[There was a coo]

35 minutes ago, Aberdeen Cowden said:

It’s just getting worse and worse.

Poor mate very poor.

Cowdenbeath are following the unfortunate trend still that continues to haunt us over the years with one step forward ie EK win and two steps backwards.

Not good enough I'm afraid. We can hear all the good talking, philosophies all day long..... We have been here before, it's a results business and unfortunately we are not delivering results.

What's the answer I honestly don't know anymore especially given all the hard work, dedication, all the good taking and commitment that goes on behind the scenes from everyone but you then come away from games and results feeling really disillusioned.

 

 

[Lowland League General Discussion]

12 hours ago, craigiemack said:

Quite a lot of replies so ill try work through them. The main point is the pyramid is flawed and it will never work unless there is a mass resructuring, which in turn would never be voted through. At the end of the day the inbalance between north and south will never create a fluid pyramid.

If there is going to be no change in relegation from SPFL2 then i'd like the LL to be either 14/16 teams with 3 going down. It would still mean a lot fo the league are playing for nothing but would surely open up more teams to the prospect of relegation. As shown in the table this season with the tightness of the mid table teams. 3 Champion Clubs going up. Preferably though the SofS goes to Tier 7 and the 2nd place in the East and West play off for the 3rd promotion spot. Again though this will never happen because clubs won't vote for more relegation.

My radical change for the pyramid would be for the HL and LL to be replaced by 4 leagues of 12 at Tier 5. A HL, Midlands and Fife, East and West. 2 relegation spots from SPFL2 with a playoff winner from HL/Fife and East/West going up. Perhaps if SPFL2 was increased to 12 then you could have a play off place playing the 2 losers. That way its more localised, particularly in the Highland 'area' and if there was ever a disparity in teams the Falkirk/Stirling/West Lothian/South Fife teams could easily move about leagues to solve this. 

But nothing will ever change. The SPFL clubs are never going to vote for increased relegation and neither are the LL clubs. The extra hundred fans teams get at Colts games will be enough for them to keep voting them in and eventually when one of them wins the league I would not be surprised if for an extra 5k the rules are changed to grant them the right to promotion. I'm seriously at the point where i wouldn't mind getting relegated this season to just get out the LL, its an absolute stain on fitbaw in Scotland - I'm sure Berwick and Cowden fans will eventually begin leaning the same way. 

 

Certainly don't wish to be relegated as this would put a return to the SPFL out of reach even further on what is already a difficult task.

My personal view is the Lowland League needs refreshed, attracting sponsorship etc. If all clubs etc are doom and gloom about the Lowland League then it's never going to succeed or be somewhere enjoyable. Fan's should engage with their clubs to propose ideas/feedback and maybe clubs will take forward those ideas with Lowland League official colleagues.

Things never improve moaning,being speculative things improve when people are proactive and take a hands on approach and do something about it or try to influence.

Send your change idea/proposal off outlining the benefits etc. You never know.

I think at this level fans should have more involvement with the direction of the league as at the end of the day it's fans that keep clubs going and the league in operation especially in the lower leagues. Perhaps as well as directors leagues bodys should have fan representative for each Lowland League SPFL club etc. Would be great for communitues they serve too 

Come back to me in a few seasons to see if I'm still a glass half full.

[There was a coo]

What a result. Well done to the team.

Surely a massive confidence booster and hopefully inspires them in the sense of If you can beat the league leaders away from home then you are capable of beating anyone in the league.

Onwards and upwards

Berwick 0 Cowdenbeath 3 here we come 

 

 

[There was a coo]

6 minutes ago, Cowden316 said:

Fingers crossed. Certainly for the club to succeed It's going to require continued hard work both on and off the park. The club has never needed as much support as it does now.

Certainly improvements but unfortunately not the start to the season we would have liked.

Need to focus on the here and now though and look forward. Continuing to get better each game then some momentum hopefully.

I do think which would come down to finances to fund prize money that the SPFL should create an SPFL National League Conference 5th Tier consisting of 24 clubs with two automatic promotions to League 2 and a playoff place for third. 

Unlikely to be voted through but the more clubs that come down other clubs may accept this as a further cushion as a lot of clubs will be pulled through the trapdoor eventually to the Lowland and Highland 

 

 

[There was a coo]

1 minute ago, monthecoo said:

I think it was a decent performance today against the Olympic diving team. I have messaged Tom Daley to ask if he needs a new synchronised diving partner as #7 Dishington and #6 Armstrong showed some beautiful repeated diving techniques tonight.

As I said we looked much better against more competent opposition than we ever have this season. Overall, a win for them was probably a fair result just and no more. We could have easily have had a draw tonight, sadly just did not have the clinical edge that was needed.

I would like to say I thought Danny Farrell was fantastic tonight. He kept us in the match and almost saved the winning goal. The team and the performances have certainly improved so credit to Maurice. We will pick up points against the lower half quite often if we continue this level of performance from the last two games. I feel we are a bit away from grinding out results against more competent teams like tonight on a consistent basis. But I feel we can get to this level with Maurice with time and long-term strategy to fund the club similar to Spartans setup.

Come on the Cowden.

 

Fingers crossed. Certainly for the club to succeed It's going to require continued hard work both on and off the park. The club has never needed as much support as it does now.

Certainly improvements but unfortunately not the start to the season we would have liked.

 

[There was a coo]

8 minutes ago, PELE said:

Sadly, I think East Stirlingshire are a future version of us. When the parachute money stops, surely we will struggle. Without someone pumping money in it is hard to compete, even at this level.

Yes that is what I fear too. Definitely need to change our model and look at ways to how we operate in a sustainable but also competitive way to road map/blueprint a way back to the SPFL.

We need strong leadership,vision and Business acumen and strong football knowledge  to get us back to the SPFL with a lot of support as like the board have found they can't be expected to do this alone it needs a lot of people to help.

Hopefully the foundations are starting to be laid for this process which I understand things are happening behind the scenes.

[There was a coo]

1 minute ago, cowdenbeath said:

It was always going to be hard starting from scratch.

My thoughts - some of the early recruitment wasn’t great but the manager has obviously seen that as well and managed to move a few on.

More recently recruitment has been better with the likes of Ruddy (although Danny has been doing well and kept him out), Love, Slaven, Lyon and Davidson.

Think if we had them at the start we would have been a bit better placed.

We are at the stage when we can beat the sides around us as you say.

Thought we done alright tonight against a top six side and hit both the post and bar.

We certainly competed better against a higher side tonight than we were doing at the start.

Its small steps but we seem to be making a little bit of progress.

I believe that you get half of the parachute payment in your second season.

Its something that we will just have to get on with but you would expect to be building a whole new squad next summer.

Yeah certainly completing with teams better and definitely deserved something tonight which probably made things even more frustrating.

Hopefully the players can keep the hard work going as business as usual and take a good game to EK on Saturday.

[There was a coo]

Can't really comment on all the game as only really seen the game from second half.

A very frustrating game to watch tonight and a very poor goal to lose.

We were probably if being fair to the team deserved a draw after hitting the crossbar and Spartans also appeared to get all the decisions.

7 defeats in 12 games If we are brutally being honest is a horrific start if we have ambitions to succeed as a football club. 

My concern is unfortunately it appears that we can only defeat and draw with the teams below us so far which is very very poor considering the potential threat of further relegation and this league will get stronger as years come and go.

Concerned also this is a team albeit in early infancy with an SPFL parachute payment lying 15th. What type of team will be mustered when there is no parachute payment would be my concern.

A critical but balanced post but I and everyone connected with Cowdenbeath surely deserve and expect better than our poor start to the Lowland League season?

Hopefully Lowland League structure improves as if I'm being honest I have lost interest in this season already as nothing to really play for unless dragged into the bottom or a miraculous winning streak is formed.

Only thing keeping me going is the care and love for the club 

[There was a coo]

2 hours ago, Cowdenleith said:

Yeah, the lounge could maybe be used to drive some additional income.

I went in for a drink Saturday and was pleasantly surprised that there were a couple of groups enjoying the hospitality, maybe 15-20 people. 

Not sure if that’s typical for a Saturday game, if so, it leaves some room for other fans but not a huge amount of space.

£3 for a bottle of Peroni was more than reasonable (used to Edinburgh prices ), and there were quite a few people buying drinks.

Some sort of deal that is priced lower than the regular hospitality, but without taking the risk of taking business away from the existing hospitality  income stream might work.  Say, £20 for entrance, a couple of bottles and a programme (wasn’t impressed with the £3 pie on Saturday from the hut, that’s why I said programme )

If there are games when there are not much in the way of hospitality bookings, you could advertise it in advance, as you know there would be more space to spread out in the lounge. And I agree,  if you could entice a former player along before the game in the lounge now and again, and advertise it, might get some people along.

 

 

The Club 135 for this season I thought was incredibly good value in addition to season ticket purchase.

£135 and you get a programme, pie/hot drink in the lounge at half time and free admission for all home cup games plus a £25 drink's voucher.

This could grow and develop further probably If there was more interest. 

It needs something that is continually sustainable as you need someone to run the bar etc

The more people that use the bar even if it's just one prior to the game and one after the better matchday experience for fans.

It would be good to see more fans using the bar prior to kickoff and especially at full time where some players come up and can then engage with fans creating that important positive link with fans and players.

 

[There was a coo]

Great overall team performance yesterday for the whole 90 minutes.

Davo has been an excellent addition and Carlos yesterday looks like they have potential.

 

[There was a coo]

The club appointments are fantastically matched to the skills and strengths of the individuals.

Know them all personally really well and worked closely with a few during my volunteering years with the club.

Alex will be key with engaging with the community with his community experience and will be interesting to see how that develops.

Nelly passionate, ambitious, gives 100%, knowledgeable, contacts, can get selling the club well attracting new players and past players to help with fundraising i.e fundraising match and breathes the club all good qualities to set the club in a new direction and keep it's existence.

Craig. His professional experience and approach/contacts I am sure will be a good addition to the board whilst also providing fresh thinking in the boardroom.

1 or 2 more additions with similar qualities to freshen the board up more might... might just help take this crazy little club of ours forward whilst working closely with the existing experienced and loyal board members.

[There was a coo]

5 minutes ago, Blue Oktober said:

On a personal level delighted to see your appointment your effort and commitment is, and especially more recently has been above and beyond. 

Spot on Sir 

[There was a coo]

Sigh.

Let's be honest here 10 games into the Lowland League 6 defeats and two wins is really disappointing and quite bluntly unacceptable.

We must do better. Other games though to be fair we deserved to take more points i.e RangersB,Tranent Hearts B

Again like previous seasons we are being propped up by poorer teams thankfully.

Big game Saturday to ensure we keep as far away from the lower end of the table as much as possible.

How did we play tonight?

Well done to Stirling Uni who have got off to a terrific start to the league season.

We need someone in to support the club or Intel on who knows the Lowland League inside and out as clearly we are struggling to compete in terms of winning games or the players are taking time to adjust and continue to develop as the season progresses with experience.

4th bottom in the Lowland League is far from inspiring but it is what it is and we move on, dust ourselves down and look to support the team to win on Saturday.

Rant over but only because I care as does everyone else connected to the club or working for the club.

Marathon not a sprint as they say so hopefully things will start to click soon 

[There was a coo]

51 minutes ago, cowdenbeath said:

He always seemed to do well in Germany, glad that some British club has given him a chance.

Best of luck to him 

[There was a coo]

5 hours ago, Only coo in the village said:

In that case  I owe you an apology and I’m sorry. Thought it was yourself but it was probably someone who was at the game. I will delete the post. 

No problem and thank you.

[There was a coo]

11 hours ago, Only coo in the village said:

Sounds like you deleted your comment when we were 2-0 down about Cowden being a team of disorganised and clueless young boys, with  Ross shouting meaningless instructions from the touch line. 

I think you have got me mixed up with someone else, I didn't post that?

That was somebody else that posted that. I noticed someone had taken their post down too

Think whoever posted it realised perhaps maybe their comments were harsh when the team managed to get the game back to two two.

 

 

[There was a coo]

40 minutes ago, Brazilianlex said:

Mango gave his all for Cowden and will do for Tranent. 
If his team mates last season had given the same effort, we wouldn’t be in the Lowland league.

Correct 

[There was a coo]

29 minutes ago, cowdenbeath said:

Lost two poor goals in the first half., although a Gilmartin free kick flew in but the linesman ruled it out for someone who no one saw infringing the keeper.

Good second half Sinky made no mistake with his penalty plenty of power in it.

As the half went on we looked likely to get an equaliser with Gilmartin hitting the bar.

Aidens luck eventually changed and he scored in 89 minutes.

Two minutes later Mango headed home although he may have fouled Farrell.

Got caught out in 90+5 as everyone pressed forward and Tranent broke away to score against.

Farrell was then sent off as he gave the ref his opinion on Mangos earlier goal.

A harsh defeat and a draw would have been a fair outcome.

Sounds like game could have went either way then if decisions went our way.

[There was a coo]

Looks like a sucker punch today from looking at the live updates.

Sounds like they done really well to get it all square in the 90th minute coming back from two nil down but conceding two goals in stoppage time disappointing.

 

[There was a coo]

1 hour ago, cowdenbeath said:

It’s 5 years on since he was Cowden manager, far more experienced in coaching and management since then.

He was probably far too young and inexperienced to be a manager back then.

I can remember a young manager getting sacked after 4 months or so , his name Dick Campbell who has done not bad since then.

Good point.

 

Fox's appointment at Cowdenbeath probably gave him a good foundation to learn from that experience.

 

Clearly it's went in favour for his development and fair play and good luck to him at Dundee Utd. Big club who are currently underachieving.

 

[There was a coo]

Game day.

Hopefully a couple of more fans than usual since we finally have a win under our belt.

Another win today would raise confidence levels further and help towards a much better league position.

The thing with this league is it's a shame there is not a major sponsorship to help contribute to prize money as I'm sure there isn't any?

The Lowland League definitely needs more continued fresh thinking to help clubs financially for new and existing clubs who play an important role and serve their communities as at this level financial income streams are limited i.e no big attendances, rarely likely to push on in the Scottish cup and draw the likes of Rangers and hindered with the amount of midweek Lowland League games which taking into account the energy rise prices may put further pressure on small clubs to put floodlights on etc 

 

[There was a coo]

A wins a win and that's all that mattered tonight.

The win will hopefully raise confidence levels in the dressing room and hopefully same again on Saturday.

Great to come out of Central Park smiling tonight.

Key as always although it's not been a pretty start to the season by any stretch of the imagination from some of our games we must continue to support the club/our club and hopefully foundations set for the year's ahead. 

I was later into the game and we were winning by the time I got there maybe I should try the same on Saturday 

 

 

[There was a coo]

1 hour ago, NELLY 1 said:

Scotty usually only 10 to 15 mins but usually a security guard there to talk too and get in.. 

Cheers Nelly 

[There was a coo]

Anyone know how long turnstiles are open for after kickoff on Tuesday night please?

Not going to be able the game until about 20 minutes later.

[Lowland League General Discussion]

Personally speaking I totally agree with comments for Lowland League games taking place on a Saturday.

This surely would provide more likelihood of better local economy benefits, potential better revenue streams for clubs i.e hospitality as opposed to midweek clashes and also much more potential engagement of younger children attending games as 7:45pm midweek on a school night will be too late.

I really don't understand why there is so many midweek Lowland League fixtures especially when many of these clubs and their communities would probably benefit Saturday fixtures as highlighted above.