THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
By DAVID FERGUSON
GLASGOW clubs are considering following their Borders counterparts in launching a new competition along similar lines to the historic Border League.

John Beattie, the coach at West of Scotland, and Glasgow Hawks' chief executive Kenny Baillie have sounded out clubs in the west of Scotland and Beattie confirmed yesterday that they had met with a favourable response.

"Kenny has spoken with some clubs and I've spoken with others," Beattie explained, "and there is agreement in principle for a 'Glasgow League'.

"Ever since I played at Glasgow Accies I've wondered why the Border clubs could keep themselves playing all season while we put up with big gaps, whether it was for internationals or, more recently, waiting for cup matches.

"In 2004, when I was coaching Glasgow Accies, we went for five weeks without a game and then had to play Berwick in the shield final.

"They had had some Border League games to keep them going and were sharper than us. Last season West's last few games had four weeks between them."

Among the ideas thrown up by discussions so far is the possibility of a Glasgow League v Border League champions play-off at the end of the season. Beattie added: "Kenny and I feel this is something Glasgow clubs could do to help ourselves.

"It's great that we have Ayr, West of Scotland, Glasgow Hawks and Stirling County in Division One this season, and the national leagues are the priority, but this could help fill blank weekends with great derbies and help those clubs and the likes of GHA, Cartha Queens Park, Hamilton and Hillhead/ Jordanhill be really competitive.

"Nothing's firmed up yet. We have agreement in principle from those eight clubs, and I'd love to see it launched later in the season, but we have to sit down and iron out fixtures and see how all the clubs feel."

This article was posted on 10-Sep-2008, 07:12 by Hugh Barrow.