To B or not B Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 3 minutes ago, FairWeatherFan said: It's an invite. Not a qualification. The SPFL can make up their own rules just like the Lowland League. I don’t think I stated it was a qualification? However, they have shown yet again their inconsistency with their decision making. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 1 minute ago, To B or not B said: I don’t think I stated it was a qualification? However, they have shown yet again their inconsistency with their decision making. It's not an inconsistency when they decide year to year. There is no hard rule to what they would do. Just like with the Challenge Cup. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
To B or not B Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 minute ago, FairWeatherFan said: It's not an inconsistency when they decide year to year. There is no hard rule to what they would do. Just like with the Challenge Cup. Their general guide was to invite the runners up in either the HL/LL, and then changed it last season when they parachuted Cowdenbeath in from 15th in the league, seen as many as a punishment to tier 5 for knocking back the confidence league. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 minute ago, To B or not B said: Their general guide was to invite the runners up in either the HL/LL, and then changed it last season when they parachuted Cowdenbeath in from 15th in the league, seen as many as a punishment to tier 5 for knocking back the confidence league. Or as a prezzie to Cowdenbeath for swaying the B-team vote. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 20 minutes ago, To B or not B said: Their general guide was to invite the runners up in either the HL/LL, and then changed it last season when they parachuted Cowdenbeath in from 15th in the league, seen as many as a punishment to tier 5 for knocking back the confidence league. First year there was meant to be a draw on either Highland or Lowland would fill the 3rd spot caused by the increase in European teams. Second was the other league's turn. Year 3 nobody knew if that would continue. While you might blame the Conference rejection. Plenty of others would point to a 4th placed team being considered a "runner up" Fact it was a University team probably didn't help either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowdenleith Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 (edited) 25 minutes ago, welshbairn said: Or as a prezzie to Cowdenbeath for swaying the B-team vote. The seethe the day it was announced that Cowdenbeath were in the League Cup was absolutely magnificent, happy times. Edited April 30 by Cowdenleith 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dev Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 I have just put this onto the Highland League General Discussion thread. I am hoping that someone here can show that this is incorrect re Bronze standard licence required for that league by the end of 24/25. Would the same apply to the LL? LongTimeLurker's words are under-lined. Mine are not. LongTimeLurker quotes this on the Non League Matters forum: More details of what unfolded from the Press & Journal: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/6447328/brechin-city-chairman-hits-out-highland-league/ https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/6447152/garry-farquhar-shocked-after-buckie-thistle-denied-play-off-entry/ Does this imply that all Highland League clubs must reach Bronze level licencing by the end of 2024/25? Anyone have any idea about this? Presumably it would be really difficult for every club to achieve this level in 12 months, if at all? Likewise will the Lowland League be bringing this requirement into its' rules and regs? The other thing would be that such a requirement would reduce the numbers of Tier 6 clubs able to take promotion to the HL and the LL. Hopefully someone will know different and apologies if I have read this wrongly !! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnieman Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 (edited) 3 hours ago, Burnsythebinman said: Premiere Sports Cup The SPFL has today invited Highland League winners Buckie Thistle, Highland League runners-up Brechin City, and Lowland League winners East Kilbride to join next season’s competition. This follows last season's competition, when the champions of the Lowland League and Highland League, plus one additional Lowland League club, were invited to participate. Once confirmed, the clubs will be added to the draw for the group stage of next year’s competition, which will take place on Wednesday 29 May at 1.00pm. I think sometimes the SPFL just troll tier 5 for the bantz. Yes we all know the HL Champs will get an invite, but following hard on the heels of play-off refusal, it just makes the SPFL look clueless. Again. Edited April 30 by Burnieman 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 14 minutes ago, Dev said: I have just put this onto the Highland League General Discussion thread. I am hoping that someone here can show that this is incorrect re Bronze standard licence required for that league by the end of 24/25. Would the same apply to the LL? LongTimeLurker's words are under-lined. Mine are not. LongTimeLurker quotes this on the Non League Matters forum: More details of what unfolded from the Press & Journal: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/6447328/brechin-city-chairman-hits-out-highland-league/ https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/6447152/garry-farquhar-shocked-after-buckie-thistle-denied-play-off-entry/ Does this imply that all Highland League clubs must reach Bronze level licencing by the end of 2024/25? Anyone have any idea about this? Presumably it would be really difficult for every club to achieve this level in 12 months, if at all? Likewise will the Lowland League be bringing this requirement into its' rules and regs? The other thing would be that such a requirement would reduce the numbers of Tier 6 clubs able to take promotion to the HL and the LL. Hopefully someone will know different and apologies if I have read this wrongly !! The HFL quotes are just about informing everyone what was required, with those with a chance of promotion following the due process. Unless I'm missing something? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsmart Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Brechin City chairman hits out at Highland League after Buckie Thistle denied pyramid play-off place The Jags, who pipped Brechin to the title on goal difference, were due to face Lowland League winners East Kilbride at K Park on Saturday. by Danny Law April 26 2024, 9:17 am Brechin City chairman Kevin Mackie has hit out at the Highland League after champions Buckie Thistle were deemed ineligible to compete in the pyramid play-offs. The Jags, who pipped Brechin to the title on goal difference, were due to face Lowland League winners East Kilbride at K Park in the first leg of their pyramid play-off tie on Saturday. But Kilby have been given a bye to face the team who finishes bottom of League Two for a place in the SPFL after Buckie failed to obtain a bronze club licence from the Scottish FA. Buckie said they were “shocked” by the decision but Brechin chairman Mackie described the matter as “shambolic”. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said: “I am raging with the Highland League. “This makes a mockery of the entire pyramid. “This whole thing is shambolic and the Highland League needs to take a look at itself. “They would have known that the champions had to be eligible for the play-offs and I am annoyed that they haven’t made sure the champions could meet the criteria required “They went out of their way to rearrange Buckie’s outstanding games against Strathspey the other week when they knew that Strathspey had let in 133 goals and were miles below everyone else at the bottom of the league. “We questioned then how a team going for the title could have two rearranged games against Strathspey when they didn’t have a team and were fielding trialists? Unsurprisingly they won 6-1 and 7-0 and beat us to the title by two goals. How can that be fair? “I accept that Brechin did all we could to throw the league away this year. But we just spent thousands of pounds getting the bronze licence concluded in preparation for going up for what? What’s the point of having teams playing for a Highland League championship when they know that some of the teams who might win it don’t even want to go up the pyramid? We feel a total sense of injustice over this.” Jags stunned by decision A Buckie Thistle statement released on Thursday night said the club were “stunned and devastated” by the decision to deny them a chance to participate in the pyramid play-offs. It read: “At 5pm today, Buckie Thistle FC received an email from the SPFL, stating that because the club do not comply with the SFA Bronze Licence criteria, and did not apply for a waiver or period of grace in respect of this non-compliance by the deadline of March 31 2024, there will be no play-off tie between Buckie Thistle FC and East Kilbride FC, and East Kilbride will automatically go forward to the Pyramid Play-Off Tie with Club 42. “However, we can confirm that the club has been in regular contact with the SFA in regard to the Bronze Licence criteria items, and we were in fact asked by the SPFL to ask for a period of grace for four of these items on Tuesday April 23, which we duly did. “Our Club President Garry Farquhar attended a meeting with the SFA on Wednesday April 24, and we were granted derogations for three items – Floodlights, Safety Officer and Diversity & Inclusion. One item – Medical – has been deferred until May 15, but the club has committed to resolving the matter by May 10. “It goes without saying that everyone at the club is stunned and devastated by the timing of this decision. “It’s particularly harsh on the players and management, who put so much hard work into winning the Highland League title, that they don’t get the opportunity to go for promotion.” Clubs were notified of demands Meanwhile, Highland League secretary John Campbell said the league had been working with clubs to ensure they were doing everything possible to obtain their bronze licence in time for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. He told the Press and Journal: “The Highland League is extremely disappointed by the events of today and that the pyramid play-offs have been cancelled. “All clubs were notified by the SPFL of the criteria for season 2024-25 on October 31 2023. “The league has had a working group running exploring all aspects of the bronze award. “As far as we were aware all clubs with a chance of promotion to the SPFL play-offs were following due process. “The Highland League had a responsibility to put forward a champion club and have done so in the time given. “Club licensing awards are a matter for each individual club. “We were notified late today (Thursday) that Buckie Thistle did not meet the criteria for progression into the SPFL, which is a prerequisite for participation in the play-offs. “The Scottish FA had no choice other than to cancel the play-offs between Buckie Thistle and East Kilbride. “We would like to pass on our best wishes to East Kilbride on their up and coming play-off against club 42.” 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dev Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Yes. I see where I have gone wrong on this. Apologies!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnieman Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 35 minutes ago, Dev said: LongTimeLurker quotes this on the Non League Matters forum: I feel sorry for the Non League Matters forum. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 3 minutes ago, Burnieman said: I feel sorry for the Non League Matters forum. Has he been banned from here? Can't say I've missed them, but did notice they weren't around anymore. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowden Cowboy Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 2 hours ago, To B or not B said:Its not really difficult re the Uni, they were the next member club, therefore runners up, as going by the rules B teams don’t count. For being champions B teams are not eligible but no proscription on them being deemed runners up 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnieman Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, FairWeatherFan said: Has he been banned from here? Can't say I've missed them, but did notice they weren't around anymore. I think something happened on the Bo'ness thread and he took the huff. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Wilson Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 6 minutes ago, Burnieman said: I think something happened on the Bo'ness thread and he took the huff. No! I don't believe you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Rage Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, Burnieman said: I think something happened on the Bo'ness thread and he took the huff. It sure was, I didn't realise they'd patched the whole league forum and not just us. Sorry/your welcome delete where appropriate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowden Cowboy Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 4 hours ago, To B or not B said: Their general guide was to invite the runners up in either the HL/LL, and then changed it last season when they parachuted Cowdenbeath in from 15th in the league, seen as many as a punishment to tier 5 for knocking back the confidence league. 13th not 15th if you think Stirling Uni were 2nd 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
To B or not B Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, Cowden Cowboy said: 13th not 15th if you think Stirling Uni were 2nd I wish I had thought of that, it makes all the difference 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowden Cowboy Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 6 minutes ago, To B or not B said: I wish I had thought of that, it makes all the difference Thought you would have given your b team focus 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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