FairWeatherFan

Even if ICT apply, I don't see them getting accepted. It's probably more worth while to the HFL to ride out the year at 17 clubs, see if Cove or Elgin are relegation candidates and if there's any applicants from outside the pyramid.

Depending on how they decide the Conferences you could have something like this:

16 team EoS Premier and Conferences below. The SPFL play-off doesn't change the plan the EoS has had all season. Just effects the numbers in the Conferences.

It's clear that there are a people that read the forum. I just don't think that effect is significant enough to influence changes. Nobody is about to start ripping up league formats based on what gets talked about on here.

By the way I am in no way saying the rule is clear cut. The rule's a mess and that's why I asked if 14th could get relegated back when Selkirk went under. The LL Secretary came back and said that B4 b) relating to "second bottom" could still apply meaning 14th could get relegated. Since September, the LL have obviously gotten together challenged that interpretation and decided there's no way that 14th could get relegated. Club statement saying they're in the Lowland League next season. Lowland League match previews saying they're safe. Newspaper quotes saying they're safe. If "second bottom" cannot be relegated then B4 b) cannot be used to relegate the "bottom club". Which leads you back to the main body of B4 where "bottom" can only be relegated by a licensed Tier 6 champion.

It's not one or the other, it's the combination of both. Applications and promotion/relegation are equal to each other with neither given greater precedence. Through promotion and relegation they're going to reach 16 members again. So there's no vacancy to apply for.

Right now there's only real one club that can apply for the Highland League this close season: Banks O'Dee. The problem with that is they've said they're not applying. Within the rest of the Juniors and NCL you've only got Golspie Sutherland who are licensed but don't have floodlights. So worryingly, you might see ICT reserves try and get in. Hopefully with a year for clubs and the league to consider the situation we might see some changes in the North.

Officially either in a LL Board meeting or LL meeting. Publicly? They don't have to say anything on the matter. You've got the posts on the forum from LL affiliated posters and Dalbeattie are publicly announcing their plans for next season's Lowland League https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dalbeattiestarfc/news/club-statement-2422706.html The rule around bottom and second bottom being relegated is only used "In order to maintain a membership of sixteen clubs".

In deciding that Dalbeattie Star cannot be relegated, then Rule B4 b) doesn't apply and Whitehill Welfare cannot be relegated by Berwick getting relegated. They can only get relegated by a licensed Tier 6 champion.

Bonnyrigg are the only ones who are waiting on promotion. And the original poster mentioned future applications - this won't be an issue for future applications. Bonnyrigg applied on 26th October. On the 22nd November they were told they would be audited on 12th December. Then received the 2019 criteria changes on 11th December. SFA licensing runs by the calendar year not by the football calendar. Going to say that no one is ever going to apply for an application within a similar time frame?

They've reached 16 with Berwick Rangers (likely) getting relegated and nobody promoted. There is no vacancy.

216 - Northern Football League Division One 135 - Lowland League 101 - Northern Football League Division Two

Why would it set a precedent? No other club is going to apply before having the goalposts shifted after their application was made and their fee was paid? The SFA shouldn't (and surely aren't allowed to) change their rules halfway through a process. Right this very minute there are a bunch of clubs that don't currently have floodlights that were also rejected. Bonnyrigg aren't alone in this.

The bottom club are only relegated if there is a licensed Tier 6 champion = there isn't. So bottom club isn't relegated. The additional rules for relegation only take place if they end up with a number other than 16 members. With Berwick joining the LL 15 that's exactly 16 members. So B4a and B4b don't apply. The only hope now is that Bonnyrigg can get licensed and accepted as a licensed Tier 6 champion and Whitehill don't fight relegation.

We'd basically know where everyone was going to be for 2019/20 if it hadn't been for the Lowland League okaying the extension on the licensing situation. Now there's a little bit of doubt which would just mean a straight swap of Bonnyrigg and Whitehill.

No vacancy could well split how supportive the LL might be to Bonnyrigg trying to reverse their licencing decision. By the way after the EoS board meeting the other week has any proposals been sent round to the clubs for changes to be voted on ahead of the AGM? Seeded Conferences at Tier 7, King Cup for Tier 7 and the like?

Is there a particular reason it'd take till Nov/Dec to be re-audited?

Not entirely sure Bonnyrigg and any others should be basing an appeal or challenge on a derogation on the 2019 criteria. In Bonnyrigg's own statement they say they have a planning application in, but don't yet have permission. So while they can physically and financially install floodlights this close season, Bonnyrigg and the SFA are dependent on a 3rd party granting them permission to do so. That's something that may never be granted, but in accepting a derogation the SFA have set a precendent that opens them up to future applications that don't meet all the criteria. Think that's why the Gala poster came in to say the SFA take a very black and white decision on these matters. Any challenge should be on the moratorium set by an interim Chief Exec and the February SFA Board meeting being cancelled delaying proceedings a further 3 months, preventing clubs meeting the criteria in time for the 2019/20 season.

Under the membership section of the league constitution there is nothing like that.

Until the Cove/Berwick playoff wraps up nobody really knows what will be required.

It was never needed that often either. However, at the start of this season they made midweek kick offs fixed to some time after 7pm (7.15, 7.30 or 7.45 can't remember which one). You could see that as nudging clubs in the direction of getting their own lights.

The nominated ground is what the LL do just now. Unfortunately, it's the SFA that are making it mandatory for licensing.

Oh I agree the whole thing is farcical. In terms of existing members I think they were roughly told a deadline when the 2019 changes were emailed round. There was the whole fuss of existing members getting the deadline and new applications have to meet 2019 rules. But officially I don't think anyone has a derogation for floodlights yet, because they haven't been audited under 2019 rules.

It has been pointed out to me that while they had their last review in December, it doesn't mean that's when they were audited etc. One of the reasons December audits were carried out under 2019 rules was because they were reviewed by the LC in February.

North Super League winner still gets Scottish Cup entry like the other Regions top leagues.