Born To Run

I chose it deliberately - like you say, the reason we have so many at national level is because more of us attend matches regularly, hence no issues.

The South Challenge Cup is the premier cup in the Lowland, with the final still to come. This thread has quickly descended into “our crowd/prize money is bigger than yours”. Totally irrelevant.

At the risk of going against the grain here, I think Gordon makes a decent point - it does seem a little odd for a country of our population to have this many sides at “national” rather than “regional“ level. If we were starting a totally new structure without limits, chances are less clubs would find themselves at a “national” level. However, there are no complaints about travel from any SPFL clubs that I’m aware of, so no issue exists. Lord knows the last thing we need are more problems for the negotiations ahead!

I naturally can't say exactly who has told me, but it's a board member from a West Junior side. Just preliminary talks happening for now, but according to him several sides are putting the feelers out and making plans just in case.

That's my article! Thanks for sharing it. Seems to have picked up a fair bit of interest so far. I'm still amazed at how many people don't know that football exists below the SPFL...

I'll be along to a game or three next season, just a bus ride away! Congrats on joining the EoS.

I'd expect tomorrow. The league promised an official statement this weekend...

I see Armadale are back making friends...

There's not a 'need' for it, but I suspect the SJFA would prefer to keep itself in existence so was thinking what could be achieved realistically.

I feel like this thread is getting sidetracked again (no surprising given that we're about to find out what's going on with the EoS). You'll probably tell from my posts that I'm firmly behind an all-inclusive pyramid coming in. However, until recently I'd only read views and opinions from the senior side of the fence, so the last couple of months I've made a conscious effort to hear from the junior side as well (both pro and anti pyramid). Is it just me, or is there a basic, simple principle that would allow TJ and the SJFA to deliver what has been promised, appeasing both sides in the grade? Stick with me, I'll not bore everyone with another "fantasy pyramid". Let's go with some key points instead: Form a new West of Scotland league at tier 6, alongside the East of Scotland. Offer Junior & SoS sides the chance to apply for the WoS and EoS, subject to the following criteria... Demand that all tier 6 clubs commit to obtaining a license within 2 years. If not, they immediately drop down... ...to the Junior leagues which slot in at Tier 7 and below (the North has nothing at Tier 6, allowing the Highland to go Premier/Division 1 if it gets too bloated). Any remaining sides (SoS, Glasgow Uni etc) join the Juniors at an appropriate level. Teams winning the top Junior leagues can decline promotion if not committing to a club license, in which case the next placed side can go up. This way, the "smaller" clubs in the existing pyramid drop to a more suitable level in the Junior ranks, the SJFA can continue to run their leagues exactly as they do now (albeit with less teams overall), the sides wanting to progress upwards can either jump to tier 6 or earn promotion and those wanting to stay put can do so as well. Too many sides in the WoS or EoS? Run 2 regional divisions at the same level. It's not perfect, but it gives a basis to start negotiations and see what happens - while allowing the SJFA to remain intact within the setup as a whole. There should also be an agreed commitment from all involved to explore a 3 region setup at Tier 5 in the years ahead, once everything settles down.

Court is not going to come into this. The SJFA are putting forward a proposal to join the pyramid, which will be debated and negotiated, we’ll either get agreement or nothing will change. As it’s the SJFA driving this process now, and they are looking to join existing structures, it’ll be like it or lump it in the end.

Hmm...I wonder if we’re going to go from 14 “immediate” EoS applicants to a sizeable number of deferred applications tonight.

From the EoS forum, it seems to be LTHV are one of them. Might be the case that they pip Kelty to the title after tonight's result too!

I'm delighted - means we're guaranteed a final day shootout at Kelty no matter what!

I'd assume the logic is they want to unveil a possible integration proposal in the summer. Given this, it would be prudent to pause any applications until a basis of agreement is reached, and if the licensing scheme itself may change (might see the available funding etc drop if a potential flurry of applications is coming down the line for one example).

A thoroughly common sense message from Andrew McKinlay. No-where do they say the Juniors will jump in at the same level as the Eos/Sos, and it's clear they want any roadmap agreed by the time next season starts. Emphasis very much mine on the 2 key phrases, this will have little impact on the Junior sides moving over to the Eos and pursuing their licenses. I suspect TJ is clutching at straws re his best possible outcome...

Anyone got a link to confirmation of this embargo, or any changes for that matter? Cheers!

Common sense dictates that you leave some weeks blank for postponements/rescheduling. With the winter weather we had it's a minor miracle that only LTHV have struggled to get over the line in time. I completely understand Carnoustie and other Tayside club's issues with the direction of travel. What I don't understand is the 'bitter' side of things where EoS applicants are being called selfish, only interested in money etc...how dare these clubs have ambition and want to improve their facilities, and thereby overall offering (inc youth)? Baffling.

I hope they don't bottle the other 2 games, because I (and many others I'm sure) would love to come through and see a title decider next week!

Hats off to Lothian - with the slate of games they had this week, that's an incredible result! It all comes down to the final game then...

The EGM to vote on new members is next Thursday, expect a statement then (or on the Friday).

Has TJ seriously only sent this e-mail to the prospective leavers? Talk about a desperate last-ditch attempt to save his own skin... Possibly no coincidence that we've seen Bonnyrigg and Haddington confirm their EoS intentions over the last day or so.

http://www.camelonjuniors.co.uk/chairmans-update/ Interesting thoughts contained in here around other East clubs applying for EoS entry next year...essentially confirms the figures many in this thread have used of 14/15 Junior applications.

I’d be very surprised if any League 2 relegated side went bust going forward. There’s the parachute payment for one, and you still get Betfred Cup groups the next preseason with at least 1 premier side to earn cash from. Cloth obviously needs to be cut accordingly, but if a club goes to the wall it will be as a result of previous financial mismanagement rather than the drop itself. Shire fans I’ve spoken to have enjoyed being a competitive outfit the last couple of years! I’d peg them as definite challengers next time, no doubt more enjoyable a season in prospect than what the fans used to endure.