Bluenortherner

And no wonder, the apathy the players must feel after reading the shite that the fans spout about this tournament. Shame on them and I’m sorry for the sponsors that fork out the money that the fans don’t want.

But why do we hate the Challenge Cup? Why is it so far down the pecking order in terms of competitions that many fans would rather see defeat in the early stages than a day out at a Cup Final Stadium? I’m sure it can’t be the fiver they charge for a match day pie can it? All too often we ask why fans and managers have fallen out of love with the Challenge Cup without sparing a thought for the poor old League version. If our love affair with the Challenge Cup is in danger of breaking down, then we have already divorced it several years ago. So why? My first thought is maybe it’s the sponsors. The Challenge cup has been sponsored by a dizzying and bewildering number of brands over the years. None of which cries “Sex Appeal” Even this year, when the sponsor is paying out more prize money, it still doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe it’s the prize money? Winning the Challenge Cup trophy may come hand in hand with a nice shiny silver vase to stick in the club museum but it doesn’t help fill the club’s coffers. This season we’re talking about small TV deals for every team in the league and yet winning the Challenge Cup final will boost club finances by a lot more money, that’s just over a fraction what top players earn in a week! Sure, to me £100k or so may seem like a fair chunk of cash but when you consider that’s the same amount that saw Torino buy Denis Law from Manchester City for back in 1961 you can probably reason that times, financially, have moved on. How about the occasion? Has some of the magic been lost? In times gone by a Cup Final, whatever flavour, was a special occasion. The game would stand alone on its day as a beacon of footballing glory in an otherwise desolate weekend wilderness of matches. Sure it was overkill. Sure it was boring. But now we’ve gone the other way. This weekend’s games are forcing fans onto dodgy streams and text updates meaning that the communal magic of the cup is no more. It was NOT an occasion. Truth is, it’s not down to any one single thing. We can’t blame sponsorship or reserve teams entering when we happily act as walking billboards for whatever dubious brand win the local shirt sponsorship, our board decide to stick their name on our replica kit each season. It can’t be the money when each and every one of us would happily stick two fingers up at financial fair play rules if it meant our club could fork out eye-boggling sums of cash on a young proven striker. It certainly isn’t the occasion when it is us, the fans, who demand wall to wall football every single weekend. The idea of an hour, yet alone a day without a live game leaves us in a cold sweat. We are simply being given the sickly sweet football action whenever we ask for it with no one to tell us we’ve had enough and need to do our chores before we’re sick all over our toys again. As a Queens fan and it’s the same for any other real fan, how can you simply sit at home when the first team is playing, irrespective what ever tournament your club is competing in?

An expert view frae a Hill of Beath fan. SCOTTISH CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND TIES - Friday August 30th / Saturday August 31st Benburb v Vale of Leithen (Tier 6 v Tier Vale have suffered three successive relegations and haven’t made the best of starts in East of Scotland Division Two. Benburb will be strong favourites to win this one despite having failed to win in their first six West Premier games. Bo'ness Athletic v Kilwinning Rangers (7 v 7) Bo’ness had a superb Extra Preliminary Round win over West of Scotland League Champions Beith. Second tier West club Kilwinning Rangers will have to be at their very best to avoid defeat in this Friday night tie. Expect big-spending Athletic to progress. Bonnyton Thistle v Dunbar United (8 v 6) East Premier side Dunbar have made an inconsistent start to the season but they should still be good enough to win at Kilmarnock-based club Bonnyton Thistle who have won just once so far this season. Burntisland Shipyard v Dunipace (8 v 6) Dunipace are shaky on grass and much prefer their own astro pitch. However, they should still be more than capable of winning at Burntisland against a home side who have made a mixed start to the season. Clydebank v St Andrews United (6 v 6) St Andrews had a good Cup run last season but they will be up against it away to West of Scotland League leaders Clydebank. The Bankies should progress and will be looking for a good Cup run to generate income to help their promotion bid. They are one of the West of Scotland sides that are desperate for promotion to the Lowland League. Coldstream v Camelon (8 v 7) Camelon may only be one division above Coldstream but they will be odds-on favourites for this tie. It would be a surprise if the visitors didn’t win by several goals. Coldstream are bottom of Division Two and have conceded 15 goals in five gamers. Creetown v Cumnock (6 v 6) Creetown from the South of Scotland League defeat East Premier side Tynecastle in another Cup recentlyso Cumnock cannot afford to take them lightly. The Ayrshire club should still be strong enough to progress. Culter v Sauchie (6 v 6) North Junior Champions Culter defeated North Caledonian league Champions Invergordon 4-0 in the Extra Preliminary Round. East Premier side Sauchie will need to be very wary of this tie. They don’t always travel well and Culter could spring a surprise here. Cupar Hearts v Wigtown & Bladnoch (X v 6) Scottish Amateur Cup winners Cupar are a formidable side and should be too strong for their South of Scotland visitors. Cupar’s ground doesn’t meet Scottish Cup standards so the game will be played at Glenrothes. They are not part of the pyramid so don’t have a “tier”. Dalbeattie Star v Whitehill Welfare (6 v 7) Two former Lowland League clubs clash at the Islecroft Stadium. This should be an evenly matched tie with the home side marginal favourites to progress. Dalkeith Thistle v Blackburn United (8 v 7) East Second Division Dalkeith host First Division Blackburn United in Midlothian. This will be another close tie with Blackburn slight favourites to win. Not the most appetising tie. Dundonald Bluebell v Edinburgh University (6 v 6) Two East Premier League sides meet in Fife. Dundonald had a major rebuild during the Summer but seem o be hitting form. The Students, just relegated from the Lowland League, will probably exit at the first hurdle. Easthouses Lily MW v Newtongrange Star (8 v 7) A real local derby between two clubs who play less than a mile apart in Midlothian. Newtongrange will be strong favourites to reach the First Round. Fort William v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (6 v 6) Fort lost 10-1 at this stage last season. Hill of Beath have been scoring for fun in recent weeks so expect a comfortable away win. Girvan v St Cuthbert Wanderers (9 v 6) These two clubs used to clash in the South of Scotland League before Girvan moved to the West Juniors around 20 years ago. Saints have won just once in 7 league games so far this season. Girvan have won just two of seven in the West of Scotland League Division 3 but will still be favourites to go through. Glenafton Athletic v Threave Rovers (6 v 9) Threave moved from the South to the West a couple of years ago. They have made a good start in Division 3 this season but Premier Division Glenafton should still be far too strong for them. Golspie Sutherland v Carluke Rovers (6 v 10) Carluke Rovers are in Division 4 of the West of Scotland League. This game presents Golspie with a realistic opportunity for progress. However, the West is nmuch stronger and Carluke will still be slight favourites. Haddington Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot (6 v 6) Ayrshire giants Talbot have an impressive Cup pedigree. They are off to a good start in the West Premier and should be too good for East premier side Haddington. Jeanfield Swifts v Newton Stewart (6 v 6) Perth-based Jeanfield are one of the favourites to win the East of Scotland Premier. Newton Stewart have won three out of seven so far in the South of Scotland. Should be a comfortable home win. Lochee United v Hawick Royal Albert (6 v 9) Hawick were a Lowland League side not too many years ago but are now in the East Third Division. They have got off to a decent start but Midlands League side Lochee United will surely still be far too good for them. Penicuik Athletic v Musselburgh Athletic (6 v 6) An all East Premier clash where Musselburgh Athletic will be the slight favourites to progress. Pollok v Darvel (6 v 6) Darvel’s Cup win over Aberdeen in 2022/3 is a distant memory now. They no longer enjoy massive financial backing and have started this season with five straight league defeats. Pollok will be favourites to go through. Preston Athletic v Irvine Meadow XI (7 v 7) Meadow used to be giants of the Junior game but they have been in decline for a few years now. They are currently struggling near the foot of West Division One. However, Preston parted company with their management team last week following a 5-0 home defeat by Arniston Rangers. Irvine will be marginal favourites. Rutherglen Glencairn v Hutchison Vale (7 v 6) Hutchie Vale are always a decent side and this will be a very tight match. The Edinburgh side might struggle on this trip to Rutherglen, who have made a great start to the season and top the West First Division. Tayport v Dundee North End (6 v 6) North End won the Midlands League and meet another side from that division in Tayport. He clubs clashed last Saturday in a League game with North End winning 3-1. A similar outcome is likely. Tynecastle v Glasgow University (6 v 9) Friday night game at Meggetland where the Edinburgh side should be too strong for the Students.

An expert view from Hill O’ Beath FC SCOTTISH CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND TIES - Friday August 30th / Saturday August 31st Benburb v Vale of Leithen (Tier 6 v Tier Vale have suffered three successive relegations and haven’t made the best of starts in East of Scotland Division Two. Benburb will be strong favourites to win this one despite having failed to win in their first six West Premier games. Bo'ness Athletic v Kilwinning Rangers (7 v 7) Bo’ness had a superb Extra Preliminary Round win over West of Scotland League Champions Beith. Second tier West club Kilwinning Rangers will have to be at their very best to avoid defeat in this Friday night tie. Expect big-spending Athletic to progress. Bonnyton Thistle v Dunbar United (8 v 6) East Premier side Dunbar have made an inconsistent start to the season but they should still be good enough to win at Kilmarnock-based club Bonnyton Thistle who have won just once so far this season. Burntisland Shipyard v Dunipace (8 v 6) Dunipace are shaky on grass and much prefer their own astro pitch. However, they should still be more than capable of winning at Burntisland against a home side who have made a mixed start to the season. Clydebank v St Andrews United (6 v 6) St Andrews had a good Cup run last season but they will be up against it away to West of Scotland League leaders Clydebank. The Bankies should progress and will be looking for a good Cup run to generate income to help their promotion bid. They are one of the West of Scotland sides that are desperate for promotion to the Lowland League. Coldstream v Camelon (8 v 7) Camelon may only be one division above Coldstream but they will be odds-on favourites for this tie. It would be a surprise if the visitors didn’t win by several goals. Coldstream are bottom of Division Two and have conceded 15 goals in five gamers. Creetown v Cumnock (6 v 6) Creetown from the South of Scotland League defeat East Premier side Tynecastle in another Cup recentlyso Cumnock cannot afford to take them lightly. The Ayrshire club should still be strong enough to progress. Culter v Sauchie (6 v 6) North Junior Champions Culter defeated North Caledonian league Champions Invergordon 4-0 in the Extra Preliminary Round. East Premier side Sauchie will need to be very wary of this tie. They don’t always travel well and Culter could spring a surprise here. Cupar Hearts v Wigtown & Bladnoch (X v 6) Scottish Amateur Cup winners Cupar are a formidable side and should be too strong for their South of Scotland visitors. Cupar’s ground doesn’t meet Scottish Cup standards so the game will be played at Glenrothes. They are not part of the pyramid so don’t have a “tier”. Dalbeattie Star v Whitehill Welfare (6 v 7) Two former Lowland League clubs clash at the Islecroft Stadium. This should be an evenly matched tie with the home side marginal favourites to progress. Dalkeith Thistle v Blackburn United (8 v 7) East Second Division Dalkeith host First Division Blackburn United in Midlothian. This will be another close tie with Blackburn slight favourites to win. Not the most appetising tie. Dundonald Bluebell v Edinburgh University (6 v 6) Two East Premier League sides meet in Fife. Dundonald had a major rebuild during the Summer but seem o be hitting form. The Students, just relegated from the Lowland League, will probably exit at the first hurdle. Easthouses Lily MW v Newtongrange Star (8 v 7) A real local derby between two clubs who play less than a mile apart in Midlothian. Newtongrange will be strong favourites to reach the First Round. Fort William v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (6 v 6) Fort lost 10-1 at this stage last season. Hill of Beath have been scoring for fun in recent weeks so expect a comfortable away win. Girvan v St Cuthbert Wanderers (9 v 6) These two clubs used to clash in the South of Scotland League before Girvan moved to the West Juniors around 20 years ago. Saints have won just once in 7 league games so far this season. Girvan have won just two of seven in the West of Scotland League Division 3 but will still be favourites to go through. Glenafton Athletic v Threave Rovers (6 v 9) Threave moved from the South to the West a couple of years ago. They have made a good start in Division 3 this season but Premier Division Glenafton should still be far too strong for them. Golspie Sutherland v Carluke Rovers (6 v 10) Carluke Rovers are in Division 4 of the West of Scotland League. This game presents Golspie with a realistic opportunity for progress. However, the West is nmuch stronger and Carluke will still be slight favourites. Haddington Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot (6 v 6) Ayrshire giants Talbot have an impressive Cup pedigree. They are off to a good start in the West Premier and should be too good for East premier side Haddington. Jeanfield Swifts v Newton Stewart (6 v 6) Perth-based Jeanfield are one of the favourites to win the East of Scotland Premier. Newton Stewart have won three out of seven so far in the South of Scotland. Should be a comfortable home win. Lochee United v Hawick Royal Albert (6 v 9) Hawick were a Lowland League side not too many years ago but are now in the East Third Division. They have got off to a decent start but Midlands League side Lochee United will surely still be far too good for them. Penicuik Athletic v Musselburgh Athletic (6 v 6) An all East Premier clash where Musselburgh Athletic will be the slight favourites to progress. Pollok v Darvel (6 v 6) Darvel’s Cup win over Aberdeen in 2022/3 is a distant memory now. They no longer enjoy massive financial backing and have started this season with five straight league defeats. Pollok will be favourites to go through. Preston Athletic v Irvine Meadow XI (7 v 7) Meadow used to be giants of the Junior game but they have been in decline for a few years now. They are currently struggling near the foot of West Division One. However, Preston parted company with their management team last week following a 5-0 home defeat by Arniston Rangers. Irvine will be marginal favourites. Rutherglen Glencairn v Hutchison Vale (7 v 6) Hutchie Vale are always a decent side and this will be a very tight match. The Edinburgh side might struggle on this trip to Rutherglen, who have made a great start to the season and top the West First Division. Tayport v Dundee North End (6 v 6) North End won the Midlands League and meet another side from that division in Tayport. He clubs clashed last Saturday in a League game with North End winning 3-1. A similar outcome is likely. Tynecastle v Glasgow University (6 v 9) Friday night game at Meggetland where the Edinburgh side should be too strong for the Students.

Eh; I do t think either of your estimates equate to reality.

My first game this season, but deary deary me

https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forum/topic/63913-ovf-feature-ruari-paton-–-port-vale-sign-young-striker-from-queens-park/

Port Vale have made their latest signing of the summer after bringing in highly rated striker Ruari Paton from Scottish Championship side Queens Park. The forward will join Jayden Stockley, Lorent Tolaj and Baylee Dipepa in a reshaped Vale forward line-up. The fee for Paton is undisclosed but believed to be around £150,000. The Irish […] The post Ruari Paton – Port Vale sign young striker from Queens Park appeared first on onevalefan.co.uk. View the full article

It’s going to be a huge jump from youth football to League 1 level, the under 21 sides in the Lowland League don’t exactly set the heather on fire. Why is it our own youths never get a chance, yet we are all expecting someone else’s to do it for us.

I doubt there will be any more than 2,300

You still here?

If they sell the full stand, could they get the open terracing ready in time?

Don’t miss the Peter Pan museum, an excellent day out. avoid the Hole in the Wall with a passion, it’s a dirty, clarty dump these days. Enjoy visiting your old schools, etc.

Saturday, June 22 Livingston – Alloa Athletic (3pm) Stranraer – Larne (NI) (3pm) Tuesday, June 25 Elgin City – Keith (@ Gleaner Arena, 7.45pm) Wednesday, June 26 Livingston – Broxburn Athletic (7.45pm) Thursday, June 27 SPFL and SWPL fixture release Friday, June 28 FC Twente Enschede (Ned) – Motherwell (@ DSVD Deurningen, Netherlands,7pm) Saturday, June 29 Arbroath – Dundee (3pm) Blackburn United – Lesmahagow Juniors (2pm) Elgin City – Inverurie Loco Works (@ Gleaner Arena, 3pm) Formartine United – Peterhead (@ Cormack Park, 3pm) Gala Fairydean Rovers – Camelon Juniors (2.30pm) Greenock Morton – Queen of the South (3pm) Spartans – Livingston (3pm) Sunday, June 30 DSVD Deurningen (Ned) – Motherwell (2pm) Monday, July 1 Tuesday, July 2 Cove Rangers – Dunfermline Athletic East Fife – Queen’s Park (7.30pm) Forres Mechanics – Elgin City (7.45pm) Greenock Morton – Alloa Athletic (ko tbc) Hurlford United – Stranraer (7.30pm) Kelty Hearts – Livingston (7.45pm) Lumphinnans Hearts AFC – Lochgelly Albert Wednesday, July 3 Banik Ostrava – Dundee (ko tbc) Thursday, July 4 Cove Rangers – Banks o’ Dee Friday, July 5 Ayr United – Celtic Saturday, July 6 AS Airdrie AFC – Rossvale (@ venue tbc) Auchinleck Talbot – Thornton Hibs Blackburn United – Peebles Rovers (2pm) Brora Rangers – Ross County (3pm) Buckie Thistle – Elgin City (3pm) Caledonian Braves – Camelon Juniors (3pm) Cove Rangers – Inverurie Loco Works Greenock Morton – Annan Athletic (ko tbc) Haddington Athletic – Neilston (2.30pm) Hebburn Town (Eng) – Dumbarton (3pm) – Macron Cup Largs Thistle – Broomhill (2pm) Lech Poznan (Pol) – Dundee (ko tbc) Lochore Welfare – Lochgelly Albert Motherwell – Livingston (3pm) Peterhead – Fraserburgh (3pm) – Ryan Strachan Testimonial St Peter’s – St Anthony’s (11.30am) Stenhousemuir – Falkirk (2pm) – 140th anniversary match Stranraer – Portadown (NI (1pm) Tynecastle – Easthouses Lily (2.30pm) Bathgate Thistle Tournament Day 1 – Bathgate Thistle, St Roch’s, Livingston B + other Sunday, July 7 Bathgate Thistle Tournament Day 2 – Bathgate Thistle, St Roch’s, Livingston B + other Monday, July 8 Tuesday, July 9 Blackburn United – Larkhall Thistle (7.30pm) Cove Rangers – Formartine United Edinburgh Community – Easthouses Lily (7.30pm) Lochee Harp – Thornton Hibs Scone Thistle – Lochgelly Albert Wednesday, July 10 Rutherglen Glencairn – Cambuslang Rangers (7.30pm) – William Skinner Memorial Cup Thursday, July 11 Neilston – Arthurlie (7pm) Friday, July 12 Saturday, July 13 Bathgate Thistle – Lochgelly Albert Blackburn United – Edinburgh College (2pm) Bonnyton Thistle – St Peter’s (2pm) Camelon Juniors – Arthurlie (2.30pm) Heart of Midlothian – Leyton Orient Kilbirnie Ladeside – Largs Thistle (2pm) – Derek Scott Memorial Neilston – Hurlford United (2pm) Penicuik Athletic – Easthouses Lily (2.30pm) Preston Athletic – Hibernian – Craig Innes Testimonial Tayport – Thornton Hibs Thorn Athletic – Rossvale Sunday, July 14 Monday, July 15 Tuesday, July 16 Arniston Rangers – Easthouses Lily (7.30pm) Camelon Juniors – St Cadoc’s (7.30pm) Oakley United – Lochgelly Albert Rossvale – Todholm AFC Wednesday, July 17 Bathgate Thistle – Blackburn United (7.30pm) Heart of Midlothian – Tottenham Hotspur (Eng) (7pm) – 150th anniversary match Lochgelly United AFC – Thornton Hibs Maryhill – Neilston (7.30pm) Rutherglen Glencairn – Beith Juniors (7.30pm) Thursday, July 18 Friday, July 19

Saturday, June 22 Livingston – Alloa Athletic (3pm) Stranraer – Larne (NI) (3pm) Tuesday, June 25 Elgin City – Keith (@ Gleaner Arena, 7.45pm) Wednesday, June 26 Livingston – Broxburn Athletic (7.45pm) Thursday, June 27 SPFL and SWPL fixture release Friday, June 28 FC Twente Enschede (Ned) – Motherwell (@ DSVD Deurningen, Netherlands,7pm) Saturday, June 29 Arbroath – Dundee (3pm) Blackburn United – Lesmahagow Juniors (2pm) Elgin City – Inverurie Loco Works (@ Gleaner Arena, 3pm) Formartine United – Peterhead (@ Cormack Park, 3pm) Gala Fairydean Rovers – Camelon Juniors (2.30pm) Greenock Morton – Queen of the South (3pm) Spartans – Livingston (3pm) Sunday, June 30 DSVD Deurningen (Ned) – Motherwell (2pm) Monday, July 1 Tuesday, July 2 Cove Rangers – Dunfermline Athletic East Fife – Queen’s Park (7.30pm) Forres Mechanics – Elgin City (7.45pm) Greenock Morton – Alloa Athletic (ko tbc) Hurlford United – Stranraer (7.30pm) Kelty Hearts – Livingston (7.45pm) Lumphinnans Hearts AFC – Lochgelly Albert Wednesday, July 3 Banik Ostrava – Dundee (ko tbc) Thursday, July 4 Cove Rangers – Banks o’ Dee Friday, July 5 Ayr United – Celtic Saturday, July 6 AS Airdrie AFC – Rossvale (@ venue tbc) Auchinleck Talbot – Thornton Hibs Blackburn United – Peebles Rovers (2pm) Brora Rangers – Ross County (3pm) Buckie Thistle – Elgin City (3pm) Caledonian Braves – Camelon Juniors (3pm) Cove Rangers – Inverurie Loco Works Greenock Morton – Annan Athletic (ko tbc) Haddington Athletic – Neilston (2.30pm) Hebburn Town (Eng) – Dumbarton (3pm) – Macron Cup Largs Thistle – Broomhill (2pm) Lech Poznan (Pol) – Dundee (ko tbc) Lochore Welfare – Lochgelly Albert Motherwell – Livingston (3pm) Peterhead – Fraserburgh (3pm) – Ryan Strachan Testimonial St Peter’s – St Anthony’s (11.30am) Stenhousemuir – Falkirk (2pm) – 140th anniversary match Stranraer – Portadown (NI (1pm) Tynecastle – Easthouses Lily (2.30pm) Bathgate Thistle Tournament Day 1 – Bathgate Thistle, St Roch’s, Livingston B + other Sunday, July 7 Bathgate Thistle Tournament Day 2 – Bathgate Thistle, St Roch’s, Livingston B + other Monday, July 8 Tuesday, July 9 Blackburn United – Larkhall Thistle (7.30pm) Cove Rangers – Formartine United Edinburgh Community – Easthouses Lily (7.30pm) Lochee Harp – Thornton Hibs Scone Thistle – Lochgelly Albert Wednesday, July 10 Rutherglen Glencairn – Cambuslang Rangers (7.30pm) – William Skinner Memorial Cup Thursday, July 11 Neilston – Arthurlie (7pm) Friday, July 12 Saturday, July 13 Bathgate Thistle – Lochgelly Albert Blackburn United – Edinburgh College (2pm) Bonnyton Thistle – St Peter’s (2pm) Camelon Juniors – Arthurlie (2.30pm) Heart of Midlothian – Leyton Orient Kilbirnie Ladeside – Largs Thistle (2pm) – Derek Scott Memorial Neilston – Hurlford United (2pm) Penicuik Athletic – Easthouses Lily (2.30pm) Preston Athletic – Hibernian – Craig Innes Testimonial Tayport – Thornton Hibs Thorn Athletic – Rossvale Sunday, July 14 Monday, July 15 Tuesday, July 16 Arniston Rangers – Easthouses Lily (7.30pm) Camelon Juniors – St Cadoc’s (7.30pm) Oakley United – Lochgelly Albert Rossvale – Todholm AFC Wednesday, July 17 Bathgate Thistle – Blackburn United (7.30pm) Heart of Midlothian – Tottenham Hotspur (Eng) (7pm) – 150th anniversary match Lochgelly United AFC – Thornton Hibs Maryhill – Neilston (7.30pm) Rutherglen Glencairn – Beith Juniors (7.30pm) Thursday, July 18 Friday, July 19