B Team in Lowland league

[chippy]

Two parts to this:
1) Setting aside for a moment your opinion on B teams in the Lowland league/ pyramid, do you think it beneficial for our current near under18 champs to play next season in the Lowland league like Old firm (Hearts are mooted to join too). How beneficial do you think it would be to their own development and to Hibs for them to do this as a group rather than being loaned out or not getting much game time for the 1st team?
2) if you’re against say so otherwise- Would you have say 6 or so B teams in a revised pyramid say after league expansion and if so how far up the pyramid would you allow such B teams? Personally I’m in favour of a 3 x 16 setup with the feeders being the Lowland and Highland league as now. I’d allow the B teams to rise to the 3rd tier but have to start in the Lowland league. B teams wuold have to win promotion to the 3rd tier. Rangers and Celtic are benefitting from this why not us?

[hibby rae]

Two parts to this:
1) Setting aside for a moment your opinion on B teams in the Lowland league/ pyramid, do you think it beneficial for our current near under18 champs to play next season in the Lowland league like Old firm (Hearts are mooted to join too). How beneficial do you think it would be to their own development and to Hibs for them to do this as a group rather than being loaned out or not getting much game time for the 1st team?
2) if you’re against say so otherwise- Would you have say 6 or so B teams in a revised pyramid say after league expansion and if so how far up the pyramid would you allow such B teams? Personally I’m in favour of a 3 x 16 setup with the feeders being the Lowland and Highland league as now. I’d allow the B teams to rise to the 3rd tier but have to start in the Lowland league. B teams wuold have to win promotion to the 3rd tier. Rangers and Celtic are benefitting from this why not us?

I'm against it in principle but also development grounds.

Porteous got interviewed by thr Terrace and he said he didn't buy the argument for bringing players on in their game

He said you learn far more by playing alongside experienced players, so getting them out on loan is far more benficial.

And if you look at the more recent successes, him, Doig, Dabrowski etc. They all went out on loan

[chippy]

I'm against it in principle but also development grounds.

Porteous got interviewed by thr Terrace and he said he didn't buy the argument for bringing players on in their game

He said you learn far more by playing alongside experienced players, so getting them out on loan is far more benficial.

And if you look at the more recent successes, him, Doig, Dabrowski etc. They all went out on loan

Aren’t Doig, Dabrowski and Porto a bit exceptional. You’re leaving their development to the whims of the manager they are sent to at that time. That can change and our guys get no playing time. Isn’t there something in growing together as a group? Might a solution be you do both : the exceptional player or two goes on loan to a league 1 ,2 or Championship side and the rest develop on the LL?

[hibby rae]

Aren’t Doig, Dabrowski and Porto a bit exceptional. You’re leaving their development to the whims of the manager they are sent to at that time. That can change and our guys get no playing time. Isn’t there something in growing together as a group? Might a solution be you do both : the exceptional player or two goes on loan to a league 1 ,2 or Championship side and the rest develop on the LL?

Well they are exceptional, but that's why they made it. If the others aren't good enough to make a step up to playing in the lower league then they're probably not going to develop to the extent where they have value to the first team.

[GreenArmy1875]

No. Don't think it should be allowed. Plenty other teams in East of Scotland league far more deserving than developing players for the 'elite' clubs.

[The dalmeny]

No. Don't think it should be allowed. Plenty other teams in East of Scotland league far more deserving than developing players for the 'elite' clubs.

Agreed

[Lancs Harp]

Beneficial to Hibs? Yes.

Beneficial to the Lowland league to have it populated with B teams and Youth teams from tge giants above them? No

Its the principle for me. No thanks.

[1875Sean]

If they don’t have a reserve league then I am all for it, they lads who are Turing 19 need competitive football, if they don’t get loaned out I am not sure how these friendly games again the English teams do for there development

[Eyrie]

I'm against it in principle but also development grounds.

Porteous got interviewed by thr Terrace and he said he didn't buy the argument for bringing players on in their game

He said you learn far more by playing alongside experienced players, so getting them out on loan is far more benficial.

And if you look at the more recent successes, him, Doig, Dabrowski etc. They all went out on loan


Well they are exceptional, but that's why they made it. If the others aren't good enough to make a step up to playing in the lower league then they're probably not going to develop to the extent where they have value to the first team.


No. Don't think it should be allowed. Plenty other teams in East of Scotland league far more deserving than developing players for the 'elite' clubs.

Total agreement from me.

[Malthibby]

No interest in copying the Infirm & possibly Jambos in doing this.
It's great seeing Bonnyrigg etc moving up & there are others who want to follow, bound to be harder if Premier teams are
filing their leagues with feeder teams.
And utterly against said teams gaining any sort of promotion; remember, when Celtic & Rangers do their regular 'Let's join a European/English league'
their cunning plan is always to leave B teams in Scotland so they maintain their monopoly here. They can gtf.

[04Sauzee]

🆕 Hibs to face teams including Brentford, Middlesbrough & QPR in new '1875 Invitational' next season

https://t.co/Q2qg7W1V5O

[chippy]

🆕 Hibs to face teams including Brentford, Middlesbrough & QPR in new '1875 Invitational' next season

https://t.co/Q2qg7W1V5O

Decent idea, hope it works out. Wonder if Celtic , Rangers and Hearts try and join us in this rather than Lowland league?

[JimBHibees]

Appears to be some doubt re Lowland league entry for OF and Hearts. Need to get the reserve league back

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/lowland-league-b-team-experiment-doomed-to-failure-as-hearts-celtic-and-rangers-face-rejection-3710200?itm_source=parsely-api

[chippy]

Appears to be some doubt re Lowland league entry for OF and Hearts. Need to get the reserve league back

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/lowland-league-b-team-experiment-doomed-to-failure-as-hearts-celtic-and-rangers-face-rejection-3710200?itm_source=parsely-api
Premier league membership should be conditional on having a proper over 18 reserve league

[JimBHibees]

Premier league membership should be conditional on having a proper over 18 reserve league

Agree totally

[Golden Bear]

Beneficial to Hibs? Yes.

Beneficial to the Lowland league to have it populated with B teams and Youth teams from tge giants above them? No

Its the principle for me. No thanks.

Beneficial in football terms - doubtful but beneficial in financial terms - definitely.

Most of the present Lowland League teams benefitted financially as their normal gate income was increased when the Celtic/Rangers youth teams came to visit.

[Billy Whizz]

🆕 Hibs to face teams including Brentford, Middlesbrough & QPR in new '1875 Invitational' next season

https://t.co/Q2qg7W1V5O

A start but they need to be playing every week

[1875Sean]

🆕 Hibs to face teams including Brentford, Middlesbrough & QPR in new '1875 Invitational' next season

https://t.co/Q2qg7W1V5O

Friendlies are fine but the guys need competitive league football to develop

[StarryPloughHSC]

our new '1875 invitational' is a brilliant idea our youngsters will learn way more playing englands finest than they ever will playing the dross in that pub league

[King conrad]

our new '1875 invitational' is a brilliant idea our youngsters will learn way more playing englands finest than they ever will playing the dross in that pub league

I would have to disagree there, Young lads learn more playing up against men although different opposition in England is a good thing also. There is still good footballers in the lowland league.

[delbert]

I would have to disagree there, Young lads learn more playing up against men although different opposition in England is a good thing also. There is still good footballers in the lowland league.

Lowland League top teams are easily Div 1 standard, if not higher, remember Bonnyrigg came within seconds of knocking Dundee out of the Scottish Cup and played two games against Dumbarton without even conceding a goal, plus they just murdered Cowdenbeath. As for B teams in next seasons Lowland League, doubt this will happen.

[StarryPloughHSC]

I would have to disagree there, Young lads learn more playing up against men although different opposition in England is a good thing also. There is still good footballers in the lowland league.

aye they do against men who are professional footballers like they used to in the reserve league they'll never learn anything playing against joiners and brickies. Most under 23 teams down south would beat our championship sides

[StarryPloughHSC]

Lowland League top teams are easily Div 1 standard, if not higher, remember Bonnyrigg came within seconds of knocking Dundee out of the Scottish Cup and played two games against Dumbarton without even conceding a goal, plus they just murdered Cowdenbeath. As for B teams in next seasons Lowland League, doubt this will happen.

that's how crap most of the teams in this country are pal we should gather up all the big clubs in this country and make two leagues and banish all the joke clubs to their rightful status of non league lol it's a disgrace how many pub teams we allow to call themselves professional

[CapitalGreen]

I would have to disagree there, Young lads learn more playing up against men although different opposition in England is a good thing also. There is still good footballers in the lowland league.

There would be some benefit to playing against the better teams in the lowland league such as Bonnyrigg & East Kilbride but not 34 times a season. Rangers B averaged 3 goals per game in the lowland league, what exactly are they learning scudding teams like Vale of Leithen and the like 6-0. Football players like anyone developing new skills will learn through being stretched and facing different challenges, they won't get that playing a full season of Lowland League football.

[StarryPloughHSC]

There would be some benefit to playing against the better teams in the lowland league such as Bonnyrigg & East Kilbride but not 34 times a season. Rangers B averaged 3 goals per game in the lowland league, what exactly are they learning scudding teams like Vale of Leithen and the like 6-0. Football players like anyone developing new skills will learn through being stretched and facing different challenges, they won't get that playing a full season of Lowland League football.

correct pal

[hibee-boys]

There would be some benefit to playing against the better teams in the lowland league such as Bonnyrigg & East Kilbride but not 34 times a season. Rangers B averaged 3 goals per game in the lowland league, what exactly are they learning scudding teams like Vale of Leithen and the like 6-0. Football players like anyone developing new skills will learn through being stretched and facing different challenges, they won't get that playing a full season of Lowland League football.

Vale of Leithen were pretty much everybody’s whipping boys in that league this season. Rangers and Celtic lost 16 games between so they did come up against some challenging opposition throughout the season, took great pleasure in watching our local lowland league side Gala Fairydean getting one over The Rangers down here. However I agree, I just don’t think Hibs have the size of development squad that would warrant committing to those number of league games per year. I’d heard that the Old Firm had over 50 players to choose from when selecting their lowland league sides, probably explains some of their performances in the league.

[Billy Whizz]

Anyone know how many of this seasons under 18 squad are too old for next season, and have to move into the “B” team

[Brooster]

From a development point of view I don't think there's any value in Hibs entering the Lowland League. The u23 League will be more beneficial.

[JohnMcM]

Can anyone remind us of the “real reasons” why the Reserve League set up was dismantled?

[davhibby]

Premier league membership should be conditional on having a proper over 18 reserve league

They tried to restart a reserve league before covid and Hibs, Celtic, Rangers and I think Aberdeen decided not to enter so I don’t think there’s much appetite for it

[JohnMcM]

They tried to restart a reserve league before covid and Hibs, Celtic, Rangers and I think Aberdeen decided not to enter so I don’t think there’s much appetite for it

That had passed by me. Thanks.

[1875Sean]

I would have to disagree there, Young lads learn more playing up against men although different opposition in England is a good thing also. There is still good footballers in the lowland league.

They are meaningless games, win lose or draw there isn’t that league competition, they can play these friendly game as well as play in a reserve or b team league

[Waxy]

Tranent beat Darvel today to win promotion to the lowland so well done them.

[Brightside]

Anyone know how many of this seasons under 18 squad are too old for next season, and have to move into the “B” team

I don’t know exactly Billy but think only a handful aren’t 18 now.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

They are meaningless games, win lose or draw there isn’t that league competition, they can play these friendly game as well as play in a reserve or b team league

when I was at the sponsors evening courtesy of Hibs.net comp, I spoke with Lewis Allan who to his credit spoke highly of the club despite being on his way out. We talked pathways along with a somewhat understandably unsure Tommy Block who was not sure what pay ahead for him at the time.

Lewis talked about the meaningless games and preferred to pitch himself against others from England and thought more was to be gained and learned against the English teams found them more competitive versus the large victories against others (prob in the East Of S of land League at the time)

[04Sauzee]

BREAKING! Celtic, Rangers and Hearts admitted to Lowland League after vote with SFA and SPFL pyramid review to follow

https://t.co/9kkaJ8ZP4T https://t.co/zeQPhCgSeC

[GreenCastle]

BREAKING! Celtic, Rangers and Hearts admitted to Lowland League after vote with SFA and SPFL pyramid review to follow

https://t.co/9kkaJ8ZP4T https://t.co/zeQPhCgSeC

Money talks..

Lowland league is turning into a bit of a farce which is a shame as a few years ago it seemed to be improving.

So Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all putting teams into this league - will this be B teams or younger teams?

Will Hibs going with a B team be a risk or something that may work?

Any idea what Aberdeen etc will do?

Seems different clubs have different views to development and what’s best - wonder what the view from Scottish FA is - you would think they would have a structure which brought everyone together rather than everyone doing own thing.

[chippy]

BREAKING! Celtic, Rangers and Hearts admitted to Lowland League after vote with SFA and SPFL pyramid review to follow

https://t.co/9kkaJ8ZP4T https://t.co/zeQPhCgSeC

Why not Hibs? Not prepared to pay 40k? Prefer some artificial ‘League’ with English sides? I know a few on here are against B teams in the pyramid, but this is going to be established now and there will be no going back. Next steps will be allowing B teams into spfl proper probably alongside some league expansion. It will depend on expansion as to what level the B teams can rise to.

[delbert]

Money talks..

Lowland league is turning into a bit of a farce which is a shame as a few years ago it seemed to be improving.

So Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all putting teams into this league - will this be B teams or younger teams?

Will Hibs going with a B team be a risk or something that may work?

Any idea what Aberdeen etc will do?

Seems different clubs have different views to development and what’s best - wonder what the view from Scottish FA is - you would think they would have a structure which brought everyone together rather than everyone doing own thing.

Hibs are in danger of being left behind here, much like the clubs who stayed in Junior football, thinking the Pyramid was just a bad dream and would go away. A series of meaningless friendlies against English sides, or competitive games every week against teams playing for league points full of ex senior players and at really decent standard, see Kelty romping last years Division 2. No brainer for me which helps more in the development of young players looking to get better, that’s why we put players out on loan to these very same teams, and this seems pretty short sighted in my opinion. And on a purely financial basis, it makes zero sense to me to go to the expense of sending an entire squad to the likes of Brentford for a friendly, when you could be playing a competitive game less than a mile down the road at Tranent, the league entry fee seems good value for 30+ games like that over the season.

[Waxy]

Thats me out of Scottish football until they remove b teams from the pyramid.

[CapitalGreen]

Hibs are in danger of being left behind here, much like the clubs who stayed in Junior football, thinking the Pyramid was just a bad dream and would go away. A series of meaningless friendlies against English sides, or competitive games every week against teams playing for league points full of ex senior players and at really decent standard, see Kelty romping last years Division 2. No brainer for me which helps more in the development of young players looking to get better, that’s why we put players out on loan to these very same teams, and this seems pretty short sighted in my opinion. And on a purely financial basis, it makes zero sense to me to go to the expense of sending an entire squad to the likes of Brentford for a friendly, when you could be playing a competitive game less than a mile down the road at Tranent, the league entry fee seems good value for 30+ games like that over the season.

Kelty Hearts romped League 2 because they were playing championship level wages for Championship level players. In an 18 team league, there are only about 2/3 lowland teams who are any good and another 5 or so clubs who are whipping boys for the big teams.

You mention us loaning players to the lowland league as evidence of it’s usefulness in developing players, how many of those players we have loaned to the lowland league have made an impact on the first team?

A couple of other reasons why it’s unsuitable for our set up, the rules dictate:

- The maximum age for the SPFL teams in the lowland is U20 which is not suitable for our under U23 model.

- Players who feature 5 times in the first team cannot play for the lowland league team until the next transfer window which will restrict player pathways between the first team and development team.

[Brooster]

Hibs are in danger of being left behind here, much like the clubs who stayed in Junior football, thinking the Pyramid was just a bad dream and would go away. A series of meaningless friendlies against English sides, or competitive games every week against teams playing for league points full of ex senior players and at really decent standard, see Kelty romping last years Division 2. No brainer for me which helps more in the development of young players looking to get better, that’s why we put players out on loan to these very same teams, and this seems pretty short sighted in my opinion. And on a purely financial basis, it makes zero sense to me to go to the expense of sending an entire squad to the likes of Brentford for a friendly, when you could be playing a competitive game less than a mile down the road at Tranent, the league entry fee seems good value for 30+ games like that over the season.

Are you seriously comparing the standard of players at Berwick and Gala etc with the u23 players at the Pro English clubs we will be playing against? We've just romped the 18s league which indicates to me that we are not getting left behind. Celtic incidentally finished bottom of the 18s league and 3rd in the Lowland League with a lot of boys playing in both teams. Our lads will learn a lot more playing against u23 teams in my opinion.

[wallpaperman]

Atrocious decision from the LL teams who voted in favour.

[KWJ]

I'm against it in principle but also development grounds.

Porteous got interviewed by thr Terrace and he said he didn't buy the argument for bringing players on in their game

He said you learn far more by playing alongside experienced players, so getting them out on loan is far more benficial.

And if you look at the more recent successes, him, Doig, Dabrowski etc. They all went out on loan

This. That Porteous interview was really insightful, a good mix seems the way to go. A dressing room full of kids is still that but a proper understanding of what League 2, Lowland league means to part time footballers who have had to graft sounds like a much more rounded experience to me. They are still at Easter Road training and with our links to Stenhousemuir where Graeme Mathie (back when he was very highly thought of) detailed how we'd share training methods and even coaching staff, you'd expect this to also be the case with other clubs that we have repeated connections with like Edinburgh City.

I don't think there's any chance of us being left behind but if there is a clear advantage to Hearts then we can review and follow. Let them take the plunge for now.

[sadtom]

Have many people watched the Lowland league lately?
There are a couple of decent outfits in the set up but generally the standard is extremely poor, especially in the bottom half of the league.
Other than giving players the chance to keep their match fitness up there is absolutely NOTHING to be gained by having a B team play at this level.
Would much prefer a reserve league or have them play in an informal arrangement with similar set ups at other clubs in Scotland/England.

[The dalmeny]

Are you seriously comparing the standard of players at Berwick and Gala etc with the u23 players at the Pro English clubs we will be playing against? We've just romped the 18s league which indicates to me that we are not getting left behind. Celtic incidentally finished bottom of the 18s league and 3rd in the Lowland League with a lot of boys playing in both teams. Our lads will learn a lot more playing against u23 teams in my opinion.

I'd like to know where you got your info about Celtic playing 'a lot' of players at U18 and LL. We won the U18 comfortably this year but it'll be interesting to see how we go next season when your Youngs, Maleks etc are all too old, quite a bit of that team moves on. Playing in the LL would help them in their euro campaign. Playing against U23 teams might be a nice wee jolly but it's not competitive football.

[CapitalGreen]

I'd like to know where you got your info about Celtic playing 'a lot' of players at U18 and LL. We won the U18 comfortably this year but it'll be interesting to see how we go next season when your Youngs, Maleks etc are all too old, quite a bit of that team moves on. Playing in the LL would help them in their euro campaign. Playing against U23 teams might be a nice wee jolly but it's not competitive football.

Competitive football is meaningless if the players aren’t being challenged. Rangers averaged over 3 goals per game last season in the lowland league, how competitive do you think their games really were? What are their players learning in games they are winning with ease scoring 5/6/7/8 goals?

[JimBHibees]

I'd like to know where you got your info about Celtic playing 'a lot' of players at U18 and LL. We won the U18 comfortably this year but it'll be interesting to see how we go next season when your Youngs, Maleks etc are all too old, quite a bit of that team moves on. Playing in the LL would help them in their euro campaign. Playing against U23 teams might be a nice wee jolly but it's not competitive football.

Games against English u23 would definitely be competitive that is for sure. Young guys trying to make their way in the game. Assume technical standard would be much higher.

[andrew70]

Are you seriously comparing the standard of players at Berwick and Gala etc with the u23 players at the Pro English clubs we will be playing against? We've just romped the 18s league which indicates to me that we are not getting left behind. Celtic incidentally finished bottom of the 18s league and 3rd in the Lowland League with a lot of boys playing in both teams. Our lads will learn a lot more playing against u23 teams in my opinion.

I agree with majority of your post but Celtic’s B team is very different to their U18s team. Shown by their results in the LL and the under 18s.

They have a very young team for 18s and as has been pointed out subsequently we had a very “old” team. Only 4 or 5 will remain next season. That’s fine of course and I agree they’ll get more out of our fluid system but it’s definitely not comparable to Celtic this season.

The LL is stifling itself and really not of a great standard there’s better teams out with and football is rapidly evolving something that league needs to do.

No point stagnating when we have a better approach (on paper so far) to being stuck in a pointless league set up.

[Brooster]

I'd like to know where you got your info about Celtic playing 'a lot' of players at U18 and LL. We won the U18 comfortably this year but it'll be interesting to see how we go next season when your Youngs, Maleks etc are all too old, quite a bit of that team moves on. Playing in the LL would help them in their euro campaign. Playing against U23 teams might be a nice wee jolly but it's not competitive football.

I spoke to an agent at the Hibs v Celtic 18s game last month, he has players from both teams on his books. He said Celtic had 5/6 players playing that night who had been playing LL. I took him at face value. I don't think there's any need for youth internationalists etc to be playing against East Kilbride and Vale of Leithen but that's just my opinion.

[chippy]

Games against English u23 would definitely be competitive that is for sure. Young guys trying to make their way in the game. Assume technical standard would be much higher.

From what I’ve heard about this, it sounds like only a handful of English sides. We need harder info on this to judge how useful it will be.

[The dalmeny]

I spoke to an agent at the Hibs v Celtic 18s game last month, he has players from both teams on his books. He said Celtic had 5/6 players playing that night who had been playing LL. I took him at face value. I don't think there's any need for youth internationalists etc to be playing against East Kilbride and Vale of Leithen but that's just my opinion.

That's fair enough, I'd got my input from some 18s players at another team who had indicated celtic were playing younger players at u18. I also know an 04 boy who played in the celtic ll squad

[et_hibby]

I spoke to an agent at the Hibs v Celtic 18s game last month, he has players from both teams on his books. He said Celtic had 5/6 players playing that night who had been playing LL. I took him at face value. I don't think there's any need for youth internationalists etc to be playing against East Kilbride and Vale of Leithen but that's just my opinion.

So the next stage will be B Teams winning it then lobbying to get them into L2, and once there progress towards Championship- that is the hidden agenda here.

[Waxy]

So the next stage will be B Teams winning it then lobbying to get them into L2, and once there progress towards Championship- that is the hidden agenda here.

Scottish leagues are too small to let b teams in the championship anyway.
Other countries that have let b teams in at least have 16/18 team top divisions.

[happiehibbie]

Kelty Hearts romped League 2 because they were playing championship level wages for Championship level players. In an 18 team league, there are only about 2/3 lowland teams who are any good and another 5 or so clubs who are whipping boys for the big teams.

You mention us loaning players to the lowland league as evidence of it’s usefulness in developing players, how many of those players we have loaned to the lowland league have made an impact on the first team?

A couple of other reasons why it’s unsuitable for our set up, the rules dictate:

- The maximum age for the SPFL teams in the lowland is U20 which is not suitable for our under U23 model.

- Players who feature 5 times in the first team cannot play for the lowland league team until the next transfer window which will restrict player pathways between the first team and development team.


Ryan Porteous played at 16 yrs for Edin City in the Lowland.

[chippy]

Scottish leagues are too small to let b teams in the championship anyway.
Other countries that have let b teams in at least have 16/18 team top divisions.

I foresee spfl as 3 divisions of 16 teams all with splits as in Belgium Jupiter league. B teams will get up to 3rd tier or later 2nd tier. 3rd tier can be expanded to accommodate more B teams but I suspect 4-6 maximum

[CapitalGreen]

Ryan Porteous played at 16 yrs for Edin City in the Lowland.

Porteous was on loan at Edinburgh City during the 16/17 season when they were in League 2.

[Logie Green]

So the next stage will be B Teams winning it then lobbying to get them into L2, and once there progress towards Championship- that is the hidden agenda here.

This was put forward by Rod Petrie at a fans forum at ER about 10 years ago so whilst I agree with you I wouldn’t say it’s a hidden agenda.

The proposal was for Colts teams to be promoted (from League 2 - no mention of starting at the bottom or even Lowland League level) but no higher than Championship level. It’s slowly creeping towards this scenario possibly becoming a reality.

[chippy]

This was put forward by Rod Petrie at a fans forum at ER about 10 years ago so whilst I agree with you I wouldn’t say it’s a hidden agenda.

The proposal was for Colts teams to be promoted (from League 2 - no mention of starting at the bottom or even Lowland League level) but no higher than Championship level. It’s slowly creeping towards this scenario possibly becoming a reality.

4-6 B teams in the spfl will be an easy sell to the LL. An expanded 3 division set up say 16, 16, 16 would enable 4 B teams plus 2 promoted from LL/HL. 3rd tier can always be expanded to 18 or 20 to accommodate another 2-4 B teams. Allowing them to rise to tier 2 will clearly happen over time. It’s the direction of travel and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s in the Deloitte secret report

[Logie Green]

4-6 B teams in the spfl will be an easy sell to the LL. An expanded 3 division set up say 16, 16, 16 would enable 4 B teams plus 2 promoted from LL/HL. 3rd tier can always be expanded to 18 or 20 to accommodate another 2-4 B teams. Allowing them to rise to tier 2 will clearly happen over time. It’s the direction of travel and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s in the Deloitte secret report

You may be correct. At the time RP explained the ‘vision’’, Hibs were struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League. He was asked how Hibs would market Season Ticket sales if we were relegated to a Championship containing several Colts/B teams in it (possibly including our own). Unsurprisingly he didn’t have a satisfactory answer.

The whole situation is to the benefit of Celtic and The Rangers and goes completely against the spirit of the pyramid system. Only in Scotland could we finally get a mechanism in place to allow the progression of clubs like Bonnyrigg Rose only for the usual suspects to bribe their way to the front of the queue.

[chippy]

You may be correct. At the time RP explained the ‘vision’’, Hibs were struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League. He was asked how Hibs would market Season Ticket sales if we were relegated to a Championship containing several Colts/B teams in it (possibly including our own). Unsurprisingly he didn’t have a satisfactory answer.

The whole situation is to the benefit of Celtic and The Rangers and goes completely against the spirit of the pyramid system. Only in Scotland could we finally get a mechanism in place to allow the progression of clubs like Bonnyrigg Rose only for the usual suspects to bribe their way to the front of the queue.
In a 16 club league unlikely Hibs or Hearts or Aberdeen would ever be relegated. If it happened B team would be demoted a division.

[hibby rae]

The best thing the Lowland League could have done is to not vote to restrict progression into it from below. Having done so they have no argument to the SPFL to open up progression into League Two now.

Allied with the admission of the Colt teams has been two terrible ideas on their part for a short term gain that could damage in the long term.

[Logie Green]

In a 16 club league unlikely Hibs or Hearts or Aberdeen would ever be relegated. If it happened B team would be demoted a division.

Again you may be correct but it would show it up for the farce that it is if the Colts/B team had to be relegated because the ‘A’ team was relegated given the knock-on effect it would have on the division/s below.

If you assume those 3 clubs mentioned wouldn’t be relegated it still doesn’t alter the difficulty clubs would have selling season tickets to their supporters if they were playing in a division with several Colts/B teams.

[Waxy]

The whole things a mess.
Good well run, ambitious community clubs could have been promoted but now these three usual suspects have their b teams in the lowland league bribing there way in.
What a state if affairs Scottish football is.
B teams only help the club with the b team and they use money to steal the place from it’s rightful owner.

[Real Emerald]

The Lowland league is now an utter farce. It may be serving a purpose for the Premiership teams but the rest of the teams have had their league highjacked, it’s totally ruined it.

[happiehibbie]

Porteous was on loan at Edinburgh City during the 16/17 season when they were in League 2.

Played for Gary Jardine Edinburgh city side in the Lowland. its not important but the LL standard can be better than the League above. Cowdenbeath will struggle this year as has East Stirlingshire and Berwick.

I Was not in favour of the three teams coming in but the LL has to enter play offs to get a team promoted we seem to be promised jam tomorrow but we hope that that the play off will be done away with 23 24 seasons

[1875Sean]

Played for Gary Jardine Edinburgh city side in the Lowland. its not important but the LL standard can be better than the League above. Cowdenbeath will struggle this year as has East Stirlingshire and Berwick.

I Was not in favour of the three teams coming in but the LL has to enter play offs to get a team promoted we seem to be promised jam tomorrow but we hope that that the play off will be done away with 23 24 seasons

It defo was league 2 not lowland, he mentions in this article playing against men in league 2 which helped his development which is why I think it would have been better we followed hearts in the league rather than playing boys from England

https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15919402.edinburgh-city-school-hard-knocks-helped-ryan-porteous-graduate-playing-front-50-000-hibs-ibrox/

[CapitalGreen]

Played for Gary Jardine Edinburgh city side in the Lowland. its not important but the LL standard can be better than the League above. Cowdenbeath will struggle this year as has East Stirlingshire and Berwick.

I Was not in favour of the three teams coming in but the LL has to enter play offs to get a team promoted we seem to be promised jam tomorrow but we hope that that the play off will be done away with 23 24 seasons

Nope it was definitely League 2 and not lowland league.


11/07/2016 Edinburgh City sign Ryan Porteous

Edinburgh City are delighted to announce that highly rated Hibernian centre back Ryan Porteous has joined the club on a Development Loan until January 2017. City manager Gary Jardine is delighted to have landed 17 year-old Porteous who featured for Hibernian in last week's pre-season friendly between the clubs commenting "Ryan really impressed me when I saw him in action for Hibernian's Development squad last season and the fact that he has featured in the first team squad in their pre-season friendlies against Berwick Rangers and ourselves shows how highly the management team at Easter Road rate him". Porteous will remain eligible to play for the Hibernian Development squad during his loan spell with City.

Yes, there were 2 or 3 lowland league teams with good set ups that could compete in the SPFL (Bonnyrigg, EK & Spartans) but the majority of teams (positions 6-18 this season) are a very poor standard.

[hibby rae]

It defo was league 2 not lowland, he mentions in this article playing against men in league 2 which helped his development which is why I think it would have been better we followed hearts in the league rather than playing boys from England

https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15919402.edinburgh-city-school-hard-knocks-helped-ryan-porteous-graduate-playing-front-50-000-hibs-ibrox/

The benefit though would be our young players who are ready to step up from U23 duty going on loan to clubs in the SPFL, and play with experienced players beside them to learn from them. That was Porteous' point about how he benefitted, it wasn't the opposition. Porteous has said he doesn't see the argument for players benefitting via a Colt in Lowland League route.

[CapitalGreen]

The benefit though would be our young players who are ready to step up from U23 duty going on loan to clubs in the SPFL, and play with experienced players beside them to learn from them. That was Porteous' point about how he benefitted, it wasn't the opposition. Porteous has said he doesn't see the argument for players benefitting via a Colt in Lowland League route.

Yup, nothing to stop players in the development team also going out development loans to SPFL teams while still training at HTC as Doig, Campbell, Porteous and Dabrowski done.

[happiehibbie]

My team the Strollers seem to get over looked. The work we have done is unbelievable. look at the results last season unfortunately injuries took its toll on us. We will again have 3 Hibs players on loan this season, Did you know we have an agreement with Hibs? We have developed J Balde who signed for Hibs during the season we have had Jack brydon, Connor Young, Callum Yates, Ryan Shanley to name a few Everyone of them loved it at the strollers. Our neighbours the Spartans get all the plaudits and any money going about thrown at them. The money in the league is unreal,

If the Strollers are at home and Hibs away get yourself along PLEASE you will see some cracking games along with a pint before and after the game :)

[happiehibbie]

It defo was league 2 not lowland, he mentions in this article playing against men in league 2 which helped his development which is why I think it would have been better we followed hearts in the league rather than playing boys from England

https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15919402.edinburgh-city-school-hard-knocks-helped-ryan-porteous-graduate-playing-front-50-000-hibs-ibrox/


Just Spoke with Gary I was wrong. It was the first season after promotion

[Billy Whizz]

My team the Strollers seem to get over looked. The work we have done is unbelievable. look at the results last season unfortunately injuries took its toll on us. We will again have 3 Hibs players on loan this season, Did you know we have an agreement with Hibs? We have developed J Balde who signed for Hibs during the season we have had Jack brydon, Connor Young, Callum Yates, Ryan Shanley to name a few Everyone of them loved it at the strollers. Our neighbours the Spartans get all the plaudits and any money going about thrown at them. The money in the league is unreal,

If the Strollers are at home and Hibs away get yourself along PLEASE you will see some cracking games along with a pint before and after the game :)

HH, any friendlies likely to be played against Hibs. Enjoyed the one last year. Young Hibs team played that night
What’s your thoughts on Balde, haven’t seen him play. Where does he play, and do you think he’s got a chance?
Also how did Jayson Fairley get on last season, was really highly rated when he signed for Hibs, played for Scotland under 17’s too!

[happiehibbie]

HH, any friendlies likely to be played against Hibs. Enjoyed the one last year. Young Hibs team played that night
What’s your thoughts on Balde, haven’t seen him play. Where does he play, and do you think he’s got a chance?
Also how did Jayson Fairley get on last season, was really highly rated when he signed for Hibs, played for Scotland under 17’s too!

Balde Has a chance he was training with the first team while on loan to us. He plays Midfield in several games he played he was seemingly well ahead of the others

Jaydon was released from Hibs and signed a short term deal with us don't know if he has been offered a contract as yet.

As soon as get dates for friendlies I will let you know.

ST are available :)

[Billy Whizz]

Balde Has a chance he was training with the first team while on loan to us. He plays Midfield in several games he played he was seemingly well ahead of the others

Jaydon was released from Hibs and signed a short term deal with us don't know if he has been offered a contract as yet.

As soon as get dates for friendlies I will let you know.

ST are available :)
Thanks for the update. I’ll try and get down sometime over the summer😀

Good shout on Balde! Jaydon had the world at his feet at 16, Man Utd were after him. Just shows how you can’t predict the outcome of young players

[King conrad]

Thanks for the update. I’ll try and get down sometime over the summer😀

Good shout on Balde! Jaydon had the world at his feet at 16, Man Utd were after him. Just shows how you can’t predict the outcome of young players

I agree and that's why i don't think they should be handing out contracts at 16 years old. Players still have alot of growing to do between the ages of 16-21. To be wanted at Man u to then be released and playing non league just a few short years later must be devastating for them.

[04Sauzee]

Interesting statement from Queens Park on what they intend to from next season and how they see the pathway from U18s and first team.
https://queensparkfc.co.uk/queens-park-start-with-young-team/

[hibbyfraelibby]

Interesting statement from Queens Park on what they intend to from next season and how they see the pathway from U18s and first team.
https://queensparkfc.co.uk/queens-park-start-with-young-team/

Does that really differ much in concept to what we are doing?

Maybe we are ahead of the game?

[04Sauzee]

Does that really differ much in concept to what we are doing?

Maybe we are ahead of the game?

There doesn't seem to be a huge difference to what we are doing. Their DOF Marijn Beuker is well thought of in the game and interesting that he hopes there will be a reserve league next season.