting was very worthwhile and progress has been made in our joint preparations for the expected restart of training and playing. The headlines are: Training and Playing We are hoping to restart training in August and playing from last Saturday in September or first Saturday in October. These are only indicative dates for now, they will be confirmed or otherwise in line with Scottish Government/ Scottish FA instructions. You will hear as soon as we have anything definite to tell you. Fixtures Outline plans are being drawn up and all Clubs will be asked to complete a Facility Survey to inform the schedule and capacity number for spectators, if and when these are allowed at games. We expect the survey to be ready by next weekend. Protocols These are being worked on for both training and playing and will be modified as the lockdown phases progress. They will be available as restrictions are modified, based on the information we receive. Scottish Football Association We have been in discussions and expressed our disappointment at the lack of information and practical support, including finance, for our semi-professional level of the game. We have a Zoom meeting with Ian Maxwell on Thursday 9 July. We will keep you posted on the outcome of these discussions. In the meantime, all clubs must continue to observe Scottish Government guidelines which means no training or matches can take place until formally advised. To do otherwise would be illegal, contravene a Scottish FA Board directive, not be covered by insurance and could result in disciplinary action, bring bad publicity and result in the restart at semi-professional level being further delayed. Pyramid Restart Group

from the EoSFL Facebook page. Pyramid Restart Group UPDATE The Lowland/East/South/West Pyramid Restart group had its first Zoom meeting last week. The meeting was very worthwhile and progress has been made in our joint preparations for the expected restart of training and playing. The headlines are: Training and Playing We are hoping to restart training in August and playing from last Saturday in September or first Saturday in October. These are only indicative dates for now, they will be confirmed or otherwise in line with Scottish Government/ Scottish FA instructions. You will hear as soon as we have anything definite to tell you. Fixtures Outline plans are being drawn up and all Clubs will be asked to complete a Facility Survey to inform the schedule and capacity number for spectators, if and when these are allowed at games. We expect the survey to be ready by next weekend. Protocols These are being worked on for both training and playing and will be modified as the lockdown phases progress. They will be available as restrictions are modified, based on the information we receive. Scottish Football Association We have been in discussions and expressed our disappointment at the lack of information and practical support, including finance, for our semi-professional level of the game. We have a Zoom meeting with Ian Maxwell on Thursday 9 July. We will keep you posted on the outcome of these discussions. In the meantime, all clubs must continue to observe Scottish Government guidelines which means no training or matches can take place until formally advised. To do otherwise would be illegal, contravene a Scottish FA Board directive, not be covered by insurance and could result in disciplinary action, bring bad publicity and result in the restart at semi-professional level being further delayed. Pyramid Restart Group

Got something almost exactly right. It is available for the Women's game.

Nobody uses public transport in this world where everyone can just "not go" then. Could of sworn there were people from pubs, football games and gyms using them while people were just going to work or the shops.

The concern of a second wave is based on opening up too early without adequate measures in place to prevent it. I hadn't noticed we'd returned to "normal" yet to test if a second wave will happen or not.

No idea. I think it has been said elsewhere the SFA AGM is sometime next week. Considering the circumstances, they might be waiting until after the SFA has had their AGM. EDIT to add: I will say, it should be difficult for them to include two relegated with possible third for 2020-21. Then rewrite the rules to go back to one relegated with possible second for 2021-22.