Robert James

Does anyone know anything about Bonnyton Thistle, as this club is not one which I know ?

The solution is simple. The ambitious West clubs propose a West of Scotland (Senior) League to the SFA, which feeds direct into the Lowland League, with the champion club being promoted each season. The SoSL clubs who want to progress within the pyramid, would be offered places in the new WoSL, alongside the West Junior sides. Otherwise the SoSL becomes a feeder league to the WSL A similar set up (champion club promoted to the Lowland) could exist in the East, with the top 4 or 5 ambitious 'seniors' being joined by (say) 10 junior sides initially. The remaining EoSL clubs would become a feeder as above.. As a carrot, the SFA could grant the junior clubs who join the new WoSL or the integrated EoSL/ER Superleague, immediate entry to the SFA Cup for a maximum period of 2 years to enable them to obtain a licence. The SJFA Cup would be opened up to Lowland and Highland clubs to participate if they wished to do so. . Promotion to the WoSL & EoSL would not be compulsory, as these leagues would have some clubs in membership, who don't wish to (or can't) get licensed. "Pyramid Integration by Evolution"

The EoSL AGM is on 8th June. As an aside, the SoSL has elected 3 new clubs for 2017/18, whilst losing Edusport. The NCL may also increase its membership for next season.

According to the SoSL website, 3 new teams are entering the SoSL for 2017/18. These are the Reserve/Development sides of Annan Athletic and Stranraer, and Bonnyton Thistle Fc (from Kilmarnock) who are a "premier community club", with a new pitch to match. It appears that Fleet Star are not returning after a year out. Interestingly, if Annan will be using their ground each week, where will Edusport Academy be playing their home games next season ?

The EoSL will also be strengthened by Preston Athletic who are relegated from the LL. New manager looks likely to shake things up and push for promotion. Could be 4 new EoSL clubs in EoSL next season. As an aside, don't be surprised if Clydebank apply to join the SoSL in advance of the Holm Park redevelopment, with a view to licensing asap thereafter as part of the club's ambition to return to the SPFL.

Have Duns applied to rejoin the EoSL ? Also, has the redevelopment of Holm Park started yet as Clydebank plan to rejoin the Seniors at some stage in the future?

Yes we need an SNP poster which clearly tells everyone to "Vote for the SNP and help us join the United States of Europe" ! Independence for Scotland ? What a laugh, when the EU controls our laws, finances, borders, democracy, and ever increasing 'Europe-isation' !

Stanley, I agree ! The comment on Linlithgow & Girvan supposedly losing their licence was on a LL stream a few weeks ago. I can't recall who the author was.

Apparently Members of the SFA and the SJFA met a few weeks ago, presumably to discuss the Pyramid ? Does anyone know what the outcome was ? On a separate point, Craigroyston and Easthouses were hardly setting the EoSL on fire before opting to join the Juniors. They may be regretting that now if bigger Junior clubs are about to move in the opposite direction ?

If Buckie Thistle defeat EK and SPFL 'Club 42' in the Relegation/Promotion Play Offs, Selkirk will be relegated to the EoSL along with Preston Ath. If 2 or 3 of the Junior Sides enter the Pyramid via the EoSL next season (as mooted), this may not be too bad for the Scouters ? .

On a separate Pie & Bovril EoS link, it has been stated that Linlithgow and Girvan are having their Licences withdrawn over non-participation in the Pyramid. Surely this isn't correct ? However, if it is (or becomes) true, what happens about Banks O'Dee (debarred from HFL promotion), Golspie Sutherland (NCL which is not officially 'senior' league despite SFA affiliation), and Glasgow Uni (still playing in amateur football) ?

Great news about Kelty Hearts joining the EoSL if true ? I assume that one of the other clubs must be Bo'ness United, whose's Manager has gone public about his aspiration for LL membership. Who are the 3rd club ? Haddington Athletic or someone else ? Also the EoSL will be strengthened next season by relegated Preston Athletic, and also by Selkirk, if Buckie Thistle defeat East Kilbride, followed by a win against Cowdenbeath or Berwick or Clyde in the SPFL/SLL play-off next month.

Edusport are champions, but do the rules allow them to move to a different ground at this late stage ? Also, it is rumoured that LTHV could be about to get an SFA Entry Licence. Does this entitle them to enter into an EoSL/SoSL promotion playoff - if they finish is EoSL champions this season ? This of course is a big "if", as they would probably need to win their final league game of the season against Leith Athletic.

Decent performance against Stranraer, which suggests that Shire will be a strong contender for the Lowland League title. But if successful, will they play at Ochilview in 2017/18, as there is a rumour that Shire's lease will expire at the end of next season. Does anyone know if this is true ? Is Little Kerse likely to be ready (and licensed) in time ?

Nonsense, City won't finish bottom. But the question is, which other club will finish 10th in 2016/17, and will they survive the dreaded relegation play-offs ? Predictions (with reasons) sought from Pie People !