EISTnWAST

But obviously they wouldn't call the sides Ness B or Whitedale B. It would be Queen of the South and West Side United. The WL side in question is obviously Wrultizers, who would be renamed to Northmavine. Anybody got any idea what this league would be called?

How about airtrafficben for an indepedent member? He's a person with football experience from a much higher level, and has no ties to any club in Shetland. What is the role of an independent member? If it involves a lot of work, then may as well ask him to be president of the association instead. Surely it is more important that the president is truly independent? It would be very interesting to have a president who could just make decisions based on what is best for Shetland football, and not just try to keep people happy, or do something because 'that's how we've always done it'. Saying that, I do think the current persident has done a bloody good job, faced with some difficult situations.

@Malcolm There are many people in Shetland with the skills to do the jobs you require done. My father isn't a tradesman, but has never had to call out a joiner, electrician, plumber etc etc. Maybe on the odd occasion he would ask someone to do a 'homer'. He learned most of what he knows about TV aerial engineering from our next door neighbour. I know there are a shortage of people working as tradesman, but would like to suggest to you asking your neighbours/friends

^^^ unfair surely you mean incompetent? Also... just checked my dictionary for spelling (tant/tent). The meaning of incompetent - not possessing the necessary ability or skill to carry out a task. Scotland had a simple task and didn't carry it out.

My thoughts exactly JAS. The Shetland FA could make their own rules to suit the needs of the Shetland team. Does anybody know what the benefits are, if any, of Shetland being affiliated to the SAFA? Why not just do our own thing with the local league? What does everyone think the likely attendance would be for a home game in the Highland League? I would happily pay 50 quid for my season ticket

Taken from http://www.highlandleague.net/news2.cfm?newsid=4266 The Scottish FA refers the Shetland team as 'Shetland FA Select', when publishing fixtures for friendly games. http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=3023 The problem of any Shetland FC player not being able to play for the local teams is a moot point. Player's from Shetland have played Highland League in the past and played for their local team during the summer, but as penfold said, the over lap in the seasons would need to be worked around somehow. Could we really play during the winter months? I don't think we would be able to play for pretty much the whole of December & January, not just due to snow, rain, and wind, but also the mist could prevent teams from travelling. Even if the Highland League allowed Shetland to decline from entering the cup competitions to free up more weekends, like Boris, I can't imagine one current member team of the Highland League giving us any support. Comparing a potential football club and the rugby team, is like comparing chalk & cheese. The rugby team are in an amateur league. Every Highland League team has their stars, who are semi-professional, and get paid a match fee. I have played against sides from the rugby league and Highland League [although not for Shetland], and can assure you that rugby at that level is about the social event for most teams. Football at that level is all about results. There is no way a Highland League team would want to come to Shetland with a potentially weakened side, due to players being unable to travel. The 3 points is far too important to them. I completely agree that entering cup competitions would be more realistic, but don't even think the Highland League would agree to that. Scottish Junior Cup may be our best bet. I'll still vote 'yes get behind the lads 110%' , because I would love to see Shetland compete at a higher level. This poll is quite similar to sheepshagger's Shetland Independence one - most people would like it, but it's never going to happen. So just like if we could control all our oil etc etc, I'd like to say if we had a sponsor to pay for visiting teams travel, and had an indoor pitch, then no problem for us gaining entry to the Highland League. Wonder if some Whalsay fisherman could spare some cash to sign Ronaldinho?

Going back to something that was posted before about playing games during inter county/island games week...... I think we're all aware of who the big losers would be if that was to happen. So, for the people who think it's a good idea, this should be a suitable reaction for you - Maybe the SPL could have fixtures when internationals are being played. Good way to give the others a chance against the old firm (and Heart of Lithuania) But seriously speaking, this could be a good idea if some rules were in place. i.e do what the lower leagues in Scotland and England do. If a team has a lot of international (or county in our case) call ups, then they can cancel their fixture. A reasonable number would be 3 Also on the topic of fixture congestion..... Why can't A teams play on the same night as B teams?

There is already a Shetland fitba results thread in the sports section, which isn't too bad. The only problem is some teams don't have anyone who posts on here. Also, the Shetland Times sometimes has match reports which state "no report or scorers was received", so would there be enough interest to make a website any good? Maybe a better idea would be a Shetland Football Association website. I do find it surprising that they don't have one, as almost every other sport has one.

Anybody on here from Scalloway or Burra care to comment?

Both of you are right and wrong. Now, if I can just try to interrupt your argument....... Scalloway do have a B team, and it seems to me that they have been successful in taking some players out of works league football, and back to a level where they belong. The problem is that in the TSB area there are almost enough players for 3 teams, but with the current SFA policy, only B teams can play in the reserve league. This means that one team doesn't have an appropriate level to play at. Funnily enough, it's a similar situation with Unst and Yell So, I find myself using this all too familiar phrase again - teams need to COMPROMISE I do realise that I am wasting my time posting that (again), because some clubs will just never do that. However, I have discovered why.... compromise n. 1. settlement of a dispute by concessions on each side. 2. the terms of such a settlement. 3. something midway between different things. ~vb. 4. to settle (a dispute) by making concessions. 5. to expose (oneself or another) to disrepute. Obviously alot of people involved in the running of football in Shetland, only know the 5th meaning of compromise

Not even slightly off-topic. This thread is for all things Ness or Southern League. Maybe the poll question has made some people think differently? If there's a more appropriate title, feel free to change it. And finally....... A warm welcome to the Ness United fold to Fjool Junior. Hope to see him in the SLHF in the future.

So when you say the SFA won't compromise, what do you mean? (a) The clubs ( The committee © Both

I aleady posted a suitable compromise that can solve this problem, but I'd like to discuss the other point from this post, and this......... Maybe you're saying Whalsay and Scalloway won't support Burra's request, as they have most to gain if Burra fold? The SFA = the clubs, so surely if there is a good enough turnout at any meeting, the top clubs have as much say as the rest

I canna recall dat far back, so yeah it's joost whit my sources have telt me. If Chis wis da man dat got him tae play, dan he wid mibee be da man tae ax? I'm no is Shetland tae ax him, so onybody dat wants tae seperate da facts fae fiction............ MiM is right. One penfold is worth 20 people. BALLACK, good to have you ranting again. I do have to ask you though, where were you when we had the SLHF AGM?

Must refer you again to the SLHF constitution, criteria for entry, No.2 So far only two people have shown public support for his admission. 3 more, and it can be regarded as overwhelming. 5 votes on shetlink is the equivalent of 100 people, using a simple mathematical equation. I'm sure MiM can explain it to anyone who can't figure it out

I can vouch for most of the above. However, the bit about the SL is dubious because IIRC he stayed in Lerwick which, under the SL rules would have made him ineligible for the SL, rightly so. I certainly don't recall that story. Weel whan folk are recalling important events in da social club, I'm sure du's weel aware o da motto - "dunna let da facts get in da way o a good story" Maybe een or twa too mony red tins is why du doesna recall it

I hope Lowrie isn't too offended if he reads this , but I have to post this... Lowrie Pundie will be a player I will never forget. Not for his ability - as he was getting on a bit by then - but for his man-marking of me. I was always encouraged to try to get as far away from him as possible. Now many of you reading may think I was scared of him, but Lowrie (again maybe because he was getting on a bit) was always very gentle with the younger players. The reason I kept my distance was because of his pre-match preperation, which must have involved eating some strange & spicy food. His breath was so bad that there was no way I could stand next to him for very long Sorry Lowrie, but thanks for the memories

Ryan 'foosty' Inkster is one of the most naturally talented players the SL has seen in recent times, and is a well reknowned player throughout Shetland. His eye for goal is unequivocal, and he is a nemesis for all of Burra's opponents. Many people believe that he is one of the quickest strikers around, but in actual fact, this couldn't be further from the truth. His quick thinking and positional sense, make him seem like he always has time and space. To allow him to have the half a yard he frequently finds, can have devestating consequences. 'foosty' is well known for his ability to score from almost any situation. For him an overhead kick is as easy as an open goal. This natural goalscorer represented Shetland frequently in youth football, and was tipped by many as a future Shetland senior player. He played for the unbeatable TSB side of the 90's, which included future Shetland players Leighton Flaws and Moray Leask (who would later play for Ernie Watson's old team, Berwick Rangers). Many players from that TSB side would tell you if asked, the best player in that side was 'foosty'. He has won more honours in juvenille football than most can dream of, and undeniably has the potential to be very successful in the future. Perhaps Ryan Inkster still has another chapter to write in SL and Shetland football history. © Southern League Hall of Fame Further player profiles available on request.

First, I'd just like to thank the people who helped provide information for this player profile. This player is not in the SLHF, but is part of Ness football folklore. Enrie Watson - The One Season Wonder He is the only Ness player ever to be banned from playing in the Southern League because, he was too valuable for Ness! And all 4 Southern League clubs agreed! He was that good, that whatever Southern League team he chose to play for, would have been given the trophies at the beginning of the season. Ernie Watson arrived in Shetland one summer to work for the Hydro, and Chis asked him along to play for Ness. He had apparently previously played for Berwick Rangers. You often hear rumours about players who arrive in Shetland, and they turn out to be no better than the Shetland boys. In Ernie's case he truly was the real deal. His attitude and style was comparable to Gordon Lawson - fast, powerful and gave 110% - but his ability was more like Zico. He played centre forward, and in one game against Whitedale, Ness started with 10 men because Ernie couldn't find the Strom pitch. Ness were 3 goals down when he arrived, and he came on and scored 5. Ness eventually won the game 5-4. That season Ness voted him their Player of the Year, then he went home to Berwick. It's said he was absolutely delighted, and really enjoyed his spell in Shetland football, which was too short. Even now, Ness supporters can sometimes be heard saying the words - "If only we had Ernie Watson".

Iain Andrew Smith needs no introduction when you use his various nicknames. Pundie, 'The Old Dawg', 'The Viking', 'The Ginger', 'P.I', 'Private', 'P Diddy'. But since the others were given to him by himself, we'll just stick with Pundie. Gentlemen, get your engines started... The evergreen Pundie has been burning leather on pitches around Shetland since the 1980's, and will probably become of the few people to have played SL in four different decades. He had his footballing education from one of the best sides in SL history, when he was a 'young pup' in the dominant Sandwick team of the late 80's and early 90's. A hugely popular player, with an enthusiastic attitude and great motivational skils, he is a true battler for the cause. Formerly British No.1 and World No.2 in natural body building, Pundie is an example to all on how fitness can improve your game. Due to his dedication to be the best in his chosen field, unfortunately the SL has been robbed of his talents during some spells of his career. But nobody will deny the joy shown by all, when Pundie makes one of his many comebacks. The strength of his character was shown, when he suffered life threatening injuries in a horrific car accident. In true Pundie fashion, he came back stronger both physically and mentally. Indeed there is more to the story of Iain Smith than football. It is one of how grit and determination can make your dreams come true. So as Pundie enters his twilight years of playing, what does the future hold? Well it's hoped by many that he will become more involved in the coaching side of the game. He has all the right attributes to become a highly valued member of the Ness staff, with almost unmatched respect in the game, and a proven track record of being a fine coach. He earned many plaudits for his work with the Southend team in 2003, when they heartbreakingly lost the final of the Parish Cup to Delting. These final words are a life lesson from Pundie himself - "Boys fur f**k sake, stop talking aboot it and get it done" © Southern League Hall of Fame

Ian 'pepsi' Leslie is the brother of Davy Leslie. A cunning forward, known for his defence splitting runs and fearsome shot. The exact power of this shot is well known by two SL stalwarts. The first example came at Boddam when Brydon Robertson bravely - or foolishly - blocked a shot from 'pepsi'. Unfortunately, the ball struck Brydon firmly in the genitals. The second example was of the exact same nature. This time the unfortunate recipient was Iain 'pundie' Smith, only one week later at Sandwick. Ask any of these two players about Ian Leslie's shot, and they will be sure to testify, that it is indeed 'fearsome' History will remember 'pepsi' for his crucial goals for Southend United in SL and Parish Cup competitions. He always set an example for younger players, and his communication skils were often as important as his goalscoring ability. Words commonly used in match reports describing 'pepsi' are - 'mercurial' and 'ubiquitous' © Southern League Hall of Fame

Well you know how I mentioned when the data base crashed....... All help to retrieve the valuable information lost would be greatly appreciated

I'm afraid the way the data base was compiled doesn't make it easy to do that. It just has an alphabetical list of player profiles. I don't have the time to go through every one cutting and pasting their name here. Sorry But like I said, player profiles are available on request.

The criteria stated in the SLHF constitution is simple. So we can see from this that Kevin Duncan was admitted under no.3 of criteria for entry. We can also know that Parish Cup matches do not count towards appearances under rules of eligibility. There was much debate about the minimum number of matches a player must have played. It was decided that a player should have played for about 3 seasons to qualify, and that the door shouldn't be closed on someone too easily. For this reason the number of matches was set at 10, otherwise a whole generation of Cunningsburgh players would be ruled out.

Awsome Wheesht Looks like Lerwick and Scalloway could build a good case to be included, if they made as much effort as Wheesht did to find out the facts. Since I'm against it, here is the case for the defence.... So IMHO, we shouldn't make it harder for teams outside Lerwick to be competitive in this competition.