Robert James

North Caley club Inverness Athletic has announced a partnership with Inverness based youth club, Balloan FC. The purpose is to provide a pathway for young players to progress to senior adult football, presumably via Athletic's newly formed Under 20's XI. A progressive step for the two clubs.

For anyone on this forum, who hasn't watched an North Caley match, its website shows highlights of the NCA Football Times Cup Final in January 2020 : Golspie Sutherland 2 St Duthus 3 It was a very competitive game, with some cracking goals. The standard of the top 4 or 5 clubs has risen considerably in recent years, and the proposed award of Tier 6 pyramid status, is fully justified in my opinion.

Wow. "Gripping stuff": a rare post from the 'Cowdenbeath Clown' Keep calm. Jamie

Thanks. The NoS U20's thread is not something I have accessed. I will endeavour to do so.

The point is..... the remaining Junior Leagues should join the pyramid now. Getting all the junior and senior clubs under one 'umbrella' will strengthen the pyramid, and increase pressure on the SPFL and the SFA. Delaying for another 20 months is too long, never mind 20 years. Is that clear enough for you ?

North Caledonian League club Inverness Athletic has announced that it has created a youth team to play in the North of Scotland Under 20's league next season. The club has appointed Mike Hall as youth team Manager, who considers that : "this is a new venture, and an exciting time for the club, and for me personally. To be able to offer young lads the opportunity to continue their football development at under 20's level is a fantastic step forward for this club." (As reported in the Inverness Courier)

I predict that there will be changes in the SPFL structure during the next 3 years, especially if covid19 is not eradicate any time soon. However, non league clubs/leagues/associations can only blame themselves for a lack of progress since the pyramid was formed in 2013/14. Far too much time has been spent in trying to retain the status quo, and the ongoing/pointless wrangling between junior and senior supporters, instead of getting together for the good of the game. I accept that the SFA didn't cover itself in glory, by hastily forming the Lowland League. But 7 years on, we have at last, reached the point where the West Juniors will be joining the pyramid. To date, self preservation has ruled, instead of concentrating on having an integrated football structure. So much time has been lost. And even now, we are led to understand that the North Region Juniors are still not acting decisively, when there is a pyramid offer on the table. By comparison, the North Caledonian League clubs are waiting in the wings, for the green light to enter a highland pyramid, in time for next season (as and when the season goes ahead).. Furthermore,West Lothian junior clubs seem to be going nowhere, as do their fellow East Region Junior clubs in Dundee and Angus. I have no idea, if anything is happening, at all. Together, a fully integrated pyramid structure, would put its clubs in a much stronger position to influence the situation, and to jointly plan for a better future. Whereas ongoing arguments and separation, represents an ongoing position of weakness, which is foolish in the extreme. Yes, there has now been progress with the formation of the new West of Scotland 'senior' League,Just take a look at the ground improvements being undertaken currently by clubs in this new league, and it is obvious that (however slowly), we are moving forward. Once the senior pyramid is complete, planning for the medium and long term future of Scottish non-league football, will inevitably become much easier, credible, and unified, IMO.

Agreed that the Spiders will be the team to beat, and I would love to see this old club advance up the SPFL divisions. When new Lesser Hampden is fully redeveloped, I intend to return to Glasgow, to watch an SPFL or Scottish Cup game, at the ground.

In response : 1. HFL/NCL discussions have taken place about the 'rules'. It is true though, that these proposals have not been formally ratified, as it is hoped that the North Juniors will (eventually) agree to join the pyramid, and in doing so, align their rules accordingly. . As you may be aware, Rod Petrie (SFA) was also consulted (last year), and he apparently "gave a positive response" about a highland pyramid, involving these leagues/associations 2. Inverness Courier (etc) earlier this year, with quotes from the Secretaries of both the HFL and NCL, 3. Ambitious Inverness City FC transferred to the North Juniors,as a step towards the club's long term goal of obtaining Highland League membership. At the time of the transfer, the North Caledonian League was at a low point in its (+) one hundred years existence. Sadly the club overstretched itself, and folded. The NCL website clearly confirms its geographic area, and clubs like Clach, Lossiemouth and Nairn County, have had/still have North Caledonian Association Membership. These clubs have never been members of the North Juniors Association. I would therefore assume that geographical integrity principles would (still) apply, as clubs in both regions, have no desire to play in the same league, at Tier 6 level, for financial and travelling reasons. You also queried : "Links" ? I believe that I was the first to post on the "Expansion NCL P&B" forum, that 3 new clubs were applying to join the NCL, and that Alness Utd were returning for 2020/21. As far as I can recall, my post pre-dated the media announcement (?) . More recently I referred to a 5th club applying to join, but later clarified that this will not now happen until 2021/22, given the pandemic situation.

The Highland League has already accepted the North Caledonian League as a pyramid 'feeder' at Tier 6. And there are apparently no problems about rules assimilation between these 2 senior leagues. There is also an in principle agreement, that relegation from the HFL will apply, as and when there would be a licensed champion NCL (or North Juniors) club. Discussions have continued with the North Juniors, in relation to having agreed (HFL compliant) rules for the junior clubs, if the North Region Juniors join the pyramid intact. However there are some NRJFA clubs who are at best, ambivalent about pyramid membership, possibly in the belief that it may be financially risky. There is also the question about which (north) junior clubs would retain SJFA membership, and continue to enter the Scottish Junior Cup. Because of the pandemic, progress has been slower than anticipated, and there have also been some rumours that BoD and a few other ambitious junior clubs, could now support an 'independent' North East of Scotland League (as per the WoSL ?), if pyramid agreement can't be reached between the three parties concerned. Will these issues be resolved in time for 2020/21 ? Probably not in my view. Will the HFL and the NCL 'go it alone' for 2020/21, thereby enabling another year for pyramid discussions to continue with the NRJFA. Possibly. It should be noted that the NRJFA and the NCL clubs are located in separate geographical areas (except Moray juniors, Nairn St Ninians, who have announced to the media, their ambition to progress)., so geographical integrity principles can apply.

When are the North Juniors holding their AGM ?

Do your friends have an inside information about the North Juniors joining the Highland pyramid, alongside the NCL. Rumours are still circulating, that pyramid discussions have continued.

Don't worry about the Lurker. Just ignore him. He must have a very sad life.

Good news. Thanks for your confirmation.

Now that Bo'ness Utd has been awarded its SFA club licence, promotion to the Lowland League should be a formality for the EoSL champions. But is it ? With no Club 42 play-off, champions Kelty Hearts will remain in the Lowland League for next season. Furthermore, the SLFL has already confirmed that bottom club Vale of Leithen will NOT be relegated to the EoSL. So, will the SLFL accept BU's promotion, which given the above situation about Kelty and Vale, would mean that the Lowland League will have 17 clubs in 2020/21. As yet, I haven't heard/read, that BU's promotion has been agreed, nor whether the Lowland will approve a 17 club league for 2020/21. Apologies, if I have missed this confirmation.

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I might join you, but if not, take care, as the Scourie FC warning to those who dare, is : "Beware the Storm" ! :

Now be careful what you post. Anything nasty and the Monster will come looking for you . Loch Ness FC warning : "Beware the Teeth" !

When do the (ex) West Juniors officially become "seniors" ? Will it be 1st July 2020 ? Non League Scotland is still showing these clubs as being juniors. With no WoS (senior) League AGM 2020 (to date), having been announced (as far as I am aware), the 'transfer date' is unclear (to me, or possibly to other clue anyway).

Loch Ness intend to play at the Bught on an interim basis, pending the availability of one of the other grounds, referred to above.

Agreed. This could be a win/win situation, for summer amateur clubs, and for the NCL. In addition, tier 6 pyramid entry will raise the NCL's profile, which should encourage greater sponsorship, as well as future new club applicants/entrants from, say, Dornoch, the Black Isle, Dingwall, Burghead, Balintore, Aviemore, Muir of Ord, etc.

The Northern Meeting Ground is an excellent venue, and Loch Ness may find that the response may now be more favourable than previously. I'm not familiar with Fraser Park. Is it a suitable venue, and who plays there currently.?

Discussions between the three leagues have been taking place since the middle of last year, albeit slowly because of the 'sensitive' situation within the NRJFA itself. The problems (within the SJFA) arising from the creation of a 'senior' West of Scotland League, has probably not helped the Juniors uncertain future, overall. The HFL and the NCL, are both 'senior' leagues, and it is understood that there is a general agreement between them about such issues as general rules/obligations, and relegation/promotion. If the Juniors are unable to commit to the pyramid at present, the HFL and the NCL may jointly agree to go ahead without them, for 2020/21. Expect an announcement soon.. In general, the SFA has indicated that it supports the establishment of a pyramid beneath the Highland League.

Dev : I agree 100%. That is why the NCL clubs fully support pyramid membership at Tier 6. As below, this STATEMENT also raises the league's profile, and pyramid entry for Divisions 1 & 2 in 2020/21 :

Aberdeen University FC have floodlights, good facilities, and (prior to covid19 ?), had a secure financial framework. The Uni was a Member of the SFA, half a century ago, but they may not be interested in joining the HFL/ pyramid.