Robert James

The "other" potential move could be Girvan applying to (re)join the SoSL. Very quiet on that front, except that they are apparently looking for a new manager.

Just to change the above theme, is anyone betting on the future of Junior club Clydebank, whose Special Meeting is this Sunday. Will they (1)apply to join the EoSL, or(2) apply to join the less challenging SoSL. or (3) stay in the Juniors for another year to see what happens in the West ? I notice from the Bankies' website that they have now joined up formally with AFC Clydebank from the Central Amateur League, giving themselves a strong youth development into adult framework. Promising.

The SPFL clubs would never vote for this. It was difficult getting the current play-off arrangement, with the Highland/Lowland winners. Look at England, where the pyramid is straightforward, and has worked at Tier 5 (national). Even at Tier 6, there are only 2 feeder leagues (North & South). The above suggestion would be chaotic whether now, or in the future, and won't happen. Why are West Juniors worried about playing against Lowland sides in the pyramid ? It just looks like status quo, status quo, status quo...................ie: stay with the juniors, but give us the full benefits of SFA Membership and licensing, whilst we retain our SJFA badges, structure, and West leagues !

Yes to the East merger, but the SFA will not permit it to be under the SJFA banner.

Assuming the 55/45 split is correct, the SFA/EoSL should set up the WoSL, and invite applications for 2019/20. There is no need to rush for next season, and the West Region has already agreed a new (vertical) structure throughout. This time period would facilitate consultation on structure (how many divisions, financial benefits, licensing, funding for ground improvements, etc), with all 'senior' clubs. The SJFA 's future role would be to reorganise the remaining 45% of clubs who don't wish to be part of the pyramid. This could include comprehensive regionalisation for smaller clubs, to reduce costs, retain traditional rivalries, participate in the Junior Cup, etc. Whilst there would be no automatic promotion and relegation between the 2 set ups , Junior clubs would be free to apply to fill vacancies, as and when they arise in the future. Likewise clubs struggling in the pyramid, could decide to go junior (or amateur), as at present. Both 'sides' would be required by the SFA to give an undertaking to cooperate fully without prejudice against any clubs. However the SFA would also need to state clearly that it will not countenance TWO parallel Pyramid leagues in the East Region, nor elsewhere, either now or in the future.

Clydebank could choose the SoSL as an easier route to the Lowland. Perhaps it will make an announcement after its EGM ? Does anyone have any idea about Girvan, and whether the club has made a decision as to whether to await what happens in the West, or apply to (re)join the SoSL as their best route to the Lowland - assuming of course that it supports the pyramid !

Is there a timescale for Regional Meetings and EGM's to be held ? Why wasn't this approach adopted by the SJFA at the outset when the Lowland League was first proposed ? Regarding point 1, surely it can be assumed that the clubs who have not responded, have no real aspiration to progress through the pyramid. If they are "responses are to be expedited", they may well tip the balance (across the whole junior spectrum) in favour of a negative outcome. If so, how would this help the junior clubs who want to move regardless, in which event, a Junior 'split' seems inevitable ? Regarding point 4, is that a surprise ? No ! Also, why weren't the SoSL invited to this "earlier meeting" ? Regarding point 5, will the SJFA permit current 'senior' non-league clubs to enter the Junior Cup (should they wish to do so ?), or is this a divisive one way street , aimed at preserving the status quo?

The SJFA wasn't interested when the pyramid was being created, and its too late now to be an "interested party". However the pyramid has improved, and will continue to evolve, maybe with 4 senior/tier 6 leagues each covering East, West, 'Midlands' and North of Scotland regions, and feeding directly into the Highland and Lowland Leagues. Best wishes for Cove Rangers, I hope you make it into the SPFL for next season.

"Panic" ?? By which clubs and when ? No FAKE news please.

If Kello Rovers apply to join the SoSL with an eye on the pyramid and the benefits it brings, it would undoubtedly strengthen this feeder league. If a WoSL 'feeder' isn't established soon, other junior clubs may follow Kello's lead, as a route to the Lowland. Already licensed Girvan would be in a strong position to join, and was a member of the SoSL in the past. Anyone aware of any other clubs who may be interested in making this move ?

A very good explanation by Kilwinning Rangers of the opportunities open to the clubs who opt to join the Pyramid. I hope it has been widely circulated/read. Clubs both East & West, which voted in favour of joining the pyramid , will need to justify their decision to fans, if at this pivotal moment, they chose to ignore their own results in the SJFA survey. The EoSL deadline for applications is fast approaching. Also. the SJFA's position has been considerably weakened, especially as the majority of West clubs who REPLIED to the SJFA's survey, apparently support a WoSL 'feeder' to the pyramid, in one form or another.

Yes ideally the Pyramid can't be complete without both a West and a North feeder league system. In the north, the feeder leagues would be the : * North Region Junior Super League - currently 14 clubs * North Caledonian League - currently 9 clubs, plus Lewis & Harris FC and Shetland FC who only participate in some NCL Cup Competitions each season However there have been no North Junior applications to join the HFL since 2009, and the only club already licensed (Banks O'Dee) has recently announced that it no longer wishes to be elected (or promoted) to the HFL. Neither have there been any recent applications from clubs in the North Caledonian League, since Wick Academy (1994/95 ), Fort William (1985/86 ) and Brora Rangers (1963/64) were elected to the HFL, and only one current NCL club holds an SFA licence (Golspie Sutherland). Hence it is self evident that there is no demand for a northern pyramid at the present tim......., whereas a West feeder league is overdue and essential.

Potential extra applicants : BSC Reserves, Girvan FC (already SFA members & licensed), Glasgow University (SFA members & licensed), and Bonnyton Thistle (SoSL). Also though probably unlikely in the short term : East Kilbride Reserves, and Strathclyde University. Whilst not ideal, a WoSL 'feeder' could be created earlier rather than later, and once in situ, other West Junior clubs may decide to apply, as the financial and other benefits referred to in an earlier post by ".Stuart." above are considerable.

Thanks for the clarification. Let's hope that the EoSL will officially announce the names of the applicants ahead of its AGM in June, which as far as I can recall, the Highland League did when they had 4 North Junior applicants for 3 vacancies in 2009 (Formartine, Turriff, Strathspey and Banks O'Dee - the latter being the unsuccessful club).

"Ties to the Junior brand." Has anyone had access to the results from West clubs (only) regarding the SJFA survey/'ballot' results about joining the pyramid ?

Sorry about my misunderstanding of your meaning. I acknowledge your caveat....and keep up your excellent digging ! The clubs you have highlighted would be an excellent addition to the EoSL/pyramid. I am still of the view that there may be a few late applications, although I am still doubtful about Bonnyrigg applying. Sauchie may be a surprise applicant, although this is pure speculation on my part.

"Might NOT be 100% accurate". Do you mean that these Forums suggest that they are NOT supporting a move to the EoSL ?

With 2 weeks to go, will there be a late rush of other (wavering/uncertain) East clubs submitting applications to the EoSL ? When will the SJFA publish the results of its pyramid ballot ? Surely junior club supporters need to know the outcome for their club, and overall ?

100% agree. It just needs one more West Super League club to follow Clydebank's lead, and other west clubs will follow , especially if the SJFA 'ballot' shows that a majority of West clubs want to join the pyramid. But when will these results be published ?

That is why an equal status, split divisional set up, will be needed for 2018/19 only. Then senior, junior and any amateur clubs (Duns return ?) will find their own level, and the EoSL can thrive thereafter. For me it is only during the last week, that it has sounded realistic that a sizeable number of Junior Clubs will apply to join the EoSL. There are however still 2 weeks to go until the deadline for applications, and those clubs which have not so far decided to move across, may get very jumpy. So could there be a last minute batch of other junior clubs who now decide they need to join in, leading to a stampede of late applications ?

At tier 6, the same as West clubs like Pollok, but only if you seize the moment !

Having read the other responses to your post, it doesn't seem like many agree with your view. To clarify my own position, I am not a supporter of junior football, and have no respect for those who have attacked and ridiculed the Pyramid since it was created. In fact I am and will remain a supporter of the EoSL, and am delighted that it has survived the crisis of the last few years. However, for ONE season only, all current and new EoSL clubs would benefit from having 2 equal status divisions in 2018/19, split thereafter into divisions which would then be based on performance on the field in the EoSL . In my view, the EoSL clubs will vote for this at the league's AGM (if sufficient new clubs apply to join), in the interests of fair integration. It should also be remembered that at its AGM in 2014, some of the weaker 2nd tier EoSL clubs didn't want two divisions being merged into one, as reflected in the vote which was tied 8-8 at the meeting, with a change to one division (presumably) approved by the chairman's casting vote. Two equal status EoSL divisions for 2018/19 is in the best medium/long term interest of an integrated non-league structure, may well encourage other East junior clubs to move to the pyramid in the future. However this will only be in response to genuine vacancies arising at that time, as such clubs will have 'missed the boat' by not entering the pyramid at joining Tier 6, at this time, when they had the opportunity to do so. If subsequently a WoSL 'feeder' league is created, populated primarily by West junior clubs, it will also join the pyramid at Tier 6 .

Dalbeattie won't finish in the bottom two this season. However the SJFA may decide to support the West Superleague becoming a Lowland feeder league at tier 6 within the pyramid, to avoid following the East trend - providing of course, that the new WoSL stays within the remit of the Junior Association.

Knowledge or rumour about Ed Utd ? I am guessing that Blackburn will apply. EoSL will need 2 divisions of equal status in 2018/19, with a play off between the 2 divisional winners to decide which club is promoted (assuming they are licensed and beat the SoSL champions at the end of next season). The top and bottom halves of the 2 EoSL divisions will then become Premier & Division One (respectively) in 2019/20, selected on merit. Would the EoSL create a third Division if more junior clubs apply to join in 2020 ?

If say 7 junior clubs apply, giving a total of 18 clubs, one solution for 2018/19 ONLY, would be split into two sections (possibly seeded based on performance this season) for the first part of next season, each section playing each other twice (=14 games), and for the second part of next season, the 9 teams with the most points would play each other once (8 matches), and ditto for the 9 teams with the least points. This would give each club a total of 14 + 8 = 22 games. The overall league position would be determined by the aggregate points, to determine which clubs would be in the top tier in the following (2019/20). with the remainder in a 2nd division. The EoSL would then decide the optimum number of clubs it wants for the following seasons (eg if 14 per division), and invite applications to fill the extra places, as necessary. Alternatively, again using 18 clubs as a example, the EoSL could have a second stage process in early May this year, seeking further invitations as additional junior clubs might decide to submit late applications. In this scenario, 2 divisions with equal status, would be established for one season ONLY, with the winners of each holding playoff to decide which is the EoSL champion club. The clubs finishing in the top half of each division, would form the top tier for 2019/20, and the bottom half forming the bottom half. Existing senior, and ex junior clubs would then be treated equally in both scenarios, which may be a stimula for late junior applicants for 2018/19 .