VodkaTap

Nope - I am neither naive nor wilfully missing the obvious step they will try to make. You have cherrypicked the statement to quote yet you ignore the previous parts where I stated I do believe that the old firm will want to use this to further their ambitions within the SPFL. I believe that the colts cannot move from the LL without acceptance by the SPFL clubs. The colts cannot be foisted into the SPFL by any means without agreement. As to whether they were right to chose to accept the sum that they did is again a decision for the LL clubs to make !!

For everyone benefit let me make it absolutely clear about my position as regards the decision to allow the colts in the LL I believe that all fans are perfectly within their rights to make their views known as to the rights or wrongs of this decision. I believe that it is ultimately for only the LL clubs to vote and make their decision. I accept when they say that this decision is for 1 year only. I accept when they say that promotion and relegation will be unaffected by their participation. I believe that any possible continuation after this year will mean that, after examination of this experiment, more discussion and another vote will again be needed by the LL clubs. I do believe that the old firm will want to use this to further their ambitions within the SPFL. I believe that the colts cannot move from the LL without acceptance by the SPFL clubs. The colts cannot be foisted into the SPFL by any means without agreement. As can be seen from all of the above, at no time have I expressed a personal opinion as to whether having the colts in the LL is right or wrong. What I have been arguing for is the right of the LL clubs only to make that decision since it is only the LL clubs that are directly affect by the decision they have taken. I have already stated my position regarding relegation - the number of places should be increased. Again tho, only the LL clubs can make a change regarding this but they must recognise the pressure for change is becoming much stronger & the status quo is no longer valid. Hopefully I wont need to respond so much to the various posts !!!

ok - just for you I will give you example HL champion goes to SPFL 2 & team 42 go to LL = LL+1 Having the established principle that league numbers will be kept at 16, how should the LL deal with this possibility ? Will the EOS, WOS & SOS accept a variable numbers of relegation spots ???

After all i have said about the number of relegation places - are you expecting to disagree with you ????

No matter what our views are on the pyramid, the LL clubs have given their indicative vote and will give their final vote on this colts plan shortly.

It seems that Brechin are preparing to play in the Highland league. speaking to BBC’s Sportsound programme following the defeat, Ferguson says a move to the Highland League is the scenario he is expecting. Ferguson said: “The rules are that we go to the Highland League. That’s how the rules are placed at the moment and that’s what we have got to assume will happen.

So, what you are saying is that lower league clubs are beholden to the old firm. What I do feel is that is that all clubs should make a greater effort to develop their own players as that leads to a greater affinity to their club.

Please don't tell the WOS that they are irrelevant - they won't like it !!! I note that you have completely ignored my challenge to you regarding the current wide disparity Let me make one thing absolutely clear - I think there should be more relegations places from the LL. The perceived problem for the LL has always been that they had a variable number of possibilities in how many changes would take place to keep the league at 16. The problem with the promotion has largely gone now with the large number of licenced clubs available. When the number of relegation spots increase I have no idea but it can't come soon enough ! The offer to the Colts tho does not affect the above in any way.

I am extremely glad that we are finally moving to a fully inclusive pyramid system for all of the country. It has been far too long in the making. I wish you and your club well in this new venture.

You have made you mind up about me and no doubt nothing I can say will change that - but a liar I am not !! I speak for myself and I certainly don't speak for any club !! You care about the pyramid ??? when did this start ??? Hopefully your club will start to take part in the pyramid for the first time next season !!!

There is no wide disparity ?? - tell me in numbers exactly how you come to that conclusion ?? Until this year, exactly how many WOS clubs were eligible for promotion ??? Up until now, any change to the number of relegation places would have been to the benefit of the EOS & SOS only. Is that the 'fair' change you feel would have been acceptable ??

Of course I understand how lots of people are against the principle of letting the colts play in the league system. That view has been been very clear for many years now. The point I was making is that the colts cannot be promoted any season without general agreement to a change of the rules by ALL concerned.

That statement has lots of bluster and angst - but no facts to back it up. I do get how you feel about this decision - but i don't accept the inevitability of what might happen next

I am certainly not naive ! From the colts perspective, I am sure they would like to think it is a first step. Whether you like it or not - this experiment is for one year only. What happens after that will be the subject of another vote. Could the colts be promoted ? - let the Pyramid playoff rules answer that Any amendment to these Pyramid Play-Off Rules must be agreed by each of the Scottish FA, SPFL, SHFL and SLFL prior to it becoming effective.

I agree that is a totally different subject and it must inevitably happen. Remember tho, right now we have a wide disparity between eligible clubs for promotion between EOS & WOS. Once that improves, as it will very soon, then am sure relegation & promotion places will increase.

As it stands right now, the only clubs affected by this decision are the LL clubs themselves. Nobody else. The integrity of the pyramid is affected - how ?? Promotion from the LL is unaffected by this decision how can the SPFL clubs be affected ? Relegation from the LL will proceed & promotion to the LL will be unaffected by this decision so nothing will change by the decision. I also fully understand the objection to the principle of admitting the colts to the LL, but that is not something I am advising for or against !!

The acceptance part is by the dissenting members of the LL clubs. LL clubs have given an indicative vote and will have a final vote soon. Whatever the vote is - the majority view will happen. This does not mean it is likely to be popular by the dissenters !! You keep suggesting that it will inevitably be for more than one year, that it will inevitably continue and that it will inevitably mean the colts will end up in the SPFL. That is a lot of "inevitable things that MUST happen" when in fact there will be a lot of discussions, votes, and lobbying ( on both sides) that will need to take place before anything more can happen.

Please explain how will it affect the other leagues ?? As far I know neither promotion nor relegation will be impacted by the colts being in the league.

You don't like the way the LL clubs have given an indicative vote ? Unfortunately that just tough. You have every right to pressure all you like, but, at the end of the day It is for the LL clubs only to decide on this matter

16 LL clubs vote on what happens within their league only - nothing more !!! You seem to think the LL have influence on other leagues way more that they have , expect, or are looking for. Other league clubs will decide what happens within their own leagues and that decision will have nothing to do with whatever happens in the LL. It the OF colts want to move further then they will have to do their persuading on another set of clubs & fans all over again, just as they have done in the LL.

TBH, I have no idea what will be the outcome of this experiment. Am sure there will be both good and bad points to come out of it all. I do agree that the Colts are likely to want to continue & advance this if they can. But it is a democracy & whatever way the LL clubs vote then surely everyone will have to accept the result. Remember , the important part is that the LL clubs will be voting on what happens within their league only. They can't impose any decision on another league !!!

I totally understand your concerns but at present It affects the LL clubs for 1 year - nothing more. Any change to that & the clubs will have to vote again either to continue or discontinue the Colts experiment in the LL. The lower league clubs, and their supporters in the SPFL will get their chance to voice their opinion when it is needed at the right time, in other words, when something is proposed that affects them. The LL cannot impose any team nor impose changes to promotion on another league !!!

Congratulations to Kelty - very well done !

I posted my apology after i realised I had made a mistake and responded to a post that I thought was on the colts thread. I did not respond further as I had no wish to continue to distract the thread that should be about Berwick Rangers.

Sorry - but i wont continue to disrupt this thread that is dedicated to Berwick Rangers. There is a proper thread to discuss the LL colts decision.