Marten

It's not "anti-junior shite" to say it's not a done deal yet. The west region clearly put their cards on the table and they are putting a proposal forward for them to enter the pyramid. Nobody here is saying what the clubs say is pish, but the thing they discussed, is a proposal, not a deal. I think this is a very positive development, but until all other parties involved agree with it and it's been officially confirmed it's not a done deal. There has been so much conflicting information about the pyramid over the last year(s), that I won't believe anything until an official confirmation is released.

At this point there is no pyramid in the west, so there are no clubs to jump over. Also, as this place in the LL goes by application, the LL are free to choose whoever they want (if licensed).

Agreed, I hope this is true. And in terms of licensing I agree with you as well. Once the WRJFA is in the pyramid, clubs can apply for licenses, for some of the larger clubs that shouldn't be much of an issue I'd imagine.

Haha always looking to improve mate. I've been a left back for several years in Dutch non-league if you need someone.

Could they call it Superleague conference north/south or something along those lines and let the winners play off for the championship & cup ticket?

He has been pretty clear that he doesn't expect the west juniors to be in the pyramid by next season, not that he is against it. He indicated more than once that the west just slotting in would be the preferred option, but there is nothing wrong with talking about alternatives if that doesn't happen. If the west joins, that's fine. I just can't see the east being allowed to join in the same way. EOS en ERJFA (south of Tay, providing the boundary stays the same) should just merge into one. There is no valid argument for having both. As said before, there is no real difference between senior & junior non-league, it's all non-league and we have to get rid of this artificial divide.

Why would Burnieman, or anyone else, go in a meltdown if that happens? I'd be very happy with it, and I'm sure he will be as well. The west isn't the issue, the west juniors should be able to slot in the pyramid quite easily if the will is there on all sides.

I would make a LL of 16 teams with 8 east / 8 west (if 8 or more apply), with the option if there are enough western applicants to split in LL East / LL West. The 8 eastern clubs can just be the best 8 in the EOS that don't get promoted/elected to the LL (including possible eastern team(s) relegated from LL), as it's very unlikely that any team will be in there that's not going for licensing already. In the west, some SOS teams can join (who would want to, Threave I guess, any others?), with preference for licensed teams. West juniors should be able to join under the condition that they work on licensing.

If the juniors don't enter, I think the LL should push on with LL2. Invite clubs from the juniors, EOS & SOS with up to 8 places available to west clubs (including clubs in the SOS) & the remainder for east clubs (16 total). Should there be 10 or more west applicants, they can split it in a 16 team LL East & a LL West with 10-16 teams.

AFC Wimbledon get Millwall at home as a reward for beating West Ham. I bet the Metropolitan Police are now very happy with Wimbledon, who prevented a West Ham v Millwall game (West Ham would have had the same draw number as Wimbledon).

Another good one: "He said: “The reason we voted against joining is we just got a new ground built a couple of years ago and it does not fit the criteria". What criteria? Their ground would without any doubt be accepted in the pyramid. No, they won't get an SFA license unless more work gets done, but they are perfectly entitled to not bother with that if they don't want it / can't afford it (although if teams like Burntisland Shipyard can afford it, I think the vast majority of juniors should be able to!). It's not like they will be close to promotion to the LL any time soon. “Another thing is being asked is floodlights, which cost in the region of a six figure sum, and there is no funding for it." Again, only needed for licensing so no obligation to comply.

Yes, I'm masochistic enough to do tier 5 indeed. Already done some LL and 1 HL ground (Fort William), so I've got a start already. I'll probably first complete the East Superleague though, as there are some grounds quite close (Glenrothes, Kirrie, Downfield) I haven't done yet. After all the traveling of the last few weeks I think I want some easy ones for now.

I understand what you mean and I agree it could be clearer, but this rule doesn't say that the bottom club won't be replaced by another club if there is no licensed champion. Taking into account what's written lower down, that any vacancies get filled by application, I guess that can also apply if not having a licensed champion creates a vacancy.

Yes, as you are a licensed club you have the right to apply.

I admit the wording is unclear, but in B4 it says: "The bottom club will be relegated to the League which will have been decided by the Boards of the three leagues prior to the start of each season" and "If neither of the Champion Clubs meets the criteria there will be no promotion". Based on that, I would conclude that the bottom club will be relegated whatever. Neither champion being licensed will mean there is no promotion, but relegation will still go ahead (otherwise that rule will be "there will be no promotion or relegation"). It will just mean there is an extra vacancy to be open for application. That means in theory there can be 3 vacancies up for application: 1 to replace Selkirk, 1 to replace the relegated team if there is no promotion and 1 for a team getting relegated from SPFL2 to HL and promotion from LL to SPFL2. Although the latter is obviously very unlikely.

A friend of mine who is a Feyenoord season ticket holder needs to go to Amsterdam for work all this week. I'm sure he'll have a great time.

Fantastic performance for Wimbledon, full credit, played positively and didn't just try to run the clock down.

Brilliant!

To be honest, I always stand when I get the chance. There are very few grounds in Scotland where someone my height has decent enough leg room when sitting down...

Wimbledon have been absolutely dogsh!te most of this season, including when I watched them at Plymouth. West Ham must be bad.

Considering I'm 6ft 5, standing was probably the right decision.

To be fair, I don't think you played bad in general. The big problem is that you seemed to stop each time you got in/near Greenock Morton's penalty area. You were quite strong in building up, but don't seem to have anyone actually capable of producing a shot on goal.

Greenock Morton 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic An absolutely wonderful ground to finish the 42 at. The game was good despite the scoreline. Shame I finish the 42 with my first 0-0 that I've seen in Scotland, but I can't have everything I suppose.

Fixtures worked out perfectly. I was looking forward most to Somerset Park and Cappielow. Now I get the chance to finish the 42 by doing both in the same weekend.

Cappielow, going there tomorrow. Spending the night in Ayr and then a nice drive up the coast to Greenock!