Whitletts double is good for game
Four leagues and fixtures will be issued earlier
John Dalton believes Whitletts Vics have scored a double after the Junior game voted for change.
Two motions put forward by the Dam Park club were backed at the AGM of the west region of the SJFA.
And Whitletts chairman Dalton reckons it’s a huge step forward for the game.
From the start of season 2018/ 19, there will be four divisions – Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two – each consisting of 16 clubs.
And planned fixture schedules will be issued by November 30 and February 28 earlier after much criticism. But secretary Scott Robertson hung on to his job despite a bid to unseat him by former Lugar stalwart Kennie Young.
Dalton said: “We have a fantastic product in junior football. Great entertainment at a low cost to supporters and the idea behind these two motions will afford better opportunities for promotion of the game.
“League reconstruction will mean every club will have a guarantee of 15 home league matches every season. This will allow clubs to budget accordingly, guaranteeing additional home matches in which to raise revenue through the gate or by means of sponsorship.
“In the coming season, Ayrshire District League clubs will have just 10 home league matches which is insufficient to grow and develop a club accordingly.”
The 2017/ 18 season will be a transition season into the new league set up which will commence in 2018/ 19 season.
Clubs also backed by an overwhelming majority, a second motion to give more advanced notice of fixtures.
Dalton said: “This has been a contentious issue for a number of years for some clubs. Only getting one or two weeks notice of games makes it very difficult for clubs to maximise their potential by generating additional sponsorship and hospitality but also there is no real structure to the issuing of fixtures.
“Last season Whitletts played six of our first eight league matches at home which makes it difficult for clubs’ cash flow while Largs had an incredible 58 day gap between their final two league matches.”
“By getting notice of fixtures for the first half of the season and then advanced notice of fixtures from New Year onwards, clubs will be able to forward plan.
“Of course, there will be Scottish Cup replays and postponements due to weather but these matches would simply be arranged for the first available free date.” have signed winger Dale Moore from Troon.