Busy start to new season

The East Region of the Scottish Junior Football Association have published their fixtures for the 2019/2020 season and, for the first time, clubs have been issued with a full season of fixtures.

Following the departure of clubs before the start of last season the structure of the region was changed and with two more clubs leaving, clubs voted in favour of a more locally-focused structure with the top tier being the Super League North and South with the Premier League North and South below them.

The overall champions will be decided by a two-leg play-off at the end of the season.

Clubs in the two Super Leagues and the Premier League South will play each other three times. The Premier League North sides will face each other four times.

The North Super League will consist of last season’s champions Lochee United along with Broughty Athletic, Tayport, Forfar West End, Carnoustie Panmure, Downfield, and Kirriemuir Thistle from last season’s top division. They will be joined by Premier League North champions North End, Luncarty and Scone Thistle.

Thornton Hibs and Kennoway Star Hearts take their place in Super League South with Fauldhouse United and Whitburn from last season. They are joined by Pumpherston, Livingston United, Bathgate Thistle, Lochore Welfare and Harthill Royal.

The Premier League North consists of eight clubs – Arbroath Vics, Blairgowrie, Brechin Vics, Coupar Angus, East Craigie, Violet, Forfar Albion and Lochee Harp.

The Premier League South will see four new clubs – albeit three have familiar names. Bo’ness United JFC, Linlithgow Rose CFC, Sauchie Juniors CFC and Syngenta all make their debuts alongside Newburgh, Stoneyburn, West Calder United, Kirkcaldy & Dysart FC (formerly Kirkcaldy YM), Rosyth and Lochgelly Albert.

The season starts on Saturday August 3 with Super League champions Lochee United on the road at promoted Luncarty.

Broughty Athletic, who finished runners-up, also start on the road at Forfar West End.

There are midweek games for the first two weeks of the campaign with Broughty facing Carnoustie Panmure at the redeveloped Whitton Park on Wednesday August 7.

There is an opening day Fife derby in Super League South as Kennoway Star Hearts face Thornton Hibs at Treaton Park, while Lochore Welfare make their top flight debut at Livingston.

The Premier League North begins with Arbroath Vics welcoming Blairgowrie and there is a tasty derby at Craigie Park as East Craigie face Lochee Harp.

Fixtures for the Premier League South have been delayed due to some clubs sharing with East of Scotland League clubs.