|
Post by chris on Feb 7, 2020 18:45:14 GMT
Official Statement regarding the latest update from the Pyramid Working Group
It is with regret that recent talks at the Pyramid Working Group (PWG) ended without any consensus on a way forward for the introduction of a West of Scotland League at Tier 6.
The Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) and East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) are strongly committed to the principle of having a structure in place that allows clubs from all parts of the country to find their level in Scottish football. Both Leagues fully support the expansion of the Pyramid in a constructive and orderly way that allows this to happen.
The current system works well for clubs in the East and South of the Lowland League catchment area however there is an obvious gap in the West of the country, both Leagues feel strongly that a West of Scotland league at tier 6 is therefore required to allow clubs in all grades within that area the opportunity to participate in the Pyramid should they so wish. As a result, we now plan to take the process forward, respecting the interests of all clubs and bodies but ensuring that every club in the Lowland area has opportunity to progress through the Pyramid.
Issued by –
George Fraser (Chairperson,SLFL), and John Greenhorn (Chairperson, EoSFL)
Clydebank and have expressed a desire to play in such a league in the past and today reaffirmed this, they have been joined by Kilwinning Rangers, both openly posting on twitter they want to join a west of scotland league
The beginning of the end for junior football in the west I think after its death in the north and east
Was only a couple years ago the juniors voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the pyramid
The only junior team to openly talk against it have been Auchinleck who would rather be a big fish in a small pond
|
|
|
Post by Rovergrant on Feb 7, 2020 19:56:24 GMT
Thanks for posting, Chris
|
|
|
Post by chris on Feb 8, 2020 11:19:07 GMT
Saint Anthony juniors have released a statement saying they would rather the juniors west region join the pyramid rather than a west of scotland league and will support the junior region to the hilt
|
|
|
Post by chris on Feb 8, 2020 11:26:20 GMT
It appears that the junior clubs all want the juniors to join the pyramid set up and just move it straight over but after 2 years of negotiations the lowland leagues (lowland, east of Scotland and south of scotland leagues) are all getting frustrated at a lack of progress,
Whitletts victoria have now said they will persue every possible Avenue to join the pyramid even if it means leaving the juniors after 76 years
|
|
|
Post by mildrover on Feb 9, 2020 12:10:48 GMT
Good updates Chris but the discussions regarding further changes to the present pyramid system are not just about a possible tier 6 or 7 but adjustments that could be of interest to clubs like ours and I'm sure our board will be keeping a watching brief on any developments. I was always a supporter of a pyramid set up and still am.
However, the present set up puts huge pressure on League One and Two teams to spend money they haven't got on wage bills to keep away from the trap door. Money that could be spent on ground improvements, youth development etc. Also it is unfair for aspirational clubs who want to get into the SPFL and throw money at it on player and coaching costs rather than develop their club as a whole. I am not sure what changes will be proposed but larger leagues outwith the premier or a larger league 2 could be one way of relieving pressure on clubs. Underneath this there could be west, south and east leagues feeding into the Lowland League. Whatever happens we should keep a close eye on it as to how it affects the Rovers.
|
|
|
Post by chris on Feb 9, 2020 19:08:21 GMT
Rutherglen glencairn want in too
|
|
|
Post by chris on Feb 12, 2020 22:51:50 GMT
The latest West of Scotland League Update
Following the statement issued on 7 February 2020, numerous informal contacts have been made by Clubs interested in the formation of a new West of Scotland League [WoSFL] at Tier 6 in the Pyramid. This shows clearly that there is an appetite for such an expansion of the Pyramid. The Scottish Lowland Football League [SLFL], in conjunction with the East of Scotland Football League [EoSFL] can now lay out the high level plan to introduce the WoSFL by the start of season 2020/2021.
The next step will be to invite Clubs to register an Expression of Interest to George Fraser, Chairperson of the SLFL by Sunday 1 March, to geo_fraser @hotmail.co.uk. Any expressions of interest must include the contact details of at least one club official. These will be treated in the strictest confidence. Clubs should not contact the newly formed email address relating to WoSFL, this Is not run by either the SLFL or EoSFL. At the same time the Clubs are welcome to ask any questions on how the Pyramid works currently as the informal contacts suggested this would be useful. The sending of the Expression of Interest does not of course commit any Club to any particular course of action, but it would be very helpful if we could gauge as closely as possible the actual level of interest in the WoSFL.
The next again step will be to invite Clubs to complete by Tuesday 31 March 2020 an Application to Join the WoSFL. Once again these will be treated in the strictest confidence. The process surrounding these applications will be announced by Friday 6 March 2020.
This plan is to allow every Club at all grades in the SLFL area the opportunity to progress through the Pyramid. There will of course be issues such as geographical integrity to be considered with the introduction of a third Tier 6 League alongside the EoSFL and SoSFL. This and any other consequences will be addressed in a respectful, constructive and orderly way.
Issued by –
George Fraser [Chairperson SLFL] and John Greenhorn [Chairperson EoSFL]
Looks like this will be in place for the start of the new season
|
|
|
Post by kjg on Feb 12, 2020 23:20:03 GMT
Darvel, Maryhill and Rossvale look like throwing their hat in the ring. A couple of others waiting on more info.
|
|
|
Post by chris on Mar 2, 2020 23:15:56 GMT
A total of 48 clubs have expressed an interest in joining this, from all levels of the junior game plus amateur
|
|
|
Post by chris on Mar 24, 2020 21:16:44 GMT
The scheduled meeting last night with Lowland, East of Scotland, South of Scotland and West Region Juniors took place via video conferencing due to current travel and person-to-person restrictions in place.
A great deal of common ground was established.
There was agreement on a potential way forward as follows:
In order to ensure there is a firm record of registration and a database of information for the West of Scotland Football League, the West Junior FA are in agreement that the Lowland League application form should be completed and sent to George Fraser geo_fraser@hotmail.co.ukTo give Clubs more time to make these applications under current circumstances, the deadline has been extended to Tuesday 7 April. That will be the last date applications will be accepted.Clubs currently members of the Scottish Junior FA are fully entitled to retain membership and, if so, will be eligible to continue to play in The Scottish Junior Cup. The Competition Rules of that Cup will be altered to reflect the need to ensure League Fixtures have priority.There is no limit to the number of teams that will be accepted; 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.It was proposed that the new league could be organised on a Conference basis, with final set up dependant on numbers. The Conferences will be for one season only.
There remains much to do to get the West of Scotland Football League up and running.
The parties are aware that the formation of any new league is subject to approval from the Scottish FA and discussions will continue in that regard.
All parties at the meeting last night are committed to continue to work together, to support the creation of the final piece of the Pyramid feeding into the Lowland League.
George Fraser [ Lowland League] John Greenhorn [East of Scotland League] Colin Holden [ South of Scotland League] Gordon Ronney [ West Juniors]
–
|
|
|
Post by chris on Mar 31, 2020 0:22:13 GMT
Auchinleck Talbot probably biggest team to put names in the hat for the new west of Scotland league
|
|
|
Post by Roy of the Rovers on Mar 31, 2020 2:51:27 GMT
They’re saying that every junior side in the West has applied along with some amateur teams. It’d be awkward if 1 or 2 didn’t as they’d have nobody to play against.
|
|
|
Post by jaydee on Mar 31, 2020 9:39:15 GMT
Still having the junior cup is probably what swayed it for Talbot. Lol
|
|
|
Post by chris on Apr 7, 2020 18:25:47 GMT
So deadline is tonight for clubs to apply for membership, Junior football is now officially dead in Scotland
The current list of 59 clubs that propose to join the WoSFL:
1. Lugar Boswell Thistle (SJFA West League Two)
2. Clydebank (SJFA West Region Premiership)
3. Kilwinning Rangers (SJFA West Region Premiership)
4. Rutherglen Glencairn (SJFA West Region Premiership)
5. Bellshill Athletic (SJFA West League One)
6. Drumchapel United (Central Scottish Amateur Premier Division)
7. Neilston Juniors (SJFA West Region Championship)
8. Maryhill (SJFA West League One)
9. Kello Rovers (SJFA West League One)
10. Blantyre Victoria (SJFA West Region Championship)
11. Kirkintilloch Rob Roy (SJFA West Region Premiership)
12. Vale of Clyde (SJFA West League Two)
13. Renfrew (SJFA West Region Championship)
14. Royal Albert (SJFA West League One)
15. Arthurlie (SJFA West Region Championship)
16. Newmains United (SJFA West League Two)
17. Kilsyth Rangers (SJFA West Region Championship)
18. Whitletts Victoria (SJFA West Region Championship)
19. Gartcairn Juniors (SJFA West Region Championship)
20. Cambuslang Rangers (SJFA West Region Championship)
21. Cumbernauld United (SJFA West Region Championship)
22. Glasgow Perthshire (SJFA West League One)
23. Ashfield (SJFA West League Two)
24. Petershill (SJFA West Region Championship)
25. Greenock Juniors (SJFA West League One)
26. Larkhall Thistle (SJFA West League One)
27. Port Glasgow Juniors (SJFA West League One)
28. Pollok (SJFA West Region Premiership)
29. Darvel Juniors (SJFA West Region Championship)
30. Vale of Leven (SJFA West League Two)
31. Glenafton Athletic (SJFA West Region Premiership)
32. Johnstone Burgh (SJFA West League Two)
33. Auchinleck Talbot (SJFA West Region Premiership)
34. Largs Thistle (SJFA West Region Premiership)
35. Kilbirnie Ladeside (SJFA West Region Premiership)
36. Troon (SJFA West Region Premiership)
37. Irvine Meadow XI (SJFA West Region Premiership)
38. Beith Juniors (SJFA West Region Premiership)
39. Shotts Bon Accord (SJFA West Region Championship)
40. Forth Wanderers (SJFA West League Two)
41. Muirkirk Juniors (SJFA West League Two)
42. Benburb (SJFA West Region Premiership)
43. Shettleston (SJFA West League One)
44. Irvine Victoria (SJFA West Region Championship)
45. Dalry Thistle (SJFA West Region Championship)
46. Cumnock Juniors (SJFA West Region Premiership)
47. Girvan (SJFA West League One)
48. Wishaw Juniors (SJFA West League One)
49. Rossvale (SJFA West Region Premiership)
50. East Kilbride Thistle (SJFA West League One)
51. St Anthony's (SJFA West League Two)
52. St Roch's (SJFA West Region Championship)
53. Lanark United (SJFA West League One)
54. Hurlford United (SJFA West Region Premiership)
55. Craigmark Burntonians (SJFA West Region Championship)
56. Lesmahagow Juniors (SJFA West League One)
57. Carluke Rovers (SJFA West League One)
58. Glasgow University (Caledonian League Premier Division)
59. Bonnyton Thistle (South of Scotland League)
The following 7 WRJFA clubs have yet to make a public declaration to join the WoSFL:
SJFA West Region League One (1 club) - Ardrossan Winton Rovers
SJFA West Region League Two (6 clubs) - Annbank United - Ardeer Thistle - Maybole Juniors - Saltcoats Victoria - Thorniewood United - Yoker Athletic
A constitution of 66 clubs divided into 4 conferences is predicted with anticipation.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS TODAY, TUESDAY 7TH APRIL - THE DOOR FIRMLY SHUTS TONIGHT!
Means we could in theory could have another couple derby matches at one point, likes of Bellshill and Newmains which will now officially be senior clubs and the possibility of another Monklands derby v Gartcairn
Scottish football is changing massively, and if people think the introduction of this league wont affect us they will be in for a shock very soon
|
|
|
Post by Nanook on Apr 7, 2020 19:16:50 GMT
Spotted these other Lanarkshire based sides in the list, there might be others - Royal Albert, Larkhall Larkhall Thistle Forth Wanderers Lanark United Lesmahgow Juniors Carluke Rovers
So along with the ones Chris mentioned, plenty potential Lanarkshire derbies among the full list.
Apart from the impact on future leagues, what will this mean for the Scottish Cup? If they are senior clubs, do they all get an invite into the Scottish Cup?
Are there not junior clubs further north?
|
|