What a game.

[Ozymandias]

I am still trying to figure out who got Promoted and Relegated in Scotland. I am still trying to figure out why a team in 7th place (51pts) in Welsh League finished below the team in 4th (46pts). And then to cap it all, why when I looked at the tables for the Copa America, do I find Qatar and Japan?
It's a funny old game

[Ozymandias]

Actually, it's a load of bollocks.

[Llamaman]

I am still trying to figure out who got Promoted and Relegated in Scotland. I am still trying to figure out why a team in 7th place (51pts) in Welsh League finished below the team in 4th (46pts). And then to cap it all, why when I looked at the tables for the Copa America, do I find Qatar and Japan?
It's a funny old game

Now pay attention & keep a couple of headache pills on hand for afterwards. In Scotland the play-offs include the next to bottom team in the league above, just as it was in England when play-offs started. The bottom team is automatically relegated & replaced by the champions from the division below, the teams in the lower division play a little knock-out tournament & the winners play the team 2nd bottom from the higher league. The winner of that play-off will remain/go up to the higher league for the next season, the loser goes down/stays in the lower division, thereby sometimes 2 teams are relegated/promoted, sometimes only 1. Off course there is a different set up for the team finishing bottom of SPFL Division 2, but maybe that treat should be saved for later.
Now for the Welsh Premier League,. Trying to maintain a reasonable & equal standard throughout the divisions there is only 12 teams who play each other 3 times making 33 games, then the top six play each other once again, as do the bottom 6, making a 38 game season.
A team in the bottom 6 may finish with more points than one in top 6, but as it the bottom 6 team gained their extra points after the split it is considered they were against weaker teams & easier to earn than points earned by a team playing against other top & better teams. The final positions are important as it gives clubs entry to the Europa League qualifiers & extra cash. May not be much but it is a lot to clubs of this size. The same system takes place in Ireland & Scotland (where it all started). See simple.
As for Japan & Qatar in South America, that's down to Continental drift.

[Capricorn25]

Actually, it's a load of bollocks.

Correct!!!!!

[Ozymandias]

Thanks for that Llamaman. I think I understood that.
So what with Cove Rangers getting promoted where should Berwick Ranger's play? Lowland/highland Division or the National Conference? Or maybe even the National North.

Maybe I'll just stick to bollocks.

[Llamaman]

Berwick Rangers will be in the Lowland League, joining among others Bonnyrigg Rose who won promotion replacing Whitehall Welfare who drop to The East of Scotland League. These leagues are a bit contrived but it is only an attempt to make some competition in what are usually unmatched divisions, & it does seem to work in Scotland where a small team such Motherwell, average gate about 3,000 are competing against Celtic & Rangers av. 50,000, with the Edinburgh teams & Aberdeen 15 to 19,000. So a top six finish is quite an achievement for clubs of that size. There most probably wouldn't be a Welsh Premier League but for the European Authorities insisting a National League is required for their clubs to be accepted into their competitions. Exemptions were obviously given to the major Welsh clubs in the Football League who unsurprisingly decidede to stay where they were. Though the 'non-league' teams were not given the same opportunity until some legal battles were fought Rules were changed for entering the FA Cup & Welsh cup, so the days of Cardiff, Newport & Wrexham having good runs in Europe are over.
So there you are, one of your specialist subjects for next years 'Mastermind' is sorted.

[Ozymandias]

I agree with one part of your explanation Llamaman, " an attempt to create some competition". Scottish football clearly needs that.

[Llamaman]

Having given you some time to get your head around the Scottish promotion/relegation scenario Ozymandias here is something else for you from over the Border. The Scottish Challenge Cup, same as the English comp. for league 1 & 2 sides, invites sides from England, Wales & both of the Irelands are invited to take part. This season the English reps., are Solihull Moors & Wrexham the famous old Welsh team. It seems the representatives for Wales are actually from the Principality, how boring there is a large Welsh heritage population in Patagonia, Argentina, they surely could have raised a team to take part. Just nip over for a Tuesday night match at Brechin or Cowdenbeath, then back for work Wednesday morning.

[Ozymandias]

You are a mine of information Llamaman. Wasn't that the Irn Bru thing last season in which Sutton Utd took part in and Bohemians of the Eire/SouthernIreland/Republic. Right old mongrel situation North of the Border.If You see what I mean.
You have to ask yourself, next season, who's going to finish runners up to Celtic? Yawn, Or maybe, best not to.

[Llamaman]

Scotland does keep on giving. One of the Welsh clubs in the challenge cup has its home ground in England, The New Saints play at Oswestry. A merger of Oswestry Town & Llansantfaidd F.C, they original played at Llans etc. ground, but then moved to Oswestry, where they ground share with FC Oswestry, one of the many phoenix clubs around the U. K. There's something to slip into the conversation in the bar or at a tea break, should stun any audience into silence.
Scottish football does have a problem with competition at the very top, but at every other level it is ok. I got interested in football North of the Border when Sky showed only 1 or 2 English games a week, so supplemented it with the Scottish Premiership. Aside from the Old Firm, there are intense local city rivalries in Edinburgh & Dundee where the matches are played in a great atmosphere. Plus every team wants to win any game, especially if they bring down one the big two from Glasgow. the fans are just as passionate about their teams as supporters of sides at all levels in England. Watching the games over the years I have naturally seen some poor fayre, but also plenty of exciting, hard fought & skilful games. Hopefully there will be more in the season to come.