League Statement: Future of B Teams

The Scottish Lowland Football League can confirm that the majority of our members have voted in favour of continuing with B Teams for at least the next 2 seasons.

Following a process which began in October, a democratic vote was held in line with our rules at a General Meeting tonight. 

The Board would like to thank all our members for their contributions to the discussions in recent weeks. 

 

Lowland League Sides Look Ahead to Scottish Cup Third Round

Five Park’s Motor Group Lowland League sides look forward to the Third Round of the Scottish Cup, this weekend.

Albion Rovers v Bonnyrigg Rose

Albion Rovers host the 21/22 Lowland League Champions, and now League Two side, Bonnyrigg Rose at Cliftonhill.

Rovers got through the First Round with a 3-1 away win over fellow Lowland League side, University of Stirling, with the match broadcast live on BBC Scotland.

The Second Round saw Albion Rovers defeat East of Scotland First Division side, St Andrews United 2-1 at home.

Currently sitting fifth in League Two, Bonnyrigg Rose entered the competition at the Second Round, where they defeated Highland League side, Fraserburgh 2-1, after extra time.

Cumnock Juniors v Broomhill

Broomhill face an away trip to West of Scotland Premier Division side, Cumnock Juniors.

Broomhill navigated the First Round with a 3-1 home win over fellow Lowland League side, Cumbernauld Colts.

The Broom followed up with another 3-1 victory in the Second Round, this time away to another West of Scotland Premier Division side, Beith Juniors.

Cumnock squeezed through the Second Preliminary Round with a 1-0 home victory over Girvan.

The First Round proper saw them secure a 3-1 victory away to East of Scotland First Division side, Dunipace, after extra time.

Hosting Highland League side, Turriff United in the Second Round, they secured their spot thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Greenock Morton v Bo’ness United

Bo’ness United travel west to face Scottish Championship side, Greenock Morton.

The B.U’s coasted past last season’s Scottish Cup upset kings, Darvel in the First Round – thanks to a 3-0 win at Newtown Park.

Bo’ness then faced East of Scotland Premier Division side, Luncarty, winning 1-0 away from home.

Greenock Morton currently sit bottom of the Scottish Championship with eight points from their 12 games played. This is their first match of the 23/24 Scottish Cup campaign.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Cowdenbeath

Cowdenbeath head up the A9 to face Championship side, Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Cowdenbeath knocked out fellow Lowland League side, Linlithgow Rose in the First Round – thanks to a 2-1 at Central Park, after extra time.

The Second Round saw The Blue Brazil squeeze by West of Scotland First Division side, Kilwinning Rangers – winning 1-0 away from home.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle currently sit in 7th place of the Scottish Championship with 13 points from their 12 games played. This is their first match of the 23/24 Scottish Cup campaign.

Tranent v Forfar Athletic

Tranent welcome League Two side, Forfar Athletic to Foresters Park.

Tranent knocked out East of Scotland Premier Division side, Hutchison Vale in the First Round – thanks to a 4-1 home victory.

The Second Round would see The Big T blow fellow Lowland League side, East Kilbride out of the competition with a 7-0 win – made more impressive by the fact that The Kilby are undefeated in their league campaign, with 15 games played.

Forfar Athletic currently sit 8th in League Two with 12 points from their 12 games played.

The Loons entered the competition at the Second Round, defeating Highland League side, Huntly 4-1, after extra time.

Scottish Cup Tie Involving Lowland League Sides to be Televised

The Scottish Cup First Round Tie between Lowland League sides University of Stirling and Albion Rovers has been chosen as the televised match of the round.

The two sides will kick-off at 7.05pm on Monday, 25th September 2023 at Forthbank Stadium, with the match being broadcast live on BBC Scotland.

The other First Round fixtures involving Lowland League sides are:

Bo’ness United v Darvel
Broomhill v Cumbernauld Colts
Brora Rangers v Berwick Rangers
Caledonian Braves v Fraserburgh
Camelon Juniors v Civil Service Strollers
Cowdenbeath v Linlithgow Rose
East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare
East Stirlingshire v Huntly
Edinburgh University v Dunbar United
Gala Fairydean Rovers v Strathspay Thistle
Musselburgh Athletic v Gretna 2008
& Tranent v Hutchison Vale

All matches will be played on the weekend of 23rd September 2023.

Opportunities To Gain Experience in Football Media/Journalism

The Lowland League are offering multiple opportunities for media and sports journalism students, or anyone looking to bolster their CV and gain experience working within football media/journalism.

The role offers many opportunities to develop practical skills, that include presenting, pre/post match interviews, match reports, and covering the great work our clubs do within their communities.

This is a voluntary position, suited to those in the local areas of:

North/South Lanarkshire
East/West Lothian
Edinburgh
Stirling
Falkirk
Dumbarton
Borders
Dumfries & Galloway

Please send your CV, preferred location, and any other enquiries to seanwhitelaw1010@gmail.com

Sean Whitelaw Appointed As New Head of Media.

The Scottish Lowland Football League are delighted to announce the appointment of Sean Whitelaw as our new Head of Media.

Talking about his appointment, Sean said: “I am very excited to have been given the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to the Lowland League.

“Moving forward, our aim is to make the Lowland League the hub of information and content, and by doing so in an engaging and entertaining way. Whilst this won’t be in place for the opening fixtures, this weekend, we are working hard to make changes in our delivery.

“We will be looking to further build on our working relationships with all 18 Lowland League clubs, as we want to showcase the fantastic work that goes on at our level – particularly when football brings so many communities together.

“It is important that we engage with our clubs, their supporters, and communities.

“Let’s show Scottish Football what the Lowland League is all about.”

League Chairperson Thomas Brown said: “We are delighted to have Sean working with us this season and I am sure the plans that he has will greatly improve our website and social media content.

“Sean brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a great enthusiasm for the game that will benefit the Lowland League.

“I am sure fans and followers will enjoy some of the new features that we will introduce to our media output this season.”

Scottish Lowland Football League extends partnership with FC United To Prevent Suicide

Scottish Lowland Football League extends partnership with FC United To Prevent Suicide

The Scottish Lowland Football League is delighted to announce the extension of the partnership with FC United To Prevent Suicide (FC United).

Last season the naming rights of our League Cup competition were gifted to the movement made up of people from all across Scotland, who are bonded by a common cause – the belief that we all have a part to play in preventing suicide.

The trophy was christened the FC United To Prevent Suicide Lowland League Cup and that will continue for season 2023/24 – kicking off on Saturday, 29 April and culminating in the final on Sunday, 21 May at Berwick Rangers’ Shielfield Park.

Since its inception, the FC United campaign has generated widespread support throughout the Scottish football community and further afield – from the game’s grassroots to high-profile ambassadors.

Lowland League board member – and chairman of Caledonian Braves – Chris Ewing, one of FC United’s signings, has contributed a first-person written piece on his own mental health struggles over the years. The Lowland League is determined to continue flying the flag for such an important subject.

Lowland League chairman Thomas Brown said: “Continuing this partnership with FC United To Prevent Suicide is the easiest decision we, as a board, will make all season by some distance. “We talk about wanting to make a positive impact in our communities and this is one way we can play our part because, sadly, so many lives are touched by suicide.

“If the messaging around the campaign can save one life, this will have been worth it.”

In 2020, the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) launched the United To Prevent Suicide social movement, with the goal of making Scotland ‘the most supportive country on earth’. The aim was to break the stigma around the word ‘suicide’ and get people across the country to pledge their support to take action to prevent suicide.

FC United was created, in part, to target a demographic deemed to be most at risk – harnessing the power of football to spread the simple, important message that we need to Talk, Listen and Save Lives.

Kirstie Cusick, Social Movement Development Manager at United To Prevent Suicide, said: “Once again, we welcome the support from the Lowland League – which has extended far beyond the naming rights to their League Cup. “Their pledge was simple, that they would offer their backing in any way that we could. It’s heartening, humbling and very much in the spirit of this suicide prevention campaign.

“We have been touched by the way FC United has been embraced by the wider Scottish football community, but there’s no complacency. This is an ongoing issue to tackle and together we can make a difference and save lives.” The United To Prevent Suicide social movement was established as part of Every Life Matters, Scotland’s former Suicide Prevention Action aimed at making suicide prevention everyone’s business.

This work is now continuing under Creating Hope Together: Scotland’s new Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Click here to learn more about the FC United campaign.

You can read Chris Ewing’s account of his own mental health journey here.

If you need to talk to someone, please remember:

  • Call Samaritans on 116 123
  • Call NHS 24 on 111
  • Call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87
  • Text SHOUT to 85258 to speak to Give Us A Shout