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Pyramid play-offs


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7 minutes ago, Big Moysey said:

Excellent summation. The crux is that they (SFA)changed the criteria after applications were submitted and less than 24 hours before Bonnyrigg's inspection! They didn't want such an influx of new members so had to change rules. They have not given any consideration to the fact that existing clubs do not meet those criteria. I would imagine that legal route, if affordable, would be the way to go.

 

It's pretty poor form from our governing body, they're meant to be there to oversee and promote the game at all levels, not to throw obstacles in the way when things get inconvenient. 

Poor, poor stuff. 

Is there any way we can offer support, individually or as a group?

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  • 2 weeks later...
Footballfirst

The SFA (Ian Maxwell) again disgraces itself with its response to Bonnyrigg's latest appeal.

Reply to direct appeal
“Having checked internally, I can confirm that there is no appeal route available for clubs going through the application process.

 

The Board rejected all applicant club derogations as a matter of policy. All applications must be treated equally with the minimum criteria being met in full rather than the Board subjectively deciding which clubs have met ‘enough’ of the criteria enough to allow approval.

 

Additionally, in the build up to a new season, leagues and clubs require certainty around their membership to allow proper planning on and off the pitch. Situations where league membership requires to be changed last minute are impractical and must be avoided.

 

I appreciate that the floodlighting criteria was added during your application process. We found ourselves in the unusual position of having 12 clubs apply for membership at roughly the same time and had to consider the impact this influx would have.

 

One major consideration is the Scottish Cup and we receive consistent feedback from members that postponed/replay fixture dates which, due to a lack of floodlighting, are required to be Saturday afternoons as opposed to midweek evenings are hugely problematic. Clubs are required to cancel league fixtures, with associated hospitality and match income being severely impacted. We have also had issues – one such this season – which meant that a 5th round tie would have to have been played on a midweek afternoon had it gone to a replay, which would have had a serious impact across a number of areas.

 

As you are aware the new Scottish Cup broadcasting contract includes televised fixtures in rounds 1, 2 and 3 which will provide an excellent platform for the lower levels of the game in this country. The BBC have the right to choose matches at variable kick off times, which may well require floodlighting at venues given the time of year, meaning that the number of games available for selection could be severely limited.

 

Please be assured the decision wasn’t taken lightly. We were aware of the implications for your club in particular and I understand the frustration and disappointment you must feel, however the Board must take decisions considering the impact on the Scottish game as a whole, rather than considering individual circumstances.

 

I appreciate this is not the reply you were hoping for however trust you can appreciate the Boards position.”

The bit I've highlighted is a shocking admission by the SFA that they don't want significant numbers of new members despite their supposed support of the "pyramid". In simple terms, Rod Petrie lied to them at the meeting in April. Needless to say, Bonnyrigg has responded with the following statement.

Direct appeal to SFA rejected.

 

As an update to our statement released last week we received a reply from SFA CEO Ian Maxwell yesterday to our direct appeal and are disappointed but not altogether surprised to reveal that it has also been rejected. (Full reply to direct appeal at the foot of the page). This is despite testimonials sent on our behalf by MSPs, our council and not least the platinum Quality Mark Community Club of which we are an associate who have previously represented the SFA at the Scottish Parliament.

 

We have invested upwards of six figures in ground and facility improvements at New Dundas Park over the past four seasons, not counting the work completed and substantial capital purchases made by our two main sponsors (The McDermott Group & Grant Fitzsimmons & Son) as part of their sponsorship. It also doesn't count the labour costs which a lot of the friends of the club have given free gratis. A significant element of that investment was with licensing criteria in mind, for example when we had to make several costly adjustments to our changing rooms in order to meet the criteria.

 

This is however not the end of the road for us, as despite the labyrinthine nature of the different articles and licensing documents, there is still one option open to us which we are seeking guidance on from parties outside of the club whether to pursue. We owe it to our players and supporters to explore every available option open to us until each of those options have been exhausted. We sold a vision to our supporters at our EGM last March of what the future would look like if we joined the East of Scotland league after 120 years of Scottish Junior Football membership, but the stark reality at present is that we have swapped one glass ceiling for another.

 

In parallel we are pleased to announce that we have received planning consent from Midlothian Council today for our floodlights installation. We agreed several months ago to acquire floodlights from Midlothian Council which were previously used at the old Newbattle High School campus and have concluded that purchase as a result of receiving planning consent today. Work will commence early next week on the installation of these floodlights, which means that we will have to forego some grant funding which we could have availed of had we stuck to our original plans. We feel however that it is imperative we have these in place as soon as is possible. G Fitzsimmons and Son are covering a significant portion of the costs as part of their sponsorship for next season and we are extremely grateful for their continued support of the club. There is still a substantial figure to cover so we are asking our supporters and local businesses, indeed any supporters for their help with this by donating to our funding page that we have set up this evening on this link. We are indebted to our supporters for the response received in our fundraising efforts so far.

 

People can draw their own conclusions on the reasons given for our direct appeal rejection but at a very high level:

 

– On the subject of the Scottish Cup there are seven clubs with National Club License awards that currently don’t have floodlights. In addition there are several other clubs who will enter the preliminary rounds as winners of other leagues/cups who also don’t have floodlights, based on the current Scottish Cup format. We are one of those having won the East of Scotland League (but we will have lights by then)

 

– Still on the Scottish Cup the last time an actual game was held on a midweek afternoon was eight years ago. Also under the current format Scottish Cup replays up to and including round 3 are played the following Saturday.

 

– Changes made at short notice to the Licensing system is one of the reasons the derogation procedure exists. We were given an undertaking as recently as April at a meeting of Lowland League & East of Scotland League delegates at Easter Road by the SFA VP that derogation requests would be reviewed and assessed based on the requests submitted; i.e. if there were plans in place to meet the criteria. This is completely contrary to what has actually taken place.

 

– The biggest concern for all clubs at our level should be paragraph four, where it appears that the board of our national association have taken proactive steps in order to curtail a membership ‘influx’. This has meant that five clubs along with ourselves were denied membership by the actions of the SFA board. This is despite scope to allow up to 200 members, with only 90 member clubs at present. This is completely at odds with the SFA values and their overarching principle to help develop clubs at all levels.

 

We should be celebrating our league title, looking forward to a cup final next Sunday against the Lowland League champions and promotion to that league, wondering along with the rest of the country who the next manager of the men’s national team will be and

getting ready to cheer on Shelley Kerr’s side at their first World Cup.

 

What we shouldn’t be doing is this – it isn’t right, fair or proper.

Edited by Footballfirst
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So they dont want an INFLUX of new members,maybe people who wont tow the line is what it looks like to me.

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Footballfirst

The EOS has advised clubs of the following arrangements for next season.

 

EOS Premier league starts on 27th July. One of the teams listed is Bonnyrigg/Whitehill.

 

There will be three relegation places from the EOS Prem.

 

EOS Division One is split into two seeded conferences with 12 teams playing 34 games with home away fixtures against teams in your conference and one game against each team in the other (six home, six away).

 

Conference winners will be promoted. Runners up will play off for the third promotion spot. Winners will play off for the first division title.

 

EOS League cup will be played in the spring with a straight knock out format. There will be NO EOS qualifying cup next season.

 

A vote on making the King Cup first division only will be held at the AGM.

 

Composition of each league.

 

image.png.20473c640443d7a3362071e278e25e51.png

image.png.384c58f1fa30f7ba2725cd6412bbba82.png

It's interesting that they haven't finalised the position with Bonnyrigg.  I wonder if the LL has the power to give Bonnyrigg a derogation on their licence without the SFA intervening.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

King Cup Final 1.6.19

Tranent Juniors 2 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 .Mon the Big T!3 cups in 3 seasons ,some interesting signings to be announced soon

Hearing Bonnyrigg have been promoted to Lowland League after heaven and tons of earth moved to get lights up(no confirmation tho)

Edited by systemx
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50 minutes ago, systemx said:

King Cup Final 1.6.19

Tranent Juniors 2 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 .Mon the Big T!3 cups in 3 seasons ,some interesting signings to be announced soon

Hearing Bonnyrigg have been promoted to Lowland League after heaven and tons of earth moved to get lights up(no confirmation tho)

 

Hope this is true ??

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Footballfirst
2 hours ago, systemx said:

King Cup Final 1.6.19

Tranent Juniors 2 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 .Mon the Big T!3 cups in 3 seasons ,some interesting signings to be announced soon

Hearing Bonnyrigg have been promoted to Lowland League after heaven and tons of earth moved to get lights up(no confirmation tho)

 

I was at the King Cup final on Saturday. Bonnyrigg was the better team for 75 minutes (until Tranent equalised). Thereafter Tranent was the better side and deserved the win, despite missing two penalties. Bonnyrigg also had a goal chalked off for offside that was clearly onside (going by the highlights). The two red cards were both poor decisions by the officials. Devlin (Tranent) was given a second yellow for chasing down a short pass back then backing out of a challenge on the keeper. Moyes (Bonnyrigg) was shown  a straight red card for an alleged leading elbow to the head of Ian Black (yes, the ex Hearts one). Neither the Bonnyrigg keeper nor Black made any great issue about the so called fouls (neither rolled around the ground). It was a hard but fair challenge for a header and the video footage showed that any contact was below Black's arm, rather than anywhere near the head or neck area. For me, bringing on Black as a substitute changed the game in Tranent's favour

 

I'm not so sure about Bonnyrigg's promotion though, although I have heard that they will be getting another visit from the licensing board next week, i.e. before the SFA's AGM later this month. Their floodlights went up last week, so there may be some truth in the rumour. All the new licences are subject to ratification at the SFA AGM.

 

Dundonald Bluebell have also put up floodlights in recent weeks.

 

I spoke to someone with connections to Penicuik at the weekend, He confirmed that the club had been advised that they will not be granted full membership of the SFA, but an "affiliate" or "associate" membership with no voting rights. It's another example of clubs paying to apply, then investing further sums in infrastructure, in order to obtain a licence, all in good faith, only to find that the SFA have yet again moved the goalposts and will deliver something less that what was promised. I suspect that there is some pressure from SPFL clubs being brought to bear to prevent a dilution of their influence on the SFA by the admission of new clubs.

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Footballfirst

The Lowland League held their AGM earlier this week. Here is a Tweeted response from the LL to a question asking if there was any news on what is happening to Whitehill Welfare.

 

Scottish Lowland League ??????? @OfficialSLFL 14h14 hours ago

 
Replying to @Chappy110171

Not yet, awaiting meetings to happen soon. Will announce what is happening as soon as we are made aware.

 

I suspect that this is another indication that there will be another round of licensing audits before the SFA's AGM later this month at which the Licensing decisions will be formally ratified.  Even those clubs who were advised that their licence applications were successful won't officially become members of the SFA until the AGM

It is looking more positive for Bonnyrigg and negative for Whitehill. 

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davemclaren
33 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

The Lowland League held their AGM earlier this week. Here is a Tweeted response from the LL to a question asking if there was any news on what is happening to Whitehill Welfare.

 

Scottish Lowland League ??????? @OfficialSLFL 14h14 hours ago

 
Replying to @Chappy110171

Not yet, awaiting meetings to happen soon. Will announce what is happening as soon as we are made aware.

 

I suspect that this is another indication that there will be another round of licensing audits before the SFA's AGM later this month at which the Licensing decisions will be formally ratified.  Even those clubs who were advised that their licence applications were successful won't officially become members of the SFA until the AGM

It is looking more positive for Bonnyrigg and negative for Whitehill. 

Let’s hope so. Bonnyrigg have been treated very harshly imo. 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Footballfirst

Common sense at last.

 

Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic @BonnyriggRose
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT - Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic granted SFA membership:
 
 
 
DundonaldBluebelljfc @dbjfc1938 41m41 minutes ago
We are delighted to announce after notification this morning, with immediate effect we are full members of the Scottish Football Association. This is testament to the hard working people at this club and the local community who have contributed to make this possible. Thank you

 

Hopefully, confirmation of Bonnyrigg's promotion to the Lowland League will follow shortly.

 

 

 

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davemclaren
19 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

Common sense at last.

 

Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic @BonnyriggRose
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT - Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic granted SFA membership:
 
 
 
DundonaldBluebelljfc @dbjfc1938 41m41 minutes ago
We are delighted to announce after notification this morning, with immediate effect we are full members of the Scottish Football Association. This is testament to the hard working people at this club and the local community who have contributed to make this possible. Thank you

 

Hopefully, confirmation of Bonnyrigg's promotion to the Lowland League will follow shortly.

 

 

 

Good news for my local club. 

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44 minutes ago, Shrekeo said:

Great news for Boomtown Rose!

 

Once again, the SFA prove to be an incompetent shambles.

 

 

 

Really???

 

For me it shows the SFA in a better light.

 

At least they have shown enough flexibility to acknowledge the brilliant work Bonnyrigg Rose have done to get their floodlights installed in time.

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iain ferguson
13 minutes ago, RobboM said:

 

Really???

 

For me it shows the SFA in a better light.

 

At least they have shown enough flexibility to acknowledge the brilliant work Bonnyrigg Rose have done to get their floodlights installed in time.

Exactly. For once the SFA have used some common sense.

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highlandjambo3
On 04/05/2019 at 19:05, Footballfirst said:

Cove secured a play-off against Berwick for a place in the SPFL after beating East Kilbride 3-0 (5-1 on agg). They must have a decent chance the way that Berwick have ended the season.

 

I went to Broxburn, to watch the final round of the EoS conference play-offs, where the home side hosted Bonnyrigg, with all three sides (including Penicuik) still with a chance of winning the league and a promotion to the Lowland League (subject to licensing).

 

What a great advert for the league and the play-off format.  The quality of the football wasn't always there, but the emotional rollercoaster for all three teams was evident throughout. Bonnyrigg started the better without threatening to score, but had their keeper sent off for handling the ball outside his box after half an hour.  The goal scoring started immediately thereafter.

 

While it remained goalless it was advantage Bonnyrigg then, as each goal went in,  it was Penicuik (at 1-0), then Broxburn (at 2-0), back to Penicuik (at 2-1) then finally back where it started with Bonnyrigg (at 2-2). Even the injury time winner came from a Broxburn set piece as they sent everyone forward, including the keeper, in search of a goal, leaving no-one back to defend the empty goal when Bonnyrigg cleared the ball and were able to break up the park and score the winning goal (2-3).

 

Today was an incredible comeback with 9 and a half men as Alan Horne was effectively a passenger after getting injured shortly after Bonnyrigg had committed all three substitutes.   Robbie Horn, the Bonnyrigg manager, was also sent off in what became a frenetic second half.

 

Well done to Bonnyrigg. They've been the strongest side throughout the season and deserve to be the champions.  

So, how much to buy the whole team then?

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56 minutes ago, RobboM said:

 

Really???

 

For me it shows the SFA in a better light.

 

At least they have shown enough flexibility to acknowledge the brilliant work Bonnyrigg Rose have done to get their floodlights installed in time.

 

Common sense after a ludicrous decision and then telling BR there was no grounds for appeal.

 

They eventually come to the right decision to solve a problem entirely of their own making.

 

It’s laughable.

 

At least they got there in the end.

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Footballfirst

http://slfl.co.uk/statement-promotion-and-relegation/#more-12227

 

The Board of the Scottish Lowland Football League can today confirm that Bonnyrigg Rose have been granted membership to the Scottish FA  and as a result of this they will be promoted to the Lowland League for season 2019/20.

 

As a result of Berwick Rangers’ relegation from the SPFL and Bonnyrigg Rose’s promotion, this means that Whitehill Welfare will be relegated to the East of Scotland Football League for next season.

Chairman of the Lowland League George Fraser said: “I would like to thank Whitehill Welfare for their professionalism throughout this difficult process. It’s never easy when we lose a team from the league, let alone one of our founder clubs and I would like to wish Welfare every success in their EoSFL campaign next season.”

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letsalldothebeattie

Glad to see common sense prevail and not only award Bonnyrigg the membership but their rightful place in the Lowland League next season. 

 

Lowland shaping up nicely for next season 

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Footballfirst
6 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

Who will be the strongest teams in the Lowland League next season?

 

East Kilbride, BSC Glasgow, Kelty and Spartans were the top four, so add Berwick and Bonnyrigg to the mix this time round. Civil Service Strollers could join the party following a good end to last season.

 

 

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davemclaren
3 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

 

East Kilbride, BSC Glasgow, Kelty and Spartans were the top four, so add Berwick and Bonnyrigg to the mix this time round. Civil Service Strollers could join the party following a good end to last season.

 

 

?

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letsalldothebeattie
12 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

 

East Kilbride, BSC Glasgow, Kelty and Spartans were the top four, so add Berwick and Bonnyrigg to the mix this time round. Civil Service Strollers could join the party following a good end to last season.

 

 

Agree with the top 4 and throwing in Bonnyrigg as well, not convinced Berwick will be strong next season. Going to be a big summer for them to pick a squad to get them challenging right from the off. I hope they can do that but given how poorly they’ve recruited the last 3/4 years I have major doubts 

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Footballfirst

Four new teams (ex amateur) were admitted to the East Region Junior ranks at yesterday's SJFA AGM.

 

There are Bo'ness United Juniors (playing at Newtown Park once the new surface is ready), Linlithgow CFC (playing at Xcite Linlithgow), Sauchie CFC (unsure if playing at Sauchie's Beechwood Park or in Dunblane) and Syngenta (groundsharing at Dunipace).

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