Josuke Higashikata

what was the crowd?

Yup, I understand. Plus it is hard to forget the behaviour of those who spent so long boasting that the juniors were the better product and that we did not need a pyramid. We move forwards now, I am pleased to say.

With respect, "you dinosaurs" was not reflective of every junior side or committee. Nor am I certain every South team were readily able to be promoted. Critiquing what went on before will not improve the pyramid now.

As an aside, "the juniors"? Best wishes to Creetown should they make it, incidentally. I would fancy travelling down for that.

Sunday will be my first visit to Volunteer Park. What is the venue like?

At 4,300, there were more at the women’s final than the South Challenge Cup final last season. On par with the Junior Cup and SPFL Challenge Cup final, too. The women’s game in Scotland needs continued investment to support young players as other nations become increasingly competitive. Barbs at it help no one.

Sunnybank were the first juniors to win away from home against an SPFL club. Albion Rovers in 2010/11 - remarkable.

Are you referring to the latter as the “nobody gives a toss” one - really?

The league club Rossvale split from the Rossvale Academy last year. The Academy remain and field a fifth-tier West team. Their sides i.e, the women’s team will likely still be Rossvale. The much-discussed name change came as a requirement of the split.

Oddly, they are not even the first club from Cumbernauld. Brian McColl's database names at least three junior sides before them. One even played at Guy's Meadow. I assume those sides were from what is now Cumbernauld Village.

A good weekend then.

The old Muirkirk ground was in the middle of nowhere. Imagine going up there in early January.

Do you actually say lol when you are typing, or add it to posts to sound more imaginative?

How about the South of Scotland League?

East-East Renfrewshire then.

Always fancied Giffnock to join the pyramid. Busby next, please (playing out of Overlee). Scottish football needs a strong East Renfrewshire.

Burnton - a small former mining settlement. It is on signposts outside Craigmark/Dalmellington, but I hae no idea how big it is currently.

Holm Park IS in Clydebank, not the City of Glasgow.

I suspect teams from the East of Scotland would disagree. Not that I do not wish for more opportunities for promotion.

Looks a good turnout in this footage of a few hundred.

Largs Thistle 4-0 Petershill, woo-hoo!

That is currently true, but it was not long ago that Ayrshire dominated the cup. When over 160 teams entered. That does not necessarily undermine the longevity of the contest.

The Scottish Junior Cup has mileage left in it. And it will until an alternative appears. Whether that be more sides in the Scottish FA Cup or a national non-league tourney (which is unlikely). As you know, Largs reached the final in 2019, the year after the exodus of East teams to senior football. Even so, the 2019 team were likely stronger than the 2010 team from the "heyday" of the juniors. 2010 was not a heyday, I know. That would be the 1950s. But who thought we would be here now?