Khufu2

What utter nonsense. How can you draw that conclusion from what I posted? You really do inhabit Fantasy Island. The facts are: Blackburn United is a member of the SJFA. It is currently participating in SJFA competitions Applying to join the EOS does not mean you have been accepted. The last two teams to be processed for licensing are LTHV and HWU, not Blackburn, not Dalkeith. Under current rules nothing will be done about licensing your club until a) they have been accepted by EOS, b) the SFA lifts the moratorium on licensing. I have passed no judgment on whether your team will or will not be accepted by the EOS.

I'm sure the 18-19 is just a genuine mistake. A "moratorium on applications whilst discussions are ongoing" seems a reasonable description of what the SFA is saying: "Scottish FA Board that it would not take any more membership applications until such time as this matter is resolved."

Oh really? Did I miss the EOS AGM? I think you mean they have applied. Still inhabiting your little fantasy world, I see.

Not what I think might happen. What I think should happen. Do keep up.

This is the one who keeps addressing me as Isa and thinks I care about Talbot. You couldn't make it up.

Oh dear. The SFA decides the basis on which licences are issued. They can change the rules at their next meeting if it fits in with their pyramid plans.

You quite simply do not know that. You are making it up as you go along.

That is simply not true. The SFA decides on licensing arrangements. They can start on the licensing of junior clubs from their next meeting if they so wish. It is quite probable that they will obviously require commitment or even entry into an SFA league before the licence is valid but to say they cannot be licensed for 2019-20 is just plain wrong. After all, aren't we being told that Blackburn and Dalkeith are having their licences processed?They are as much junior teams as Pollok and Bo'ness.

Are you still living in the past? I'm discussing now and the future, not 5 years ago. Junior clubs will be preparing for licenses in the next year. It's the situation 12 months from now which is relevant - not 5 years ago.

And then the SFA blocked license applications just in case the stampede started.

3 years of 5up/down would sort out the LL.

Eh? You are forgetting the junior clubs which could well be licensed in a year's time. They will line up with the other licensed clubs in applying for places. Of the ones you list Kelty or LTHV and Threave and Girvan are the only credible applicants. I dare say Bonnyrigg and HoB may well be licensed by then and would also take up places.

Well yes. Kelty are an exception in that they see themselves as a prospective SPFL team and probably saw the EOS as a near open goal in terms of immediate promotion to the LL, knowing their only rival was LTHV. But here's the problem. Both teams should clearly be in the Lowland League but as more and more good teams join the EOS at tier 6, it's going to take longer and longer for them to get where their playing strengths/infrastructure merit. Next season the unfortunate of LTHV/Kelty will probably be joined by Bonnyrigg and HoB and Dundonald, the following season could see Bo'ness, Linlithgow, Penicuik at the very least. That's maybe seven teams in the east alone who are probably stronger than the majority of current LL teams. If a WoS league starts at tier 6 you'll have another 7 or 8 teams stronger than most of the division above - so between east and west there'll be a whole division worth of clubs stronger than most of the teams in the division above. It's a guddle, yet it's easily remedied.

Eh? The wheat might turn out to be the 16 original LL teams and the chaff might turn out to be the 16 new clubs. I understand why that hadn't crossed your mind.

Here we go again. Nothing but grievance. This is now, not 5 years ago. Do we want a pyramid which works with the better clubs positioned above the poorer clubs or do we not? Do we want a working model or a laughing stock? These people don't want a pyramid based on ability. They want a ladder with the juniors standing at the bottom with one allowed to climb one rung per year. And all to preserve their unrealistic position on that ladder.

"The SPFL do not want more than one Lowland League" I'm not proposing two Leagues. There would still be one Lowland League, comprising two linear divisions, Premier and Division One (in the first season two geographical divisions to separate the wheat from the chaff. "There are not enough Licenced clubs to form two regional Lowland Leagues" I'm not proposing two Leagues but two divisions of the LL It's being proposed for 2019-20 not today. The whole point of trying to reach agreement by the summer is to allow clubs 12 months to work towards licensing. As with the creation of the Lowland League, clubs could also be given a further 12 months to get a licence. "An SFA Licence process can take a lot longer than a season to work through depending on the starting point for each club" And it can take less. Either way 12 months grace in working towards a licence was granted by the SFA when the Lowland League was created so we have a precedent. "The SFA Licence process for current Junior clubs cannot begin until they join the Pyramid" Does Blackburn United know this? "Anyone with their head screwed on looking at the above facts realises that" ...they aren't facts at all.

Indeed. It's a word often used when making proposals. Didn't you know?

Absolutely. Make the best of a bad situation. Not deliberately make it worse by placing better teams below poorer ones.

The evidence suggests the top amateur teams aren't better than the like of Beith and Rutherglen - though it also suggests the very top amateurs are significantly better than some EOS teams. The evidence is also there to suggest that the better junior teams are better than the generality of Lowland League teams. The Lowland League was created by teams applying - some clubs indeed vaulted over others ... probably deservedly. If 16 extra LL places are created then again applications should be invited and the most deserving clubs should get those spots. By deserving they would need to be licensed (or as with the formation of the LL have a short period in which to get a licence) and have good playing strength and good facilities.

That's just nonsense. A requirement to participate at tier 5/6 under my proposal is teams are licensed! Better by playing strength and facilities. Perhaps you forgot that the creation of the LL allowed teams to "vault up the pyramid".

What HL/LL structure is being ripped up by creating tier 5 and 6 Lowland League divisions? The whole point of what I was saying is that given a years notice there will be sufficient licensed clubs to form a LL2. Season 1 create two regional groups of 16 (only one champion) and season 2 onwards run tier 5 with the top clubs and tier 6 with the bottom clubs.

LOL! Why do you keep citing Talbot? There are at least a dozen junior clubs that are better than the majority of Lowland League teams. Why do you keep harping on about the past? Why not come and live in the present. For the first time a proper pyramid is going to happen thanks to the juniors joining. Why not get the structure right from the start rather than harping on about junior clubs did or didn't do in the past. It's time some people here actually faced the reality of the situation rather than nurse their grievances and let their grievances rule their head. This constant reference to Talbot is worrying. It's odd how some people like to construct their own little imaginary world isn't it? You're in good company on this thread though, that's for sure.

LOL!!!! In what way is advocating the strongest junior teams join the Lowland League "wanting things to stay as they are for as long as possible" In what way is advocating promotion between the various leagues and the LL wanting things to stay the same? I can understand why you are upset. After all, it would knock back Eyemouth United's chances of getting to SPFL2 by a season. Put your brain in gear before answering.

That depends on whether you want the pyramid to reflect relatives strengths of teams or whether you want the pyramid to be a guddle and a laughing stock. No one is demanding anything. It's simply a sensible proposal. I understand why people like you, who have a horse in the race and can't see beyond that fact and want to punish the johnny comme latelies, are agin it, but the proposal isn't really intended for such people. It's for those who want a sensible structure.

No. I'm Isa Goudie.