Dev

That's right. For example, the SJFA doesn't have any affiliated leagues, doesn't have any rules and regulations, doesn't have any influence whatsoever over the running and decision making of affiliated leagues, all of the leagues have always been entirely well run and democratic, they have always set a fine example, the SJFA and the affiliated leagues have been totally pro-active towards the setting up of the pyramid for nearly 20 years, they have never been shown to be untrustworthy and or unreliable with regard to the pyramid. Really?

Why, apart from Clydebank obviously, would clubs not retain their membership? The question should be: Why should current Junior clubs which move into senior football at any time in the future continue to retain membership of a competing "National Association"?

On the one hand you are directly implying that the clubs which stayed in the East Region Juniors' leagues, (such as the 22 south of Tay Bridge Juniors which are in the EoS area) are smaller and weaker and would not survive! Then you say that "Nobody's going to stay in a WRSJFA" so any current west Juniors choosing to stay in the WRSJFA leagues are as bad as Tayport, Scone Thistle, Whitburn, Armadale, Bathgate, Livingston, Fauldhouse, West Calder, Pumpherston, Harthill, Stoneyburn, etc. They have responsibilities to themselves first of all and to their futures. They will make up their own minds. It isn't for the SJFA or any of the Junior Regions to dictate to these clubs. What is it that makes you have such disregard for current Junior clubs which have chosen to stick with the Juniors and may yet stay in the Junior Leagues for next season?

Presumably subscribers won't be able to get their money back from the companies such as you mention? The companies could be on a winner if that's correct so wouldn't try going after the leagues for failure to provide matches - unless there is insurance in place? Insurers to pick up the tab?

This is on the NLS web site Twitter section today. Perhaps this is another club looking to join the Under 20's in future? Kirkcaldy & Dysart FC @kdydysartfc We are delighted to announce that former Raith and Aston Villa player PAUL BROWNE has joined the Club’s management team. While being involved in all football activities at the Club, Paul will have specific responsibility for putting together and managing an Under 20’s squad

…. but the SYFA is subordinate to the SFA and has to apply the SFA rules unless they have specific authority not to. They may have for all I know but it should be run past the SFA ASAP.

Agreed. Leopards don't change their spots. How can they be trusted or relied upon given their attitude and behaviour towards most things which aren't "Junior". They keep reminding me of the Ceaucescu Regime in Romania. Defiant until the very end.

Then Glencairn should get their application in - to support the Lowland League's negotiating position?

Just seen the latest from the SFA. Fair enough.

Is there any merit in getting the important games played i.e. league matches with no spectators allowed in? It would need the OK from the SFA and the Refs.

Possible Grounds For Optimism in the west? Strathclyde Uni sharing with Renfrew. Could both/either be thinking of the WoS? Up-grades in process at their ground. From NLS web site this Tweet: Alan Calderwood MCBC @centralmorrison Great to see the fence erected @RenfrewFC - a great community partnership with @Glasgow_Clyde and one we are delighted to have helped to facilitate with our fellow community partners @UniStrathclyde #construction #constructioninthecommunity #morrisonconstruction #renfrewjuniors 11:46 am · 16 Mar 2020

It's puzzled me as well. They are claiming it as victory and presenting like they got everything they wanted. If you visit the USA or even elsewhere in the UK you will find the same language/words in use but they have a different meaning. You don't have to travel very far in football here to find the same thing! I think that it would be very wise for all clubs which genuinely intend to switch away from the SJFA to the new WoS run by the Lowland League to put in their applications straight away. Kilwinning has set out its' stall and others need to follow. This would strengthen the Lowland League's negotiating position and weaken that of the SJFA (alias WRJFA).

Sorry about the Red Dot but this issue is so Important to get right here and now. Any chances of future divisions within the pyramid need to be stopped at this stage. I believe that what you are OK with on this particular aspect has potential to cause problems in the future.

Makes sense!

It has been put about that the WoS wouldn't want the "small " clubs. There is absolutely no evidence to support this theory. In any case we may see clubs from each current level within the West Juniors choosing to remain exactly where they are - much as the West Lothian Junior clubs have chosen to do in the east.

A condition of licencing is to play in the pyramid. Next season the WoS will provide the necessary league in the west which will remove the option which there has been to remain in a non-pyramid league and to retain a club licence.

Is this what is being proposed? Why would this happen as the SJFA or any successor wouldn't be running any pyramid leagues. …. or is this a sneaky way to get Tier 6 leagues e.g. north, Tayside, east, run by what is still, effectively, the SJFA?

But, deep down, you know it makes sense!?

As Mr Ronney and Kennie's social media/P&B comments show that, for the Juniors, this is about saving the SJFA. Kennie states that the Lowland League "needs" ALL 63 west Juniors. Well, no, this assumption is not based upon reality as the new WoS will only require a minimum number of clubs in order to get off the ground. If the SJFA push this too hard they will see the Lowland League walk away.

Girvan will be a senior club from next season onwards as a condition of the club licence - same as all licenced clubs.

That's not how it has been though has it?

"Letting West teams join the pyramid as one but stay members of Junior FA and play Junior Cup would keep almost every single supporter and committee member of a West Region Junior team happy while enabling clubs who wish to join the pyramid to do so and progress." There seems to be a contradiction built into your assumption. What if any current west Junior clubs do not wish to enter the pyramid? What happens to them? Where do they go? There's clearly no room for the Junior Cup to run alongside the South Challenge Cup. How do you get around that given that there are dead-lines to be met by top division clubs aiming for a promotion place to the Lowland League?

Almost sounds as though the current west Juniors will be both Senior and Junior at the same time? If that's about it (?) who would administer the rules etc? I will be keen to see what actually emerges from all of this!

Agreed but it's going to be difficult to have a lot of faith in the West Juniors because of their deep involvement with that which didn't happen previously!

Would that apply if all of the west Juniors are in the league? Or would some remain outside this "no fines, permits, etc " situation?