Dev

Well done to all at Drumchapel United.

Maybe if the west clubs had come on board after Kelty Hearts' move then they could have had more sides already playing in the LL? Boat delayed, unfortunately. Do you think that the SPFL would agree to more than two leagues at Tier 5? You couldn't divide the LL area into east and west at Tier 5 unless the SPFL agreed to it. They're not even willing to put forward a club to take part in this season's play-off final against the winners of the HL and LL?

New Clubs in the EoS. Regardless of the Rules of the LL and HL the EoS makes its' own rules and can amend them from time to time if the clubs decide that it is necessary and appropriate. This means that the EoS clubs can accept any club e.g. Luncarty is outside the usual area covered. Previously it was Kinnoull, and before that it was Jeanfield Swifts which were perceived as being outside the usual EoS area. Things change. With regard to the majority of the East Region Juniors located to the north of the Tay Bridge then it is a fair question to ask whether or not these clubs would, in any case, still be interested in joining the current EoS. If they are interested in the idea of joining the Pyramid with a view to becoming Licenced, with the possibility of being promoted to a Tier 5 league, then their best bet is surely to stick with the HL Pyramid. If not then just form a Tayside Senior league which fits into the HL Pyramid. If clubs don't wish to go for Licencing then it doesn't matter that they're part of the HL Pyramid as they won't be travelling outside their own patch in any case - unless it is to play against the North Juniors, as they do at present, in cup games. Most current HL clubs are to the north-east i.e. Aberdeenshire and Moray which are not hard to get to from Dundee, let alone, more rural Angus. Also, the HL is weaker in terms of the numbers of clubs which would be competing with them. There is far greater strength in depth already in the Lowland Pyramid and that will become significantly stronger again when the WoS starts to promote clubs into the LL. We won't know if north of Tay Bridge clubs might be accepted by the EoS clubs until they apply. Luncarty has had a positive response but they are close to Perth, which is now probably accepted as part of EoS territory? If north of Tay Bridge clubs apply to and are accepted by the EoS clubs in future it needs [a] them to apply and the EoS clubs to accept them. However, if the LL decides to stick with the current boundary against the HL then any clubs from north of the Tay Bridge which may be accepted into the EoS do so knowing that, as things stand, they could then get a licence but they wouldn't have a route up to Tier 5 unless they switched to a league based in the HL territory. Is it really likely that current EoS clubs would accept any applications from current north of Tay Bridge ERJFA clubs which are thought to have the potential to win the EoS and, therefore, under current LL Rules, would be unable to enter the play-offs for promotion to the LL let alone be promoted to that league. In other words why would the current EoS clubs accept a strong north of Tay Bridge club which may block promotion from the EoS to the LL? The likes of the weaker SPFL 2 clubs from north of the Tay Bridge can shout as loud as they like but, unless the current LL clubs vote to amend their rules such clubs cannot join this league. When WoS clubs move up into the LL this situation will be even harder to change. Why would they wish to travel to e.g. Brechin, on a rainy mid-winter Tuesday night?

Is it that the SJFA hope that by [a] keeping the new West Seniors tied to the SJFA via the Junior Cup and by getting the current (just) West Region Juniors Management to run the new WoS that they will get into the Pyramid by stealth and, in effect, convert the WoS back into a SJFA controlled league? Without control of the WoS the SJFA, in practice, would no longer be relevant. Is it fair to say this?: Hence the interest by the WRSJFA management, after scathing criticism of everything non-Junior, to do the back-flip which pushed the more reluctant clubs to apply to join the WoS. The Management needed them to join as they were assumed to be the hard-core pro-Juniors voters when it comes to the WoS clubs electing their own Management Committee/Board. In any case, hopefully alternative people will come forward to run the WoS when the time comes. By then all ex West Juniors will have experienced what it is like to be in a league which is run appropriately and efficiently for the benefit of the clubs rather than for the Management. That will make it difficult for most (not all) ex West Juniors Management to be elected.

I think you may have a good point. The LL will end up being a better league than League 1 at this rate. Certainly better run and if the up-and-coming clubs are jam packed into the Lowland League, because of the bottle-neck, then maybe League 2 will drop down a level eventually in playing standards anyway. League 1 maybe will take a lot longer!

See More …………. "as we look to strengthen the pathway towards the new West Development League" Talbot fielded an Under 17's last season. Will they be pusshing that side up into the Lowland Under 20's Development League next season or maybe wait a season or so?

Are EK Thistle putting in an Under 20's side into the Lowland Development League?

https://newmainsunitedfc.com/statement-club-apply-for-entry-into-lowland-development-league/ NEWMAINS UNITED STATEMENT: Club apply for entry into Lowland Development League NEWMAINS UNITED have applied to join the Lowland Development League. The Victoria Park side have submitted a request to field an Under-20s team after moving to the newly formed West of Scotland League structure last month. It will allow the club to continue with their plans to build a player pathway, with future first team stars being blooded in a competitive environment. The new team will be managed by the club’s academy manager John Campbell and Dean Beaton, with games being played on a Friday night. Eligible players must be 19 or younger on December 31 2020, with two overage players allowed to feature in each game for a maximum of six games each during the season.

….. so if Irvine Meadow, Kilwinning Rangers and Kirkintilloch Rob Roy are on-board too we may have these 24 newcomers for next season. Other possibles seem to be Largs Thistle, Neilston, Pollok, St Roch's and Yoker Athletic: East (6) Edinburgh South Gala Fairydean Rovers Glenrothes Kennoway Star Hearts Kirkcaldy & Dysart Whitehill Welfare West (18) Arthurlie Bellshill Athletic Carluke Rovers Clydebank Darvel East Kilbride Irvine Meadow Kilwinning Rangers Johnstone Burgh Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Maryhill Newmains United Rossvale FC Shettleston Juniors St Cadocs Troon Vale of Leven Whitletts Victoria Edited to Include Newmains United

https://www.whitlettsvictoria.com/item.php?pg=news&pd=1002&it=1006 Wednesday 27th May 2020 - posted by John Dalton Vics Launch u20's Development Squad Whitletts Victoria are to apply to join the Lowland Development League (West) next season, a new under 20’s development league which will be the latest extension of the player pathway created in recent years by the Clubs’ charity, Vics in the Community and will have close links with the clubs’ first team squad. And the Club are delighted to announce that former Ayr United midfielder Duncan George has agreed to take charge of the youngsters to aid their development, with players being registered Whitletts Victoria players and available for first team selection. Vics in the Community spokesperson, Blair Monaghan said this was an exciting project that will complement the work currently underway to create a player pathway to the first team. “Since Vics in the Community’s formation in 2018, we have worked hard to establish a number of community projects as well as starting to develop a player pathway which will eventually lead to us organising teams at every age group from 4v4’s through to the first team, giving players the opportunity to play at the highest level they possibly can” said Blair “With Whitletts Victoria playing next season in the new West of Scotland Football League, the under 20’s will work very closely with the first team squad and there will be opportunities for players to train alongside and with the first team, catch the eye of manager George Grierson and work their way into the first team squad.” “And in Duncan George we believe that we have the right man at the helm to give the young players the right development. He’s played the game at senior level with Ayr United and Stranraer, played in the juniors with Auchinleck and Irvine Meadow, has coached at pro-youth and junior level, including a spell at Whitletts, as well as having scouted for Premier League clubs so he knows a player and how to get the best from them. The young players could not have a better person to learn from and continue their football education.” Head Coach Duncan George said that he was delighted to take charge of the team and looked forward to the challenges that lay ahead. “This is an exciting opportunity for players to play in a brand new league set up against the best young players throughout the West of Scotland. There is a wealth of young talent out there and this provides the ideal platform for them to showcase their talents and show that they can play at a higher level” said Duncan. “Through time it will complete a player pathway for local youngsters to play for Whitletts Victoria and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.” The u20’s Development League is organised by the Lowland League and matches will be played on a Friday night with the Club looking to secure Dam Park Stadium as the venue for its’ home matches with players having that first team matchday experience. Blair Monaghan added “This will be a competitive league against some of the top teams and young players in the West of Scotland and we are looking to secure the best possible facilities for the players to showcase their talents and have that first team experience.”

Thanks. If you can direct to anything on social media or web sites which mention these clubs' decisions/progress on this it would be helpful.

The Rules and Regs for the league can be accessed via this link. Rules and Regs are subject to change' http://slfl.co.uk/rules/development-league-rules/ I have copied some of the info and hope this will help. There's no mention on Astro pitches at all. Development League Rules Development League (Under 20) The Competition shall be known as the Lowland Under 20 Development League 5. All grounds must comply with the following minimum criteria: (2) Separate and exclusive changing accommodation for two teams. (3) Separate changing accommodation for up to four match officials. (4) Spectators must be separated from the field of play by a wall, a rope, a railing or a fence. (5) Goal nets and corner flags shall be used at all matches. By participating in Lowland and East of Scotland Under 20 Development League competitions all Clubs agree to conform to all of the Terms of Reference and all of the specific competition rules in their entirety. LOWLANDS UNDER-20 DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PRINCIPLES 6.2 Age Limit To be eligible to participate in the Under 20 Development League, the following criteria will apply:- Players must be under 20 years of age on the 1st January immediately preceding the start of the playing season. e.g. For season 2019/20 this means players born on or after 1st January 2000. VENUES All matches in the Under 20 Development League must be played at a ground which has a playing surface and changing accommodation that has been approved and accepted by the Scottish Lowland Football League. Clubs must also ensure that there is a barrier between the playing pitch and spectators, this can be in the form of a permanent barrier or an area for spectators roped off. Failure to comply with this will result in spectators watching the match from outside the playing area (if the pitch is caged off).

That could make it 29 clubs showing interest, to varying degrees, about entering the Lowland Under 20's for 2020/21. Add to 28 (out of 29) existing sides to get maybe up to about 57 teams! From these clubs which ran Under 19's in 2019/20: Blantyre Victoria, Bo'ness United, Larkhall Thistle, Renfrew and Wishaw Juniors don't seem to have made any comments on social media about their intentions about stepping up, or not, to The Lowland Under 20's. Does anyone know any more about their plans? Existing Under 19s Not in the Under 20's for 2019/20 (10) Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Blantyre Victoria Bo'ness United Largs Thistle Larkhall Thistle Neilston Renfrew St Cadoc's Vale of Leven Wishaw Juniors

it's been suggested previously on P&B that if Tier 8 of the EoS in 2021/22 is regionalised then there's a better chance for Amateur and Youth clubs to aim for it from Perth/Stirling/Kinross/Fife and the Borders. Tier 8 could be a more sustainable level for such clubs and it would help to make the EoS even more representative of the areas which it currently covers. Maybe once Tier 8 is formed this will happen naturally anyway. No. I'm not going to have a go at the West Lothian Juniors for staying where they are. Clubs will move if they wish to.

Cupar Hearts and A.M. Soccer are merging their 1st XI's for next season in the Kingdom of Fife Amateur League Premier Division so they look like a real viable possibility? Leven United's ground looks as though it could be brought up to EoS standard but could Leven support them with East Fife in town too? It would be good to see them give it a go.

Now St Roch's looking to enter a team: