Berwick v Cove

[Waxy]

Anyone want to see Berwick dropping to the lowland league?
Also Bonnyrigg rose losing their promotion to the lowland is a bit harsh.

[The 90+2]

Bonnyrigg not getting in is a scandal not a bit harsh and I want Berwick to stay in the leagues we have a good relationship with them in general.

[Keith_M]

Anyone want to see Berwick dropping to the lowland league?
Also Bonnyrigg rose losing their promotion to the lowland is a bit harsh.


Would we still play them in pre-season friendlies?

[Diclonius]

If Cove get promoted then at least Aberdeen will finally have a local derby.

[Carheenlea]

Got to be rooting for Berwick Rangers with Hibs legend John Brownlie stepping in to manage the side for the play off - good luck Onion :aok:

[Cod Boy]

Think Cove will win comfortably over the two legs.

[The 90+2]

Think Cove will win comfortably over the two legs.

That’s what everyone has thought the past few years East Stirlingshire apart. It hasn’t materialised that way though.

[eastmainsmsh]

Cove to win comfortably

[Diclonius]

That’s what everyone has thought the past few years East Stirlingshire apart. It hasn’t materialised that way though.

:agree:

Find it quite surprising that these well-run, well-funded clubs that have battered everyone put before them all season suddenly manage to struggle almost every time they play a team that couldn't buy a win. Maybe the gulf really is that big and it comes as a shock to the new club, or the SPFL club are motivated that much both by the threat of major financial and reputational damage.

In any case, one club should come up from the pyramid every season anyway. The winner of the HFL v LFL should automatically go up and the loser plays ninth in the SPFL, with 10th going straight down.

[Northernhibee]

Last year Cove were absolutely cheated out of promotion with the most baffling refereeing decisions that you will ever see.

It reeks.

[AltheHibby]

Berwick to win. My granny was from Berwick, and I have always followed them.

[EI255]

Meh, one Rangers for another.

Does it really matter ?

[Craig_HFC]

Not really fussed but if pushed I'd rather Cove came up because I know 1 Berwick fan and he's a prick.

[Austinho]

Cove Rangers all the way. Time to clear out the dross of the clubs at the very foot of the ladder and make way for teams with a little more ambition. For the good of the game it would be automatic promotion and relegation anyway.

[CMurdoch]

Cove have the Do Re Mi behind them to make a go of senior football.
Berwick are a tired limping financially poor wreck.

[Since452]

Bonnyrigg not getting in is a scandal not a bit harsh and I want Berwick to stay in the leagues we have a good relationship with them in general.

Did Bonnyrigg not fail to meet criteria? Other clubs in their league spent the money on their grounds and got their SFA licence. I don't see anything wrong.

[Hermit Crab]

Anyone want to see Berwick dropping to the lowland league?
Also Bonnyrigg rose losing their promotion to the lowland is a bit harsh.


What happened?

[Waxy]

What happened?

They won the EOS league playoffs so should have been promoted to the lowland league. SFA refused them for not having floodlights.

[Hermit Crab]

They won the EOS league playoffs so should have been promoted to the lowland league. SFA refused them for not having floodlights.


Thats horrendous, could they not have had them fitted for the start of the season?

[Tynie01011973]

Thats horrendous, could they not have had them fitted for the start of the season?

They applied based on 2018 criteria,but SFA said they now needed to have floodlights in place prior to applying

http://www.bonnyriggrosefc.co.uk/teams/118321/news/club-statement-application-for-sfa-membership-2424113.html

[Danderhall Hibs]

Did Bonnyrigg not fail to meet criteria? Other clubs in their league spent the money on their grounds and got their SFA licence. I don't see anything wrong.

It’s the change of criteria mid season that’s the complaint. And they’re in the process of getting lights, just not quickly enough.

[Tarrahib]

Cove have the Do Re Mi behind them to make a go of senior football.
Berwick are a tired limping financially poor wreck.
Keep Berwick in England and Celtic and Rangers in Scotland:not worth

[HibeeHibernian4]

It’s the change of criteria mid season that’s the complaint. And they’re in the process of getting lights, just not quickly enough.

Didn't the club statement say they were given something like 16 hours' notice to buy and install them? :rolleyes:

[Jumbo]

The ironic thing, with Bonnyrigg, is that Whitehill Welfare will keep their place in Lowland League and they don’t have floodlights either !!

[we are hibs]

They applied based on 2018 criteria,but SFA said they now needed to have floodlights in place prior to applying

http://www.bonnyriggrosefc.co.uk/teams/118321/news/club-statement-application-for-sfa-membership-2424113.html

Can't help but laugh at the sfa demanding bonnyrigg have their floodlights in place prior to applying yet hearts stand wasn't open for months after they were due to open and it caused fixture chaos.

[nairn hibee]

Can't stand cove but hope they win ,just to get them out of the highland league .

[Famous Fiver]

Could it be argued that Bonnyrig spent their windfall from Scottish Cup Run including the tie with Hibs on players and as a result have won trophies and league championships?

Broxburn and Penicuik, with a lot less resources, chose to spend their money on upgrading facilities, including floodlights, and as a result both lost out to Bonnyrigg in the play offs. Neither Broxburn or Penicuik put off improvements until it was compulsory, they went ahead and did it anyway and have been granted SFA licences.

Is that a fair summary?

[berwickhibee]

Berwick are and have been in freefall for years now.
No connection with the local public and no youth set up.

Just a bunch of boys who travel to shielfield once a fortnight to use the pitch. The team is lost to the town. Berwick deserve relegation.

[Purple & Green]

Could it be argued that Bonnyrig spent their windfall from Scottish Cup Run including the tie with Hibs on players and as a result have won trophies and league championships?

Broxburn and Penicuik, with a lot less resources, chose to spend their money on upgrading facilities, including floodlights, and as a result both lost out to Bonnyrigg in the play offs. Neither Broxburn or Penicuik put off improvements until it was compulsory, they went ahead and did it anyway and have been granted SFA licences.

Is that a fair summary?

No. It's not.

Bonnyrigg own their ground, so haven't had access to funding that Penicuik and Broxburn have had - so neither of those clubs chose to spend money on facilities. Bonnyrigg have spent their windfall on ground developments, and have spent more besides. Broxburn and Penicuik have had significant support that Bonnyrigg haven't had.

The floodlights weren't a requirement for a licence, and as mentioned above, Bonnyrigg were only advised of the 2019 requirement the day before the inspection - they asked for derogation, reasonably - and this was refused for reasons that are unclear.

It's a really shoddy affair, as the SFA revealed that Bonnyrigg wouldnt be granted a licence on the first working day after the play off result was known - Bonnyrigg intimated they would be applying for a licence a year ago, and were delayed in submitting the application due to the embargo.

I think it's telling that the East of Scotland Football Association are on Bonnyrigg side in this.

[Purple & Green]

Did Bonnyrigg not fail to meet criteria? Other clubs in their league spent the money on their grounds and got their SFA licence. I don't see anything wrong.

Other clubs have had significant council support in making the improvements, Bonnyrigg have not.

The critical point here is that Bonnyrigg met the criteria at the time of application, and it is only subsequent to their application, and just prior to their assessment, the criteria was changed.

Edit: A quick look online suggests that both Broxburn and Penicuik grounds are council owned, and the floodlighting was paid for by the relevant councils. Happy to be corrected on that if that isn't the case.

[scoopyboy]

Other clubs have had significant council support in making the improvements, Bonnyrigg have not.

The critical point here is that Bonnyrigg met the criteria at the time of application, and it is only subsequent to their application, and just prior to their assessment, the criteria was changed.

Edit: A quick look online suggests that both Broxburn and Penicuik grounds are council owned, and the floodlighting was paid for by the relevant councils. Happy to be corrected on that if that isn't the case.

Wasn't just Bonnyrigg that were denied membership, Tranent and Haddington both suffered the same fate. Same reason as well.

[Purple & Green]

Wasn't just Bonnyrigg that were denied membership, Tranent and Haddington both suffered the same fate. Same reason as well.

Yes, Camelon too - I think 6 were given licences and 6 weren't.

[scoopyboy]

Yes, Camelon too - I think 6 were given licences and 6 weren't.

I didn't realise until I read this thread that it was costing Bonnyrigg a promotion, although a disgrace it doesn't change what league Tranent or Haddington will be playing in next season.

I don't think it's finished with Bonnyrigg by the way, there could be a twist or two yet.

[Keith_M]

Keep Berwick in England and Celtic and Rangers in Scotland:not worth


Nah, send Celtic to Dublin and The Rangers to Belfast.

[Danderhall Hibs]

The ironic thing, with Bonnyrigg, is that Whitehill Welfare will keep their place in Lowland League and they don’t have floodlights either !!

Incredible.

[ballengeich]

The email read: "Regarding the above, I am write [sic] to confirm that following consideration by the Board, your application for membership of the Scottish Football Association has been rejected as your club is not complaint [sic] with current Entry Level criteria – specifically provision of floodlighting. I appreciate this is disappointing news however I’m sure you can understand the Scottish FA’s desire to continue to improve standards within our game.”

What's above is the contents of a standard e-mail sent to several clubs which were denied SFA membership. It's from SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell, who apparently lacks either the education to write a grammatical letter or the courtesy to have someone proof-read a communication on a vital matter to the clubs he's addressing. How Maxwell got his job is understood only by those who appointed him. He and Rod Petrie are getting dogs' abuse on non-league sites for the way membership criteria were changed after clubs had started work on ground upgrades.

[GreenCastle]

It’s decisions like this that make Scottish football a joke.

Ok have a criteria but work with clubs to make them better.

Like the previous 10,000 rule - how many teams don’t even get close to 10,000 now.

All for raising standards but you wonder why many think the SFA aren’t fit for purpose.

[Waxy]

Cove 2-0 up already. Say bye bye to Berwick.

[marinello59]

Finished 4-0 to Cove and could easily have been 8-0. Very one sided.

[Since452]

Nothing against Berwick at all but no relegation from the bottom league has allowed those kind of clubs to stagnate. The playoffs that see them potentially drop out is one of the few things the SFA/SPFL have got right.

[Diclonius]

Nothing against Berwick at all but no relegation from the bottom league has allowed those kind of clubs to stagnate. The playoffs that see them potentially drop out is one of the few things the SFA/SPFL have got right.

It was poetic that the first club to drop out was East Stirlingshire. They're a team that made a name out of being anti-competitive.

[Glory Lurker]

What does it all mean? English football can fill up the Euro finals, but cannae handle the Scottish diddy league? Does that make us the best league in Europe?

[Waxy]

What does it all mean? English football can fill up the Euro finals, but cannae handle the Scottish diddy league? Does that make us the best league in Europe?

We should invite some other north English clubs and see if they’d do better. Carlisle, Geordie fc.Swansea and Cardiff play in England so there’s no difference.

[Forza Fred]

The email read: "Regarding the above, I am write [sic] to confirm that following consideration by the Board, your application for membership of the Scottish Football Association has been rejected as your club is not complaint [sic] with current Entry Level criteria – specifically provision of floodlighting. I appreciate this is disappointing news however I’m sure you can understand the Scottish FA’s desire to continue to improve standards within our game.”

What's above is the contents of a standard e-mail sent to several clubs which were denied SFA membership. It's from SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell, who apparently lacks either the education to write a grammatical letter or the courtesy to have someone proof-read a communication on a vital matter to the clubs he's addressing. How Maxwell got his job is understood only by those who appointed him. He and Rod Petrie are getting dogs' abuse on non-league sites for the way membership criteria were changed after clubs had started work on ground upgrades.

Sounds like it was typed by the work experience student and sent out with undue haste

[sambajustice]

Nah, send Celtic to Dublin and The Rangers to Belfast.

Be better sending them both to Belfast.

Celtic are almost irrelevant in the south of Ireland

[Eyrie]

Be better sending them both to Belfast.

Celtic are almost irrelevant in the south of Ireland
Wouldn't think that most people in Northern Ireland would welcome that.

Let's just kick them out and leave them in the wilderness.

[Hibernia&Alba]

Be better sending them both to Belfast.

Celtic are almost irrelevant in the south of Ireland

That'll be the Republic of Ireland, not 'the south' and Celtic are anything but irrelevant there. Whilst the big English clubs have a very big following, especially Manchester United and Liverpool, Celtic are the most popular club. They are a huge draw over there. Sadly, given our origins, Hibs are irrelevant. It would be nice to have a wee bit of that market come our way.

[delbert]

Could it be argued that Bonnyrig spent their windfall from Scottish Cup Run including the tie with Hibs on players and as a result have won trophies and league championships?

Broxburn and Penicuik, with a lot less resources, chose to spend their money on upgrading facilities, including floodlights, and as a result both lost out to Bonnyrigg in the play offs. Neither Broxburn or Penicuik put off improvements until it was compulsory, they went ahead and did it anyway and have been granted SFA licences.

Is that a fair summary?

Not really a fair summary, Bonnyrigg own their ground and have spent many thousands upgrading their ground to the standard that was required of them, including two thousand pounds to apply for the licence in the first place, as did all the other clubs. SFA set a date for the site visit and sixteen hours before arriving (and after safely pocketing the cash) they sent an email confirming they were still coming and also advised the ground would now be inspected using a completely different set of criteria which now included floodlights being installed, hardly the actions of a professional governing body promoting the best interests of their clubs.

[eastmainsmsh]

It's a shambles you'd think Maxwell and Co would see sense as a lot of the non leagues teams are called off in winter perhaps summer football for lowland Highland eos and junior leagues give them more revenue as fans would watch imo

[EI255]

That'll be the Republic of Ireland, not 'the south' and Celtic are anything but irrelevant there. Whilst the big English clubs have a very big following, especially Manchester United and Liverpool, Celtic are the most popular club. They are a huge draw over there. Sadly, given our origins, Hibs are irrelevant. It would be nice to have a wee bit of that market come our way.We did try back in the 90's IIRC. Opened a concession in Arnotts

Sent from my LG-H840 using Tapatalk

[sambajustice]

That'll be the Republic of Ireland, not 'the south' and Celtic are anything but irrelevant there. Whilst the big English clubs have a very big following, especially Manchester United and Liverpool, Celtic are the most popular club. They are a huge draw over there. Sadly, given our origins, Hibs are irrelevant. It would be nice to have a wee bit of that market come our way.

Celtic are no danger the most popular club unless you're going to parts Ireland I've never been to.

Is it ok to refer to it as "Ireland" or must I absolutely always have "Republic of" in there as well Mr Taoiseach?

[Sammy7nil]

Finished 4-0 to Cove and could easily have been 8-0. Very one sided.

Cove will win the league next season.

[Hibernia&Alba]

Celtic are no danger the most popular club unless you're going to parts Ireland I've never been to.

Is it ok to refer to it as "Ireland" or must I absolutely always have "Republic of" in there as well Mr Taoiseach?

Ireland is perfect. If you wish to get political, the 26 and the occupied 6 is acceptable :greengrin

Connolly and his comrades didn't give their lives to hear later generations refer to the ROI as 'the south'. There has never been a country called Southern Ireland, and many in the Republic find the term offensive. :wink:

BTW, just pulling your leg, mate and not giving you a hard time. :aok:

[BoomtownHibees]

Bonnyrigg have my now been granted their SFA licence. Common sense at last.

Well done Rod

[Newry Hibs]

Ireland is perfect. If you wish to get political, the 26 and the occupied 6 is acceptable :greengrin

Connolly and his comrades didn't give their lives to hear later generations refer to the ROI as 'the south'. There has never been a country called Southern Ireland, and many in the Republic find the term offensive. :wink:

BTW, just pulling your leg, mate and not giving you a hard time. :aok:

Bloody Free Staters. Always complaining!

[Lancs Harp]

That'll be the Republic of Ireland, not 'the south' and Celtic are anything but irrelevant there. Whilst the big English clubs have a very big following, especially Manchester United and Liverpool, Celtic are the most popular club. They are a huge draw over there. Sadly, given our origins, Hibs are irrelevant. It would be nice to have a wee bit of that market come our way.

I'd say United and Liverpool have greater support than Celtic in ROI, last time Liverpool played Celtc in Dublin they had far far far more fans than Celtic in the ground for instance.I'd say celtics support has waned dramatically in Ireland in favour of the top EPL clubs in the last 10 years.

[Dr_Regal]

Camelon Juniors, what a team. My family is from Camelon and it must be the roughest town in Scotland, petrified to go back.

Growing up in Aberdeen, with my Dons Brother, we went to a Cove Rangers game last year in the pishing rain and it was brilliant. Aberdeen is big enough for two fitba teams. Would imagine they do very well next year.

[Hermit Crab]

Camelon Juniors, what a team. My family is from Camelon and it must be the roughest town in Scotland, petrified to go back.

Growing up in Aberdeen, with my Dons Brother, we went to a Cove Rangers game last year in the pishing rain and it was brilliant. Aberdeen is big enough for two fitba teams. Would imagine they do very well next year.


Ever been to Methil?

[Iggy Pope]

Camelon Juniors, what a team. My family is from Camelon and it must be the roughest town in Scotland, petrified to go back.

Growing up in Aberdeen, with my Dons Brother, we went to a Cove Rangers game last year in the pishing rain and it was brilliant. Aberdeen is big enough for two fitba teams. Would imagine they do very well next year.

I remember playing in a Sunday tie in the Scottish at Camelon. Big turn out of locals who were on the preferred stimulant of ‘jellies’ at the time.....some place.

[JDT]

Camelon Juniors, what a team. My family is from Camelon and it must be the roughest town in Scotland, petrified to go back.

Growing up in Aberdeen, with my Dons Brother, we went to a Cove Rangers game last year in the pishing rain and it was brilliant. Aberdeen is big enough for two fitba teams. Would imagine they do very well next year.

Rougher than Fauldhouse?

[Since452]

Camelon Juniors, what a team. My family is from Camelon and it must be the roughest town in Scotland, petrified to go back.

Growing up in Aberdeen, with my Dons Brother, we went to a Cove Rangers game last year in the pishing rain and it was brilliant. Aberdeen is big enough for two fitba teams. Would imagine they do very well next year.

Kevin McAllister hero worshiped there

[JimBHibees]

I'd say United and Liverpool have greater support than Celtic in ROI, last time Liverpool played Celtc in Dublin they had far far far more fans than Celtic in the ground for instance.I'd say celtics support has waned dramatically in Ireland in favour of the top EPL clubs in the last 10 years.

That would be my view whenever Sky try and interview fans near the ground a few hours before a top EPL game they inevitably are Irish.:greengrin

[Smartie]

Ever been to Methil?

I heard it was no more?

[CockneyRebel]

Ever been to Mithil



I heard it was no more?



:top marks

[we are hibs]

Currently 4-1 down before half time at home in their first lowland league game against bonnyrigg

[Diclonius]

Currently 4-1 down before half time at home in their first lowland league game against bonnyrigg

At least they've scored a goal.

[berwickhibee]

4-3 now.

[Glory Lurker]

So Bonnyrigg got promoted after all?

[Is It On....]

I heard it was no more?

Or Lochaber.....