Pyramid Play-offs Watch

**theonlywayisup** · 28-02-2015 06:20 PM

For the first time, there will be a play-off between the Highland and Lowland league winners, followed by the winner playing the team that finishes 10th in the 2nd division. Should be interesting and might bring some well needed new blood into the league.

Currently, Edinburgh City are running away with the Lowland league. They have won their last 11 league games and are 11 points ahead of Gretna 2008 having played 3 games less. They will be Lowland League champs.

Currently, Brora Rangers have a 5 point lead over Turriff United having won 14 and drawn 2 of their last 16 games. Turriff United have been equally impressive having won 18 and drawn two of their last 20 games. Brora Rangers have already beaten Turriff United 8-0 in the league in their fist league match this season.

The winner of the match between the Lowland and Highland League winners will play the team who finishes bottom of the 2nd division. That team is currently Montrose who are 5 points adrift of East Stirling, having played two games more.

I would think it is bye-bye Montrose and hello Brora Rangers or Edinburgh City. Should be interesting!

***Billy Whizz*** · 28-02-2015 06:43 PM

If they want to be in the 2nd division. The travelling for both teams will be horrendous at this level.
I agree with the opportunity, not sure the geography/population of Scotland, necessary lends itself to this

***Hibbyradge*** · 28-02-2015 06:45 PM

Great information, thanks.

I'll be keeping an eye on this from now on.

Mon the City!

***NORTHERNHIBBY*** · 28-02-2015 06:47 PM

No sure that either of those two teams would be decent swaps for Montrose tbh.

***Billy Whizz*** · 28-02-2015 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by NORTHERNHIBBY

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No sure that either of those two teams would be decent swaps for Montrose tbh.

We need Regional leagues beneath League 1

**Hibby Bairn** · 28-02-2015 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Billy Whizz

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We need Regional leagues beneath League 1

I would say beneath Championship.

***Billy Whizz*** · 28-02-2015 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tory Hibby

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I would say beneath Championship.

We've got a few full time clubs in Div 1. If we can increase the number of teams in Premier/Championship, I agree with this

***superfurryhibby*** · 28-02-2015 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Tory Hibby

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I would say beneath Championship.

Agree, it's a bit if a joke to have national leagues and all the travel they entail. Should be regional below our level.

About time there was demotion from the lower level. Excellence needs it's reward and we need innovation. League pyramid is well overdue.

***Greencore*** · 28-02-2015 10:27 PM

So if Montrose drop and Brora Rangers win does the lowland league get an extra member?

**ScottB** · 28-02-2015 07:25 PM

Haven't Brora previously said they'd decline the opportunity to join the national leagues?

**Sir David Gray** · 28-02-2015 07:50 PM

I can't see Brora Rangers accepting any invite to join the SPFL to be honest.

As things stand at the moment, their closest match next season would be against Elgin City, which is almost a 200 miles round trip.

Their costs would be enormous.

**IberianHibernian** · 28-02-2015 08:18 PM

If Montrose were to lose out where would they play next season ? Highland League presumably which would be pretty disastrous for them and would add to travel costs of Highland teams too . Need to regionalise from Div 1 .

**theonlywayisup** · 28-02-2015 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by ScottB

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Haven't Brora previously said they'd decline the opportunity to join the national leagues?

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-league-two/284342-brora-rangers-to-let-fans-decide-over-potential-spfl-participation/

***O'Rourke3*** · 28-02-2015 08:53 PM

I actually drove past Brora's ground today. There's no way they could cope with a post admin The Rangers with those facilities.

**Kaff** · 28-02-2015 09:16 PM

Don't know the budgets but talk is that Brora outspend Elgin City by a long way at the moment, got a big sponsor who i think is oil related so of course under the current climate that might change. Think Grant Munro and Ross Tokely (ex ICT) gave up fulltime football as Brora were paying more.

**Pete** · 01-03-2015 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by theonlywayisup

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For the first time, there will be a play-off between the Highland and Lowland league winners, followed by the winner playing the team that finishes 10th in the 2nd division. Should be interesting and might bring some well needed new blood into the league.

Currently, Edinburgh City are running away with the Lowland league. They have won their last 11 league games and are 11 points ahead of Gretna 2008 having played 3 games less. They will be Lowland League champs.

Currently, Brora Rangers have a 5 point lead over Turriff United having won 14 and drawn 2 of their last 16 games. Turriff United have been equally impressive having won 18 and drawn two of their last 20 games. Brora Rangers have already beaten Turriff United 8-0 in the league in their fist league match this season.

The winner of the match between the Lowland and Highland League winners will play the team who finishes bottom of the 2nd division. That team is currently Montrose who are 5 points adrift of East Stirling, having played two games more.

I would think it is bye-bye Montrose and hello Brora Rangers or Edinburgh City. Should be interesting!

Rather shamefully, I totally forgot about this and wasn't aware this was even happening.

It's about time we opened things up as there are some really progressive clubs who deserve a shot at league football.

**theonlywayisup** · 30-03-2015 09:10 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32120499

***Billy Whizz*** · 30-03-2015 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by theonlywayisup

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32120499

Heard him on the radio tonight. Think they are waiting on some further info from the SPFL.
They are over an hour North of Inverness, so the cost for them and some other teams will be horrific, unless they receive financial support

**Sir David Gray** · 30-03-2015 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by theonlywayisup

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32120499

It's not very encouraging for the upcoming play offs!

He sounds like he's trying to convince himself, in that article, that being promoted to League Two would be a good thing!

***offshorehibby*** · 30-03-2015 10:07 PM

This is why Scotland should relay be looking at 2 professional top divisions with 2 or 3 regionalied lower leagues.

***Leith_Hibee*** · 31-03-2015 06:27 AM

Personally I think too much is made of the travel issues. I get highland leagues going down to dumfries midweek etc should be avoided but the regional set up in England still involves teams traveling a few hours to get to games, particularly in the South West where the infrastructure isn't great. The SFA currently help out with away travel costs for Scottish Cup ties, would be useful if this was extended to league games so that cost does not prohibit teams wanting to enter the league. With some sensible fixture scheduling (I know I'm placing too much trust in the powers that be) then I dont see how it cannot work.

**~~Phil D. Rolls~~** · 31-03-2015 06:47 AM

Should Hibs be concerned about the prospect of Edinburgh City being promoted. Potential loss of fans etc.

***jacomo*** · 31-03-2015 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by offshorehibby

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This is why Scotland should relay be looking at 2 professional top divisions with 2 or 3 regionalied lower leagues.

***Hermit Crab*** · 31-03-2015 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by offshorehibby

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This is why Scotland should relay be looking at 2 professional top divisions with 2 or 3 regionalied lower leagues.

Just like Germany and Spain.

***SteveHFC*** · 31-03-2015 02:01 PM

Easthouses could be playing in the lowland league next season

***danhibees1875*** · 31-03-2015 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by offshorehibby

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This is why Scotland should relay be looking at 2 professional top divisions with 2 or 3 regionalied lower leagues.

Too many clubs in the top league system for a country our size. I'd take it down to at least 2 leagues of 16. Play each other twice, and expand the league cup to include a group stage.

***eastterrace*** · 31-03-2015 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by danhibees1875

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Too many clubs in the top league system for a country our size. I'd take it down to at least 2 leagues of 16. Play each other twice, and expand the league cup to include a group stage.

okay what clubs will we get rid off then , just tell their fans to move on and support someone else.

***McSwanky*** · 01-04-2015 09:49 PM

A good start would be to make only the top 2 leagues national. Anything below that should be regional. Why would any of the owners of the likes of Ayr, Stranraer, Peterhead, Elgin, Berwick etc etc vote against that? Less travel time and cost, more chance of local 'derbies' but still the opportunity to progress if that's what they want to go for. Personally I can't see a downside.