Footballfirst Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 The Highland League has made a decision to end their season and declare Brora champions. There is no relegation from the Highland League so that isn't a consideration, or a precedent that could work for Hearts. http://www.highlandfootballleague.com/News/Item/1976_Scottish_Highland_Football_League_-_Update.aspx Scottish Highland Football League - Update Scottish Highland Football League clubs met today to consider options during the current public health emergency. The clubs are concerned to provide all involved and interested in the Highland League with as much clarity as possible. The following decisions were made by the meeting: • That the 2019-20 season be deemed to have concluded on the date that football activity in Scotland was suspended – Friday 13th March 2020 • That Brora Rangers FC be declared Breedon Highland League Champions for 2019-20 • That the latter stages of the Utilita Highland League Cup 2019-20 (semi-finals and final) be held over and played early in the 2020-21 season • That there be no further matches in the Highland League Youth Development Initiative for the foreseeable future. The League therefore goes into a form of hibernation until such time as football resumes after the Covid-19 pandemic passes. At that time, the possibilities for creating meaningful competitions in season 2020-2021 will be considered and that, in turn, will depend on when resumption takes place. Clubs also recognised the valuable support given to its competitions by the Breedon Group and Utilita and wished to place on record their appreciation thereof. In such a difficult time for all, the meeting was clear in its view that issues much more important than football currently predominate, with health and livelihoods being far more significant. The meeting heard of a number of instances of clubs putting their shoulder to the resilience wheel and of club staff being very understanding of the financial challenges being faced. This was uplifting and can only be beneficial to the health and well-being of all concerned. The final message from the League to club members, staff, volunteers and supporters is to stay safe and healthy and we all look forward to getting back to football when the time is right. News Date 21/03/2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey1874 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 No precedent for anyone. Barcelona 1 point ahead of Real Madrid, Bonnyrigg 6 points behind Kelty with a game in hand and home game v them too. Etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey1874 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Lowland league meeting in 2 weeks "but not minded to follow Highland League". (Richard Gordon on Sportsound) They have cancelled this year's Cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Beni of Gorgie Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Consider what a meaningful season in 20/21 means. Finished their season and not certain when they will start another. Long haul I'm afraid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballfirst Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, Sir Gio said: Consider what a meaningful season in 20/21 means. Finished their season and not certain when they will start another. Long haul I'm afraid I'd be in favour of the SPFL doing something similar and putting itself into "hibernation". If that was done then their rules on payments to players, contracts, insolvency, football creditors etc., could all be set aside for a period. However the problem of determining promotion and relegation still remain, including that for Brora / Kelty / Bonnyrigg / Brechin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballfirst Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 It's notable that despite Brora's healthy lead at the top, three clubs, Fraserburgh, Rothes and Buckie could still have caught them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey1874 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 11 minutes ago, Footballfirst said: It's notable that despite Brora's healthy lead at the top, three clubs, Fraserburgh, Rothes and Buckie could still have caught them. Good point. No one believes they would have though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETTY29 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51962930 Reconstruction and give Celtic the title. Near 99% chance they would win it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Beni of Gorgie Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 37 minutes ago, Footballfirst said: I'd be in favour of the SPFL doing something similar and putting itself into "hibernation". If that was done then their rules on payments to players, contracts, insolvency, football creditors etc., could all be set aside for a period. However the problem of determining promotion and relegation still remain, including that for Brora / Kelty / Bonnyrigg / Brechin. A big issue is Europe v domestic. UEFA need to take the lead by abandoning this year's tournaments. Of course the commercial aspect means abandoning the Highland League or the vast majority of domestic leagues is far more straightforward than being held to account by the gargantuan stakeholders UEFA snuggles up to. Nobody therefore wants or will take responsibility, even more so when money is scarce and huge holes in anticipated budgets. Could take a long time to play out. Some leagues suggesting they may restart in May, the worst affected countries too, can only be described as posturing in an economic crisis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayman Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Mikey1874 said: Lowland league meeting in 2 weeks "but not minded to follow Highland League". (Richard Gordon on Sportsound) They have cancelled this year's Cup. East of Scotland met on Friday. All cups cancelled but league is still undecided. I’m assuming the same is happening With the lowland league, but they are trying to see if they can play league games or not. if the lowland league played in front of no crowds and live streamed the game for £2 a head I’m sure they’d get a decent amount of people watching, purely for boredom alone. Edited March 21, 2020 by Dayman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley_ Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Mikey1874 said: Good point. No one believes they would have though. Yeah, near certainty that Brora were going to win. 13 points ahead with 6 games left to play (even if Fraserburgh won their 3 games in hand they'd still be 8 points behind with 6 to play). Quite a straightforward decision in the Highland League compared to others with one team so far ahead and no relegation from the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey1874 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 52 minutes ago, Stanley_ said: Yeah, near certainty that Brora were going to win. 13 points ahead with 6 games left to play (even if Fraserburgh won their 3 games in hand they'd still be 8 points behind with 6 to play). Quite a straightforward decision in the Highland League compared to others with one team so far ahead and no relegation from the league. The main problems leagues have are 1. Close title or promotion races 2. Relegation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Beni of Gorgie Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 5 hours ago, Dayman said: East of Scotland met on Friday. All cups cancelled but league is still undecided. I’m assuming the same is happening With the lowland league, but they are trying to see if they can play league games or not. if the lowland league played in front of no crowds and live streamed the game for £2 a head I’m sure they’d get a decent amount of people watching, purely for boredom alone. Can't see Nicky or Bojo being happy to see that one fly unless its played in Morrison's car park Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballfirst Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 9 hours ago, Zlatanable said: I can almost guarantee some football clubs will have to end, because of this situation. It's another point to consider when deciding how to end the season. What do they do with the results of any club that doesn't resume after the Covid suspension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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