Category: League News

Good Luck from the WoSFL and PDM Buildbase

As the new season gets underway in a few hours, the WoSFL website spoke to both WoSFL Chairman Matt Bamford and PDM Buildbase Managing Director Eddie Hernon, who both conveyed good luck messages to all the WoSFL clubs and Matt also spoke about the PDM Buildbase Ground Criteria Fund.

Chairman Matt said “On the eve of the first proper West Of Scotland Football League season I’d like to thank PDM Buildbase for coming on board as the main league partner. Our team have been working close with the PDM Buildbase team to make sure we are improving the game in local communities”

He continued “Robert from PDM Buildbase has taken a fresh approach to sport sponsorship that has made it easy for the league to move forward faster and with the introduction of the PDM Buildbase Ground Criteria Fund we will see a fund setup to help all clubs meet the WOSFL ground criteria which will improve facilities in all levels of the WOSFL. To all the members, clubs, players, volunteers and sponsors we hope you have a great season”

PDM Buildbase Managing Director Eddie Hernon said

PDM Buildbase has always taken an active role in supporting the communities we’re part of, and that’s why we’re delighted yet again to be the main sponsor of the West of Scotland Football League. The new league set-up will play a vital role is promoting football at all levels and something we’re proud to be part of.”

It really is an exciting time here in the West and here’s to a great season!

May the best teams win!

WoSFL unveil Time to Tackle as Strathclyde Demolition Cup Charity Partner

The WoSFL Management Committee are delighted to announce that Time to Tackle will be our Charity Partner for the Strathclyde Demolition Cup for Season 2021/22.

Mental health issues are becoming increasingly more common and sadly suicide is a leading cause of death in Scotland among people aged 15-34 years. In 2018, suicide accounted for 28% of all male deaths in this age group. This statistic is shocking and we want to highlight the help that is available out there for people struggling with their own mental health. Time to Tackle co-founder Aaron Connolly is a player in the West of Scotland Football League, and the way the team use football and fitness as therapy made this partnership seem like a logical step as we look to help fight poor mental health.

Time to Tackle was founded in October 2019 by Aaron and his wife Siobhán Connolly following Aaron’s long running battle with poor mental health.  After struggling to find support Aaron and Siobhán decided to use their own lived experiences to create a group that would not only benefit them on a personal level but also give hope and support to others.

While considering the many aspects of mental health, Time to Tackle aim to provide the support to do the following;

  • Improve physical and mental health
  • Challenge stigma surrounding mental health
  • Promote open and honest conversations
  • Provide a safe non-judgemental environment
  • Create peer support networks to combat loneliness

Their award-winning Football Therapy program promises to help you smile again, enjoy exercising and create friendships, details of how to get in touch with the team are on their website

As part of the Partnership we will promote Time to Tackle on our social media channels as well as help them raise funds at Strathclyde Demolition Cup matches and work closely with Aaron and the team going forward with mental health campaigns throughout the course of the season.

WoSFL announce Strathclyde Demolition as new Strathclyde Cup Partners

The WoSFL Management Committee are delighted to announce Strathclyde Demolition as the Main Partner for our new Strathclyde Cup competition, which will now be known as “The Strathclyde Demolition Cup”, a competition set up for non-licensed West of Scotland clubs (Who are not members of the SJFA) to give them a potential route into the Scottish Cup, with the cup winners receiving an entry slot into a playoff between the winners of the East of Scotland’s Alex Jack cup and the South of Scotland’s Alba Cup, the winners of the playoff taking part in the following seasons Scottish Cup.

Strathclyde Demolition is a family run business in Paisley that has been involved in the demolition industry for over 40 years. They specialise in all matters of demolition contracting and the services they can provide are: Demolition, Dismantling, Hired Labour, Internal Downtaking, Site Clearance and Demolition Work Estimates.

For more information on Strathclyde Demolition please take a look at their website 

We look forward to working with Strathclyde Demolition this season and can’t wait for the competition to get underway, with the preliminary and first round draws taking place tonight Thursday 8th July 2021 after the Special General Meeting.

 

Rogue Monkey Digital Media signs up as Official Graphics Partner to WoSFL

The PDM Buildbase West of Scotland Football League are delighted to announce that Rogue Monkey Digital Media is the new official graphics partner of the league initially until the end of season 2021/22. Rogue Monkey DM have provided numerous graphics to clubs for their social media all over the country and their bold, eye-catching designs are fresh, modern and stylish. The man behind the Monkey, Gerry Lafferty, has been involved in the semi professional grade for a number of years at St Anthony’s, starting off as club photographer before expanding his skillset to cover a whole host of digital media.

Speaking to the WoSFL Website Gerry said “I am delighted to be partnering with the West of Scotland Football League, It’s an exciting time with the new board in place, they have some great ideas and plans for the season, and I’ve already worked closely with the leagues Head of Digital and Social media at The Ants before which will be a big help as we already have a great working relationship together. I am hoping to connect with as many clubs as possible, to help where it’s needed and to sharing best practice and hints and tips with the great pool of talented digital media teams we have in place at many of our clubs already. I can’t wait to get started and am looking forward to next season”

WoSFL Media Man Martin McKenna was equally as happy to bring Rogue Monkey on board. “For me, Rogue Monkey are one of if not the best local up and coming digital media companies and the quality of Gerry’s work blows me away at times, and I think partnering with him can only benefit us and the standard of graphics and other digital media that we add to our content. I’ve worked with Gerry for years at The Ants and we have an excellent working relationship, and I look forward to continuing that relationship at league wide level, as I feel his work can help elevate our brand”

Welcome on board!

#passionandpride

End of Season Statement

The Board of the West of Scotland Football League have confirmed that following the statement by the First Minister yesterday, the remainder of the 2020/21 League football season has been cancelled and declared null and void.

An update regarding the South Challenge Cup will be announced in due course once we have discussed this with the other three leagues that participate in the competition.

This decision will allow clubs to focus and to look forward and prepare for next season, details of which will be issued in due course.

#PassionandPride

Resumption of Training

The Scottish FA have confirmed that clubs may return to organised NON-CONTACT training from Friday 12th March. The Scottish Government and sportscotland guidance regarding players aged 18 years and above who are permitted to participate in outdoor non-contact group activity with full level 4 guidance can be found here

The following guidance MUST be fully adhered to by all member clubs:

  • All activity must be outdoors at an appropriately risk assessed venue.
  • All activity must be non-contact, ensuring physical distancing is in place at all times before, during and after activity takes place.
  • All activity must be organised within your own Local Authority area and players are NOT permitted to travel to neighbouring authorities to participate, as per Scottish Government travel restrictions.
  • It is recommended that activity is limited to twice a week and for a maximum of 60 minutes per session.
  • All group activity must consist of a maximum of 15 players and officials and all activity must contain a COVID Officer and First Aider per 1/4 of a pitch.
  • All activity should avoid inter-club training, competition or events.
  • Spectating is not permitted at any time and no-one should congregate at the facility or nearby.
  • At no stage should groups mix and appropriate one way systems should be in place at your respective facility.
  • Please ensure that hygiene measures are implemented at all times.
  • All players, participants are advised to undertake a COVID-19 eLearning course if they are to participate in training.

Key Dates/Next Stages

The following are indicative dates that will allow clubs to start to prepare for future activity and over the coming weeks we will continue to engage with the Scottish Government and sportscotland to gain more clarification on specific areas.

5 April

Stay at home: Stay at home requirement removed

26 April

Strategic (Levels) Framework: Return to a levels system, which includes regional variation based on data. Further detail will be published as soon as it is available.

Sport:The levels system will support the phased re-opening of sport. The detail of what activity will be permitted in each level will be confirmed this month

Update on 20/21 Season

The Board of the West of Scotland Football League have confirmed that due to the current suspension of the game due to the coronavirus pandemic, the current football season will be officially ended and declared null and void if Clubs are not allowed to resume full contact training by the 3rd April, therefore allowing for the resumption of competitive fixtures no later than the 17th April.

At the start of the season, the then Interim Management Group confirmed that 50% of matches across all divisions would be required to be played to allow the League to be determined on a points per game basis, should the League competition have to end prior to the completion of all fixtures.

An average of 10 rounds of fixtures are required to be played to achieve that milestone and allow all clubs to have played each other at least once. With the Premier Division Champions requiring to be determined no later than 22nd May to allow possible participation in the Lowland League Play-offs, this would require Clubs to play both weekend and midweek fixtures from the 17th April.

Therefore should it become clear that this will not be possible, the League will be declared null and void and the focus will thereafter be on planning for the start of the 21/22 season.

Meanwhile the League welcome the announcement from the Scottish Government regarding the easing of lockdown restrictions but would remind Clubs that the current suspension of training remains in force until we receive a further update from the Scottish FA.

Joint Statement – West of Scotland and East of Scotland Football Leagues

The EoSFL and WoSFL have agreed a boundary for new member applications which is based upon local authority areas. Clubs in Falkirk, Stirling and West Lothian who wish to join the pyramid will be directed to apply to the EOSFL while clubs in North and South Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire will be directed to apply to the WOSFL.

These local authority boundaries will not affect any club already in membership of either League. Also, once a club is admitted to one League any application to switch Leagues will not be entertained except with the prior approval of both Leagues.

#Passion&Pride

WoSFL Delighted to back Beatson Footgolf Fundraiser

The WoSFL are delighted to confirm that we will be sponsoring the flag at the 14th hole at the annual Beatson Footgolf Tournament, which will take place, pandemic permitting, at Footgolf Cumbernauld located in the Palacerigg Family Golf Range on Sunday the 9th of May. The aim of the tournament is to raise much needed funds for the Beatson Cancer Charity and as of the 28th February a fantastic 20 teams had already signed up to take part. We hope it’s a great day for all those involved, raises a ton of money for a very worthwhile cause and may the best team win.

For more information on the Beatson Footgolf Tournament check the Beatson Footgolf Twitter account