Dev

Tweets from Irvine Victoria on NLS hint that they're close to making an announcement.

Although the prospects of any Summer football in the north of Scotland looks bleak the Inverness Amateur League was due to have this composition. Do you think any of these would be remotely suitable for the NCL? I was surprised to see Gairloch/Aultea United in this league. Could they have more ambitious plans? and this was perhaps to be a practice run before stepping up to Saturday Winter football? : Inverness & Dist Amat Lg 2020 Prem Div.1 Div.2 Avoch Ardersier Black Isle United (Culbokie) Contin Balloan Conon Bridge Ferrybache Black Rock Rovers (Evanton) Drakies PDG ICM Electrical Charlestelona Fortrose & Rosemarkie Union IRN Security Culloden Blacksmiths Gairloch/Aultbea United Loch Ness Hill Rovers (Farr) Highland Aviation Maryburgh Innes CI NHS Highland NMM Sams Merkinch Norbord Cleanco North Kessock Muir of Ord Rovers Tomatin United Tomatin Uncle Bob's

I guess that it will depend on the numbers of clubs but also upon when the season is likely to start and finish or if there's a strong chance that it may be interrupted by e.g. the virus? I would be inclined to be cautious with the numbers of clubs per conference given what's happening at present. Spare dates could be filled with Cups?

Ref to his recent newspaper interview. Could they be one of the clubs that just won't make a formal announcement? Don't know.

https://www.facebook.com/fauldhouseutdfanspage/ Fauldhouse United JFC fans page 29 March at 12:38 · ‎Rob Mildren‎ to Fauldhouse United JFC fans page 29 March at 12:33 · I guess we would all like some real football to watch but in the meantime some big moves are happening in the East & West Juniors for next season. So far Luncarty, Lochgelly Albert, Lochore Welfare, Kennoway Star Hearts, Kirkcaldy & Dysart, Newburgh, Rosyth Juniors and Thornton Hibs are all leaving the East Region Juniors and applying to join the East of Scotland leagues for next season That leaves only enough teams for 1 South divison of the East Juniors with Livingston Utd Pumpherston Juniors Whitburn Juniors Armadale Thistle Fauldhouse Utd Bathgate Thistle Harthill Royal Stoneyburn Juniors Syntenta Bo'ness CFC Linlithgow CFC Sauchie CFC West Calder Utd Meanwhile in the west the teams are leaving the West Juniors to join the new West of Scotland League. Some of them might also maintain an SJFA affiliation but only so they can continue playing in the Junior Cup, which will be slotted in after league (definitely) and other cups (likely) take priority. So far more than 30 of the 63 West Junior clubs have published statements to say they are applying to the West of Scotland League. The West Region Junior committee is recommending that ALL their clubs apply. They have until 7 April to get their application in, after that there may be no West Junior League. Applications for the East of Scotland League close on 31 March.

https://www.facebook.com/fauldhouseutdfanspage/ Fauldhouse United JFC fans page 29 March at 12:38 · ‎Rob Mildren‎ to Fauldhouse United JFC fans page 29 March at 12:33 · I guess we would all like some real football to watch but in the meantime some big moves are happening in the East & West Juniors for next season. So far Luncarty, Lochgelly Albert, Lochore Welfare, Kennoway Star Hearts, Kirkcaldy & Dysart, Newburgh, Rosyth Juniors and Thornton Hibs are all leaving the East Region Juniors and applying to join the East of Scotland leagues for next season That leaves only enough teams for 1 South divison of the East Juniors with Livingston Utd Pumpherston Juniors Whitburn Juniors Armadale Thistle Fauldhouse Utd Bathgate Thistle Harthill Royal Stoneyburn Juniors Syntenta Bo'ness CFC Linlithgow CFC Sauchie CFC West Calder Utd Meanwhile in the west the teams are leaving the West Juniors to join the new West of Scotland League. Some of them might also maintain an SJFA affiliation but only so they can continue playing in the Junior Cup, which will be slotted in after league (definitely) and other cups (likely) take priority. So far more than 30 of the 63 West Junior clubs have published statements to say they are applying to the West of Scotland League. The West Region Junior committee is recommending that ALL their clubs apply. They have until 7 April to get their application in, after that there may be no West Junior League. Applications for the East of Scotland League close on 31 March.

Guessing that "Geographical Integrity" kicks in here so it would be a surprise if any West Lothian Juniors managed to get into the WoS. There's a post on Fauldhouse fans Facebook pages on 29th March which spells out the changing situation in the West and East Regions of the Juniors. Fauldhouse fans, at least, can't say that they don't know the risks of a stand-still.

…. but the Manager says that he hasn't spoken to/seen the Committee since the last match. A lot has changed since then. He also says that everyone is leaving for the new league or words to that effect. Also Mr Ronney will be monitoring the situation as he has made it clear that he doesn't want any clubs left behind. He may fail to get everyone on-board but it won't be for the lack of effort on his part.

You mention three other clubs have applied in addition to Loch Ness. Kinlochbervie has been mentioned before on this thread as intending to apply to join the NCL for next season (whenever that is). Has Alness found a home so that they can return? Who else?

Guessing that if the Lowland League is willing to accept applications from current Juniors which will retain Junior status for Junior Cup reasons then there is no obvious reason for the Highland League not to do the same with the North Region Juniors i.e. they would transfer their League to the pyramid in some way whilst retaining their member clubs. Member clubs could choose whether or not to retain Junior status as in the WoS. Seems an easy solution on the face of things. NCL coming into the senior pyramid officially to fill the gap in the Highlands.

Late night round-up. 39 Clubs which have Applied so far/have said that they will be applying: Premiership (12) Championship (12) League One (8) League Two (6) Others (1) Auchinleck Talbot Arthurlie Bellshill Athletic Ashfield Drumchapel Utd PYM Beith Juniors Blantyre Victoria Glasgow Perthshire Forth Wanderers Clydebank Cambuslang Rangers Greenock Juniors Johnstone Burgh Glenafton Athletic Cumbernauld United Kello Rovers Newmains United Irvine Meadow XI Darvel Larkhall Thistle Vale of Clyde Kilbirnie Ladeside Gartcairn Juniors Maryhill Vale of Leven Kilwinning Rangers Kilsyth Rangers Port Glasgow Juniors Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Neilston Juniors Royal Albert Largs Thistle Petershill Pollok Renfrew Rutherglen Glencairn Shotts Bon Accord Troon Whitletts Victoria 25 West Juniors: Not known to have applied so far: Benburb Craigmark Burntonians Ardrossan Winton Rovers Annbank United Cumnock Juniors Dalry Thistle Carluke Rovers Ardeer Thistle Hurlford United Irvine Victoria East Kilbride Thistle Lugar Boswell Thistle Rossvale St Roch's Girvan Maybole Juniors Lanark United Muirkirk Juniors Lesmahagow Juniors Saltcoats Victoria Shettleston St Anthony's Wishaw Juniors Thorniewood United Yoker Athletic

Plus Shotts Bon Accord (Source: NLS) so now 38 with 12 from the Premiership and also from the Championship. 37 out of 63 West Juniors clubs - almost 60%, with eight days to go to the 7th April deal-line. 26 West Juniors plans not yet known. Anyone know of further announcements likely today/tomorrow? Pyramidic? I'll do an up-dated list at the end of this evening.

Plus Beith (See NLS). Now 37. 37 Clubs which have Applied so far/have said that they will be applying: Premiership (12) Championship (11) League One (8) League Two (5) Others (1) Auchinleck Talbot Arthurlie Bellshill Athletic Ashfield Drumchapel Utd PYM Beith Juniors Blantyre Victoria Glasgow Perthshire Johnstone Burgh Clydebank Cambuslang Rangers Greenock Juniors Newmains United Glenafton Athletic Cumbernauld United Kello Rovers Vale of Clyde Irvine Meadow XI Darvel Larkhall Thistle Vale of Leven Kilbirnie Ladeside Gartcairn Juniors Maryhill Kilwinning Rangers Kilsyth Rangers Port Glasgow Juniors Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Neilston Juniors Royal Albert Largs Thistle Petershill Pollok Renfrew Rutherglen Glencairn Whitletts Victoria Troon Not known to have applied so far: Benburb Craigmark Burntonians Ardrossan Winton Rovers Annbank United Cumnock Juniors Dalry Thistle Carluke Rovers Ardeer Thistle Hurlford United Irvine Victoria East Kilbride Thistle Forth Wanderers Rossvale Shotts Bon Accord Girvan Lugar Boswell Thistle St Roch's Lanark United Maybole Juniors Lesmahagow Juniors Muirkirk Juniors Shettleston Saltcoats Victoria Wishaw Juniors St Anthony's Thorniewood United Yoker Athletic

It will be a new set-up so, in future, why should Premiership and Championship clubs have any say in what happens at the current League 1 and 2 level? It's the clubs at the lower levels which will be those directly affected so let them vote on what they want. If they choose to regionalise then that's fair enough, likewise if they come up with something along the lines of one division per Tier. Regionalised lowest divisions would make the transition up from the Amateur/Youth levels easier i.e. encourages the pyramid to function as a link as opposed to a glass ceiling!

There is no method which, given the circumstances, will please every club. How about taking this season's PPG positions and combining them with last seasons' final placings - but that would mean putting promoted clubs at a disadvantage by putting them at the bottom of the current season's table and relegated clubs may be at an advantage by putting them at the head of the current season's tables in their new divisions.??

I have included Kilbirnie Ladeside in view of the Gordon Ronney newspaper interview. Also one which was announced back on 23rd March. Troon. It's quite a read: http://troonfootballclub.co.uk/new-wosfl/ New West of Scotland League 23rd March 2020 As all of our supporters who attended the “Supporter’s Day” on 14th March and who buy our matchday programme will no doubt know, Junior football is set for possibly the biggest summer of change in it’s 134 year history. A new “West of Scotland Football League” (WoSFL) is currently being formed for this summer under the auspices of the Lowland League, which will sit below the Lowland League (and alongside the South of Scotland League & the East of Scotland League) at Tier 6 of the Scottish Football Pyramid. We had intended to hold a Club E.G.M. , but this obviously isn’t an option at this present time & so the club’s committee have acted upon the response from the floor at the recent “Supporter’s Day” on the 14th March. As a result, Troon Football Club have submitted our application to join the new West of Scotland Football League. We will now form part of the Scottish Football Pyramid System and fulfill what we as a Club voted for two years ago. We believe this is a significant step forward, both on and off the pitch, with exciting times ahead for everyone connected with the club. We are, without doubt, living in unprecedented times during the worldwide spread of the corona-virus, but once circumstances return to a sense of normality (whenever that may be) it is our intention to hold a further supporter’s meeting to inform everyone of our ideas & plans for the future in this new league. FAQs Considering how much mis-information we have seen out there regarding the new league & the pyramid system, we thought it pertinent to include some Frequently Asked Questions to keep all supporters & players updated of all developments: How will the pyramid be made up? The Scottish Football Pyramid is currently structured in the following tiers: Scottish Premiership Scottish Championship Scottish League One Scottish League Two Lowland League | Highland League South of Scotland League | East of Scotland League The new West of Scotland League will take it’s place at tier 6, alongside the South of Scotland League & the East of Scotland League. Who will run the new League? The new WOSFL is being formed by the Lowland League, with some assistance from the East of Scotland League & the South of Scotland League. Once the league is officially set-up, and clubs have joined, it will be the responsibility of the member clubs to appoint a new management committee to govern and handle it’s affairs. Is this a Junior League? This is a brand new league, and is a new body. It will not be run by the Scottish Junior FA. How many teams will be in the League? At this stage – we don’t know for certain. The deadline for entries is Tuesday 7th April, after which we will know for sure how many teams will be participating. But with 54+ teams from the Junior leagues signing a declaration to move across, it will be full of familiar names to us. There have also been a number of current East & South-based teams to have shown an interest, as well as some of the top amateur sides, so there will be plenty of fresh impetus into proceedings. Will teams be “cherry-picked” to join? No, there is no limit to the number of teams that will be accepted to the new league. With regards to compliance of ground criteria guidelines, the Leagues will work with Clubs with the expectation that necessary steps will be made over time. How will the leagues be structured? Again, this is still to be confirmed. And this can’t really be set in stone until after the deadline has closed for entries & we know the exact number of participating teams. There have been calls from the West Region SJFA to maintain the current four leagues structure, which would mean the WOSFL would provide: Tier 6: Premiership Tier 7: Championship Tier 8: League One Tier 9: League Two But this structure would be complicated by the fellow new entries from teams outwith Junior football; and with this being a new entity, should previous Junior standings really be relevant? The most likely suggestion coming from the Lowland League, is that clubs will be split into equal conferences, in exactly the same way the East of Scotland set-up accommodated the influx of Junior teams from the ERSJFA a few years ago. How will these Conferences be set-up? There are a few options in terms of seeding the clubs or even organising geographically, all of which can be looked at seriously once the number of participants are 100% confirmed. Further dialogue will take place then. The Conferences will be for one season only, with the target of producing a 16 team Premier League for the following season. For instance: if we have 4 equal conferences next season, then the top 4 clubs will be promoted to form a 16-team Premier League for season 2021/22. Given the current suspension of football, this may (accidentally) be a good way of starting up next season, as it doesn’t strictly require this season to have been played to a finish before seeding for the conferences. How will promotion from tier 6 work? At the moment, there will be one side promoted every season from tier 6 into the Lowland League at tier 5. Currently, that is decided by way of a play-off between the winners of the South of Scotland League & the East of Scotland League. That will now become a 3-way play-off to include the WOSFL winners. In year 1, there will be a play-ff between the winners of the conferences first before the promotion play-off can take place, but as said above that is only for one season. As only licenced clubs are permitted access to the Lowland League, non-licenced clubs will be omitted from any play-off process. Will clubs be resigning from the SJFA then? Not necessarily, it is certainly not essential to do so. Some clubs will resign if they wish, but clubs joining the new WOSFL are permitted to remain as members of the Scottish Junior Football Association as well as members of the new League. This means the Macron Scottish Junior Cup will continue as planned next season, and will be open to all member clubs. Which may even include teams who had previously left Junior football re-subscribing to partake once more in this historic competition. The Competition Rules of the Scottish Junior Cup will be altered to reflect the need to ensure League Fixtures have priority. Will clubs in the WOSFL play in the “big” Scottish Cup? All clubs who hold an SFA Club Licence are eligible to partake in the William Hill Scottish Cup. At the moment, of the clubs who have noted interest in the WOSFL, there are only a few clubs currently with licences. But, this is expected to rise considerably in the coming few seasons. What is the remaining timescale for the WOSFL? 7th April – Close of application process Mid-April – Conference set-up expected to be confirmed Start of May – completed league proposal goes to SFA for review Start of June – SFA AGM, where WOSFL is expected to get approval Any other questions? If there’s anything you want to ask that hasn’t been detailed here, please contact us via email on: info@troonfootballclub.co.uk and we’ll try our best to answer it for you!

35 Clubs which have Applied so far/have said that they will be applying: Premiership (10) Championship (11) League One (8) League Two (5) Others (1) Auchinleck Talbot Arthurlie Bellshill Athletic Ashfield Drumchapel Utd PYM Clydebank Blantyre Victoria Glasgow Perthshire Johnstone Burgh Glenafton Athletic Cambuslang Rangers Greenock Juniors Newmains United Kilbirnie Ladeside Cumbernauld United Kello Rovers Vale of Clyde Kilwinning Rangers Darvel Larkhall Thistle Vale of Leven Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Gartcairn Juniors Maryhill Largs Thistle Kilsyth Rangers Port Glasgow Juniors Pollok Neilston Juniors Royal Albert Rutherglen Glencairn Petershill Troon Renfrew Whitletts Victoria Not known to have applied so far: Beith Juniors Craigmark Burntonians Ardrossan Winton Rovers Annbank United Benburb Dalry Thistle Carluke Rovers Ardeer Thistle Cumnock Juniors Irvine Victoria East Kilbride Thistle Forth Wanderers Hurlford United Shotts Bon Accord Girvan Lugar Boswell Thistle Irvine Meadow XI St Roch's Lanark United Maybole Juniors Rossvale Lesmahagow Juniors Muirkirk Juniors Shettleston Saltcoats Victoria Wishaw Juniors St Anthony's Thorniewood United Yoker Athletic

Largs Thistle, Auchinleck Talbot and Kilbirnie Ladeside. The extract from a newspaper article below doesn't say Kilbirnie Ladeside has actually applied but it leaves no doubt about their intentions. See the link from the newspaper report about Kilsyth Rangers: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/spfl-pyramid-masterplan-agreed-juniors-21753119 Kilbirnie Ladeside were one of the driving forces behind Junior clubs being allowed to retain membership of the SJFA in the new set-up. Spokesman Gordon Ronney was central to the talks. And he said: “Kilbirnie have said from day one that we were pro-pyramid. That’s where we need to be to progress as a club. “We need to be part of the structure of Scottish football. We also believe we need to keep our heritage and that lies within the junior association. “You should never forget where you come from but that doesn’t mean you don’t buy into other ideas. “There was a gap in the pyramid in the west and hopefully we plug that gap. “Kilbirnie were formed in 1901 and I have always maintained we are only temporary custodians. We can’t make rash decisions that jeopardises that history. “I am confident we have achieved that. We will add value to the SFA’s masterplan I firmly believe that. “Over time the stronger west clubs will work their way through the system and push people at SPFL League 2 to get in that door.”

Consultations at e.g. Irvine Meadow XI and Shotts Bon Accord should be complete now or before 31st March. 31 Clubs which have Applied so far/have said that they will be applying: Premiership (6) Championship (11) League One (8) League Two (5) Others (1) Clydebank Arthurlie Bellshill Athletic Ashfield Drumchapel Utd PYM Glenafton Athletic Blantyre Victoria Glasgow Perthshire Johnstone Burgh Kilwinning Rangers Cambuslang Rangers Greenock Juniors Newmains United Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Cumbernauld United Kello Rovers Vale of Clyde Pollok Darvel Larkhall Thistle Vale of Leven Rutherglen Glencairn Gartcairn Juniors Maryhill Kilsyth Rangers Port Glasgow Juniors Neilston Juniors Royal Albert Petershill Renfrew Whitletts Victoria Not known to have applied so far: Auchinleck Talbot Craigmark Burntonians Ardrossan Winton Rovers Annbank United Beith Juniors Dalry Thistle Carluke Rovers Ardeer Thistle Benburb Irvine Victoria East Kilbride Thistle Forth Wanderers Cumnock Juniors Shotts Bon Accord Girvan Lugar Boswell Thistle Hurlford United St Roch's Lanark United Maybole Juniors Irvine Meadow XI Lesmahagow Juniors Muirkirk Juniors Kilbirnie Ladeside Shettleston Saltcoats Victoria Largs Thistle Wishaw Juniors St Anthony's Rossvale Thorniewood United Troon Yoker Athletic

https://twitter.com/johnstone_burgh/status/1244329042377084928?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^embeddedtimeline|twterm^profile%3Ajohnstone_burgh|twgr^393535353b687465&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fnonleaguescotland.org.uk%2Fjohnstone.htm Now Johnstone Burgh. 31. (NLS.)

Good point.

My understanding is that not all clubs which, apparently, expressed interest in joining the new league were West Juniors or, indeed, Juniors.

Some clubs don't have web sites or, if they do, they don't keep them up to date. Not all clubs use social media. This applies especially to WRJFA clubs from League Two. It also applies, more generally, to the West Lothian Junior clubs. Some clubs like to keep things to themselves. This means that the list isn't complete and won't be until the League goes public with an announcement of clubs which will form the league. It won't announce clubs which may have been rejected or those which expressed an interest but didn't apply. If anyone is able to give a clue as to the number of current applications that would be interesting.

30 Clubs which have Applied so far/have said that they will be applying: Premiership (6) Championship (11) League One (8) League Two (4) Others (1) Clydebank Arthurlie Bellshill Athletic Ashfield Drumchapel Utd PYM Glenafton Athletic Blantyre Victoria Glasgow Perthshire Newmains United Kilwinning Rangers Cambuslang Rangers Greenock Juniors Vale of Clyde Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Cumbernauld United Kello Rovers Vale of Leven Pollok Darvel Larkhall Thistle Rutherglen Glencairn Gartcairn Juniors Maryhill Kilsyth Rangers Port Glasgow Juniors Neilston Juniors Royal Albert Petershill Renfrew Whitletts Victoria Not known to have applied so far: Auchinleck Talbot Craigmark Burntonians Ardrossan Winton Rovers Annbank United Beith Juniors Dalry Thistle Carluke Rovers Ardeer Thistle Benburb Irvine Victoria East Kilbride Thistle Forth Wanderers Cumnock Juniors Shotts Bon Accord Girvan Johnstone Burgh Hurlford United St Roch's Lanark United Lugar Boswell Thistle Irvine Meadow XI Lesmahagow Juniors Maybole Juniors Kilbirnie Ladeside Shettleston Muirkirk Juniors Largs Thistle Wishaw Juniors Saltcoats Victoria Rossvale St Anthony's Troon Thorniewood United Yoker Athletic

The list includes statements made on web sites, Twitter, Facebook etc or which have come from officials of clubs. It seems obvious that Cumnock and Girvan have applied but it needs some sort of verification ……...