VictorandJack

I hear a rumour that Cunningsburgh and Unst may strike up a deal in the womens fitba. Maybe Spurs/Delting or Whalsay/Rangers could strike up a co-operation. It would be worth it just for the possible names. "Unstra" would be boring in comparision!!! If they don't maybe they could drop into the B'League the following season?? Contraversial!! Maybe an alternative league is looking more likely. I hear the Scottish FA is imposing additional costs to clubs for player insurance. This is compulsary. I wonder if the works league teams have to pay this?? Anyone know?

I'm not sure that EistnWast can read?????

Yes, that is indeed correct Penfold.

I think I have poor englis and mak spellin mistokks but some members of Shetlink simply canna read. EISTnWast obvioulsy does not want to know the facts and is more intent on creating confusion with inaccurate entries. I assume you are either very young or very old as you seem to be losing your marbles. 5 bus loads of people into Unst, you wouldn't get past passport control!!!

I heard a rumour that Yell FA held their AGM on friday. Anything other than the norm discussed or proposed?? Was their a big turnout?? Looking at last seasons registered players they should have plenty for a squad in the A's. The younger players will be a year older and if Neil Petrie keeps playing they could improve on last year.

Digby, I do admire your interest and I'm not sure what you call a personal attack? An EGM is required only when a matter of immediate consideration is required. This proposal was made to the SFA by Burra not Unst. They will now make the proposal officially to the Unst FA for in depth consideration. I, nor any Unst Rep at the SFA AGM, did not make the proposal although I was aware they may be proposing to ask for PERMISSION from the SFA. The SFA have granted permission after the discussion was held. I repeat, it is now up to Unst FA and Burra FA to hold AGM's, EGM's ATM's Gmtv's or whatever they so well please. If you are looking for my opinion, I am not sure yet. Please do not keep writing on this forum as if everyone in Unst (apart from you) has agreed. By getting the facts wrong and insinuating wrong doing by persons involved you are misleading others. You have also manipulated this to have some involvement with Yell FC. That is categorically untrue. They have no reason to be upset/disgruntled as they have not made any sounds about Northern Rovers and attended the ASGM saying they wanted to enter the A league again. I won't take your comments as a personal attack although perhaps they are intended to be?

Of course there will be an Unst AGM this year where this topic will be discussed. If you care enough to discuss it at the AGM rather than in the lounge than you can influence the decision of the players and members of Unst FA. It is not a done deal!! Burra will also have to officially except any co-operation between the two sides. As for "the team comes before the players". Thats all very well but we are in the A'League because of the players and that was a decision which you supported. The Unst based players which I have heard about are in favour of it as they have more chance of playing fitba. All the games will be away for them but they would prefer to play B's for Burra and a Sub for the A side. As for joining the B-league, I shouldn't have to tell you that it is not permitted for a club to enter a B-side only, HENCE Burra enter the b's as Unst's B side. Simple really!! And I assume you will be putting yourself forward to manage a Northern Rovers side, A's or B's since you clearly are in favour at this time. I think not!!! As I said before, the only proposal for Northern Rovers at senior level is at the bottom of your pint glass!!! Don't get me wrong, if a sensible proposal came to light UnstFA WOULD put it to the vote. And Alan Hansen is a Chump!!!

Now Now Digby, I would have thought you would have got your facts straight on the subject before commenting so frankly?? I think you have been out drinking with Yell men?????? Yell have made no approach to Unst about N.Rovers or vice-versa. The biggest supporters of N.Rovers are those who spend more time in the pub than on the fitba pitch. N.Rovers is a definite possibilty for the future but only if the players involved want it. It will be interesting to see if Unst were to propose N.Rovers if the "short shift" would come? if so, that would be very hypicritical if in fact there is such widespread support for an amalgamation. If the two Clubs held official discussion rather than over pints of lager in the lounge it could happen. It is a democracy afterall. Oh, there was no Unst EGM as the SFA AGM proposal was to allow Unst/Burra if they so wish. Nobody said it would definately happen. Unst will actually be the A team while Burra will be the B team. This is purely a possibility for the Seniors, ie, does not affect N.R's. Maybe if you bought me the pint you would have known the facts???

I assume neither Stoichkov or Wheesht attended the AGM from your comments? If your opinions were worth listening to and your strength of feeling was so great why not attend the AGM??? Agreed. Bunch o idiots!

If Unst were to merge with Yell to form N.Rovers that would definately be the end of football matches in Unst. Perhaps the odd Parish Cup match but Unst already struggle to get teams to travel to the isles as it is. Matches in Yell would be the easy way out for some unwilling travellers. Someone on this site is bound to suggest we play cup games in Unst and league matches in Yell. That just means both areas will have very little home matches. It has already been stated that Unst has too many talented players to play B football. I beleive Yell are keen to keep going in the top division next year and credit to them. Lets not have those who don't fully understand the situation and logistics force the hand of the bottom clubs. Lets have a bit of co-operation from everyone and when it comes to attending the SFA meeting lets not have those striving for the "ideal" scenario dictate the proceedings. If the association backs these clubs in the majority (which may mean changes to the rules etc) next season could be one of the more competitive seasons in years. Lets not forget that B' or "reserve" football does have a place in Shetland as with such a short season it allows more people to participate more often.

Some good points made by all. "Are Unst (in particullar) not a club with far to many good players to be playing in "B" league?" Here lies the problem for Unst. The population of Unst would love to see the County side with Erik Thompson, Neil Laurenson, Paul Henderson and want to support them in the best way possible to do so. Unfotrunatley all three plus Neil Smith will be missing until mid June ATLEAST. Players like Darren Thompson, Liam Spence and David Thompson are also A standard but after that the squad is really struggling to compete at the higher level. We saw some rediculous scorelines this year but if the status quo continues we will see some cricket scores next season. That does not increase the standard of ANYONEs football and just produces meaningless fixtures. The suggestions of loans etc may be possible but sounds like it will complicate things and the success of any scheme relies on individuals not clubs. A suggestion for Unst would be to enter the Premier League and for Burra to enter the "Reserve" as Unst reserves. This would allow Burra to rebuild at the lower standard and encourage some "more experienced" players back into the game. The better Burra players could support Unst early in the season while sudents are missing. Depending how successful each side and its players were both sides could help each other out. This would give both clubs another season to build and perhaps both could sustain Premier sides. Any such co-operatives would require sanction from the SFA which, if indeed is made up of member clubs, should be granted due to the efforts made by both Unst and Burra thus far.

The Southern League thread relates closely to this one but I cannot comment as the only knowledge I have on the subject is what has been written on Shetlink. I would only say that the southend of shetland should be represented "in some way" under the SFA, A's or B's. 17-0, 15-0, 10-0 is not the way forward for the clubs involved or shetland football but most agree we want a strong and competitive top division. It is important for everyone to look at the season past and form some conclusions. Here are some of mine. Unst - showed they can more than compete but toiled badly when missing Junior County players and key players getting injured. Do not have the squad to play in the top division unless students are home. May struggle to fulfill fixtures next season. Yell - Took a few beatings but managed a few good displays. Relying on two or three players which if missing causes them to take heavy defeats. Have a bigger squad than some but most of their players are more suited to a B' standard. Delting - Run away champs again but most teams beleive they have a chance when they are not at full strength. May not be the force they currently are in long term. Need two teams to satisfy there squad.. Whalsay - Excellent young team who in time may put it together to challenge for the title. Have vast numbers of players and need two teams to satisfy the squad. Whitedale - Everyone knew they should never have been in the B league last season and will now go on to be a strong team in the top division. Lack strength in depth to challenge but have good young players to come. Also seem to need two sides to satisfy players. Scalloway - Strong and seem to have good numbers for one team. Seem to need two sides so everyone at the club can get a game. Burra - Struggled badly and need to be in the B League standard and build for the future. They admirably tried to fulfill fixtures but they clearly struggled to do so. Should be encouraged to build, team for the future. Ness - I'm not aware of the issues which seem to complicate them. Seem to have good numbers, especially if those from the area played for them and not transfer for personal gain. Excellent junior players and should be a major force in the future. Spurs - Struggling to live up to past successes and without James Johnston look in real trouble. Club has been struggling at youth level and the evidence could be seen this season. Thistle - Surprised many with some good results and the older players who did not give up on them must be commended. The days of dominating shetland football may be gone but the club still seems to be working. Celtic - struggled early on due to students being away but have good numbers for two sides. Can only look to improve and challenge with the talented squad they have when available. People associated with these clubs may think my conclusions are pants but I can only form a decision on what I see and hear. My overall conclusion is that the Clubs who have the resources to feild A's and B's are in a very strong position for the future. Unst, Yell, Thistle, Burra and perhaps Ness need to decide how they hope to improve for the future and the SFA needs to support them.

"The SFA has to decide do they want a strong county team, competitive A league or lots of lads on the park each week playing the game." I think you are right BC.Benvie. I personally beleive numbers on the park should come first but I know those who play the game at the higher levels will disagree. Everyone should realise the SFA is made up of Reps fron the Clubs plus acouple of extras. They should represent the veiws of the majority, which is not the county squad. Hundereds want to play football in Shetland.

"Unst it is hard to say what they will do, I think they maybe will try to enter the B league but I would imagine if they do that they will lose their young talented players to other clubs that will offer them A football, while that may seem like saving their club it in the end will just prolong the end of it as they wont be the force they were. " The Unst team is largely made up from "young talented players". Unfortunately for Unst many of them will be missing for the first 6-8 weeks of next season. Senior players like Neil Smith and Andrew Hunter are also likely to miss much of the season. The question is can Unst feild a team for the first part of the season or will they be forced to turn up with 9 like Burra. Only Celtic can perhaps relate to this situation to the degree it will affect Unst but they managed due to the support of a B squad. The decision will ultimately be made by the "Squad" of players in Unst but I personally don't know the awnswer. I can see Unst not fullfilling fixtures next season in the A'League. As for the other sides, only Burra should drop back into the B' League to rebuild if they wish. I hope they don't join the works league but I do remember pointing out that this years set up may cause more players and teams to drop into that division. Finally, when the discussions begin with the SFA (all ready been down the route with the WL etc) all involved should be aware that having 11 teams in one league is not practical. It must be reduced by atleast 1 and perhaps 2 to make A/B League fixtures, Senior County, Junior County and Coaching viable. Many clubs have played, and will play, a good number of "Juniors" who are needed to make up these sides. They end up playing too much football and not enough coaching or recovery time. Lets aim for 9 teams in each league and see who wants to play where.

U21's Parish Cup final was a great advertisement for the parish association. Both teams played some excellent passing football along with a lot of desire and determination. The large travelling crowd were treated to great entertainment but a shame about the midgies. Well done Unst who I believe were deserved winners on the day.

I think neither team can be over the moon with their performance. Thistle deserved the win overall and will be happier as they got all three points without a few first choice players. But Unst's performance was poor by their own standards considering the team they had on the pitch. Unst were also missing a few of their most influencial players which was clearly a major problem for them. Unst's lack of cohesion and organisation was obvious for much of the game which they rectified slighlty against Burra on Monday. I expect Unst to "get it right" sooner rather than later, and if so, a very medioca side which thistle had out might not get all three points in Unst. AS far as the goals go, Unst certainly scored the better and Neil Laurensons hatrick was great.

Burra 0 Unst 6 I think Unst now meet Celtic in the Semi after Celtic beat Spurs 1-0.

No. I don't think they have folded but I know they are struggling badly due to the loss of L.Pearson and J.W Red to injuries. They have allowed one of thier players to leave for Spurs I beleive too. Will the new format claim its first victim and will their be more????

Madrid Cup Semis Scalloway 0 Delting 3 Whitedale 3 Spurs 0 (I think) Any score from Yells match on Fri? Whalsay apparently had pretty much their B team plus Karl W against Ness (6-1). Could be the most goals scored in one season the way things are going.

Madrid Cup 1/4 Final Unst 0 Scalloway 7 An understrength Unst side against a Scalloway side missing Gary Burns.

If any clubs are not happy with the restructure it is crucial they make that known this year at the SFA meetings. Wheesht is right, it is at those meetings which the grumbling should be done and alternative proposals put forward. I would be very surprised if Unst, Yell and Burra want this set-up next year (if they survive this season) and Ness may want to reconsider if those teams drop out. These teams have some talented players who want to play A-League football but getting beat 16-1 due to lack of stregnth in depth is not the way forward for smaller areas. Lets hear some proposals or suggestions on the SFA AGM forum and leave this one for scores and match reports.

Unst were reasonably happy with only losing 4-0 to Whalsay away. They don't have their strongest team out due to injury etc but neither did Whalsay. Unst competed well and were 1-0 down at half time when it could easily have been 1-1. In the end they were probably lucky not to concede a couple more. As for scoring 16 against these weaker teams.....these clubs are already discussing what will happen next year and the current scenario is not an option whether sections of the SFA think so or not. Unst has a major problem that half the team is playing U18's and/or U16's and the fixture congestion is already causing injuries etc. This WAS pointed out to the SFA but some seem to think playing four games a week is OK. OBVIOUSLY NOT. Who wants to win by 16 goals. Maybe thats how you improve?

Looks like we could have another interesting Parish competition again. With Delting and Whalsay meeting in the semi a minnow is going to make the final again. Westside have to be favourites from that side of the draw but could Unst raise their game? or will this be Burra's year. maybe Yell will get a full squad out and shock everyone again by reaching the final for the second time. Whatever happens I am sure we will see the public turn out in droves again for the most prestigious Cup comp in Shetland football!!! One of the major obstacles for the Parish comps this year is the number of matches in the A-League. Getting the matches played will require cooperation from the SFA again which the Parish Association is always grateful for. Delting have to be favourites but my money is on Whalsay to come good again.

I am willing to bet Delting will not play Whalsay in the final on the 1st of sept. If they do I will want a stewards enquiry considering they would meet in the semi!!!!!

Not sure getawinner. Very good point though. I seem to remember it being mentioned at a meeting but don't think it was decided upon or minuted. The Shetland times isn't doing a dream team this year which is a relief. I seem to remember Delting hammering a struggling Ness last game of the season as the players were trying to build up points even though they had won the league already.