JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA FRIDAY JUNE 24

Jun 24 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE East Region finally wound up season 2010/11 when they held their agm on Tuesday night.

President Harry Lawrie stepped down (Harry has just been elected as vice president of the SJFA).

Vice president Iain Sherlock (Whitburn FC) was the only nominee and was elected President with Dougie Hynd (Oakley FC) voted on as vice-president.

The new President had the thorny problem of league reconstruction to deal with as the delegates were asked to consider a proposal from Broxburn FC that a new league set up be considered and the format they were proposing would create more competition.

The proposal was that the present Super League with two up and two down remains as it is, while the Premier League, with numbers unchanged, would be re-titled as Premier League One and would have two teams promoted to the Super League.

But, instead of the three that were relegated to the District Leagues previously, this would be reduced to two and they would go into a new league which would be styled Premier League Two.

This would consist of 14 teams with the top two teams being promoted to Premier League One, while four would be relegated to new District Leagues which would be known as the North and South Leagues, with two of the relegated sides going into each of those leagues while two sides from each of those leagues would be promoted to Premier League Two.

After a lengthy exchange of views and a vote that had to be retaken, by a 32–30 vote delegates voted in favour of retaining the “status quo” – so the leagues remain as they are.

The League Cups were also the subject of change and a proposal to split each of the three competitions, the DJ Laing, ACA Sports and the Dechmont Cups, into two sections, which would take into account the geographics of the teams to curtail travelling, was successful at the expense of the Status Quo and an All in Draw Proposal.

Secretary John Reilly and two others were delegated to draw up the sections and the fixtures and are expected to announce them in the next few days.

As in past seasons it’s the League Cup competitions that will kick start the season which will commence on Wednesday, August 3.

The draw for the first round of the East of Scotland Cup was kind to Perthshire clubs with all but Luncarty getting a home draw.

Draw – Bankfoot v Lochore Welfare; Kinnoull v Broughty Athletic; Scone Thistle v St Andrews; Coupar Angus v Stoneyburn; Jeanfield Swifts v Newtongrange; Blairgowrie v Tranent Jnrs; Fauldhouse v Luncarty. Dates to be arranged.

The Scottish Junior FA held its agm last Saturday, a new rule was instituted, temporary transfers between clubs will be permitted.

There will be a clause in the transfer form guaranteeing the transferring club that the player concerned will return to them at the end of the agreement, those transfers can be enacted at any time up to the March 31 of any season.

There’s little doubt that this addition to the rule book will be most welcome as in past seasons if players were transferred on this basis it was a gentleman’s agreement that the player would return to his former club.

Bankfoot recently held their agm and the following office bearers and committee were re-elected: President – Robin Wood; vice president – Donald McDonald; treasurer – Graeme Wilks; secretary – position vacant; committee – Kenny Clark and Mike Martin.

Robin Wood and Graeme Wilks will share the secretary’s duties for the time being.

Meantime Bankies invite applications for this post and anyone interested should contact Robin Wood, tel 01738 623537 or 07870728094.

Bankies have arranged three highly attractive friendlies which will be played away from home, they are Forfar West End (July 20), Linlithgow Rose (July 23) and Dundee Violet (July 30).

Bankies have signed central defender Paul Anderson from Scone Thistle and they have re-signed former player Gary Whyte. Manager Ian Duff has a few other irons in the fire and he expects to add to his squad in the near future.

Jeanfield Swifts have one new signing so far he is Gavin Mackie who has been with Bankfoot for the past few seasons. Gavin is a wide midfield/forward.

Manager Scott Brown is confident that he will have a few more experienced signings on board before the season kicks off.

Swifts are to open their season with a friendly against Lochee United at their Riverside Stadium on Wednesday, July 27.

Scone Thistles recently appointed manager Eddie O’Conner is still in the process of getting his feet under the table and has been busy talking to last seasons players.

Eddie will hold his first training session on Saturday, July 2, at 1.30pm.

Kinnoull start training tomorrow and players have been asked to report to Tulloch Park at noon. Manager Gavin Price has signed two prominent amateurs, Ryan Ward a defender and Richard Doig a midfield/forward.

Gavin is delighted they are joining the squad at Tulloch Park and he is expecting to have a few more signings before the season starts.

Kinnoull, who will play in the Fair City Amateurs tournament on July 16, have arranged a friendly against Tayport on Saturday, July 30.

Luncarty will start their training sessions tomorrow and there’s no half measures with manager Mark Potter as he is getting under way with a four hour stint starting at 11am–4pm with a break for a light lunch.

Players will be introduced to new coach Mike Cormack who will accompany Mark Potter and Graeme McNaughton at the sessions.

Coupar Angus hold their AGM on Monday, June 27 in the Red House Hotel. All welcome.