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Scottish football

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It’s probably passed most people by , but there’s a big row quietly brewing regarding the SFA’s proposal for a “ Conference League” as the 5th Tier of Scottish football, ie between Division 2 and the Highland/Lowland Leagues.

Basically they want to have 4 “B” teams from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and one other club , probably Aberdeen ; 4 Lowland League teams and 2 Highland League teams. They believe this will aid the development of u21s , the big clubs would chuck in £100k per season and their teams would not be promoted or relegated.

The reaction at Highland League level has been overwhelmingly against , 90% in one poll I saw . Essentially, the Highland/Lowland Leagues would be relegated to tier 6 in the pyramid in one fell swoop. It’s a proposal that may just be voted through by the SFA member clubs , but would be disastrous for the Highland League teams and their supporters. Like most leagues , the top teams are also those best supported and have good away support , often providing much needed income to other clubs, losing two in one season would be a blow. It’s obviously a much lower level, but it’s akin to the European Super League proposal, a number of big clubs wanting to change the tradition of the game and thinking throwing out a bit of money will solve it 😡.
 
blueloon said:
It’s probably passed most people by , but there’s a big row quietly brewing regarding the SFA’s proposal for a “ Conference League” as the 5th Tier of Scottish football, ie between Division 2 and the Highland/Lowland Leagues.

Basically they want to have 4 “B” teams from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and one other club , probably Aberdeen ; 4 Lowland League teams and 2 Highland League teams. They believe this will aid the development of u21s , the big clubs would chuck in £100k per season and their teams would not be promoted or relegated.

The reaction at Highland League level has been overwhelmingly against , 90% in one poll I saw . Essentially, the Highland/Lowland Leagues would be relegated to tier 6 in the pyramid in one fell swoop. It’s a proposal that may just be voted through by the SFA member clubs , but would be disastrous for the Highland League teams and their supporters. Like most leagues , the top teams are also those best supported and have good away support , often providing much needed income to other clubs, losing two in one season would be a blow. It’s obviously a much lower level, but it’s akin to the European Super League proposal, a number of big clubs wanting to change the tradition of the game and thinking throwing out a bit of money will solve it 😡.
Click to expand...
Did hear something, but couldn't understand.
Money talks it seems.
 
Alanbileysfeathercut said:
Did hear something, but couldn't understand.
Money talks it seems.
Click to expand...
Alarmingly , well for me, there’s an article in todays P&J by the Brora director who apparently represents the Highland League on the SFA’s discussion forum saying he’s in favour and that Brora will support it. His main arguments seem to be that the reason Scotland haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1998 is that the u21s, u17s etc have been crap and this will fix it , plus there‘ll be more money if a club drops out into the new Conference. The vast majority of clubs and their fans will just shrug their shoulders as it will barely affect them and probably vote yes. At the moment I have about 12 away fixtures within an hours drive , any Highland league club involved in the Conference will only have the other Highland league club and Aberdeen B if they join within reasonable travelling distance. Any ambitious club with money like Cove and Kelty Hearts in the past will have an extra league to get out of if they’re not in the original league.
 

Alanbileysfeathercut said:
www.northern-times.co.uk

League president says Scottish Conference threatens to rip out 'heart and soul'

Fears impact a new Scottish Conference League will have on lower league football.
www.northern-times.co.uk www.northern-times.co.uk
Click to expand...
And the crux of it is that most teams in the Central belt won’t know where the North Caledonian League operate , let alone care . Ironically , Brora , who are the only Highland League club to support it so far, are right in the heart of North Caledonian League territory
 
A big night in the Championship tonight with all five matches having something riding on them and 9 out of ten teams having something to play for - Champions, promotion play off place, relegation and relegation play off place. Hopefully part timers Cove survive but it’s hard not to root also for Richard/Dick Campbell’s part timers at Arbroath .
 

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