In what must be disappointing news for the four teams who have already declared interest in the Third Division place left vacant by the resignation of Gretna, it appears that three further teams have applied for application packs. Although the clubs in question have asked for anonymity, it is understood that the three sides come from the East of Scotland League, the Highland League and the South of Scotland League. One of those believed to be applying is East of Scotland League side Gala Fairydean, who lost out on election to the league on three separate occasions.
Having already suffered many defections in recent years (Caledonian Thistle (renamed Inverness CT), Ross County, Peterhead and Elgin City), the Highland League will not be keen to lose another team. Aside from Cove Rangers, we think the other mystery contender for the Third Division slot may well be one of following three:
+ Huntly applied in the last round of ballots, losing out to eventual entrants Gretna. The team are one of the more successful sides in the Highland League, having been crowned champions on seven occasions, including a record 5-in-a-row spell between 1994 and 1998 (they last won the league three years ago) as well as cup success as Aberdeenshire Cup Winners, Highland League Cup Winners and Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners. Their home ground Christie Park is floodlight and has a capacity of just over 1,800, putting it on par with East Stirlingshire's Firs Park and above Albion Rover's Cliftonhill ground which has a capacity of 1,249. The town itself has a population of over 4,000, roughly the same as Dingwall, home of First division side Ross County.
+ Keith. Like Huntly, Keith have won the Highland League on seven occasions, the last being two seasons ago. Keith are the Cup kings of the Highland League, having won the trophy on 9 occasions, including 3-in-a-row between '74 and '76. Scotland international Colin Hendry and Hamish French are probably the best known products of the Moray side. The town of Keith has a population similar to that of Huntly and their ground, Kynoch Park, has a capacity of 4,000.
+ Clachnacuddin. Since the departure of Inverness CT to the Scottish League, Inverness based Clachnacuddinare the most successful team in the Highland Football League. With17 titles and four Highland Cup wins under their belt, coupled with a cracking youth setup, Clach may fancy their chances in the top division. The league will question of course whether Inverness can support two league sides, but attendances at Clach suggest that there is enough support for the team around the area for it to do well in the senior league.
It's hard to see which of the other teams in the Highland League might have applied. Fraserburgh are a relatively successful side and would love to rekindle their rivalry with Peterhead. Their ground is large and relatively developed and wouldn't need much in the way of upgrading to get it up to standards. Football in the town is popular and with good road connections to the town, Fraserburgh could do well.
It's hard to see which team from the South of Scotland League has applied. Generally considered the weakest of the three leagues underneath the SFL, according to Wikipedia, only Threave Rovers, St. Cuthbert Wanderers, Newton Steawart and Wigtown & Bladnoch have grounds that meet the ground standards required for the Scottish Cup, but the teams, like their attendances (and therefore revenue potential), are small, something the SFL would need to consider seriously in light of the recent event that started this whole process in the first place.
We'll find out soon enough which other sides have applied. Submissions are due in soon and league management will visit each of the applicants between the 12th and 17th June, before the final vote is taken on July 3rd.
Hearing about some of these tiny towns already having a team and applying for the league pulls at the heartstrings the romantic side of football. Small teams from small towns with dreams of making a strong cup run to fund new lights at the stadium, or building a new stand. Football like football should be.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me hope that someday, me and my little tourist town will have a team to call our own. I can picture it now, with a scarf around my neck, standing in a terrace with some other like minded folk, cheering on a local side with a cool salty breeze off the ocean in blowing in my face. :)